Making Manitoba drivers more responsible

Dangerous driving in Manitoba is unreal. Every time I go on the road, I take my life into my hands. Local news is full of reports about people who have been killed or injured on the roads. The crosses planted on the grass verges are a grim reminder of the number of people who have died on Manitoba highways.

Very recently, I nearly lost my life because someone rear ended my car at 100km per hour, as I waited towards the centre of the road for oncoming traffic to pass in order to turn left. My whole family were in the car including my three year old son who broke his leg and was severely traumatised. Apparently, one car passed us on the shoulder without slowing down, and the vehicle behind it went straight into the back of us. They must have been tail gating and not paying proper attention to the road. How stupid and selfish can drivers be, endangering the lives of themselves and others including small children!

Take a drive somewhere and you will see many incidents of dangerous driving: tail gating, speeding, passing on the shoulder, cutting other drivers off, going through red lights. Many more accidents are waiting to happen. I would even question whether these are really accidents but a natural outcome of people driving badly.

Why do we tolerate lunatic drivers? No one has the right to drive irresponsibly, because in doing so they are taking away other people's rights to be safe on the road. Something must be done to reduce the number of injuries and deaths on the road. If every one drove responsibly, think of the benefits: fewer deaths and injuries, resulting in less grief, lower insurance premiums and less of a strain on the health service.

Why do people drive badly?

• Because many people think they are good drivers, which is not surprising if no one has pointed out their mistakes.
• Because many people have the invincibility mentality: "it won't happen to me", which is not surprising if they've never been involved in an accident that is their fault.
• Because many people treat the law with contempt:"Even though the speed limit is 70km per hour, I can drive perfectly safely at 100km per hour".
• Because traffic is relatively light, allowing drivers to get away with sloppy driving habits most of the time.

I would like to propose a few changes in an attempt to make the roads safer.

1) A compulsory 2 hour brush up lesson for all drivers every two years given by a qualified instructor.

This is not a driving test, just an opportunity for drivers to improve their technique and become safer on the road. The instructor should only report people who are either a danger to other road users or who refuse to learn. A good driver needs someone to point out their mistakes, so that they can improve and keep sharp.

2) All drivers must watch the latest road safety videos and answer questions on them in order to renew their driving licences.

If drivers are reminded of the dangers on the road, and the correct way to drive, they are more likely to become safer drivers.

3) Every year drivers should be required to sign a paper that states that that will undertake to drive carefully and responsibly.

This has the purpose of telling drivers that driving is not a right, but an awesome responsibility that should be taken very seriously.

4) Trained volunteer informers who would report incidents of bad driving to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI).

Drivers are less likely to do stupid things on the road, if there is a possibility they might be reported which in turn could effect their insurance premiums. If MPI become aware of a driver who is frequently being reported by different informers for speeding, then he should be warned and if it continues, his insurance premiums should go up. Care must be taken that drivers are not penalised by informers who have axes to grind. That is why action against drivers should only be taken if they are reported by a number of different informers.

5) Heavy fines for dangerous drivers that reflect the injury caused.

I hate to think what my accident cost the public purse and MPI, what with all the medical, police, legal costs, and costs of replacing my vehicle. Fines in the region of $50,000 for dangerous driving and causing death or injury, would in many cases not cover the costs. I do not see these sorts of fines being unreasonable, provided it can be proved that the driver was driving irresponsibly. After all, people have lost their lives or been permanently maimed because of other people's carelessness.

Unpopular suggestions? May be. But if it makes drivers more responsible and reduces the number of accidents, then it will be worth it.

By Hugo Moule 1.Oct.04

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