>-----Original Message-----
>From: Russell McMahon [mailto:apptech@PARADISE.NET.NZ]
>
>For a little perspective, the US death rate per car is less
>than for France and half as much as Portugal's. For a bit more
>perspective, the death rate per capita (a more real measure)
>is worse than for France but not quite as bad as Portugal or
>Greece. I suppose one could be proud of having a better death
>record than Greece. Or Portugal. (Have you ever seen
>spectators at a Portugese rally ? :-) !!!! ). US fatalities
>per capita which are 2.5 times a high as UK suggests (only
>suggests) that the
>unreasonably strict tolerances on speeds on their motorways
>and their obnoxious bobbies MAY just be doing something. So
>the USAites can laugh, NZ's record is slightly WORSE per
>capita than the USA's.

Unfortunately the UK's previous excellent road safety record is no longer
so.  Our road death rate was falling every year from sometime in the 1950's
to around 1993, whereupon it leveled out, and now remains at around 2400 pa.
A quick look at the goverments road saftey policy reveals that at exactly
this time, they started their unjustified crusade against motorists, and
speed camera use started to become widespread.  Along with the increase in
the number of cameras has come a significant decrease in the numbers of
traffic police.  In their naivety, the government appear to think that a
speed camera can replace a police officer.  This policy, guided by narrow
minds and utter stupidity is actually costing us lives.  Testement to this
is the now record number of drunk drivers, uninsured/unlicensed drivers and
unroadworthy cars on UK roads.  A secondary effect is the disgust and
general alienation of the police by the majority of UK motoring public.
Penalty points on the licence, and speeding fines are now virtualy an
accepted way of life.  Even insurance companies do not load premiums for
minor speeding offences.

For an excellent summary of how attacking "speed" as the primary cause of
road accidents will backfire massively, take a look at
http://www.safespeed.org.uk

Regards

Mike




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