THE alarming list of accidents referred to in the report Cars Are Lethal In The Wrong Hands (January 21) comes as no surprise when one considers the abysmal standards demonstrated by many motorists and motorcyclists in and around York.
What does surprise me is that the numbers are not higher. Apart from the usual distractions of mobile phones, eating, drinking and applying make-up while at the wheel, it is obvious that too many motorists do not have a good sense of hazard perception and do not consider a driving plan based on safety.
It often seems that their entire journey is based on a system of luck rather than sensible judgement. Unfortunately, luck is a fragile and fickle platform on which to place one's life. The policy of risk-taking is further exacerbated by the disgraceful attitude demonstrated by many drivers in which arrogance and impatience completely override courtesy and common sense.
Until such attitudes are changed by meaningful sentencing of offenders and by education, both before and during a driver's lifetime, we will continue to read harrowing reports of death and mutilation on our roads.
A Dobinson,
Askham Lane,
Acomb, York.
Updated: 11:58 Tuesday, January 24, 2006
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