Safe Speed Forums

Guardian (yes, really), 09 November 2005

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1637227,00.html



Interesting list, and note that "speeding" is only 7th (since they do not define it further, do we assume they mean exceeding the speed limit?). No 9 is a new one on me, but you kind of know what they mean. What happened to drunk driving, though? Had a quick look at aultman.com, could not find any reference to this.

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Keep right on to the end of the road ...

11. Using the A55 (or any other road in Brunstromia for that matter)
Good point about drunk driving. I'd say drugged (prescription or otherwise) as well, but I suppose it could be said to be "drink/drug driving". Also I can't see what the difference between 1 and 3 is. Surely if you become distracted you're failing to pay attention? 4 and 8 can also be due to not paying attention, but not exclusively so.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

Would I be right in thinking that the top of the list amounts to "carelessness" which is the new crime now being invented by the government and which can result in jail?

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Malcolm W.
The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not represent the views of Safespeed.

Not sure that drunk driving is a "mistake". People who drive when drunk, I suspect, generally intend to do so.

Also, on what is the "top ten" based. If it is frequency of occurrence, the top item is scary, knowing how common no 7 is. How do they define a "mistake". Should this include things like being in the wrong gear, or fumbling the radio controls?

I suspect it might be based on accident causation, in which case drunk driving should be there and the term "mistakes" is misleading.

This doesn't make it any less of a mistaken idea of what is sensible, IMO.


No source data, so no idea of the basis for ranking. Would like to know more myself.

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Keep right on to the end of the road ...

This doesn't make it any less of a mistaken idea of what is sensible, IMO.

Agreed, but I would maintain that an error of judgement or mistake is a different thing to wilful stupidity!

I've emailed Aultman asking for the original PR and the information source.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

1. Failing to pay attention
Like looking at your speedo, behind direction signs and at contractors vans parked in laybys rather than the road.

2. Driving while drowsy
Having to drive more slowly (particularly on Motorways) promotes drowsiness. It also extends journey times, increasing the risk of an already tired driver having an accident.

3. Becoming distracted (by radio, phone, children, speed cameras)

4. Failing to adjust to adverse weather conditions
But the government tells me that as long as I am within the speed limit, I'm driving safely. Where does weather come into it?


5. Aggressive driving (tailgating, running red lights/stop signs)
Bloody speed cameras slowing me down. I've gotta make up the time somewhere....


6. Making assumptions about other drivers' intentions
NOTHING will ever stop this type of accident. Human drivers means the occasional human error.


7. Speeding
Hard-core speeders (and we're talking about 60mph+ in a 30 here) know where all the speed cameras are, so they just put their foot down on the roads without cameras. Like the ones outside schools.


8. Changing lanes without checking blind spot/mirrors
Human error again, but this one could be addressed by driver education. So where is it? They're too busy banging on about speeding.


9. Driving while upset
I've just been pulled over and fined sixty quid for doing 35mph on a perfectly safe clear road that had a 50mph limit a year ago. It's safe to say I'm gonna be feeling pretty upset and rebellious for the rest of my journey. If not the rest of the week.


10. Ignoring essential maintenance (bald tyres, brake lights)
With all those speeding fines, insurance hikes, congestion charging and excessive fuel tax, I've got to at least get my money's worth out of my tyres...

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“For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.” - H. L. Mencken