30-05-12, 09:03 AM
Just a few observations....Here we have a young man who through his actions has caused misery & suffering to a family on the road. According to the law he has been sentenced & punished whether we agree with the length of sentence or not, in the long run its not going to bring back those killed nor reduce the pain & suffering of those left behind. Sadly this happens all too frequently,but when it involves high-profile sports personalities it becomes a media frenzy/witchhunt.
Perhaps the real fault lies in a society that pays young footballers astronomically high wages-How often do we hear of popstars and personalities cracking under the pressures& using drink/drugs?
At the same time why do we allow people to drink a legally specified amount of alcohol & still drive when other countries have a zero limit?
Our roads have never been more congested & in such a poor state of repair,whilst vehicles generally speaking have become safer .At the same time general driving standards are so incredibly poor right across the spectrum from those who have just passed the"test" & think theres nothing left to learn to those who have been driving for years & often with bad habits/deteriorating senses particularly uncorrected vision defects.
You only have to look at magistrates/crown court sentencing for driving offences to realise that sometimes life has a low value attached when people cause death by careless driving/serious injury but escape a custodial sentence.
No the real problem is deep-seated. A driving licence is a privi
lege not an entitlement. Most people going through motorcycle training know this because of the nature/length of the process from L-plates to full unrestricted licence. Car test is out dated & irrelevant to modern conditions.
We have laws on the statute books like use of mobile/hand held devices that are virtually unenforceable due to reduced police presence on the roads yet we all know the possible consequences of a moments inattention.
When & if we ever get a courageous government that is prepared to act in the interests of the common man without outside influence & financial backing from the all-powerful drinks industry etc we may have the start of a fairer& safer society particularly on the roads.
This young man is going to have to carry the guilt & memory of his actions forthe rest of his life. Perhaps his future example & message to youngsters will help prevent this type of tragedy in future.
Perhaps the real fault lies in a society that pays young footballers astronomically high wages-How often do we hear of popstars and personalities cracking under the pressures& using drink/drugs?
At the same time why do we allow people to drink a legally specified amount of alcohol & still drive when other countries have a zero limit?
Our roads have never been more congested & in such a poor state of repair,whilst vehicles generally speaking have become safer .At the same time general driving standards are so incredibly poor right across the spectrum from those who have just passed the"test" & think theres nothing left to learn to those who have been driving for years & often with bad habits/deteriorating senses particularly uncorrected vision defects.
You only have to look at magistrates/crown court sentencing for driving offences to realise that sometimes life has a low value attached when people cause death by careless driving/serious injury but escape a custodial sentence.
No the real problem is deep-seated. A driving licence is a privi
lege not an entitlement. Most people going through motorcycle training know this because of the nature/length of the process from L-plates to full unrestricted licence. Car test is out dated & irrelevant to modern conditions.
We have laws on the statute books like use of mobile/hand held devices that are virtually unenforceable due to reduced police presence on the roads yet we all know the possible consequences of a moments inattention.
When & if we ever get a courageous government that is prepared to act in the interests of the common man without outside influence & financial backing from the all-powerful drinks industry etc we may have the start of a fairer& safer society particularly on the roads.
This young man is going to have to carry the guilt & memory of his actions forthe rest of his life. Perhaps his future example & message to youngsters will help prevent this type of tragedy in future.