With all the seatbelts, crumple zones, ABS, airbags and other tech like lane assist and auto braking cars are safer than ever, unfortunately the same cannot be said for the distracted impatient people who are in control of the accelerator and steering wheel, many people seem to prefer the horn to the brakes, and not to mention indicators. Maybe it is the feeling safety of drivers inside their cage that means they take more risks. It is time to to treat people who kill people with a car as harshly as if they had stabbed them, the punishment for dangerous or careless driving that results in someone dying is not harsh enough..
I agree. As I said above, "I think it's also partly down to the 'Volvo' syndrome. Modern cars come with that many safety features, air bags and abbreviations such as ABS, EBD, SIPS etc etc etc that it lulls people in to a false sense of security."
Impatience is a key here too. We lead busy lives and the roads are every busier. You've only to look at average speeds in London for example to see why. Even in outer London the average speeds have dropped by 1mph over the last decade to just 19.3 mph.
https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2019/19767 - I still chuckle at folk in vanity supercars in central London being overtaken by 50cc scooters!
Punishment, well cameras do not replace actual traffic cops. We need more police. Our PM has got 20,000 on the way. I've not seen them yet, but..... We need proper traffic cops and not multi tasking units that are used to attend other incidents. Actual dedicated roads policing officers.
When I started driving in 1989, the roads were controlled by a fleet of Rover 827 and Vauxhall Senators. I've been stopped, educated and even once fined for speeding. You knew there was a good chance that poor driving would be spotted by and at best you would get a proper dressing down, and at worst punished. A real actice deterrent. Let alone the added benefit of vehicle safety standards with the likes of bald tyres. A roadside ANPR can't do that.
Technology. In car tech is out of control. I see too many smart phones and sat navs blocking windscreens. It is an offence, but enforcement remains the issue. Same is true with mobile phone useage, the points and fine could increase, but if there are no traffic police?