Out of control
THE EDITOR: A horse is a sentient animal, like you and I. It can see, hear, feel, smell and taste. If a horse is startled, because of a loud noise or something flashing in its eyes, it may panic and bolt. Hence, even an expert rider can loose control of a horse. There are numerous examples of horses at the races throwing their jockeys and running wild. A car is not a horse. It does not have a mind of its own. The mind ruling the behaviour of a motor vehicle is that of the driver. It follows that if a motor vehicle is out of control it is the driver’s fault, whether this is due to poor road conditions, bad weather, excessive speed or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The only possible exceptions are mechanical failure or the action of another road user (which are also due to human, but not necessarily the driver’s negligence), eventualities which a driver should anticipate. But in every instance that persons are injured or lose their lives in motor vehicle accidents in this country it is reported that the events occurred because the driver "lost control of the car." This innocuous-sounding stock phrase relieves the driver of responsibility of causing the resulting death and destruction. The police and media are doing the community a disservice by using it. They should find some alternative which conveys that motor vehicle accidents are the fault of reckless or negligent drivers. JOHN SMITH Carenage
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"Out of control"