When did I EVER say ANYTHING about reducing speed limits? I have only suggested that we should STICK to speed limits, that the speed limits ARE there for a REASON, and that SPEED DOES KILL!!!!!!! The reason I got involved in this debate is because people were coming out with outragious comments about 'speed does NOT kill'... My physics was solely PROVING that SPEED KILLS!
Where have you given an answer that practically supports my (well... Newton and Einstein's) theorys? You say REMOVE the pedestrian, I am STILL waiting for a reasonable and feasible answer as to HOW!
NO amounts of education or Bobbies on the beat issuing fines will eliminate ALL accidents. SOME people do not / will not learn, SOME people make MISTAKES (is this not why we call it an accident?) and accidents WILL occur. YES making them less frequent WILL help! Im ALL for it! If it can be implemented!
However I would PREFER the SEVERETY of accidents REDUCED as ACCIDENTS WILL OCCUR NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO! It is part of life! If the severity of the accident was reduced to the point of (as we mentioned earlier, a little optimistic but never the less) dents and scuffs then it would NOT MATTER how many accidents occured as the LOSS OF LIFE would be minimal! THEN we could go about addressing the causes of the accidents in attempts to bring them down. Is this not an example of to finsh first, first you must finish? Get a car (and driver) reliable and crossing the finish line consistantly, THEN start going for the win?
With regards another point you made, the road is NOT just for motor vehicles! It IS its primary use, however a) Cyclists are able to use the road (I hate that fact - I believe EVERYONE should get a 'cycle licence' before taking to the road), infact they are obliged to use the road instead of the path! and b) Pedestrians ARE permitted to cross the road! Yes J-walking laws probably would not be a bad idea, however there will STILL be areas where pedestrians WILL be crossing the road!
I have NEVER once said lowering speed limits is required, nor have I said further speed camera are required - I DISLKIE Gatsos! When I am going through one where am I looking? Not where I SHOULD be looking (at the road) I am looking at my Speedo BECAUSE I dont want points and a hety fine! On the other hand I WAS rather impressed with the variable speed limits that were (when there were roadworks) on the M3 as you join from the A34!
It is all about compromise! The root cause is EXTREEMLY difficult to 'tackle' and in most cases IMPOSSIBLE to police! Although yes these cases definatelly DO need addressing. EVEN when a good system that works is implemented there ARE GOING to STILL be accidents, would it not be sensible to LIMIT the severity of those accidents that DO occur?
Chris
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