Shock tactics !

One thing the advertising industry can teach us is that if we are going to keep the public's attention we need to present our message in new ways.   Unfortunately, creative thinking is not a strong suite of those in government.

Years ago some genius came up with the bright idea of doubling demerit points over public holidays and during long weekends.   Statistics showed that road crashes increased in direct ratio to the numbers of cars on the road, and obviously holiday movement was greater than the volume on normal days - so the police launched a blitz on speeding - and soon this was extended to seat belt use.

It was initially quite successful.  When it was first imposed it was a form of shock tactics, but it has been all downhill from there.   The main problem is the imposition of a ridiculous time factor.

This year, Australia day falls on a Thursday.   Double demerit points started at midnight last night - hence it will run from Wednesday until midnight on Sunday, a period of five days - which includes a normal working day this Friday in the mix.

The shock tactics have been diluted because double demerit points have lost their zing and become just another hazard to be faced by car drivers.    They may indeed be increasing the road trauma by tipping some drivers into license loss - and thereby adding to the number of people who continue to drive unlicensed, which negates their green slip insurance cover.

There is another howler coming into force in the middle of this ridiculously extended double demerit period.

Restricted school hours come into force this Friday, despite the fact that just about every school in this state will not be accepting pupils until Monday.    The same thing happens each year when the school year ends.   For some unaccountable reason the restrictive period continues for at least one or two days after the school gates are closed and locked for the holidays - and that too makes absolutely no sense.

Even parents of school children are bemused to find they are committing a speeding offence - and in a double demerit points period at that - when they know that their kids are still enjoying the last day of their holidays on Friday.

To be effective a law must at least be credible.   It seems that demerit points and school time speed restrictions both come into that category - provided the timing does not slip into the fantasy world.

A re-think may restore some credibility !