TRTL; 'The status quo can be a powerful force in its own right.'

Yes it can be and is also a convenient excuse for some to do nothing, but I don't think that applies here. Don't forget you have 100s and indirectly 1000s of Police (and many 1000s of others like yourself and Ludwig) contributing their ideas on the subject. I and I dare say most of them are willing to listen to other peoples ideas on the topic, but don't mistake me for being apathetic when I point out the problems with ideas that are put forward. I dare say I have seen and experienced more first hand on this topic than anyone on this forum, so I think I'm well placed to point out the difficulties involved in some of the suggestions. Believe me, if you or anyone else comes up with the 'right' idea, I will say so and join in the applause you would so deserve.

Ludwig; If you can come up with a workable way let me know. But unfortunately having knowledge of the court/legal system, it would only be a matter of time before someone, and it would only take one, would contest the whole thing and unless it was airtight, all the good work (and money spent on it) would be undone and wasted.

Quiggley

With the utmost respect, you seem to be wholly negative to any suggestions being put forward here.

Yes of course all these ideas have been bandied around for a long time. But that doesn’t make them bad or redundant. Some of them could work if we could just get community and government to run with them.

So that is the key – overcoming the apathy. Or perhaps not apathy, but a feeling of powerlessness in the community.

In fact both: apathy for a large portion of the populace and an abject feeling of powerlessness also for a large portion.

So if we could just get some bright-spark politician to take up the cause and publicise it to the max, this disenfranchised section of the community could be brought onside…..and great things could ensue.

And yet Quiggley, you don't seem able to point out these flaws. I'm sorry, but "I know more about it" isn't good enough - it may be the case, but it makes a pretty poor platform for debate.

TRTL: 'you don't seem able to point out these flaws'

I think you might want to read my post of the 17 April again. I though I raised quite a few issues that, in my opinion at least, would make policing of traffic matters by pseudo (I'm not being derogatory here) police unrealistic.

TRTL: 'I'm sorry, but "I know more about it" isn't good enough'

Fair enough comment, so I shall outline my experience in the area. Police Officer of 25 years, 4 years Highway Patrol and 10 years Crash Investigation Unit where we only investigated fatal, serious injury or crashes involving high media attention. Lecturer and course compiler at the Police Academy on both traffic related subjects. Numerous other RTA (NSW Traffic Authority) and Stay Safe (NSW Parliament) committees.

Quiggley - I did read your post, and I replied that I wouldn't expect the public to enforce these matters at all, just like we don't expect speed cameras to.

My question is, why can't people find black spots, and act as speed cameras with Lidar guns? they don't need to pull them over. Why can't the offenders be registered with a central traffic authority, and the letters be sent to them in the same way a speed camera violator is caught?

The only problems you've outlined are in relation to enforcement, and I repeat that I've never suggested that.

I hear your experience, and at no stage have I expressed doubt at your credentials, though aside from the enforcement angle, which I've already stated wouldn't be necessary, I've yet to hear any flaws put forth.

Ludwig: No don't mistake my comments as being negative to any new ideas. I'm merely pointing out the 'real world' problems that some of the ideas will encounter. If I can think of these problems I'm sure there will be plenty of others out there who will too. Not to mention all the groups out there that are just plain anti-authority/Police/Law etc. that will take any opportunity to shoot a good idea down just because they can.

All the things you say about the majority feeling helpless and alike is very true. But also remember that it is the silent majority that has allowed the erosion of many of the basic moral standards that we just don't have in this day and age anymore. So how has it got this way? By the very vocal minority talking over the quite majority and eventually suppressing them to the point where they can't be bothered anymore. Just look at any ideas that go against the gay or Aboriginals groups (just picking two conspicuous ones), anyone who dare speak out against the bias in favour of these groups is automatically branded a homophobic or a racist - not matter how good the idea or how well intentioned it is. It all sounds very Orwellian, but there is a certain truth to it.

So good luck with your quest to become part of a vocal minority. Just make sure any ideas you put forward are sensible, workable and fair to all, not just a select section of the community. I thinks that's why many of the other groups don't have much respect, they are too self centered and narrow forcused.