Behind the wheel

Why would it be that so many of us that have moved a motor vehicle along a road believe we are competent drivers? Perhaps because we think that is the sum-total of it - to make the vehicle move on the road. In some countries, driving amounts to just that, and no more; in others, there are Rules covering operation of a vehicle and accompanying penalties for non-compliance. If one wished to draw a line between these groups, one might propose that most Western countries regulate motor vehicle use on public roads, as do several non-Western nations. But many countries have no established system of competent driving and/or 'rules of the road', and the result is sometimes comparatively chaotic, depending on population density, value placed on human life and level of intellect, to mention several. Most countries have an adequate Police Force, with the attention given to traffic matters varying hugely from one to another. And this applies across both developed and developing nations. By and large, it may be argued that insufficient credence is given to Road Safety requirements right across the globe; road safety and driver behaviour are simply not taken seriously enough by legislators and authorities, chiefly because they are primarily concerned to protect their own 'necks' and futures. Sadly, that situation looks set to continue for many years to come, at a very high public cost.