community repair

Looks like another bumper year for death on the roads in New Zealand.

How are these deaths caused? Statistics tell us that speed and alcohol are the main culprits.

How much are we spending on policing the roads?

How much are we spending on road safety?

How much is spent after an accident occurs?

I found some of this information here. A snippet from that Treasury document:

In 2008/09 ACC motor vehicle-related claims accounted for 15 percent
of all ACC costs, or $452 million, with the average cost per each road
injury over $75,000. Further to this, injuries sustained on public roads
account for $6.8 billion (29 percent) of the $23.8 billion in outstanding
ACC claim liability as of 30 June 2009.

Wow these are big numbers for a little country and just a fraction of the total spend.

Is there another way? Well yes I believe there is away. In fact I believe this way will not only reduce the deaths but free up resources to tackle other crime and safety related issues and most importantly bring communities back together. It does sound a bit like I’m about to launch into an infomercial type speech that tries to sell you a set of Ginsu 2000 knives but wait there’s more…..

Recent advances in technology show us that this technology is on our doorstep.

Imagine if we legislated to encourage the use of driverless vehicles. And by legislate I mean basically forcing this technology down peoples throats so everyone has one (for all you naysayers, NZders are pretty bad drivers, it’s no great loss to our person freedom). The social impact would be phenomenal. There would be the obvious social impacts; the reduction in road deaths and accidents, reduction in insurance costs and less impact on ACC and the heath system. Lower ACC levies are always welcome. But what about the non obvious? All of a sudden the policing of speeding and drunk driving would no longer be needed. Police could refocus their efforts on other crimes. Police marketing costs (all the drunk driving commercials on TV) could be reallocated or not even necessary. I will miss the ‘ghost chips’ advert.

But my favourite outcome is the breath of life into our rural communities, the lifeblood of New Zealand. With pubs and restaurants businesses closing in small towns due to drink driving and insufficient transport alternatives, once again getting together at the local pub or restaurant would be a reality. Going to a wedding or a birthday party at a neighbours farm. This is what is important to you and to me. The get togethers. At heart we are social animals and governments are in place to bring us together not to drive us apart.