Dear Sir,

“Time to get tough on bad drivers”

So says Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch. I read he is deeply concerned about continuing challenges related to road safety and poor driving habits, and is considering harsher penalties. Long overdue. This government has done nothing to date.

Harsher penalties and effective enforcement would make a difference:

• Take cars and bikes off the road for persistent offenders, whether owner or other user

• Make financial penalties hurt for speeding and driving without due care and attention (Double or treble them for repeat offenders)

• Revise the totting-up points system to make it tougher

• Require payment of fines on the court day

• Random sobriety tests

• Speed cameras with automatic tickets

• More CCTV cameras

• Enforcement is key. Finance from increased penalties and parking tickets

Other suggestions to improve safety on the road:

• Public awareness campaigns that shock

• Involve the community. Neighbourhood-watch programmes for traffic violations

• Enhanced signage and road markings

• No bikes until 18 (no towing until 21)

• Replace Project Ride with something much better to include on-road testing

• Stringent TCD vehicle examinations

• More stringent driving test. Repeat driving tests as you age, say every ten years

• Improve road surfaces to ensure safety for bikes

• Better road lighting. Greater use of roadside reflectors

• More roundabouts at high-risk areas (Tee Street, Middle road, Flatts)

• More speed bumps (these have been implemented inconsistently)

• Make third-lane riding for bikes illegal

• Require helmets and licensing for electric bicycles

• Consider speed governors for vehicles

These can be financed by linking outstanding parking tickets to vehicle licensing. No licence until paid. Why is this so difficult?

Action to take the worst offenders off the road and reduce road deaths is needed now. Tough decisions must be taken.

TONY PRENTICE

Smith’s