The South Australian Government defines defensive driving as “driving to avoid being involved in an emergency or crash situation”.
There’s an official training course, which teaches hazard recognition, driver awareness, crash avoidance space, vehicle control and road law knowledge.
The course should be compulsory to obtain a licence or for anyone who infringes a road rule.
During a 4km round trip to the post office this morning I encountered:
- A massive 4WD straddled five metres past the stop line at traffic lights. Pedestrians had to wade through the middle of the intersection to get past.
- A cyclist riding on the wrong side of the road.
- A semi-trailer parked three metres from the kerb opposite the post office, nearly forcing a collision between oncoming vehicles.
- Another massive 4WD going so slowly it was nearly impossible to maintain a safe distance.
The danger of slow-moving vehicles is understated. It frustrates other drivers and some may take unreasonable risks. It should be an offence to drive at more than 20pc below the speed limit for an extended period.
And why are there so many 4WDs and utes in Mount Gambier?
I could understand it at Kalgoorlie, where people had to go off the bitumen to reach many mine sites, but the reason in Mount Gambier escapes me?
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People in 4WDs usually have an attitude to match. The bull bars that go with them are pretty mean too.
This is a grievance we never solve, ain’t it? The only solution will be the complete automation of transport; computer-controlled vehicles.
A lot of people drive 4WD’s because they believe that *they* are safer in them!
I always think that the wonder of driving is that so many survive…like good health itself it’s a surprise when you consider the odds against.
Twitter: delmerw
says:
I remember seeing a comedian, man, about 30 years ago, talking about slow drivers and how they should be pulled over. He imagined the officer might say, “Where you headed buddy? The dentist?”
(The comment was funnier than I make it sound.)
I get it..driving slow because he fears the destination! Not bad.