[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by me283

An recent posting mentioned drink drivers being targetted in the run up to Christmas. This is something I also disagree with. Called me what you like, but I would rather have police doing spot checks all year round, followed by SEVERE court action for guilty offenders, than the usual round of Christmas statistics.

This whole thing about traffic offences makes me think a new approach might me more effective. For example, taking the most serious offences (causing death by dangerous driving, drink driving, driving whilst disqualified?), and treat the offenders more harshly than ever before. The message would filter down that offenders will be dealt with properly. It starts at the top, and the domino effect would, I think, produce greater results than our current methodology.

Part of the problem at the moment seems to be what "normal" drivers see as injustice. Joe Public may end up with points on his licence, which may cost him his job, livelihood, increased insurance premiums etc. Some might think this is justified. But then we hear on the news, read in papers et about banned drivers who are on their third or fourth offence, who have just been banned for... driving whilst banned.

I am not supporting sensationalist journalism, nor am I trying to justify people with any level of driving convictions, but to most of us it seems that the penalties are much harsher for rare offenders than persistent ones.

I agree with most of what you are saying. The easiest way to murder someone is to mow them down with your car and then drink a bottle of Scotch. You will get off far more leniently than someone who kills using a gun.