The real problem is the idiot behind the wheel

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Credit: Illustration: Megan Herbert

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The report about our penchant for larger and larger vehicles – “Auto-besity’ a health risk for everyone” (The Age, 5/8) – comes as no real surprise after years of manufacturers pushing a “lifestyle” message upon us. After all, you “might” be able to go camping, swimming or fishing, or tow a jetski if you have one. By the way, you still need to go shopping and drop the kids off at school with your behemoth (even though the kids could walk or cycle or catch a bus).

The problem, as is evident by giant YouTube channels devoted to dash cam footage is, as always, the nut behind the wheel. I am a professional driver, and I have a certain sense of schadenfreude when I see crashes, 99per cent of which are preventable, happening. I have absolute empathy for the victims.

However, the attitudes of most drivers – a sense of entitlement and an unwillingness to change their speed when situations become busy or complicated – is astounding. Add to this the “I have a big vehicle” attitude, and also the inattention of pedestrians, glued onto their screens, and it is a perfect storm of human failure. Ultimately I find it hard to blame the vehicle when it does not have so-called artificial intelligence. Let’s hope they won’t self-learn from our behaviours.Shaun Dunford, Mount Gambier

Studies show the size and weight of large sports utility vehicles and dual-cab utes make life more hazardous for pedestrians and cyclists, but no one seems too concerned about the height of their headlights. Whereas buses and large trucks have headlights at or just above bumper level, SUVs, utes and vans have very bright headlights that shine directly into the eyes of car drivers, whether they are coming or following these vehicles. It seems that road safety authorities assume everyone drives a large ute or SUV.Jack Wajntraub, South Melbourne

Your interesting article points out that, due to their large size and bulk, the top-selling SUVs and utes are an increasing danger to other vehicles on our roads. But there is another unsaid factor: in recent years, with the increased power from their turbo-diesel engines, it seems that many drivers of these vehicles regularly speed above the limit. This is clearly an additional danger to both themselves and other road users.Graeme Daniels, Balwyn North

We arrived home a few days ago from Canada and the United States, where we saw mega utes everywhere. Apart from the injury risks resulting from these vehicles, the other significant issue we noticed was parking, both 90-degrees and kerbside. If these vehicles can actually fit into the “standard” 90-degree parallel space, good luck getting out of your own vehicle. Also, if you are in a smaller vehicle and a mega ute parks closely behind you on the kerb, your manoeuvring room to get out is gone.

Australia seems to be following the trend for these mega utes. Notwithstanding the emissions issues, supermarket parking and parking lots in general will need to have a plan B if these vehicles are allowed to increase in number on our roads. The irony is that they don’t carry any more people than standard cars and from what we saw, the ute trays are usually empty.Paul Martin, Point Lonsdale

“Auto-besity” indicates the irresponsible stupidity of the federal government for its lack of emissions standards. It seems to be replicated in the irresponsible stupidity of driver of large vehicles as observed on the roads and borne out by the accident statistics.Kishor Dabke, Mount Waverley

I am appalled by the Victorian government’s plan to cut back visiting teacher support for children with vision and hearing impairments (The Age, 4/8). As a young woman with low vision who is studying music at Monash University, I have been equipped with the skills to read braille and use assistive technology by these specially trained, visiting teachers.

The unemployment rate for people who are blind or have low vision is approximately 70per cent, and denying schoolchildren the necessary skills to keep up with their peers is shortsighted. I would not have succeeded in my education without this crucial support. By taking this action, the Education Department is discriminating against children with disabilities.Lottie Jennens, Fitzroy North

Re “Neo-Nazi lauds war criminal” (The Age, 5/8). The RSL would be wise to do a bit more homework when vetting groups which use its club rooms. The idea that these neo-Nazi groups would use the RSL, or anywhere for that matter, is sickening, especially considering that returned soldiers fought to rid the world of these contemptible ideologies.Pamela Dempster, South Yarra

I am 78 and see my super fund, yes, as a way of passing wealth to my children (The Age, 4/8) – but also to draw on as security for a comfortable old age if I live much longer. And I can well understand the government making sure that I fund most of my care in old age, especially if I require professional care at home.

