by fungus » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:39 pm
The problem with the ABD and Safe Speed is that they're seen by the politicaly correct media as a load of petrol heads, without so much as an ounce of sense between them. If they would only take the time to read some of the information on their websites, maybe, although it's not likely, they would put across the views of people who take driving seriously, and not only the emotive views of BRAKE.
I have only seen one interview by the media with either the ABD or Safe Speed, but plenty with the AA or BRAKE. In the interview with Safe Speed, whenever the point was raised about speed, and their spokesperson pointed out that the speed limit and the safespeed were not the same thing, the interviewer imediately sidetracked to lower speed limits and speed cameras saving lives. IIRC the interview then switched to BRAKE, where a more simpathetic hearing was given.
A fortnight ago we had a double fatality on the A31 here in Dorset. The following week in the local papers letter section, was a letter headed, "A31 carnage" in which the correspondent suggested that the answer to the problem was to lower the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph, and paint double white lines along the entire stretch of road to prevent overtaking. This would make a stretch of about three miles of totaly rural road with long straight sections where overtaking is perfectly safe, a slow and frustrating drive. It would also make it virtualy impossible to legaly overtake a cyclist without crossing the solid double line as the road would not be wide enough to do it safely.
This response is typical of the knee jerk reactions seen so frequently in the press today whenever there is a fatality on a local road.
I have responded to this letter in opposition to the correspondents views, giving my reasons in more detail than above.
As far as the IAM are concerned, they should promoting Skill With Responsibility, not blaming killer roads, although there's a valid case for some junctions to have their sight lines opened out. One localy was subject to a reduction in speed limit from 60mph to 50mph and some white paint, withought opening up the sight lines. The irony is that most drivers were probably not exceding 50mph at this point anyway.
Nigel ADI
IAM trainee observer