Latest news with #SafeDriving
Telegraph
a day ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
There's just one group of British people who are told to take responsibility
I recently had to complete a 'Safe and Considerate Driving Course', which took a day. The first half was held in a sort of classroom where our small group watched videos and were instructed in various dos and don'ts. The second half was 'on-road' with a helpful supervisor. The importance of confidentiality was heavily emphasised, so I shall not reveal any identifiable details, but what interested me greatly was the philosophy which lay behind the course. It was that each driver must take complete responsibility for his or her actions. All drivers – certainly all drivers made to go on such courses – tend to blame others for anything bad that happens. A crash is the fault of another driver, we say, or potholes or confusing road signs or traffic jams, or – a real favourite – of cyclists. We also like accusing the family member in our passenger seat of causing irritation or distraction. Our course teachers did not say such considerations are non-existent. How could they? The human race is full of imperfections, especially noticeable when on the move. But they stuck to the central issue: the only power that drivers have to improve their situations is to improve themselves. For example, we can, if we try, build in enough journey time to avoid getting flustered and stressed; we will help a traffic blockage flow quicker if we give way to someone than if we push in front, and so on. If we are to be better drivers, we must study, admit and correct our faults. This attitude reminded me of Step 4 of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous – the need to 'make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves'. Our teachers were polite and quite humorous, but on this key point, they were stern and unbending. As I drove (oh so carefully) away, it struck me how very different this theory of conduct was from most of what we nowadays get taught in other forums. For instance, our obsession with being discriminated against on grounds of race, sex, sexuality, age, religion etc, and of being able to sue for redress, is entirely based on the idea that we are the victims of others and nothing is our fault. Indeed, the famous Macpherson definition of a racist incident ('A racist incident is an incident which the victim or anyone else considers racist') makes every complainant a victim without any need for proof. It leaves no room at all for the idea that the 'victims' may be in error, let alone offensive themselves. Similarly, all plans for prison reform are based on the idea that prisoners are splendid people who just need lots of help getting jobs. It never seems to be part of their sentence that they should learn to examine their own behaviour, repent and do better. The Safe and Considerate Driving Course is partly precise guidance (eg 'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule'). Chiefly, though, it is an applied model of how to maintain a good society. It should be applied more widely. A serious man? As Sir Keir Starmer marks his first anniversary in office, I do feel a bit sorry for him. He won an astounding victory last year and has not yet proved himself evil, extreme, corrupt or stupid, yet everyone says he is useless. It is wrong – even mildly unconstitutional – to write him off after only a year. Nevertheless, I do think he has some explaining to do, and explaining seems to be an activity that he does not enjoy. The word he most likes to use is 'serious'. He is serious and so are the various summits he attends, he says; people like Kemi Badenoch who say he should not globetrot but should face the House of Commons, are not serious, he adds. I do hope he is serious: these are serious times. Sir Keir certainly has a serious demeanour. He has had serious words to say about government borrowing, welfare waste, immigration, rearmament, Ukraine, Israel/Palestine and much more. More often than not, however, he has started off on one track and then either reversed direction or not followed through. It is, as yet, too early to say for certain, but Sir Keir has not yet proved that he deserves to be taken seriously. Rural buses For most of my nearly 70 years, I have lived in a rural area. For all that time, people have complained about inadequate and declining rural bus services. For all that time, however, I have observed that rural buses are never full, except some in the school-run. Most are about four-fifths empty; it is not uncommon to see a rural bus with no passengers at all. How to account for this mismatch between alleged need and actual use? A partial explanation is that if the bus service schedule thins out, people feel it is unreliable and therefore switch to other means of transport. But another factor is a failure to adapt the transport itself to falling demand. Why are most rural buses still extremely large, and therefore very expensive in capital costs and on petrol? Their unnecessary size also makes them slower than they need be, blocking country lanes. They are the elephant in the road. I believe their normal maximum passenger capacity is 57 although, for most journeys, 15 or so would do the trick. It would be an act of true social entrepreneurism to design a new, compact rural bus, cheaper to run and cosier, by a country mile, to travel in.
