A law that allows the police to pull over motorists who are not wearing seat belts is on its way to being implemented.  This means that you can be penalized if you are caught without a seat belt, even if you are otherwise driving safely. 

     South Boston Online has always favored the use of seat belts, since they have been proven to save lives.  Statistics vary, but studies have estimated that perhaps 5,000 lives could be saved nationwide, if people involved in serious accidents had worn their seat belts.  In many other countries, seat belt laws are so strict that your insurance policy is automatically canceled if you are caught without a seal belt on.  That means the driver pays damages from his own pocket, if he causes an accident.  Tough laws, indeed.

     But we think there are some priorities that are being neglected in the state of Massachusetts. 

     First and foremost, the largest single chunk of serious accidents – around 40% of them – are caused by drinking and driving, whether seat belts are worn or not.  That’s the issue where new laws and enforcement of existing laws should be primarily focused.

     The second problem is road rage.  The language some drivers use, as well as the ever friendly one-fingered wave, are only symptoms.  The underlying disease is that too many drivers are using their cars as a kind of blunt weapon, forcing their ways through stalled traffic and busy intersections with no regard for safety – even their own. 

     When the police see such behavior, they must pull these motorists over and let them know they are out of line.  Road rage, per se, may not be a ticketable offense, but part of a traffic officer’s duties is to warn drivers-at-risk, before they become actual offenders.

     There are laws in process to raise the driving age.  South Boston Online is in favor of this measure.  We think that limited driving privileges might be granted around 16, with full privileges coming at age 18, after two years of training, experience, and a clean record.  Why do we say this?  Simple!  One out of every three teenagers has an accident soon after getting a license.  That’s evidence that a lot more training, experience, and law enforcement are needed.

     Have you noticed an increase in the number of times that South Boston drivers ignore stop signs and crosswalks?  We have.  It is a constant problem off of South Boston’s main streets, where “letter” streets cross “number” streets.  Many drivers simply tap their brakes, look, and then blow through the stop sign – or even a stop light.

     Finally, if there are to be more laws and more enforcement, they ought to focus on cell phone use.  At the very least, this leads to one-handed driving and a lack of concentration.  At the worst, it causes accidents.  Have you noticed that cell phone users take their eyes off the road and look down at their phones while talking.  Sure, these drivers glance up now and then, but that’s not good driving.  Regardless of what the surveys find, we think cell phones should be totally banned from automobiles.  They are too distracting.

     Just to recap, there are many dangerous driving practices going on out there.  To our lawmakers and police officers, here’s some advice:  cool it on the seat belt issue until the more serious motor vehicle problems are under control.