Results: This survey is about obeying the law. More specifically it is about how average citizens behave when nobody is watching to catch them if they misbehave.
Published on 04/06/2024
I read a headline about the driver of an SUV that hit a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk and fled the scene. A woman sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries in the crash. She had been walking with her daughter, who she moved out of the way before she was hit, according to police. The girl was not hurt. There seems to be an epidemic of drivers who hit and run, run red lights, exceed the speed limit, overtake when unsafe and other infractions. Are things getting worse or has it always been this way? Are people generally less law abiding these days?
QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
Lets start with the scenario above. Being involved in a car accident is bad enough but when the driver who caused the accident flees the scene, an injured person may be denied timely medical attention and be left to die. Here are some thoughts on this issue. Which do you agree with.
Crosswalk lights such as the ones in the photo are not nearly distinctive and eye catching enough to provide sufficient protection for pedestrians. They should be upgrade to the newer LED ones that have flashing lights that are brighter and in more places on the crosswalk. Anyone who ignores these lights should have an automatic loss of license.
37%
782 votes
The penalty for a hit and run should be double whatever the penalty would otherwise be. If the hit and run driver also was the cause of the accident there should be an automatic loss of license.
53%
1120 votes
Some of today's drivers come from counties where police corruption and traffic laws make it advisable and the norm to flee the scene (with videos of these events becoming frequently posted on YouTube). This has normalized hit and run behaviour and it must not become the norm in the US or Canada.
26%
542 votes
Some of today's pedestrians come from countries where drivers are more alert to the presence of jaywalkers (and stray animals etc). There is a greater onus on new arrivals to Canada/US to watch out for drivers when crossing the road because North American drivers are less observant in general. (the woman who was hit had recently arrived from Ukraine)
21%
450 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
23 votes
Not Applicable
25%
522 votes
- They are not taught this from their parents.
- Some are drunk or on drugs.
- Yes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.48% | 14 | |
| All of the above. | 0.03% | 1 |
| Shoot on sight | 0.03% | 1 |
| . | 0.03% | 1 |
| I agree with most of the above in certain situations. | 0.03% | 1 |
| Drivers who hit and run should have the book thrown at them, our laws are not punishment enough to discourage them from "turning rabbit" and running like the cowards they are. We also are faced with an increase of stolen vehicles. | 0.03% | 1 |
| Can't just pick one. | 0.03% | 1 |
| the rich are entittled and punishment is never applied equally | 0.03% | 1 |
| drivers not only from other countries but i find those of the younger range drivers under 30 and those that are above 85 are more offensive driving than defensive. at least in my city. | 0.03% | 1 |
| There are some "accidents" which are not accidents at all. There are bump-and-rob scenarios and bump- and-rape scenarios so there's that. If you think that you're a victim of such, I think leaving is excusable as long as you call for help. | 0.03% | 1 |
2.
2.
On my way home from an appointment yesterday, on 4 occasions in as many sets of lights, someone ran the red light. Every day on the news traffic report I hear of crashes at traffic lights where someone ran the red light and hit someone who had the right of way. Why is this happening and is it happening more often these days?
Running the lights can be a cultural thing from drivers who came here from counties where a red light or stop light is a "suggestion" rather than a command. There is an element of "machismo" associated with this behaviour. The penalties for this are not nearly severe enough.
22%
452 votes
Having a working dash cam should be a requirement for all new drivers and the footage should be made available in the event of an accident or infraction upon request without the need of a subpoena. A mature driver (5 years plus experience) would expect a subpoena first.
24%
497 votes
A driver who runs a light and subsequently causes an injury accident and chooses to challenge the case despite video and other evidence, should have an additional penalty added for wasting the court's time.
45%
949 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
32 votes
Not Applicable
28%
582 votes
More drivers are running red lights than there used to be and I will give reasons why I think this is so in the comment section.
16%
336 votes
- Not so far knock on wood
- Distracted driving
- Someone turned left when the left turn light was red and we had the green light. She hit us so hard that her license plate made an impression on our bumper (and this was coming from a full stop - had been a four way red prior to the accident).