Khaleej Times
22-06-2025
- Khaleej Times
'Zero accidents in 4 years': Dubai policewoman, mother of seven, honoured as top patrol driver
Sergeant Amna Rashid Al Blooshi, an officer in Dubai Police and a mother of seven, is redefining what it means to serve with unwavering dedication, both to her country and her family. Al Blooshi has been honoured as the only woman recognised in the seventh edition of the 'Safe Driving Stars' initiative for maintaining a spotless record with zero traffic violations or accidents over the past four years. Sergeant Al Blooshi, who serves as a patrol leader in the General Department of Organisation Protective Security and Emergency, stood out among 66 honourees for her commitment to road safety, both in her official vehicle, and personal car. 'Thanks to God that since I began driving the security patrol in the Bur Dubai area, and with the trust of my superiors, I have maintained a clean driving record without a single traffic accident,' she said. 'This achievement stems from continuous training and my passion for driving and field police work.' Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The recognition is particularly significant given the rigorous requirements of the Dubai Police Patrol and Vehicle Driving Award, a category with intense demands of fieldwork, rule adherence, and vehicle control in high-pressure situations. It is traditionally dominated by male officers. The award, organised by the General Department of Transport and Rescue in collaboration with Majid Al Futtaim — Genesis and Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company, celebrates Dubai Police officers who demonstrate outstanding driving performance. Sergeant Al Blooshi's achievement also carries symbolic weight. She says community members often express admiration and encouragement when they see a woman behind the wheel of a patrol car. 'People are surprised and happy to see me arrive in a patrol and respond to their reports. This gives me great motivation.' Her day typically starts by collecting the security patrol vehicle before heading into the Bur Dubai jurisdiction. 'Working with Dubai Police makes me feel that I am serving my country and the community, which brings me immense joy,' she said. Despite the demanding nature of her role, Al Blooshi maintains a strong focus on her family. With children ranging in age from 2 to 17, she credits discipline and time management for her ability to juggle home and work responsibilities. 'I take care of my family, prepare meals, help my children with their studies, and follow up on their academic needs. I'm proud of my work and equally proud of my role as a mother.' Having joined the force in 2007, Al Blooshi has steadily built a reputation for dedication and professionalism. Her superior nominated her for the 'Safe Driving Stars' award, citing her consistent performance and unwavering commitment.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
More patrols on King County, WA roads for '100 Safe Days of Summer' program
The Brief Increased law enforcement patrols in western Washington aim to reduce road fatalities during the "100 Safe Days of Summer." Speeding-related deaths have risen, with 31% of fatal crashes involving speeding drivers. Officials urge safe driving practices and planning for sober transportation to prevent accidents. BELLEVUE, Wash. - Expect to see a higher presence of law enforcement patrolling the roads in western Washington over the next few months, as part of the "100 Safe Days of Summer" program. The effort aims to keep Washington roadways safe from June 6 through Labor Day weekend, which is typically the most dangerous time of the year. Extra emphasis patrols are being deployed across King County as recent data suggests speeding-related deaths are on the rise. By the numbers Washington's roads had 253 fatal crashes between June and September, with 31% of them involving a speeding driver, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Data also shows fatal crashes involving speeding drivers have increased by 52% since 2019. The 100 Safe Days of Summer is led by the King County Target Zero Coalition, which has the goal of reducing serious injuries and fatalities, among those walking, rolling, driving, and traveling on Washington roadways, to zero by 2030. They also lead the Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaigns. "This is an opportunity to remind everyone there are simple things they can do to keep our roads safe – and driving the speed limit is at the top of that list," said Sara Hallstead, Target Zero Manager, South King County. "We urge everyone to avoid following the flow of traffic and instead focus on driving the posted speed limit, which exists to decrease the risk and severity of crashes." While DUIs have gone down on state roads, substance use still remains one of the leading causes of deadly crashes in King County. "We're going to have drug recognition experts, we're going to have the state patrol which will have a mobile impaired driving unit. That's essentially an RV that has troopers on board that are authorized to take blood draws if we need to, to complete breath samples if we need to, and so it's really going to streamline the process for our officers. So the takeaway this weekend is if you're going to go out, you're going to drink, you're going to have a good time, don't drive," said Officer Seth Tyler with the Bellevue Police Department. Officials say if you see someone driving erratically, you're encouraged to call 911 and report it. This includes speeding, braking suddenly, swerving through lanes or making wide turns. "Every one of us has a role to play. Planning ahead can save lives and protect our communities," said Hallstead. "If you're going out, make a plan for a safe ride home. You can designate a sober driver ahead of time, use ride share services, take public transportation, or stay the night at your destination." More information about the 100 Safe Days of Summer program, visit the King County Target Zero website. The Source Information in this story came from a press release from the King County Target Zero Coalition and interviews with Bellevue Police. Travis Decker manhunt: 'Remote' areas of 5 WA counties told to lock doors Former Army squadmate shares insight into Travis Decker's military past Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle Key figures from Bryan Kohberger's youth summoned to Idaho for student murders trial Rochester dog training facility owner accused of killing employee during video shoot To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
