The Coronavirus global death toll has just topped 3,000. When it reaches 3,561 it will equal the number of people killed on the roads in a single day.
Clearly Coronavirus is a serious threat that is entirely deserving of all efforts to bring it under control, but why do we show such apathy towards another source of danger that kills 1.3 million people every year? People might grumble into their pints about speeding, parking on pavements or mobile phone use behind the wheel, but most tolerate it in a way that would be unthinkable if 3,561 lives were being lost every day to conventional acts of terrorism.
When people here in Britain talk about the roads, many mistake equality for equity. The trope “we all just need to share the roads” overlooks the fact that on the roads – as in so many other areas of life – equity requires that some people get more.
The more time one spends walking or cycling, the more one is exposed to careless, anti-social and downright dangerous behaviour. The photo below shows drivers outside a school in Surrey taking to the pavements because the road ahead is blocked. Children walking to school were forced to take refuge to avoid being run over. No action was taken by police against the drivers.
We made a crowdfunded film about road danger which explores some of the reasons we fail to address it. Please watch and share widely.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, travel insurance, breakdown cover and home insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
John Holiday
Good point regarding deaths & injuries on roads.
Unfortunately the politicians appear paralysed by fear of the pro- motoring lobby and peoples “freedom ” to act as irresponsibly as they do.
As Community Speed Watch volunteer, have had drivers recorded as many as five times, without action by Police. Madness.