There's a police blitz on our roads at the moment. For 10 weeks the police will be working overtime to tackle the toll of speeding, drugs, drink driving, lack of attention. The toll that takes people from their families and leaves many struggling to rebuild lives.
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You can easily spot the officers in action, lights flashing, talking to drivers they have pulled over. Drivers clocked speeding through roadworks. Drivers nabbed after having one too many drinks and trying to sneak home. Drivers using the phone to read the text they just can't bear to miss (pull over, why don't you). Drivers who probably thought they would get away with it (and who seem to believe it's not illegal until they get caught).
You've got to wonder at people's stupidity. And you've got to wonder how some of these people got their licences (obviously off the back of a Wheaties packet given the moves I've seen this week). Two cars sped past me in a clearly-designated 80km/h zone when I was just under the limit (they, literally, roared away into the distance). The same in 60km/h and 100km/h zones. Then there was the person who failed to drop to 40km/h in roadworks (and those who actually sped past the police officers booking them). And don't forget the cars overtaking on double white lines and blind corners.
Sedate, sensible driving is no longer the norm. The same goes for driving to the conditions. Far too many people break the speed limit in the most horrendous weather.
Why? Maybe it is because our cars have become safer with each release. The speed feels less threatening but it isn't, and the gadgets installed to tell us when to slow down (the dulcet tones of the GPS) aren't working. If they were, the EU wouldn't be considering overrides to drop the speed when limits are broken.
If we keep driving the way we are, more of these hacks are going to be needed. Technology will have to save us from ourselves. So, if we don't want the rise of the machines, it's time to get back to basics. As one caller to ABC radio (an ex-police officer) succinctly put it, we need to get rid of distractions and just concentrate on the road.
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