Over the years of motorcycle riding since I started in 1958, when with a Chauffeur's class driver's licence in Ontario, one did not have to pass a test on a motorcycle, to the era when I passed the "new M/C driving test" (in the late 60's - early 1970's) -that everybody used a 50cc Honda to pass the test but all I had was a 980cc v-twin) to the new test system of instructed driving over a test course, it has seemed to me that the Ontario governments have never seriously dealt with driver, or rider, post- initial qualification rider and driver improvement which would lead to safer motorcycle riding and safer car and truck operation on our roads.
Sure, the cops write speeding tickets, lay charges in accidents and for impaired driving. But we don't seem to have the ability or programs in force to get people to willingly obey the traffic regulations and drive, or ride, in greater safety with fewer accidents, injuries and deaths.
AFJ
Memories, getting my M at 401 and Keele on a borrowed 50 cc Honda Cub with the course being laid out by OPP Harleys.
My opinionated rant:
As far as the decline in general respect for law and order let's start at the top. Our federal government sets new lows for examples of decency, prudence, truth and competence. Make your own list as I don't feel like typing that much. These used to be people we respected and were supposed to emulate. They now set the bar so low it's underground.
Provincially they follow the same path. Skipping the developer bias and dealing with road safety, the objective is all about money. Fighting crime costs money with hundreds or thousand of dollars in investigation time resulting in costly trials resulting in costly incarcerations.
Minor crime and you're advised to go to the nearest police station and fill out a form.
On the other hand digital traffic offences, red light and speed cameras are a one time expense with revenue being hundreds of dollars per click. Call it road revenue or policing for profit, it's a money maker. The technology exists for stop sign cameras, the next step.
Judgement calls for crappy turns or lane changes means the issuing officer has to go to court which hurts the bottom line but AI could change that.
Lane marking obedience, signaling turns are not mandatory in Ontario.
Cheating on M-1 tests and M exits is apparently common.
Follow the money. Under the present system the government makes more money. Tow and impound yards make more. Insurance companies make more money and that will increase when eventually the photo offences are linked to vehicle owners. Lawyers make more money.
But no new taxes.
Municipalities are a confused mess, trying to make up for past shortcomings and voter indifference means a small sector of the population controls the masses using theatrics. So many e-variants are out there breaking laws that trying to stop them is like peeing upwind. The cost / reward factor is a negative outcome.
The above has gone on so long that it's ingrained in our culture. Cheat when you can and pay when you can't. To most, ethics don't matter anymore.
The solution is to come up with a correctional system that doesn't involve monetary fines. I have no idea what it would be but the various levels of government would be faced with the reality of balancing budgets without the road revenue cash cow.
There are apparently some municipalities in the USA that have low or no property taxes because income from traffic fines cover them.
Time for a decaf.