MOTORING´S SEVEN MORTAL SINS

One: Overtaking on two-lane, two-way traffic streets anywhere. Also making a left turn across oncoming traffic.
Two: Speeding, i.e. exceeding the speed limit, or using excessive speed for road conditions at the time.
Three: Exhaustion. i.e. Driver Fatigue
Four: Driving while impaired by drink or drugs.
Five: Dangerous and reckless driving without regard for others.
Six: Tailgating and inattention.
Seven: Driving on the wrong side of the road and clockwise around a roundabout.

(ONE) : OVERTAKING AND LEFT TURNS ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

I place overtaking on the top of the list because it is fast accounting for a major share of the deaths that are occurring on the roads. This manoeuvre , and the left turn across oncoming traffic, if not done in absolute safe circumstances can produce the dreaded head-on collision. In such cases someone almost always has to die, notwithstanding seat belts and air-bags. Rarely is it possible for all to walk away from such an event.

The problem is that these roads have become so crowded, and are growing more so daily, that generally when one car is overtaking another it is only just possible to pass the one car before being confronted by a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. Often the car being overtaken has to slow, as does the oncoming vehicle so that the overtaking car can get back in the right-hand lane. When other motorists have to swerve or slow because of someone else´s judgement that person is acting as a bad and possibly dangerous motorist.

There is a major difference between being a good driver and a bad motorist. Fernando Alonso is a very good driver. Michael Schumacher is a very good driver. Lewis Hamilton is a Phenom. But if these gentlemen drove on the highway as they do on the Formula – One racetrack they would be very bad motorists indeed.

I´m certain I am being contentious when I suggest that we all should abandon the practise of overtaking on the N-330, the N-332, the N-340, the N-344, etc, especially if it´s simply out of impatience. Also, my suggestion would have to fly in the face of the seeming need of so many men (it´s usually men) who appear to have this burning need to be in front of everybody else. They are the people who hop around one car at a time creating unnecessary danger for all concerned, just so that they can end up at the head of the line at the red light.

Personally, if I did that, while I sat there at the light I would feel the stares from all the drivers who I would have practically run off the road, and I would have to know they all would be thinking “What an idiot/ imbecile/nut case/jerk/Tonto!/fool/and even worse.

And, what about that attitude that says “I have to be in front of you!” The thing is that if you really pressed a person to explain why they feel that way, they would surely tell you that they don´t know what it is. It simply is that way. “I have to be in front of you, and that is that!” Where the real problems start is when there are at least two people like that and they are competing. Then the race begins, and it can get nasty and out of hand often ending in road rage or worse.

I suggest that there must be something of a death wish about such behaviour. If that is the case I would like to encourage such people to give some thought, in fact give a lot of thought to the people who love them and who would be left in the wake of their own untimely deaths. Would anyone mourn them? Who would be most affected by their loss? Who would be left with a huge hole in their heart and a life-long sense of loss and pain like no other.

Did you ever spare a thought for the people who create those roadside monuments to a loved one who died there in a crash? I pass one quite regularly. No expense has been spared, but more to the point for over two years fresh flowers are placed there perhaps twice a week. How much pain is that? Does life really go on for such a person? As we contemplate who such a person might be in our own lives it becomes pretty clear that to repay a person who would be devastated by our premature death with overwhelming pain just for loving us, would be at least unconscionable. Might that person be a wife or husband, the children, and if so which one would likely be affected most. Perhaps you might be thinking of a very special grandchild . The point is, if not to drive safely and soberly for ourselves, do it for them.

Death on the roads? It doesn´t have to end like that!

Don’t overtake on two-way roads. Save your life for those who love you!

Copyright (c) 2008 Eugene Carmichael

A Cautionary Tale

On Saturday, May 10th, 2008, I was robbed in the car park of IKEA in Murcia in broad daylight, while several people were present. It was while loading up purchases in the boot of the car, a thief was unloading from the front of the car. To make certain the thief had a little more time to himself a car stopped to ask for bogus directions.

We have heard these stories before, and perhaps we do take on-board the warnings, but trust me, the lesson is never learned so well as when you are the victim. Please don’t say that it’ll never happen to me, because there can be no basis for that. Why not new?

My concern is that this sort of problem will get much worse. We in Europe are facing some very difficult times in the future as unemployment takes hold. At present those mainly heavily involved in the theft trade are people who have come to Spain expecting to better their lives, and have found that there’s nothing here for them, economically speaking.

The culprit is the very high value of the euro that is making exports very difficult, and so, if companies cannot sell their goods overseas they surely will not need the great numbers of workers they employ at present. When that happens chaos will take over. During such times you can be sure that whatever it is that you have, someone will want to take it from you.

