Dear Editor,
I agree with readers’ commentary that there are drivers in Richmond (and beyond) who are dangerous and inconsiderate. I see lots of speeding, not stopping at crosswalks, tailgating, etc.
Today, I witnessed a road rage incident that was aggressive and scary. I don’t know what precipitated the incident while I was walking north on Garden City Road, but the conclusion involved a driver, in a white car going north, honking aggressively, tailgating and pulling up beside the driver in a red car (who seemed to be minding his or her own business, from what I observed), stick an arm out the window to give the driver in the red car the finger, yelling angrily, and then, thankfully for the person in the red car, taking off.
The question has been asked, “How can we make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians?” I think roads would be safer if people were considerate and obeyed traffic rules and signs.
This summer I drove in England.
Aside from the obvious adjustment of driving on the left, I have never felt safer driving on highways and roads, and this was in the vicinity of London, so there was lots of traffic.
This was in part because the consequences for traffic violations are severe, and everyone knows it.
The vast majority of drivers go the posted speed limit, which changes depending on the volume of traffic, leave space between their car and the car in front, signal so other drivers know their intentions, etc.
I was also told that, with a history of queueing, people know to take their turn. This “taking their turn” is really significant, I think.
In my opinion, roads in Richmond (and beyond) would be safer if people took their turn, which means being considerate and obeying traffic rules and signs.
But since that doesn’t appear to be likely any time soon for a portion of the driving population, maybe mandatory driver education classes following even a minor infraction, really stiff traffic fines, and losing the privilege of driving for an extended period of time might work!
Janet Oakes
Richmond
