[Article] Senator calls for extra points for black spots

Victor

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2004/07/02/story155278.html

Senator calls for extra points for black spots
02/07/2004 - 16:03:09

The Progressive Democrats' spokesman on transport has called for an increase in penalty points for motorists caught speeding in accident black spots.

Senator Tom Morrissey today said that there was a need to prove that penalty points are being enforced where they will have most effect.

He added that an extra half point would not only act as a deterrent, but would show which routes are being policed.

Such a move would push Garda resources into areas that are the greatest hazards, the senator said.

sceptre

Nuts Tom.

Here's the thing that Senator Morrissey doesn't seem to realise. The points system is part of the deterrant, not the deterrant itself. We could introduce zero tolerance and a 15 year sentence for burglary in the morning and it might only have a small effect on the burglary level if there was only a miniscule chance of being caught. If you don't think you're going to get caught, the punishment doesn't really matter.

Additionally he's putting a fake cart before the horse in that he assumes that an extra half point will actually encourage cops to set up shop on dodgy road corners just for the chance of handing out a bit of extra punishment. Even allowing them to baton an offender wouldn't get very many of them to sit on a corner if that was the only benefit. So it won't "push Garda resources into areas that are the greatest hazards" Tom.

Here's a solution: Actually send the Gardai to accident blackspots, forget about the extra half point and dish out the points that are already available if you feel like it. It won't get the name Tom Morrissey in the newspaper but it also won't get people thinking Tom Morrissey is as dumb as a bucket of poop. A few extra coppers would help as well.

Victor

It would actually create a stick to beat the Garda with (but not necessarily a useful stick in safety term), as the statistics would, presumably be broken down into black spot and non-black spot penalty point.

Of course how does one define "accident black spots"? Do we actually expect the NRA will release the data?

article6

Originally posted by Victor
Of course how does one define "accident black spots"? Do we actually expect the NRA will release the data?

Don't they still have the "Accident Black Spot" signs on the roads? They probably have them on file somewhere... though a lot can change in a few years; road conditions, traffic, etc.

Sceptre's point is right - penalty points themselves are a deterrent (though not the only one), and if a driver doesn't care about the penalty points they could earn at present, they won't care about another half-point.

Maybe Minister McDowell can use some of that €1 billion budget surplus to buy some working tape for the speed cameras?

Victor

Don't be mistaken, the each half point is to punish cops (indirectly), not drivers.

If you wanted to punish drivers, dor inappropriate behavior at blackspot, you would add several points.

Sarsfield

Fixed speed cameras at accident black spots would be a much better idea.

Sesshoumaru

Here is a crazy idea! Spend some money to improve the road infrastructure at accident black spots, so they aren't accident black spots anymore.

Victor

Originally posted by Sesshoumaru
Here is a crazy idea! Spend some money to improve the road infrastructure at accident black spots, so they aren't accident black spots anymore.

O'Connell Bridge is a black spot, what do you suggest?