However, my mother lived to be 106 and I am concerned that people who survive to what is seen as an “extreme” age will fall into distress and discomfort as their money runs out; my mother’s defined benefit pension protected her, but that is a luxury few people now have. If we move to increase the load on super funds, we need to provide “survival” insurance to maintain the standard of life for people who make a big contribution to their own care.Andrew Laing, Williamstown

Angus Holland comprehensively explains the necessary and achievable move for households to switch from gas and draughty to electric and insulated, one step at a time (The Age, 5/8).A well-sealed house, with double-glazed windows, the sun warming my north-facing living space, the ability to close off areas, and warm clothes in the evenings keeps me “toasty”. A two-burner, portable, electric hot plate sitting over the gas, complemented by a multi-function, portable electric oven adequately fulfills my cooking needs. Some moves are straightforward and inexpensive: try them first.Isabelle Henry, Ascot Vale

It will cost residents about $1000 to have gas providers remove their usage meter and gas pipes that are connected to the gas mains.

However, if they choose not to do this and instead just don’t use any gas, they still have to pay rent for the meter and pipes. They are also held responsible for them. A nice little earner. Perhaps an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry is needed about the cost to get off the gas grid.Bruce Watson, Clifton Springs

Dear Jon Faine (6/8), thank you for sharing your thoughts and well-considered opinions with the community for all these years. You will be missed, and we will be much the poorer for your absence.Eli Kinnersly, Docklands

Jon Faine, congratulations and thank you for a career that has brought wisdom and common sense to the conversations and debates we have had in Victoria, indeed in Australia, for the past 27years.A special thank you for devoting your last column to the Yes case for the Voice to parliament. Your clear argument is one of the strongest expressions for voting Yes that I have seen. I wish you all the best in your new role at the Museums Board.Elizabeth Sprigg, Glen Iris

So the prime minister says there will be no alternative Voice proposal if his proposal does not get up at the referendum. There is nothing like a good dose of bullying to bring the recalcitrants into line if all else fails.

Anthony Albanese persists with the fiction that his proposal is a modest one and it will bring about the change in the circumstances of our Indigenous people that, ironically, we all want. The dilemma that he, and indeed all of us, face is that even if the referendum gets up it will only be by a bare margin. It will be a flimsy platform for the constitutional change that is implied in the question as currently contemplated. If Albanese were to split the question and deal with the mechanics of the Voice by legislation, he would be on the side of a clear majority and our country would be all the better for it.Garry Ringwood, Kew

Oh dear, perish the thought. Some critics of the Voice fear that a Yes vote could lead to claims for reparation. If so, bring it on. After 235 years, it is more than timely that non-Indigenous Australians developed a moral compass and faced up to our history and its consequences.Marcia Roche, Mill Park

It is my understanding that in Collingwood there are several hotels, some near schools. But the the news that a sobering-up centre may be located in the area is beyond the pale, and totally unacceptable (The Age, 4/8). I think they may have the wrong end of the stick.Harry Prosser, Berwick

Growing up and going to school in the 1950s and 60s, I can’t remember anything that I learnt except Ohm’s law and Pythagoras’ theorem. Something also happened in 1066 but I could never remember what until now. Buddy Franklin’s career goal tally.Stephen Rae, Portland

Oh please. By all means let’s have denser housing but remember that people have to be able to cope with closer living conditions and with the inevitable rise in temperatures we are already experiencing.

Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning identified serious shortages of tree cover in the inner and western regions of Melbourne in 2018. When planning for the future, it is a cost saving to remember the health benefits to children – and people of all ages – of providing green spaces.Deb Bain-King, Footscray

Now China has sent a team to the Saudi Arabian-hosted Ukrainian peace talks in Jeddah. It had previously put forward a 12-point peace proposal calling for a ceasefire in February. Despite a view that China is biased towards Russia, it is to be hoped that the US welcomes China’s involvement, rather than regard it as a threat to American hegemony. Bereaved Russian and Ukrainian families probably share that hope.Norman Huon, Port Melbourne

Your front-page headline – “Canada axes Games, blames Victoria” (The Age, 4/8) is misleading. According to the article, the Canadian government has ditched its interest in the 2030 Games for the same reasons Victoria has for 2026 Games. In fact, the article says Alberta’s decision “lends support” to Victoria’s decision.

