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Here is an interview with b@dsworth
which first appeared in the West Yorkshire RoADA groups' magazine 'Torque' in
the summer of 2003. b@dsworth is the
President.
How did you learn to drive?
The Police taught me – I did a five week introductory driving course which
included taking the test. It was
wonderful, though sadly the Police no longer offer similar courses to learners
due to cost. Today the attitude
seems to be ‘If they want to learn to drive they can fund it themselves’!
I think that is very short sighted, and may be linked to what I perceive
to be an overall decline in police driving standards.
What was your first car?
A very sad Wolsely 1100 which I bought during my ten weeks
initial police training. I remember
it well because the owner brought it around to my house with the tax disc from
another car in the window. He had
quite a nasty shock when he found out what I did for a living.
He had the last laugh though – a few months later the sub-frame
collapsed and I had to have the car scrapped!
What car do you drive now?
A SAAB 9000 Turbo – it is phenomenal. Sadly
it has suffered from shocking depreciation, and is now worth much more to me
than to anyone else. I shall be
hanging onto it until I retire next year. It
is one of the fastest cars I have ever driven and by far the most refined. It isn’t the most fun – that was a Morgan +8 Hill Climber
I was lucky enough to own. My wife
Jane and I are both Morgan enthusiasts, but sadly they are not very practical
for family life. I have owned many
cars and bikes in my time. Whilst I
love the classics, I have to say that modern vehicles are far better.
Do you enjoy driving?
Usually – but not always. I
detest motorway driving but consider it necessary at times.
I would much rather be on two wheels or four legs (I ride horses) if I
have the choice. Motorcycling and
riding horses stimulate all the senses at once.
Car driving can never do that. Riding
a horse is thrilling. There is
always the element of surprise. You
can never be entirely sure of how they will react to other road users. That ensures that I always concentrate whilst in the saddle.
What is your most hated car?
A Skoda 1100. Actually I didn’t
hate it but my neighbours did. We
lived on a very pleasant estate in Bournemouth and I think my neighbours got
upset at the sight of me in my overalls working on the car when it was on ramps
on the drive. I had to strip the
engine three times in six months and it still burned oil by the gallon!
I didn’t mind because it was so simple to work on, but it cannot have
impressed visitors to the neighbourhood.
What is your dream car?
The one I own I think. It has done
102,000 miles, and if it would last for another 100,000 I would be entirely
happy. It looks a bit dated from
the outside – but from behind the wheel it looks as good as anything on the
road. I love it!
What is your worst driving habit?
Sticking in lanes 2 and 3 for too long after an overtake.
What infuriates you about other drivers?
Drivers who pretend they are unaware of your presence when two lanes have to
merge. Usually it is someone who
has become irritated because other drivers have seized an opportunity to ‘make
progress’ in the other lane and want to be spiteful.
It is very common. I see it every morning on the Doncaster Road at Agbrigg where
traffic signs advise drivers to use both lanes through the junction until the
lanes join. I have been caught
there several times by drivers who refuse to acknowledge my presence on the
road. It is silly really and does
nothing to aid the smooth flow of traffic.
Have you ever had points on
your licence?
No I haven’t but I think I have been lucky.
I obey speed limits when I see them, but have missed restrictions on a
few occasions like everyone else. I
have been ‘flashed’ by Gatso’s twice when I missed the signs, but they
must have been out of film.
What is the most unusual thing you have done in a car?
I went diving inside an abandoned one with the Underwater Search Unit in Horbury
Lagoon. I got some air in the
ankles of my ‘Dry Suit’ and was tipped upside down with my head stuck in the
silt. I didn’t enjoy it at all
and couldn’t wait to get out, but the officers thought it was hilarious.
What do you listen to in the car?
If I am driving purposefully I prefer to have the radio off
and concentrate – but I do like to listen to radio 4 if I am in heavy traffic.
I am afraid I am a News Junkie. My
job as a Head of Planning means that I have to scan the horizon constantly for
‘Black Clouds’ and then react accordingly so that the Force is not caught
out.
If my son Ben (10 years) is in the car we will be listening
to CDs. Heavy Metal, Rap and Rock
mostly. I like his taste in music,
but I don’t enjoy his habit of playing the same tracks over and over again.
If he is with his mum he gets extra mental maths. – so he prefers to
ride with me.
If you were secretary of state for transport what would you do?
·
Encourage the use of Powered Two Wheelers.
·
End the crusade against speeders – only 7 or 8% of accidents are
caused by them in this county. The
amount of effort the government is putting into pursuing them is out of all
proportion to the harm they do.
·
Invest some of the money gained from traffic fines in schemes and
organisations that promote safer driving – like RoADA!
The Government is obsessed with speeders because they want to be seen to
be doing something, but they don’t know what.
Chasing speeders is easy. Improving
driving standards is not – but that is where the big gains are to be had.
What do you think has been the best road safety feature?
Seat Belts – they have saved countless lives and I could not now imagine
driving without them. I never feel
comfortable until I am ‘buckled up’.
What would you like to see happen that hasn't happened yet?
I’d like someone to invent a viable alternative to the Internal Combustion
Engine. All the alternatives are
interesting – but not yet realistic. Motoring is here to stay – but let’s try to find a way of
enjoying it without damaging the planet.
I’d also like to see a device that advises you of the speed limit for the
section of road the vehicle is on. I don’t mean the speed limiting devices being tested at
Leeds University – I mean something that offers simple advice.
I cannot believe it would be hard to create, and it would safeguard the
licences of those who, like me, occassionally miss the signs.
I know I am supposed to use advanced observation, but heck, I am only
human!
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