I’ll leave the first few
shots to your imagination-for legal reasons I cannot reveal anymore at this
juncture. Suffice to say, I’m very glad to have walked away unharmed (More than
can be said for my beloved Neptune green KA) and a dash cam is now essential
equipment for me.
Fearing that I might be
tempted to start a sanctuary for unloved Mk1s (Seriously underrated little
cars) I hired its successor and went hunting for the low mileage, late model
replacement seen here.
Rare that I have any affinity for the top gear team but after 200
miles found myself agreeing whole heartedly with their summary of the MK2 “Disappointing second-generation version of Ford’s groundbreaking
1990s city car. That model was a classic: this one is just a rehashed Fiat
500. Literally”.
Yes, the
Mk2 has plenty of consumer toys, a dashboard that tells the driver they need to
change into 5th at 33mph, leaving the 1.2 Zetec struggling on the
flat let alone a modest incline. Another concern is that some drivers are
becoming deskilled by this sort of technology, changing up on a sweeping bend
when they should’ve held back in preparation for what, or indeed who might
present around the corner. Unfortunately, stupidity cannot be legislated
against.
Even budget dash-cams can
capture decent footage these days, reviewing the casual indifference and
downright carelessness of some people on public roads, regardless of vehicle
stirs some very strong emotions. Politicians are very keen on law and order
rhetoric. The present British administration is talking in terms of doubling
fines and endorsement for use of hand-held devices while driving. Sounds good
but of little consequence unless robustly enforced.
Public sector funding cuts
have stark implications for policing too. Anecdotally, I’ve seen police drive
casually by a driver handset welded to their ear and engrossed in conversation!
Driving along motorways at 60-65mph, I’ve found myself gaining on vehicles
occupying the middle lane at 45mph, relaxed in the seats, chatting away without
a care in the world. Life unfortunately is cheap.
Hmm, ah I see, it was an
accident...It might be accepted that you may not have intended to kill that
person(s) by ploughing into them oblivious but an accident is best defined as
something that you could not reasonably expect or predict.
It is more commonly used to
mitigate responsibility and therefore, punitive sanctions. Face in a hand-held
device when you are operating a ton plus of steel and should be focused on
conditions ahead, is not.
Economic hardship is another
popular card, played to avoid loss of a licence. Until driving is seen as a
privilege and not a right, with the emphasis placed upon continuously improving
standards (throughout the licence holder’s life) then this callous indifference
and needless loss of life will continue.
Then of course, we have the
“punishment pass”...Ironically enough, I’d left the Geonaute behind last
Wednesday afternoon. Five miles from base, I was bowling along at a smart pace
on the Univega. Glancing over my shoulder, a white Citroen van with an LV60
plate was advancing, although not at unreasonable speed.
Twenty seconds later, the
driver intentionally swerved into my path screaming expletives before swinging
into a right turn sans indicating. Without the complete registration, or camera
evidence, reporting this to the police was pointless... Now, if the self
proclaimed “People’s Judge” James Pickles were still alive, I’m confident he’d
be saying that dressed in figure hugging Lycra tights and astride a Scarlet
bicycle, I was “asking for it”.
