"Letter to Editor- Opinions Please?"

[serial_fool]

I've posted this up over on AFF to get some feed back and now I'm here (no doubt gonna I'm be flamed over on AFF). Any critisms would be awesome. Writing credit to Frost for the initial parts.

Article in question:
http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2334#more-2334

Cheers.

Sir,
In relation to the lead article “Hoon Terror” for the 12th of February’s Border Watch

I am a self-confessed car nut, I love performance vehicles, travelling at high speeds and I also love the smell of tire smoke. But in my self-confession there is a catch, I like it all legally, at the limited auto racing events throughout the South East of South Australia.

You may be wondering why would someone school aged might be writing to you admitting they are a car nut (or in many eyes, a “hoon”), practically putting themselves up for crucifixion by the community at large? Because even though I love going fast and wasting money on fuel, I only like doing it in a safe legal environment. At all other times I just like to drive my car. I like driving to the Mc Donald’s drive through and buying some cheese burgers, or the service station to put some overpriced fuel in, or cruising along a country road. Most of all I like chatting to people who all share the same interest, love for cars.

As I see in the article many residents are upset about the level of “hoon” activity within their communities, commenting on the many “close shaves” they have observed and the speeding/drag racing that has been happening in the streets of Mount Gambier. I share their concerns for their community and the people committing these acts should be punished. The use of a motor vehicle on the road in my view is a privilege and not a right. But on the other hand, I have witnessed ignorance of police forces and the community regarding car enthusiasts. I’m not saying if Joe Blow rips a burnout in his hectic VL Commodore at the intersection of the main street let him go, but by that same token going all out to impound his vehicle, fine him 2 weeks of pay, and take his license away seems very steep, particularly if he or she requires that vehicle to earn a living. He’s not a car enthusiast he’s a hoon, but being a hoon doesn’t make him a murderer, it rather just makes him ignorant. Ignorant on how having fun in a car should be, that is, in a controlled environment.

How have car enthusiasts been pressured as a result on the crackdown on “hooning”? How about the senseless defection of a motor car over trivial things that have no bearing on safety of the vehicle or police officers randomly pulling people over to “have a look” even when no crime has even been committed. It is kind of ironic that other road users not fitting the "hoon” or “car enthusiast” profile get by with unsuspecting cars with major defects. Why have these things been done to innocent people and their possessions while others get away scot free? It’s a simple answer even highlighted in the article by Sandra Morello. As described by Ms Barton “On one evening this month in just 20 minutes I counted dozens of hoon cars on our street”, the labelling of a “hoon car”. What could be described as a “hoon car” Ms Barton? Big wheels and a high powered V8 engine? Blinding multi coloured lights? For those who couldn’t have foreseen, I have just described many cars used by the police in this very state. The point I am trying to put across is never judge a book by its cover so to speak. People driving around in modified cars cannot be automatically labelled a hoon and they should not automatically hammered by police for driving around. Many would have cars better maintained and are less defectable than the police force. Like many people have said in history car enthusiasts should be innocent until proven otherwise.

Statistics provided by Senior Sergeant Hill indicated 344 cars have been impounded or clamped in the South East. How he could be taking up such devastating statistics defies logic. Having the second highest level of hoon activity in the state isn’t something to be proud of. In contrast- it shows that the existing methods of curbing hooning aren’t working. Simply taking away somebody’s vehicle will not make them a better driver. Actually it makes them become bitter regarding our authorities. Only training in the use of a motor vehicle WILL make them a better driver. While the current process to obtain a license is adequate only the Provisional one test requires actual in-the-car driving, all else is purely theory on basic road rules.

A more direct approach could be used. Many analysts argue that inexperienced drivers are over represented in the national death toll on our road. The key word here is “inexperienced”. How is it that we bring down the numbers of inexperienced drivers in the road toll? Government sponsored (whether it be local or state) training days for learner drivers by auto clubs would be a great answer. Increased funding could be introduced to many of the car clubs throughout the South East to stage mandatory events for learner/ provisional drivers. This approach would have two very positive outcomes. The first, it would curb the need for hooning around suburban streets as all the honing would be done on a race track. The second, it would allow inexperienced drivers to develop practical driving skills in a safe place. A legal way to drain the boy-racer out of a “hoon” in a constructive environment would benefit many people in the community while reducing the risk of Mount Gambier/ South Eastern streets to be used as a racetrack. Teaching people how to actually drive instead of the basics of road rules and driving positions is the way to go. Not harsher penalties.