Alberta’s tourism minister referred to its feasibility study finding that the excessive cost of putting on the Games placed the majority of the financial part of the risk on government and taxpayers. A financial burden they were also not willing to bear. It was the Commonwealth Games Federation doing the blaming.Julie Chandler, Blairgowrie

Last Thursday I witnessed a disgraceful scene outside the Commonwealth Bank in Altona North. It was about 10am and there was a queue of about 20 people, mainly elderly. Half the queue was on the footpath. I assume that it was pension day and most would have wanted to withdraw money. Some might also have wanted to deposit money into their accounts. Banks owe a duty of care for the safety of their customers. If this means opening more tellers, so be it.

Unfortunately bank CEOs and senior executives believe the most important thing is to cut services to the bare bone so that profits increase and, consequently, they can expect fat bonuses in addition to their multimillion-dollar salaries. Shareholders also bear some responsibility. At AGMs they should be critically asking the board and CEOs why they are closing so many branches and reducing staff.Dom Cutroni, Williamstown

I agree with Robin Westwood – “Please, mind your waste” (Letters, 5/8). When walking my dog I have two “poo bags” attached to his lead. I have witnessed a lady pick up after her dog and place the bag and contents in a neighbour’s green waste bin.

When walking in my local bushland reserve, I observe people ignoring signs to pick up after their dogs and keep them on leads. Over the years, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and blue-tongue lizards have slowly disappeared. But what really takes the cake is people who pick up and place the “poo bag” beside children’s playgrounds, as if to say, “I’ve done my duty, now someone else can dispose of it”.Cecily Falkingham, Donvale

I have been thinking about the two major national public holidays on which we commemorate our “Australian-ness”, and what these days might say about us. Australia Day, when we celebrate the start of colonisation of another people’s land and the alienation of its Indigenous people. And Anzac Day on which we memorialise our invasion of someone else’s country.Joslin Guest, Camberwell

The more the law tries to break Donald Trump, the more popular he becomes.Meg McPherson, Brighton

If Trump considers it “a great honour” to be charged, why hasn’t he pleaded guilty?Ranee Mischlewski, Box Hill South

Trumpism has infiltrated the LNP’s mantra – nothing to see here, it’s just another witch hunt.Kevan Richards, Mount Helen

Re the Games inquiry. The Trumps, aka the premier and his deputy, are residing in Victoria. So tedious, so boring, so Dan.Tim Bailey, Highton

Looking at our political leaders, it’s small wonder the wise Egyptians worshipped the scarab beetle.Heinz Suessenbach, Hazlemere

I was very saddened to hear of Peter Anthony’s death. For us letter writers, he was a class act.Brian Kidd, Mount Waverley

Words mattered. And Peter Anthony curated the Age’s letters with wit and wisdom. Thank you.Jenny Bone, Surrey Hills

On Fridays, is there any chance of an alternative cryptic crossword for us humans who aren’t on the same planet as D.A.John Brodie, Alphington

Dyson, a cartoonist of brilliant bearing (5/7).Jane Ross, San Remo

Would there have been more free to air television coverage of the matches if this had been the FIFA Men’s World Cup?Corrado Tavella, Rosslyn Park, SA

Is Qantas afraid that competition from Qatar Airways will force it to lower its prices? I’d vote for that.Barbara Lynch, South Yarra

How to avoid phone scammers. If you don’t recognise the number, don’t answer. If callers are benign, they’ll leave a message.Judith Taylor, Emerald

You need to be tough to barrack for the Pies. The cakewalk seems more of a limp just now.Glenda Johnston, Queenscliff

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