Traffic, road rage and drunk driving
Three tales I'm going to combine and perhaps come up with a unified filed theory.
Firstly, the DTI has published traffic stats for the first quarter of 2006, which it graciously concedes are estimates - given that tachygraphs are not obligatory and there is no central repository of information on journeys made, I cannot see how it could be anything other than wild guess work. However, apparently light van traffic is up 8% - must be all those tobacco smugglers going to the Continent.
In response to all the various white van men clogging up the roads, cutting you up etc etc, our American friends have a new website: Platewire.com. Whereupon you can post tales of poor driving and the like. If it spares middle America domestic and office conversations about the a***ole on the Interstate, perhaps this is a good thing, although it does seem little more effective than venting by voice to third parties, as the offenders are unlikely to be checking their own plates.
Finally, and rather more seriously, a coalition of MADD, car makers and highway officials seek to change the law whereby convicted drink drivers will have to have a device fitted that tests them for blood alcohol and then immobilizes the vehicle if they are over the limit. Apparently this law already exists in New Mexico. The practical problems seem huge - what of drug users, what of malfunctioning breathalysers or whatever, what of sober people blowing into the things, multiple car ownership etc etc?
Firstly, the DTI has published traffic stats for the first quarter of 2006, which it graciously concedes are estimates - given that tachygraphs are not obligatory and there is no central repository of information on journeys made, I cannot see how it could be anything other than wild guess work. However, apparently light van traffic is up 8% - must be all those tobacco smugglers going to the Continent.
In response to all the various white van men clogging up the roads, cutting you up etc etc, our American friends have a new website: Platewire.com. Whereupon you can post tales of poor driving and the like. If it spares middle America domestic and office conversations about the a***ole on the Interstate, perhaps this is a good thing, although it does seem little more effective than venting by voice to third parties, as the offenders are unlikely to be checking their own plates.
Finally, and rather more seriously, a coalition of MADD, car makers and highway officials seek to change the law whereby convicted drink drivers will have to have a device fitted that tests them for blood alcohol and then immobilizes the vehicle if they are over the limit. Apparently this law already exists in New Mexico. The practical problems seem huge - what of drug users, what of malfunctioning breathalysers or whatever, what of sober people blowing into the things, multiple car ownership etc etc?
This entry was posted
on Monday, November 20, 2006 at 9:39 am.
You can skip to the end and leave a response.
As you know C I am a level headed chap but state monitoring of cars is becoming a real worry. They are , he said soberly .OUT TO GET US !!!. This morning I notice face recognising technology to be introduced for speeding. Given that we know that speed cameras do not work it seems astonishing that Liberty should be so compromised for such a little gain. . We know ID cards will required a cross referencing of personal information and only a fool would trust any government with this
It will , no doubt all be tied in with the EU black ops department
GALILEO satellite radio navigation system, an initiative launched by the European Union and the European Space Agency. This worldwide system will ensure complementarity with the current GPS system. Incredubly that this massive spend crept along almost unnoticed
The problem is that people actually seem to want all this ,largely because the police and judiciary are not delivering safety and the lower stratas of society are going feral . Well you should know (In Croydon!!)
God its all so depressing , I might have to try o to wangle a trip to Mexico City myself ( fair bit of grovelling to go on that front)
and what of short sighted old ladies with dementia
But enough of C`s sex life for now ......rigger
"Ask not what your government can do for you, as what your government is *doing* to you".
Drink driving laws are nonsensical
I can sink a bottle of spirits and still be menataly and physical capapable.
A better approach would be self regulation , if you are a bit pissed you are not allowed to exceed 20mph and must have a flashing light on the roof of your car , maybe a siren would help.That or just join the fire brigade
On the flipside, I'm a useless driver and don't touch a drop if I'm driving as I don't need to be any worse.
the french have a good solution
if you have been caught pissed you lose the right to drive a normal car, however, you can drive one of those silly little plastic cars that they make that are limited to 30 mph, should do fine in london.
range rover limited to 30 mph and drive all around town absolutely leathered and they cant touch you , the Gaul is sometimes a sensible creature.
Newmania - the law Croydonian referred to is in New Mexico, one of the 50 states of the United States.
Mexico City (aka DF) is the capital of the country of Mexico. I don't see the connection.
The French are bad enough drivers even without having had a drop to drink.
» Post a Comment