Thank you for the time you took to read my letter Mr Editor, and for all of the community: please keep safe on the roads.
Mr. Tristan Weston

[Malakai]

After a quick read through it all sounds good to me and I agree.

I don't think that 'government sponsored training days' will ever become widespread, they are scared that it will have the opposite effect and give people a taste for driving "enthusiastically" and make the problem worse. In some respects I agree, mainly in the sense that it might give five minute old drivers a false sense of being awesome because they did a course. On the other hand it will benefit those intelligent and mature enough to know better.

In the end there is no quick fix or right answer. There will always be dick heads and there will always be the majority of genuine enthusiasts that are judged with the dick heads.

[Frost]

good work serial_fool. I also slammed their article via feedback about their choice of words in reference to whats happening on the street.

[serial_fool]

Cheers fellas,

Malakai, it begs the question: are the level of hoons directly related to the death toll? Probably not, but it is easier for the media to use a hoon as a scapegoat thus masking the real root of the problem: lack of driving ability. I've heard some crackers in my school regarding driving, "I haven't driven since Sunday, I hope I don't crash", worst part of it was the chick was serious. Anyone with half a brain can pass a driving test.

[Kyle the ED4LTR]

well put mate, i couldn't agree more.

[JMOLLY]

I like driving to the Mc Donald’s drive through and buying some cheese burgers, or the service station to put some overpriced fuel in, or cruising along a country road. Most of all I like chatting to people who all share the same interest, love for cars.

I would think about removing this sentence. I like the letter, and there are alot of good points, but I feel the reader won't take you seriously when your writing about cheeseburgers at McDonalds .

How about the senseless defection of a motor car over trivial things that have no bearing on safety of the vehicle or police officers randomly pulling people over to “have a look” even when no crime has even been committed.It is kind of ironic that other road users not fitting the "hoon” or “car enthusiast” profile get by with unsuspecting cars with major defects.

Perhaps you should try and push this idea some more, as it is an issue.

[Hybrid34]

Looks like you've put a bit of time into this,
If i were you i'd cut certain things out, which make you "seem" or "present" yourself as immature or not so professional.
If you want to catch a persons attention by reading i'd cut out the following:

I am a self-confessed car nut,

Don't use the word "nut", try enthusiast or passion for cars.

I like driving to the Mc Donald’s drive through and buying some cheese burgers, or the service station to put some overpriced fuel in, or cruising along a country road

Rephrase this sentence to something a bit more mature not "drive through maccas buying cheese burgers". Crusing along a country road is good, or scenic drives.

Joe Blow rips a burnout in his hectic VL Commodore at the intersection of the main street let him go, but by that same token going all out to impound his vehicle, fine him 2 weeks of pay, and take his license away seems very steep, particularly if he or she requires that vehicle to earn a living.

Your kind of contradicting yourself in a way, i wouldn't use the word "joe blow", or "vl commo" or "ripping a burnout"
I'd leave this sentence out all together cause your going against the peoples train of thought. as in your making it seem ok to do a burnout (in a sense).

Anyway thats my quick 2 cents towards your letter, hope it gets somewhere
Cheers
- Ash

[Frost]

ACC in adl got on the news. Not really helped there cause by blocking out faces or people getting done on their cruise http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php ... 206&ref=nf

[oneredED]

I’m not saying that if Joe Blow rips a burnout in his hectic VL Commodore at the intersection of the main street then let him go, but by that same token going all out to impound his vehicle, fine him 2 weeks of pay, and take his license away seems very steep, particularly if he or she requires that vehicle to earn a living.

I agree with Ash on this statement. I can see the sarcasm in the "hectic VL" comment, but I'm sure 90% of readers would not read it as sarcasm, given it is coming from a "fellow car enthusiast". Whilst your point is a valid one, I feel your argument would be quite a bit stronger with this statement omitted or amended to better illustrate your point.

[Gozza]

I agree with the above sentiments.. Possibly crunch it down into a more editorial friendly format...go for absolute keys points.

[serial_fool]

Ended up sending this in a couple of days after this thread was made...haven't heard anything back from them so I'll let sleeping logs lie. They probably didn't want people calling into question the retardness of that article. If anyone wants to copy/edit it to suit a particular need they can go straight ahead and use it.