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P Plate Driver Crisis
To help ”Stop the carnage!“ I would suggest that we should triple the number of highway patrol cars, and make all the new cars " UNMARKED"
Have you ever seen a "P" plater [or any other driver, for that matter] hoon past a marked police car?
Marked police cars as a "visible" deterrent have their place, but they only deter bad behaviour when visible.
Miscreants might think twice about driving in a dangerous unlawful manner, when that “normal “ car nearby, could be a police car.
To stop frivolous complaints against police by disgruntled drivers, all car should be fitted with video to log the offences and this would
also guard against possible police corruption.
All cars to have two officers for safety.
We need more highway patrol not more cameras!
Highway patrol can catch the real culprit.
Fixed cameras only allow the registered owner of the vehicle to be fined, as speed and red light cameras don’t identify the driver.
Because they are on probation "P" platers can only make one "mistake" and automatically lose their license for three months with a second offence as they run out of points.
How many doting grandmothers are on the RTA’s records as being the nominated driver of a grandson’s “he’s a good boy really” WRX or V8 ute caught by a speed or red light camera?
Highway patrol officers get the driver!
Then we need, [this is where we could have a bit of trouble] no nonsense magistrates or judges, that back up our police who endeavor to make our road safe. We need Courts that don’t listen to stories of broken homes and bed wetting. Drivers have to accept responsibility for their anti-social conduct. The “P” on the P plate in my eyes stands for PRIVILEGE. It’s a privilege to be allowed to drive a car.
Extra driving training and education for learner drivers is on Mr Scully’s discussion paper. Will it work? Yes for some but what percentage? We ARE dealing with teenagers.
Do all teenagers take notice when told of the dangers of smoking, drugs, drinking and sex?
Even with speed restrictions and fewer demerit points, P plate drivers are abusing the privilege of driving a car, putting themselves, passengers and other road users at risk.
Teachers might find it a little difficult, to teach young people responsible road behaviour while they have to avoid flying chairs and warding off knife thrusts.
Over confidence, peer pressure, youth and testosterone will often negate all common sense. The loss of license will often be enough to educate some drivers.
But it’s the rat bag element who think rules aren’t meant for them that need more stern attention.
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WHEEL CLAMPS WHEEL CLAMPS WHEEL CLAMPS
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There is provision in law to confiscate (for a set period) the car of a driver caught doing “burnouts Maybe the law could be amended to accommodate this idea
On passing the driving test, the new probationary driver is asked to sign a form to show they realise what will happen when road rules are broken
.It should be made clear that driving if disqualified is…. NOT an option. Anyone caught while driving while disqualified has his/her car wheel clamped, (with an official RTA wheelclamp) at their home for say, 6 months. NO EXCUSES. This would remind this person of their bad behavior every time they walked past it, and there would be no storage problem for the RTA.
If the wheel clamped vehicle is moved for ANY reason without official permission, it is confiscated and sold. No exceptions.
Tough problems need tough action.
The “P” plate driver could be caught driving disqualified using the family car.
What then?
Then the onus is on the owner [the parents] to make SURE that this person doesn’t drive while disqualified
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If he/her can’t be trusted not to drive, buy a good steering lock and keep the key under the tongue, because the car WILL be wheel clamped if the disqualified person is caught in it, and with all the extra highway patrol cars that would be a distinct possibility.
It is law to have a firearm under lock and key … Penalties apply
A car in the wrong hands, is just as dangerous, so make sure it can’t be driven.
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Update 16/2/07
Reading back through the above, Ex Justice Marcus Einfield comes to mind for some reason.
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Update 25/6/07
This announcement was in the paper

So I sent this into the Telegraph and it made the 22/6/07 edition.

This entry was posted on 11 Dec 2004 at 07:04 by hstephens and is filed under All, The "P" Plate driver crisis.