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.66% | 15 | |
| Texting while driving is a big problem | 0.04% | 1 |
| Lots of dope and booze out there and red lights to them are a distraction | 0.04% | 1 |
| I ALWAYS "hang back" a second and check oncoming traffic--even if I have the right-of-way. | 0.04% | 1 |
| Just stupidity | 0.04% | 1 |
| ? | 0.04% | 1 |
| i dont know | 0.04% | 1 |
| They are in a rush to get to hell or someplace horrible. | 0.04% | 1 |
| People are stupid!!! | 0.04% | 1 |
| drivers often distracted by other things and not paying attention to the lights | 0.04% | 1 |
| Everyone is in a big hurry to get where they are going and feel the need to be first in line with most aspects in their life. | 0.04% | 1 |
| I think there is more media attention now, but it has always been a problem | 0.04% | 1 |
| distracted drivers. | 0.04% | 1 |
| . | 0.04% | 1 |
| See below | 0.04% | 1 |
| Driver's now are always in a hurry. I say they should have left earlier. | 0.04% | 1 |
| Some yellow lights are too short. Hitting the break would leave you in the middle of the intersection. | 0.04% | 1 |
| no accountability | 0.04% | 1 |
3.
3.
I learned to drive in a country (the UK) that hasn't yet invented a straight road, pedestrians, livestock and cars have learned to share the road, the roads are extremely narrow and many of them have walls within one foot of the pavement. The requirements to obtain a drivers license in Germany are even more strict than the UK. Obligatory lessons include a minimum number of lessons each, driving on: the motorway Autobahn, rural areas, in adverse weather and in the dark. Here are some requirements I would like to see included in North America. Which do you agree with.
It should be stressed and acknowledged by the learner that a drivers license is a privilege and not a human right. Repeated evidence of a lack of respect for traffic laws, a lack of driving skill, or lack of acceptance of the requirement to be a responsible driver such as byleaving the scene of an accident should result in a loss of driving privileges for a minimum period and a repeat driving test..
29%
599 votes
The driving test should be made much tougher and a full license not given until the new driver has proven the ability to drive in emergency situations (stopping distances, accident avoidance) and adverse weather conditions.
15%
310 votes
Drivers ed should include a class on the differences between North American expectations of drivers compared to other countries and that running lights and leaving the scene of an accident will not be tolerated.
8%
167 votes
No amount of perceived provocation can justify road rage and damage or injury caused by it should not be mitigated because of it. If there is evidence of provocation however there should be charges laid as "dangerous driving" against the offender.
21%
441 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
33 votes
Not Applicable
26%
550 votes
- no
- yes. The other driver lost their minds because I honked my horn. They stopped in the middle of the road and wouldn't let me pass.. I eventually took a side road and lost him.
- No
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.84% | 13 | |
| all of the above | 0.52% | 8 |
| yes to all of the above | 0.06% | 1 |
| All of these are good ideas but I could only check one. Road rage should be treated as a crime and the "punishment" should be mandatory therapy to put things in proper perstpective. | 0.06% | 1 |
| more than one, why is this single choice? | 0.06% | 1 |
| all of the above; would only allow for 1 choice | 0.06% | 1 |
| all | 0.06% | 1 |
| Yes to all of the above. | 0.06% | 1 |
| No time to read choices. They should just get on with a viable solution | 0.06% | 1 |
| I agree with all of the above | 0.06% | 1 |
| all of the above except anything to do with Drivers' Ed--the teachers we had, my parents did not approve of--long story. I am now married to someone who taught driver's ed, and I now know why my parents disagreed to us taking that class. | 0.06% | 1 |
| All of the above. | 0.06% | 1 |
| i agree with all the above points | 0.06% | 1 |
| All the above. | 0.06% | 1 |
4.
4.
There are many methods used to catch driver law breakers such as photo radar, cameras and other surveillance, monetary deterrents etc. The most effective solution could be to change our driving culture. Pride in driving skill and accident avoidance needs to replace the current culture of driving as a means of entertainment, thrill seeking and ego gratification. This change needs to be reflected in driving schools, the driving test, driving culture and all other aspects of driving. Do you agree and will make you add additional comments?
Yes
37%
786 votes
No
11%
236 votes
Undecided
23%
481 votes
Not Applicable
28%
597 votes
- Since 1966
- When I was in High School, drivers ed was required, now it is not at lease in Indiana. Drivers ed needs to be required.
- 64
COMMENTS