Cars on a country road
When I was in the south of England recently there was a narrow, winding, country road (like the ones shown here) that I noticed people drive very fast along, and that no one uses anymore for walking or cycling. I don’t blame them, the speed the cars were going round the bends, just too dangerous. What with the trees and hedgerows the cars, going at that speed, would have very little time to see anyone on the road.
Here is a radical but good idea: narrow, old country roads like this should be ONLY for people walking, bicycles or horses. Cars should not be allowed on them at all. Except for in emergencies.
A wild idea out of left field? In this case an idea with fields on either side of it! But have a little think: wouldn’t that be a better world? Why should we accept a situation in which cars get to dominate so much? Up to the mid 1960s or even later many of these country roads would still be largely free of cars. It's only in the last 50 years that cars have ruled things so tyrannically. It’s up to us to decide what is the best way.
There would be some inconvenience, yes. Wouldn’t it be a more peaceful, quiet life without cars in such places? Wouldn’t it be better for the environment, for animals, for our children? It seems to me that a good case could be made for saying the benefits outweigh the costs. Of course people used to cars will, thinking in automatic gear, dismiss the idea. But their excelerator jerk reaction may be a bad one. A more intelligent, reasonable consideration may well find cars running out of the fuel of justification.
When I was in the south of England recently there was a narrow, winding, country road (like the ones shown here) that I noticed people drive very fast along, and that no one uses anymore for walking or cycling. I don’t blame them, the speed the cars were going round the bends, just too dangerous. What with the trees and hedgerows the cars, going at that speed, would have very little time to see anyone on the road.
Here is a radical but good idea: narrow, old country roads like this should be ONLY for people walking, bicycles or horses. Cars should not be allowed on them at all. Except for in emergencies.
A wild idea out of left field? In this case an idea with fields on either side of it! But have a little think: wouldn’t that be a better world? Why should we accept a situation in which cars get to dominate so much? Up to the mid 1960s or even later many of these country roads would still be largely free of cars. It's only in the last 50 years that cars have ruled things so tyrannically. It’s up to us to decide what is the best way.
There would be some inconvenience, yes. Wouldn’t it be a more peaceful, quiet life without cars in such places? Wouldn’t it be better for the environment, for animals, for our children? It seems to me that a good case could be made for saying the benefits outweigh the costs. Of course people used to cars will, thinking in automatic gear, dismiss the idea. But their excelerator jerk reaction may be a bad one. A more intelligent, reasonable consideration may well find cars running out of the fuel of justification.
Or, if we decide not to go that route then how about this: cars are allowed to use such roads but only at a maximum of 20 miles an hour. According to BRAKE, the road safety charity: "Most country roads in the UK have a 60mph (97km/h) limit. However, due to their use by vulnerable road users and the design and condition of many country roads, 60mph (or anywhere near it) is rarely a safe speed to travel. Many country roads are narrow, with blind bends, and no pavements or cycle paths."
So why don't we reduce the level to 20? - an actually safe level. With strict punishments given out to those who go over the speed limit. And such fines etc actually given out, not just theoretically in place, but rarely enforced. In that better situation if you drove down such a tranquil country road at 50 or 60mph then there would be a 90% chance of being fined. Do it 3 times and you lose your licence. That would slow us down, right?
Again, why can we not be more tough on the bad behaviour of car drivers? Let’s chose that for the sake of the better life, the greater freedom in other aspects, that such restrictions on cars can bring us. It's the future. Or, some may prefer, a return to a better way.
(and before some eejit says 'Ah, there are no cars in the photos'...yeah, I did notice that, ya bam stick. This is what the road should look like. Not full of cars.)