I would like to make clear that I have no penalty points on my licence, and don't think I have any on the way either ....
Imagine four cars, one in each lane, going under a traffic gantry on a motorway - speed limit 70 mph. The one in the second lane is doing 62 mph, with no traffic in front, and is therefore obstructing the free flow of traffic. ILLEGAL. The one in the inside lane is doing 68 mph, and has got fed up of being stuck behind the one in the second lane whilst traffic outside him won't let him pull out to overtake, so is overtaking on the inside. ILLEGAL. The one in the third lane is doing 78 mph. ILLEGAL. An automatic speed camera takes a picture of his car as he goes under the gantry, and he gets an automatic fine and three points on his licence. The one in the outside lane is doing 85 mph. ILLEGAL. However, the camera is only switched on in the third lane, so the driver in the outside lane doesn't get a fine or any penalty points.
So what? The problem as I see it with traffic laws is not that they exist - traffic has to be regulated for safety. The problem is that they are enforced arbitrarily. When the driver of only one of two cars doing the same illegal speed at the same place and time will be punished, the law is no longer just: it is arbitrary. When speeding laws are enforced (partially) because it's easy, but other safety related laws aren't, the law is failing. A just law ought to treat people the same all the time. We need a better way!
No comments:
Post a Comment