Idea to improve driving standards

[Panic Button]

A simple way to dramatically improve driving standards. Remove all steering wheel airbags and replace with a spike.

[jake-the-peg]

Then it might surprise you to know that we actually have the safest roads in the world.

We see 6 road deaths per 100,000 people that's better than France, Germany, Japan, the USA, Sweden,.......

http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/56/32/2487308.pdf

[BigDogsWang]

A high percentage of road accidents are caused by Teenagers who having just passed their test, think they are the next Schumahcer. They don't realise the different physics of car handling when loading their motor up with mates and girlfriends.

I think I read or heard somewhere that Teens can dramatically reduce their Insurance Premiums, if they take an advanced test, which highlights the dangers of motoring in much greater detail than the rather inadequate current Test. If this is the case, I think it should be made compulsory.

[Panic Button]

Yes the previous experience most teenagers have is that when it says 'Game Over' you just press 'Play' again.

[Panic Button]

Yeah, well, it might need a bit of fine tuning.

I was going to question Jake the pegs view that our standards are pretty good, considering what I see on the M25 every day. Then I remembered seeing the standards in Bombay. Have to be seen to be believed.

[jake-the-peg]

OK I am "cheating" a bit

I'm talking about road fatalities. I don't have the figures for non fatal accidents - interested if anybody can dig them up.

A lot of this is due to excellent emergency services, mandatory seat belts etc.

Get this:

In the 8 years 1926 to 1933 50,837 were killed on Britains roads - 6, 355 per year

In 2005 that number was 3,201

That's not per vehicle - that's total!

[mr rusty]

Spikes on steering wheels wouldn't improve driving standards one iota- all it'd mean is that at the moment when a car pulls out in front of you and you have no chance of taking evasive action then you'll just get out with a bruised face from the airbag,whereas the spike will kill you, wether it's your fault or not........but the person who pulled out won't be impaled on their spike (unless you fit them to doors as well..)

Perhaps a better idea would be to force all prospective car licence applicants to ride a small capacity motorcycle for a couple of years first, where they'll learn all about road sense, survival anticipation, road surfaces, grip, etc.

[The Mack]

i think we all know what he means. if there was a more obvious risk involved with driving people might concentate more rather than driving while lighting a fag, changing a cd whilst reading a map with a can of coke between your legs checking out the bit of skirt walking by. i think he is also saying airbags create a sense of safety that gives that volvo effect. i dont think it was literal

[Gef]

mr rusty, it's a pity that many motorcyclists haven't done that.

[Panic Button]

Cherie and I have discussed the concerns shown here. The view has been given that it is unfair if the accident is not your fault, but this partly misses the point.
There are many accidents where it is not the persons fault, but if they had been driving more defensively they could have avoided the collision. Some people go through their driving career without ever having an accident.
However I accept that there is a slight danger of a miscarriage of justice, so we will not be going ahead with this.
Instead from 1st of January there will be a ban on black BMWs.
Regards Tony

[The Mack]

What about any BMW?