Start impounding cars

RE.: 'Photo radar might allow higher speeds' (June 17, 2003)

The Hamilton Spectator
Thursday, June 19, 2003

As a driving school owner/operator, I find it scary when anyone advocates raising speed limits.

Humans do not have the ability to respond quickly enough to dangerous situations. And there are too many driver distractions, too many drivers with insufficient experience, and too many drivers in an emotional state of mind to allow for higher speeds.

I challenge anyone who favours higher speeds to travel a bit on Highway 6 north of Highway 401. It is a frightening experience to see big semis traveling at up to 110 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. There is no room for error at these speeds.

In addition, photo radar won't solve the problem of tailgating. Anyone who has traveled the 400-series of highways knows that hard breaking is often required to avoid a collision due to the sudden "bunching up" of vehicles.

Yes, bring back photo radar, but with a twist: in extreme cases, impound the vehicle for a certain period of time. To heck with the libertarian warning that other members of the family may suffer because of one person's stupidity. Perhaps the message would sink in sooner - pressure from the family to behave or nobody is going anywhere.

Dez Miklòs jr., Hamilton