Tragedies highlight need for change

DEAR Editor, The three criminals whose stories were reported in the Birmingham Post of September 10 tragically illustrate the three types of people that kill or seriously injure others using their vehicles.

Raheel Mohammed was the young man showing off to others, maybe because of his low self esteem or lack of self confidence.

Robert Bradbury may be the uncaring, thoughtless driver who only considered his comfort and assumed everyone else would just get out of his way.

David McSkimming is the man in a performance car, probably distracted by talking to passengers and possibly enjoying the high from driving fast.

To prevent the 27,000 deaths and serious injuries caused by vehicles in the UK each year, multiple solutions are needed to address the different causes as shown by Raheel, Robert and David.

Should we increase the age for driving to 25 years?

Should all cars be fitted with the black box, telematics and speed limiters?

Should the driving test include a section on the impact of dangerous and careless driving?

Should cars be less comfortable and less easy to drive so that drivers have to concentrate more? Should driving fast be like not wearing seat belts and drink driving, ie seen as unacceptable by the public?

There are so many reasons why people should use cars less and drive more slowly and carefully when they do but it is going to take a massive change in attitudes, society and in legislation to make it happen.

Until then, there will be more Anthony Satterthwaites, Dr Suzanna Bulls and Alice Manzanis. This is a tragedy that demands solutions.

Tonia Clark, Handsworth, Birmingham