When will governments act on road safety rather than revenue raising? So far this year the road toll in the ACT has reached fifteen. How many of these fatal accidents have occurred on the main roads where the white vans are always sitting? Why do the authorities always choose the easy target of the drivers going a few kilometres over the limit on the straight safe roads, rather than target the crazy drivers doing stupid things in the city and around school zones. Whenever driving in Canberra, you hardly ever go a few minutes without being tailgated, cut off or almost hit by inattentive or aggressive drivers.
People out drinking in Canberra also know that it is much easier and quicker to simply drive home over the limit as they know there is almost zero risk of being caught by a Random Breath Test unit. When they take into account the wait for taxis, the cost of taxis and the lack of public transport, driving is the preferred option.
The other issue is the crazy speed limits on Canberra and surrounding districts roads. There are plenty of 80km/h roads in Canberra which should have at least 100km/h speed limits and in surrounding districts there are plenty which should be over 100km/h.
Last week the former V8 champion and team owner Mark Skaife was in the news being blasted for daring to say that Australia’s roads are good enough to handle speeds of 140km/h. He was also saying that Australia’s driver training is insufficient and with better road maintenance and safer cars, we can handle doing 140 on the highways.
Finally, motorcycle deaths appear to be abnormally high in the ACT. Of course there will always be some motorcycle deaths attributed to motorcyclists being at fault through excessive speed or dangerous riding, but other drivers often put safe motorcyclists in danger through not paying attention and being aggressive.
When will someone in power have the guts to do something useful to save lives?