To the Editor,
I realise that everyone is going to shoot me down in flames for saying this, but I sincerely believe that if we are going to get fair dinkum about road safety, we should completely ban the use of phones and other electronic devices in motor vehicles, including basic ‘radios’ and basic GPS’! They are ALL distractions when you are trying to concentrate on your driving.
I always plan (map-out) my trips using the old fashioned “Gregory’s” (Books of road maps, for those too young to know what I’m talking about!), and I NEVER have the radio on while I’m driving, and I never eat or drink while I’m driving.
I’ve been driving since 1971, NEVER had an accident, and NEVER been ‘booked’! (No doubt I’ll now have every cop in NSW out to get me!!!)
As a former motor mechanic, I get annoyed watching car ads and car reviews on telly or the internet, when all they talk about is the ‘entertainment and communication’ system in the car… all with large ‘touch- screen’ technology and multiple USB ports throughout! All of which I believe should be banned, as they are a complete DISTRACTION to the driver!
They never talk about the engine or transmission,….the things that REALLY matter to the driving enthusiast.
If any car company was smart enough to build a basic car without all the useless ‘electronic-wizardry’, the car would be $10,000 cheaper, and sell like hot-cakes!
Yours Sincerely,
Rusty Marsh,
Bathurst, NSW