Putting bad behaviour to good use

the person they would have offended.

I shudder when I hear that “Stannic” or “Give”, who used to drive a commuter omnibus and is known for his bad habits on the road, now works for an early childhood development (ECD) institution or takes young children to school.

While such learning institutions are charged with ensuring a bright future for children, their shuttle drivers seem hell-bent on ending it.

Is there a way of turning this senseless driving into something productive?

How can we turn this thrill of speed into something that is both attractive and safe?

Imagine a racing competition featuring all manner of vehicles under regulated conditions and with sponsored prizes.

How best can we deal with the speed demons we find on many of our roads today?

The late boxing trainer, Cuss D’Amato, used to scour juvenile detention facilities in search of talent, as did counsellor Bobby Stewart.

Together, they are credited with identifying and eventually nurturing Mike Tyson, who later went on to become one of the youngest world heavyweight boxing champions of his time.

Wieslaw Grabowski is renowned for spending countless hours watching young boys playing football in open spaces in Chitungwiza and subsequently approaching their families to sign them up for his club, Darryn T.

History is littered with stories of talent scouts who have identified certain skills in the unlikeliest of places.

Some of these drivers operate vehicles that are unroadworthy, but their competence on potholed and slick streets begs the question: What would happen if they were put in an environment where they posed no harm to anyone?

Better still, put them on track and give them an incentive in the form of prize money.

Is it too simple a thought? Well, maybe. Are we overthinking the racing driver concept?

Possibly so.

However, if a person has a natural affinity for speed and already has the car-handling abilities that defy reason on a crowded street, wouldn’t it be a good idea to train them to follow a certain set of rules if they end up benefiting from this?

Alternatively, how about having a race day for some of these commuter omnibus drivers?

Or one for drivers of the various sedans and station wagons that have gained notoriety for causing chaos on the roads?

It is only when someone with a certain inappropriately deployed skillset is behind the wheel that they become a menace?

Perhaps if the motorists knew they needed to save their best driving skills for the weekend races, they could become more responsible road users during weekdays.

It would certainly be a welcome relief to many road users if this ever came to pass.

Here is a challenge for advocates of traffic safety, motoring sales organisations and motoring bodies in the country.

Bring these guys together.

While at it, also organise a race for the delivery guys on their scooters.

It would be an interesting brand promotion opportunity, while, at the same time, creating a platform on which to share tips and guidance on better driving.

It would also be a golden opportunity to increase diversity in motorsport.

This would be a classic case of channelling bad behaviour to good use.