Response To Letter To The Editor

 

Rebel without a cause

https://myburbank.com/letter-to-the-editor-resident-says-better-vehicle-code-compliance-may-make-burbank-safer/

Here is Kevin's letter:

"Letter to the Editor:

I’m writing in regards to the tragic accident that took place on August 8.

I’ve listened to the speeches I watched the City Council and Chiefs briefing on the incident. I’ve heard the ideas to make Burbank safer all of which will take studying and legislative change.

I have a very quick way with laws that are already in place to start. Set up vehicle code compliance stops on various streets throughout the community. Start by citing vehicles without front license plates, dark tinted windows and modified exhaust. I’ve found that most of these types of cars are the same ones speeding and running stop signs in my neighborhood.

It would put the “rules don’t pertain to me” crowd on notice that the BPD and the community are not going to stand for this constant disregard of the motor vehicle code. This would be easy with one motor or patrol vehicle waving cars over to a parking patrol officer that would hand them a citation. Treat it like a parking ticket write the ticket to the car using just the license plate, don’ t ask for registration, drivers license or insurance just hand them a ticket.

The city can increase the fines to clear these tickets within the current municipal ordinances.

I speak from experience as a new driver I was constantly pulled over for loud exhaust, no front plate, wheels too wide until I came to the realization I’d better comply to the rules or spend more time in Altadena at the CHP station. Since then it’s been the tip I’ve always given to new drivers don’t give the police a reason to pull you over.

These violations are so commonplace throughout the community the word would spread fast.

 

Kevin Muldoon

Burbank"

***

I appreciate Kevin's efforts and know that along with being fed up with the speeding and racing are those that are thinking about how to stop these events from happening. 

Having studied Public Health [& Psychology] for a while along with looking at Western Medicine [curative model / like chemo after you've been diagnosed with Cancer], prevention [public health model / living healthy as to prevent Cancer] and intervention [12-step program model / to stop you and keep you stopped from engaging in your addiction] I like to look at why and see how those reasons can't be modified and/or stopped. And lastly the reward and punishment model lower insurance if you don't speed and the ticket, car impoundment, and driver's license suspension [a combo of all 3 models].

The Top 8 Reasons Why Drivers Speed

Every licensed driver is taught not to speed. Speeding presents a hazard on the road, not only endangering those in the speeding and oncoming cars but also pedestrians. Despite the constant warnings given to drivers to consider public safety, a vast number of speeding vehicles are caught every day, all around the world.

87% of drivers exceeded the speed limit on 20mph roads in 2018. However, only 52% of drivers drove too fast on 30mph roads, which decreased to 46% on motorways. Therefore, the study shows that drivers tend to speed on roads with lower speed limits. Though motorists recognize that speed can cause road accidents, many continue to speed, either intentionally or unintentionally.

What makes drivers choose to endanger themselves and others when they can just as easily, not speed? Keep reading to find out why people speed when driving.

1. They are in a hurry

They may have a medical emergency and need to head to a hospital, or be late for a meeting and rush to the office. Maybe they even just need to reach a bathroom. Some drivers want to get from point A to point B as fast as possible, regardless of any speed limits they must follow.

2. They love the thrill

The excitement and thrill of speeding are most evident among young male drivers who love driving faster than they should. They might be after the image of being a daredevil behind the wheel or craving acceptance among their peers who drive over the speed limit. Ultimately, they want to feel like they belong and take part in the group identity, and that identity may involve speeding.

3. They are familiar with the road

Like any routine, driving the same road to and from work or school every day can give one a sense of comfort or familiarity. This feeling allows drivers to trust themselves and their instincts when driving instead of being careful about the speed at which they are driving. They may be so familiar with specific intersections and expect no other cars to pass there at a particular time, causing them to drive faster than on streets with which they are unfamiliar. This is the reason many car accidents occur so close to the driver’s home.

4. They take drugs or alcohol

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 30 people die in the US every day due to car accidents related to drunk driving. That equates to around one person every 50 minutes. In 2010, drunk-driving crashes cost the country $44 billion. Instead of driving under the influence, drivers can choose a designated driver in their group to stay sober and bring them home. However, some drivers actively choose to consume alcohol or drugs to add to the thrill they feel when speeding.

4. They feel road rage

Road rage is the term used to refer to motorists’ anger or aggression on the road. The NHTSA says that road rage incidents have been increasing over the years, with fatal car crashes associated with road rage jumping almost 500% between 2006 and 2015. In 2006, they recorded 80 fatal car crashes linked to road rage. In 2015, they recorded 467. Motorists could lash out at other cars by using their cars to express their frustration. Sometimes, this results in high-speed car chases. Other times, they intentionally cause car collisions.

