Decisions

At work I constantly employ a couple of mantras to get me safely through each shift.

Firstly, never ever, hit anyone or anything as the ramifications go far beyond the moment of impact, terrible as that may be. And secondly, avoid any situation which jeopardises the imperative to sleep in my own bed each night.

Now, as of next month, I’ll be adhering to a new mantra: no speeding; no illegal U-turns; no stopping at outlawed ranks; no rolling stops; no double parking; etc, etc, all due to losing my license points.

A letter from the RTA has arrived confirming 13 penalty points incurred from these four traffic offences. Sure, they were driver errors but I blame, ummm...global warming!

As a result I either accept a three month suspension or take 12 months good behaviour. As I’m inclined to take the latter, for who can afford three months lost wages, I can only incur one further point in that year. More than one point attracts a six month automatic suspension.

Well, at least six months on the dole would allow time to pursue other projects, like investigating whether the introduction of 40kph school speed zones has actually resulted in fewer children being hit. Or the compulsory wearing of bicycle helmets has reduced the amount of head injuries suffered in accidents. So many options.

Or maybe I’ll cop it sweet and take three months off in the hope that, by then, global warming induced swine flu will be under control and my workplace that much safer. What to do, what to do...

In the meantime, there’s a chance my balding pate, another global worming casualty, may be exposed via radio web cam this Saturday at 4:45pm when I join 2UE deejays, Murray and Clive for a short chat. 

Comments

[Chris]

Near where I live there is a University that has 40kph speed limits during 'school times'. What the?

[Stefano R]

There is a permanent 40kph limit along the beachfront at Manly due to the signposted "high pedestrian activity".

[troy]

Take the 3 months! I used to work a job that requred a lot of driving and I took the 12 month option. After "driving Miss Daisy" for 363 days I was caught using my phone on the hume hwy...6 months riding a bike was not fun!

[The Mutant]

The 12 months thing won't be easy, but then again, three months not working wouldn't exactly be a barrel of laughs either. I wish you well with it.

As far as I know in Victoria, wearinga bike helmet is mandatory on a bicycle, but having it fastened is not... An odd stipulation in my mind. Something like that would make for an interesting investigation I reckon.

[nyctaxiphoto]

Ah, I remember I had like a year or two where I was pulling out the same checklist for fear that one more ticket would send me to a suspension, and make it that more difficult for renewing a license. It did me really well, as I finally learned how to drive with a new calm energy and finally stopped getting tickets - knock on wood.

[jayjay]

Hope Murray and Clive don't distract you from driving within your new restraits. Just chant softly "ommmm, ommmm, ommmm............"

[jayjay]

Spot the silent "n" in restraint......

[Walter]

Good luck whichever you do. Back in my hacking days I was racking up a ticket every 3 months which quickly sank my driver's score.

[manly cabbie]

bad luck adrian i reakon cabbies and pro drivers should get a few extra points over normal drivers due to the time on the road.i shouldn't boast but 4 weeks ago i got my first fine apart from 1 parking fine in 29 years of hacking for neg driving by running up the arse of a car slamming on the brakes to avoid a bus leaving a left hand lane with the old give way sign that all buses in NSW display.i know i should have been far enough away to stop but at the time i was changing my plot on my MDT and the split second eyes of the road and this happens no excuse in the eyes of the law but maybe my good record might get me of the fine even though i still wear the demit points.

[crjc]

Good luck Adrian.

The boss just bought us a bunch of T-shirts -- "Keep Calm and Carry On"

Dunno how many drivers will wear it, but it fits.

One trick I have used here in Canada is moving. When I switched from Nova Scotia to Ontario they started me with a clean slate -- same thing when I moved from Ontario to British Columbia. I don't know if that would work in Oz. Might be an excuse to take a year in another state if it does.

[Bill]

Good luck Adrian, but I think that it would be near impossible to get through a year, driving your kms, in NSW with our cameras & police hiding behind trees, etc, without incurring a point.

[Aurelius]

Demerit points are one of the dangers of spending so much time on the road. There should be some special arrangement for "professional drivers".

[Rainer the cabbie]

I have come close twice to losing my licence in my years on the road and thereby sympathise with your situation and nervousness. My best advice would be to carry on as usual and not be too worried; when it happens it will or it wont. Being uptight and looking over your shoulder every minute of the day will make your shifts even harder.
As to the possible suspension, take my advice above and stay clear of the 2 points option. Most Magistrates would understand that driving is your living and could lend you an ear on an argument of a reduced suspension. That would make for a holiday as opposed to being unemployed.
As to pleas in the comments that professional drivers should get more points as we are always on the road, I used that ones to a policeman who busted me for speeding; he said to me that because I am a professional driver I certainly should know better, and up to today I find it hard to argue against that fact.

[Gonza]

As a cabbie I wouldn't make much money "driving Miss Daisy" for 12 month.
Would be pretty much the same amount as a doll I guess.
3 month off sounds soooo sweet.