Sunday, October 31, 2010

This is a Test

Just a short test to see how Windows Live Writer works with Blogger.

If it works OK, I might use it in future to write and post my entries.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Leading with Lights?!

A week or two ago Lead SA launched the Lead With Lights campaign.

The idea behind the campaign is that motorists drive with their headlights on during the day in order to increase visibility. In theory this is a good idea. In practice not always such a bright idea, no pun intended.

Firstly, the motorcyclists took issue with the campaign. They reckoned that the motorists driving with their headlights on will decrease the visibility of the motorcyclists on the road. However, driving these roads and seeing the motorcyclists act like total shit heads every day doesn’t do much to endear them to me. Yes, they drive with their lights on while wearing their hi viz jackets. Some of them wear the hi viz jackets at least. The younger two-wheeled ass hats usually just wear shorts and a t-shirt.

They weave in and out of traffic. They will ride their motorcycle at speeds approaching stupid between two lanes of stationary cars. Taking stupid fucking chances and we should be worried about their safety. They have no grasp of the meaning of the word safety.

Regularly, you will pass some road side memorial to the stupidity of some motorcyclist. How many accidents are caused by motorcyclists? I’m guessing that it’s loads of them.

Often when on the highway I will check my mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes. Then just as I am about to move into another lane a motorcyclist will appear out of nowhere and I have to change plans, and forget about changing lanes.

I realize that it’s not every motorcyclist that rides like this. Probably around one, or two, percent of motorcyclists obey the rules of the road. The same ones that afford motorists the same mutual respect that they demand.

Enough of the motorcyclists for a minute.

The day the campaign was launched, several people phoned into the radio station I frequently listen to in order to praise the campaign. Some old duck even insisted that it should be made law to drive with your headlights on. My first thought was that that was the kakkest thing I have heard that entire week.

If they should pass a law compelling motorists to drive with their lights on it will become just another way for the metro to make easy money. They will be pulling people over, in order to write fines for stupid little things, instead of tackling the real law breakers.

Several times a week I see people breaking any number of road laws. Driving in the emergency lanes. Driving over painted islands. Tailgating. Driving like total douche bags. All while having their headlights on.

Increasing visibility on the road is not going to help as long as people drive recklessly. Take care of the reckless drivers and our roads will be loads safer already. Take care of pedestrians crossing the road willy nilly and your pedestrian death toll will go down.

Take care of the shit heads on the roads, and the law abiding motorists among us will be safer. Impound a few taxis and life will be better for everyone. Stop hiding behind a shrubbery and do something more constructive than issuing speeding fines and the roads will be safer.

Keep your lights off, and obey the rules of the road.