5. They are too confident

While younger motorists may speed to seem cool in front of their friends, older motorists may have too much confidence in their driving abilities. Anyone can end up feeling too confident if they spend enough hours behind the wheel. Their experience can give them a false sense of security and let them think they can handle anything while driving, even if they speed.

6. They are curious or bored

Maybe the driver has never driven fast before and wants to try it at least once. Perhaps they have seen their parents, siblings, or friends drive fast and want to get in on the action. The problem is that even just a few seconds of speeding could result in a fatal car crash. In this case, it would probably be better not to let curiosity kill the cat.

7. They are unaware of the speed limit

Drivers stopped by police for speeding often try to excuse their behavior by explaining they were unaware of the road’s speed limit, which means their speeding was unintentional. They could argue that they never saw a speed limit sign and were unaware of the roadway’s speed limit. It is possible that they were not paying enough attention to their driving and were distracted by their passengers or the music on the radio.

8. They love how it feels

Drivers who speed because it feels good do not necessarily do it for the thrill. If they have a luxury sports car made for fast speeds, they may end up speeding to make the most of their vehicle.

[https://www.buildpriceoption.com/top-8-reasons-why-drivers-speed/]

***

I think we can do better and look even further.

It reminds me of the time Mike and Mack went camping up in Ventura with the Indian Guides, so I decided it was going to be a girl's weekend, just me and Mallory. I rented a new Mustang with a V-8 and oh baby, did it roar. 

We were on the way home from the Glendale Galleria, taking Glenoaks and some BS Mazda pulls up and revs its engine. I almost felt as if I were in high school, again, and then I remembered I am an adult, and most importantly, besides Mal being in the car, is that I am a parent & since giving birth I started doing everything possible to make sure I was my best healthy self so I could be present for them. 

I.E., I give a shit about myself, those that depend on me, and others around me. I want to ask those drivers in the Kia and MB, you obviously don't care about others, but for fuck's sake do you not care enough about yourself enough to live and drive safely? And then, let's look at why you don't give a shit about yourself and proceed from there. 

Why not look at culture, depression, the effect of immortality, perceived risk* of [a ticket, an accident] and roll all of this into mandated classes; before a driver's license is issued and post being pulled over. What about issuing tickets via traffic signal cameras, then mandating classes, is there a 12-step program for those that are addicted to driving fast and racing. And how about the ball buster: cars cannot go beyond a certain speed or they turn off.

There are a plethora of ideas; issuing driver's licenses at 18 instead of 16, being on probation and if caught speeding you lose your license, sky fucking high insurance on sports models [I know it's like that already], holding parents also responsible for under age speeding drivers.

I really like an educational component that examines why, then treating those reasons, in individual and group therapy.

***

Here are some stats from the CHP: https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services/services-information/switrs-internet-statewide-integrated-traffic-records-system/switrs-2017-report

***

*Risk perception refers to drivers' experience of risk in potential traffic hazards. Risk perception is determined by the information of the potential hazards in traffic environment, and on the ability of driver to perceive the potential hazards resulting into actual accidents.

Drivers are categorized into three groups. Preferred risk drivers, standard risk drivers, and high-risk drivers are the typical levels of driver risk. Understanding the different driver risk classifications will empower you to improve your status if possible.

~

Novice Drivers' Risky Driving Behavior, Risk Perception, and Crash Risk: Findings From the DRIVE Study

Rebecca Ivers, PhD,corresponding author Teresa Senserrick, PhD, Soufiane Boufous, PhD, Mark Stevenson, PhD, Huei-Yang Chen, MSc, Mark Woodward, PhD, and Robyn Norton, PhD

Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer

This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.

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Abstract

Objectives. We explored the risky driving behaviors and risk perceptions of a cohort of young novice drivers and sought to determine their associations with crash risk.

Methods. Provisional drivers aged 17 to 24 (n = 20 822) completed a detailed questionnaire that included measures of risk perception and behaviors; 2 years following recruitment, survey data were linked to licensing and police-reported crash data. Poisson regression models that adjusted for multiple confounders were created to explore crash risk.

Results. High scores on questionnaire items for risky driving were associated with a 50% increased crash risk (adjusted relative risk = 1.51; 95% confidence interval = 1.25, 1.81). High scores for risk perception (poorer perceptions of safety) were also associated with increased crash risk in univariate and multivariate models; however, significance was not sustained after adjustment for risky driving.

Conclusions. The overrepresentation of youths in crashes involving casualties is a significant public health issue. Risky driving behavior is strongly linked to crash risk among young drivers and overrides the importance of risk perceptions. Systemwide intervention, including licensing reform, is warranted.

... read entire study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724457/

Also worthy of reading: https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/505998