Under such conditions, and to some degree those conditions presently exist, people will make it their occupation to steal from your home, your car, your person. You will never be able to relax your awareness. The slightest carelessness and your valuables are gone.

In my case, I opened my car door and put my small bag that contained my car documents on the driver’s seat. Attached to that bag were the keys to the car. There were at least five from my group standing around the car, but that didn’t stop the thief from approaching, and with the help of the distraction of the passing car asking for directions, he took the bag.

In actual fact he did not get much of monetary value, but he has my car’s documents and the keys, and potentially he could have made off with the car. He must have been gob smacked to have seen me drive away with the car. That was due to my having a duplicate set of keys on my person. I want to stress how important it is to have your duplicate keys with you, on your person. When you need that key, you invariably need it immediately. No duplicate key at home was ever of any use beyond walking distance from your home.

I have since changed the locks to my car doors and ignition, an expensive necessity, and I am on super alert. I take the time and effort to attend to my motoring security, and I recommend the same to everyone.

I’m fairly sure that shops like IKEA, and the large hardware and department stores must all be experiencing such problems. It would be very helpful if they could alert customers to use caution. They could do this by deploying their security staff to patrol the car parks keeping a special lookout for customers who are particularly vulnerable, and for the gangs who operate such rip-off scams.

You’ll know that we are truly in a crisis when you have your food purchases stolen when you take the shopping cart back.



Copyright © 2008 Eugene Carmichael

Monday, 19th November, 2007

A Good News Day

Just once in a while the madness stops, if only for a short period of time. The above date is frozen in time as a day when absolutely no one lost his or her life while out on the Spanish roads. Sure, there were so-called accidents, but none that resulted in actual death. So often the reports state that more people died than there were collisions. To have a day in history that was death-free is especially note-worthy.

The last time that happened was on January 30th, 2006.

To give drivers in Spain their due, we are getting better every day in every way. In 1997, 5970 people lost their lives on the roads. That would have made a drive to the supermarket an exercise in survival. As at November 2007, loss of life for the year stood at approximately 2,500. We can reduce that figure even more significantly if we really want to. Between 2003 and 2007 the death rate fell by a staggering 32% on Spanish roads. We can even do better.

When we examine what went wrong in each case to cause a collision, it usually is due to driver error. The disturbing thing is that all too often it’s due to just plain stupidity, including drunkenness, which is the worst form of avoidable stupidity.

There is perhaps nothing so pathetic as the accused offering as an excuse,; “but, I was drunk, your honour”. Well then, that makes it all acceptable, doesn’t it? In order not to be misunderstood, let me explain that I have had my share of stupid moments. As a young man I made my mistakes, only I lived to tell about them. Probably I survived to share those mistakes with young people in the hope that they will not put their lives in mortal danger by repeating my mistakes.

What’s the chances of that happening? Probably not really good odds that young riders and drivers will listen to an “old man” (meaning anyone over thirty) like me. But we do the best we can, and put the information out there. If one life is spared as a result, that’s a good thing.

What would we need to do to have an accident-free day? Could we, meaning every rider, driver and pedestrian make that happen? It would take a supreme effort on everybody’s part, and we would have to be careful not to actually make accidents happen by being too careful. Confused?

To avoid being involved in an accident, whether as the cause or the victim, some of the things that we would have to do would be:
Simply do not drive or ride if you have taken alcohol or drugs that impair ability;
Be well rested and alert while driving;
Avoid talking on the telephone while driving, whether hands-free or otherwise;
Use speed conservatively, taking into consideration road conditions at the time;
Obey road traffic signs, especially those that call for moderation in speed.
Do not exceed speed limits.
Pedestrians would only walk when they have the green, and they would take care to ensure that the traffic has stopped for them at other non-light controlled crossings.
Pedestrians would wear reflective clothing when walking along roads without a sidewalk, day and night.
Pedal cyclists would ride single file while on the main roads, keeping as close to the side of the road as possible.
Be alert to conditions and anticipate what may lie ahead.
Drivers, be especially aware of cyclists, small children and the elderly.
Cyclists, wear the lime-green reflective “Gerry Jacket” at all times when riding. “Be Seen to be Safe.”
STOP means STOP! Completely!
Stay focused when in charge of your vehicle. Avoid becoming distracted.
Don’t bring Right-Hand Drive vehicles to the Continent. How will you pay toll-booth charges?
Maintain your vehicle in good condition.
Plan your day to leave more than adequate time for travelling.

These are just some of the things that would be applicable, amongst others to make for an accident-free day. Can we do it? “We, the People, can do anything we set our collective minds to.


Copyright © 2008 Eugene Carmichael