If drivers knew there was a high chance they would be fined for their actions, they would change them
Ignorant drivers do what suits them, no matter how dangerous it is, because no one is pulling them up about it, writes Cara Jenkin.
More than 60 road deaths so far this year has South Australia on track for its worst road toll in 10 years, causing SA Police and other emergency services to publicly speak of their frustration about complacency among motorists.
It’s easy to be complacent when no one holds you accountable, and the little things that lead to most people becoming complacent in the first place are being ignored.
Most people just do what they like on the road and do not give a stuff about the hazards they pose or the reason our road rules were created in the first place.
I am increasingly flabbergasted at the complacency, arrogance and ignorance of Adelaide drivers.
For instance, I think I’m the only person in Adelaide who actually slows down and does the posted speed limit past roadworks – even when workers aren’t present.
If drivers think it’s OK and necessary for them to speed – and can get away with speeding – to try to save 10 seconds on their trip, then why does anyone think these same drivers will be patient on the highway?
They won’t wait five minutes for an overtaking lane, and instead will risk being in a head-on crash through an ill-timed overtaking manoeuvre.
They’re not going to slow down and be patient if they’re not practising that on their everyday commute.
I have never seen police stationed at the end of roadworks to catch these speedsters, who are putting the lives of road workers and drivers around them in danger.
Last year I warned of the ignorant attitude drivers still take towards car lights. Too many create dangerous glare by using fog lights despite no fog in sight, have only one headlight working, rely on daytime running lights to shine the way at night, or don’t pay attention enough to realise they have no headlights on at all.
Many vehicles today have at least one brake light that’s not working. I’ve seen these cars almost cause accidents many times, as other drivers changing lanes have no idea they’re braking. These cars are not 30-year-old bombs either – they are as young as a couple of years old.
Last year I was road raged by a woman in a carpark – she said I was too slow. Yeah, the 10km/h clearly signposted speed limit I was doing is slow, but it’s hoons like her that I’ve seen cause accidents there because they are going too fast to stop.
Many of these carpark hoons also make illegal right turns (also clearly signposted) to drive up the down ramp, risking a head-on smash with other vehicles, to get in front of me. I often see these drivers as we walk out the carpark – no time saved there.
I asked a bloke once why he defied posted signage that banned reverse parking – his answer was that it’s his way of enjoying a bit of delinquency on a Monday morning.
On the road, too many SUVs and jacked-up ute drivers can’t stay between the two white lines that make up a lane, causing chaos behind them – especially when they swing left to turn right, and vice versa.
Many also haven’t set their mirrors up correctly, and/or don’t check their blind spot when changing lanes.
I feel sorry for motorcyclists who I see suddenly forced to take evasive action when an oblivious SUV driver nearly takes them out changing lanes.
Taking responsibility for their actions and owning a car that is within their driving capabilities is completely lost on these drivers.
They think they know better and will do what suits them, no matter how dangerous it is, because no one is pulling them up about it.
These rule breaks may seem minor to some, but they’re not. I wonder how many other road rules these people are oblivious to or choose to ignore. What other malfunctions have they not bothered to check that will fail at any moment? What other dangerous situations are they creating?
If drivers knew there was a high chance they would be fined for their actions, they would change them.
Drivers would realise that getting to their destination five minutes later is no big deal. They’d ensure their cars are roadworthy and not posing a danger to anyone else.
You can’t stop idiots from getting behind the wheel, but you can hold them accountable for complacency.