JUST EXACTLY WHO IS
Article by Dave Lawrie, Director NPHTA 0161 280 2800
info@nphta.co.uk DRIVER ATTACKS ARE INCREASING – BUT WHY?
We have seen over the last few months that the sheer volume of driver attacks has increased, to the point where it is now happening multiples times per day. Drivers are beaten up, robbed, hospitalised, killed, scarred for life, not to mention the mental anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder that comes with such assaults.
NPHTA and PHTM have been warning about this, posting about it, publishing articles about it, and even been on national radio and television broadcasts talking about it, but what is the root cause?
PUBLIC PERCEPTION
In almost every government policy and publicly released document; in every local authority set of conditions and policies; and in every press release that they publish, they all start with the same thing: “We have a duty to protect the public”; but from whom?
WHEN IT GOES WRONG
Meanwhile, the courts do little to nothing, even going as far as to say: “It would be of no benefit to lock you up,” despite the fact that you have just attempted to commit premeditated murder against a driver using your belt (recent case); or saying: “You were under the influence of alcohol, go and get help with your drinking” (another recent case); or they say: “Your family would suffer if I sent you to prison”. OK, but was that a consideration for the vicious thug who attempted to murder an innocent victim who was simply trying to get the thug home safely?
The police often do not attend after a driver has been attacked, but they are very quick off the mark when a either a passenger or a police officer is assaulted.
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Then there’s the CPS which will drop the case unless it is certain there is enough evidence to gain a conviction.
Finally, councils revoke licences based on nothing more than an allegation, with zero proof, and do it under the banner of “protecting the public” even when the person has been found to have done no wrong by a court. Yes, we understand the difference between criminal law and civil law, but we also understand the importance of common sense and logic!
WHO IS PROVEN TO POSE LITTLE TO NO RISK TO THE PUBLIC?
All drivers have passed:
1. DBS check 2. Medical check 3. Awareness courses 4. Driving standards check 5. Driving standards scrutiny 6. NVQs 7. Conflict resolution course 8. Vulnerability course 9. Mental health course 10. Disability awareness course 11. English and maths course 12. Safeguarding course
There’s a raft of other training and requirements to go through before they even think of obtaining a car and getting behind the wheel. There’s insurance, plates, greater tyre tread depths than the exact same vehicle without that plate attached, fire extinguishers and first aid kits (with “sheers” - since that is the word used to describe the stabbing tool that must be carried in the vehicle for many) to think about, as well as multiple inspections to complete.
WHO CHECKS THE ATTACKERS?
But who checks the passengers? Those who may be high on drugs, those who may be drunk as a skunk, flat broke and just spent every last penny on beer and drugs, those who may have literally just been released from prison that day for murder convictions, and then gone on a bender? Nobody
MARCH 2023 PHTM
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