Bobby Dazzler

Like most car drivers I despair at the antics of others on the roads. 

Poor driving could be down to mischief, ignorance or just downright badness. 

There is, I feel, some truth in the assumption that the more expensive the car, the higher likelihood of discourteous driving in both practice and manners. In my experience it all comes down to the one-upmanship of brands and driver profiles. 

In any survey of motorists the most common gripes aimed at others are lane hogging, not indicating, cutting in, parking badly and excessive speed. 

There is legislation in place to sanction the worst offences but failing that it is down to our sense of common decency towards each other. 

There is scope for creativity in dealing with some lower but nevertheless persistent and annoying driving traits and one particular Police Force, that in the Chinese city of Shenzhen to the north of Hong Kong has some expertise and success on this front. 

In the past initiatives have included making jaywalkers wear green hats and vests while directing pedestrian traffic, mounting dummy traffic police on the highway and issuing sword-shaped batons to officers. 

In addressing the problem of mis-use of full beam headlights which can dazzle or distract other motorists the Shenzhen Police have the usual powers to hand being a fine of 300 yuan, which is about £35, penalty points on the offenders licence and to make them recite regulations on the proper use of headlights. 

This has obviously not been enough and so dangerous drivers who don’t dip their lights around other traffic will be forced to stare into the full beam headlights of a police car for one minute whilst sitting on a specially designed chair in the roadway.

The rather drastic action was originally introduced by Shenzhen officers in 2014, but was quickly stopped amid accusations that it was a violation of human rights. Concerns were expressed about potential eye damage, and on what grounds the Police could force drivers to stare into the bright lights, when the tactic is not mentioned in the law.

Moves to reintroduce it just recently have met with broad public approval and several other local police forces are considering adopting this initiative.

The following opinions have been representative.

“Traffic police comrades, I believe this kind of punishment is not right, it’s inhumane, they should have to look for 5 minutes” and “The whole country should implement this immediately,”

I am all for this type of positive reinforcement by the Police as an means ,albeit somewhat unconventional, to tackle unsociable and careless driving.