I agree with VerlorenHoop.
I find it interesting that, in the countries I've driven in on mainland Europe, that police presence on the roads is, in my experience, no more noticeable than it is here - yet, in the main, traffic laws are strictly observed.
Note that I am specifically excluding Italy here - although I'm glad to say that I did not drive on my recent visit to Rome!
The difference is, as VerlorenHoop is suggesting here, is that when the laws are enforced, justice is instantaneous and penalties are severe. Sufficiently severe, it would seem, to be a sufficient deterrent for most people.
We have a law on jaywalking in this country. Anyone ever hear of it being enforced? In Spain last year, I approached a light controlled pedestrian crossing. A couple were waiting to cross and, as there was a fault which meant I had no visual indication of the crossing status, slowed down and indicated to them to cross. (This was a one-lane, one-way street, so no possibility of any other vehicles.) The man pointed across the street to where, presumably, there was a red man facing them and they stayed resolutely on the footpath, so I drove on.
Perhaps it time to have a draconian purge in this country, with punitive on the spot penalties which must be paid immediately or, as in some countries at least, the vehicle is impounded, leaving the occupants to proceed on foot from the site of the offence. The vehicle would not be released until the fine and further stiff tow-away charges were paid - in cash.
I think that there would be an instant improvement in driving standards in this country - with many so-called 'drivers' (who cant!) being weeded out of the system on a permanent basis. The long term threat that an instant blitz could recur at any time, anywhere, without warning would ensure that the improvement was maintained.
