By EWAN KENNEDY
29 September 2008

Voicing an opinion on road safety matters can almost be dangerous at times. Many have strong ideas on the subject and sometimes become quite abusive when my opinions don't coincide with theirs. I don't have a problem with that, open healthy debate is one of the world’s greatest freedoms. My father and uncle fought in a war for it and let’s hope we always have it.

I don't mind people disagreeing with my views on how to adjust door mirrors or on the best way to hold the steering wheel. I will even listen to drivers who say they can concentrate completely on driving while holding a mobile phone conversation, though I have grave doubts about this one.

What really worries me is the ‘blind-obedience’ guys and gals. The people who say that something is the law and therefore should be obeyed without thinking or disagreement. These are the people who accuse me of anarchy any time I dare to suggest that perhaps a road rule could be rethought.

Road rules in an ideal world, would be recommendations not requirements. That's probably impossible, so what’s needed is an understanding that things change from moment to moment when you are driving. What’s safe now may be dangerous in two seconds time and vice versa.

Thankfully, the great majority of police officers are well aware of this and will generally turn a blind eye to minor infringements provided they don't create a danger. Perhaps with a stern wag of a finger to let you know you have been seen and may not be so lucky next time.

I have it on good (informal) authority that police officers who book people for highly technical infringements, such as driving safely through a stop sign at a quarter of a kilometre per hour, are just as disliked by other police officers as they are by the drivers who get the tickets. They get the whole force a bad name and that's not good for any of us, because respect for, and cooperation with, a good police force is vital in any civilised society.

The trouble with the blind-obedience guys is that their thinking is, by definition, too rigid. Not accelerating to exceed a speed limit for a few seconds to minimise risk is an obvious area where they could cause trouble. Insisting on their exact legal rights when merging lanes is another. As is not signalling a turn until a recommended distance before a corner even though an earlier signal might be safer when travelling down a steep hill. Drivers should be taught to adapt instantly to changing situations.

Using courtesy, common sense and lateral thinking is more important than blind obedience of the law any day. Could it be taught as part of the driving test? Of course, though it wouldn’t be easy. Sadly the biggest problem is that our society tends to demand black and white answers to everything. That’s chiefly a fault of our legal system, but it really would be nice if grey areas could be considered before punishment and retribution are enforced.

ewan@marque.com.au