I recently returned from a long trip to New Zealand and Australia. Aside from the tourism experience, which was great, we made some observations from which we feel our state and federal governments could learn.
We drove a car in New Zealand, Australia, and its island of Tasmania. No one was speeding. There are traffic cameras in many places, including prior to most intersections where there is significant traffic. If people are caught speeding, they get a ticket by mail. If they are not the driver, they must sign an affidavit, including the name and address of the person who was driving.
Enforcement is strict. Traffic fatalities are far less than in the states.
There are many more roundabouts. It’s hard to “run a roundabout” at 50 miles an hour.
Another lifesaving decision by these two countries is gun control. Within a few weeks following a mass shooting years ago, strict gun controls were enacted, including buybacks of semiautomatic assault weapons. Millions of guns were collected, and mass shootings are now very rare.
If measures like these were enacted in the U.S., thousands of lives could be saved. After all, we all share a right to life, don’t we?
I wish people a Happy New Year.
William Phillips, Auburn
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