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DSA
introduction: A cynical viewpoint from Mr. Howes? Yes,
unarguably so. But there is a great deal of accuracy in what he
writes, not only for Cyprus but for many other countries, too. This
article is well worth reading, wherever you live.
____________________________
IN
THE main, standards of driving in Cyprus are totally unacceptable, not
to mention the blatant disregard for driving regulations.
Driving is an art and therefore requires a certain mental and physical
aptitude. Sadly for many of our citizens, this only relates to driving
from A to B in the fastest possible time and upon arrival, finding the
nearest pavement on which to park, regardless of the hazard they
subsequently cause.
In the main, the same individuals drive with tunnel vision, totally
unaware of what potential danger lies to their left, right and rear; as
a consequence, is it any wonder why our accident rate is excessively
high?
Quite how some of these people pass a driver’s test defies the
imagination.
The correct use of such items as wing and rear view mirrors is sadly
lacking; contrary to popular belief, they are not ornaments or for
powdering their nose. That’s why one sees so many slow drivers
dominating the outer lane, oblivious to other road users and determined
to stay in that position for their entire journey.
Concentration is sadly lacking, but loud internal music and continual
chatter to other passengers are the order of the day.
Within the same context, we are supposed to have a law prohibiting the
use of mobile phones.
What a joke… and when combined with a cigarette in the other hand,
just how do these people change gear and turn corners?
Traffic lights and indicators, what are those things?
Well, as we all know, stop white lines at junctions are there to be
totally ignored and at traffic lights, one must position the vehicle in
front, not behind the white line.
Forget amber [for American readers, that's "yellow" - DSA], they are racing off even at red, and for those who do
understand traffic lights, and haven’t moved on amber, car horns are
loudly blaring behind.
Then, we have a proliferation of tailgating, especially at roundabouts,
causing rear end shunts on a daily basis. Having had an accident, the
offenders hold up traffic in all directions, while they argue about
whose fault it is, sometimes coming to blows and then calling the
police, which, unless there’s personal injury, is totally unnecessary
and a waste of valuable police time.
If one hits the vehicle in front, there’s only one person to blame, so
swap details and let the insurance companies solve the matter; after
all, they charge a fortune for their services.
And just who, insurance wise, subsidises the horrendous accident rate?
The good and accident free drivers.
And we all know about the lack of seatbelt use and motorcycle crash
helmets.
Illegal overtaking and passing on the nearside is commonplace, together
with prohibited ear shattering exhausts from both cars and motorbikes
alike.
And quite how some of our vehicles pass a legitimate MOT [safety]
inspection,
defies the imagination. And how many vehicles, especially lorries, drive
around with bald or defective tyres, not to mention overloading or
unsafe loads.
Yet all these accumulative problems give rise to the very high and
unacceptable death toll on our roads.
Who cares, this is Cyprus and according to ugly rumour, we are supposed
to drive on the left.
Apart from ourselves, can we blame our Road Traffic Police, who are
supposed to vigilant and book these numerous offenders?
Well yes, to a certain degree and while from their superiors, they have
statistics and instructions regarding road traffic offences, their prime
objective is speed traps to fill the authorities’ pockets with fines,
thinking quite wrongly that this prevents accidents.
Unless the vehicle is defective, and many are, it’s not speed that
kills, but the driver behind the wheel.
Take Sundays, for example, the very worst day of the week for disgusting
driving standards and just count how many road traffic police one
actually sees.
Very few if any.
Regrettably, all other offences are secondary or totally ignored.
Contrary to what Justice Minister Doros Theodorou and Traffic Director,
Andreas Paphitis may think, they are solving virtually nothing, which is
why our horrific accident rate continues to rise.
If they want a permanent solution, may I respectfully suggest they
contact the writer, whereupon I guarantee to dramatically reduce the
accident rate and the number of vehicles on our roads within twelve 12
months and produce revenue way in excess of their predicted £5.7
million?
Thereafter, driving can return to being a pleasure instead of a
nightmare, not to mention the saving of lives and the resultant drain
upon the island’s medical resources.
Copyright
© Cyprus Mail 2005
Reproduced
by Drive and Stay Alive, on 9 March, 2005, with the kind permission of the Cyprus Mail
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