A Wagga cabbie has called for change after claiming dangerous driving has become commonplace on the city’s streets.
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Taxi driver Tom Pearce said he has witnessed dangerous driving on a daily basis and cited a harrowing ordeal which saw a large Landcruiser ute with P-plates “almost wipe out” his vehicle after accelerating behind him while approaching the Fernleigh Road roundabout.
“I see a dangerous driver pretty much every day,” Mr Pearce said.
“You get cut off and have to slam on the brakes, driving in Wagga has become incredibly risky.
“My experience is people are doing incredibly stupid and dangerous things and we have to put up with it.”
Mr Pearce’s comments have come after shocking dashboard-mounted camera footage of a reckless driver performing a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre on the Sturt Highway emerged yesterday.
The local taxi driver said dash cams provided an effective method of ensuring safety on the roads.
“If allowed, I would look at getting one,” he said. “I strongly advocate for police to be able to use dash cam footage to prosecute people.”
Dash cams are becoming much more common and can be highly beneficial, according to NRMA Spokesperson Peter Khoury.
“There are always benefits to be able to provide an extra set of eyes to authorities when something bad happens,” he said.
“They can also be an additional arm of your insurance, by demonstrating what your role was in an accident and the role the other person played in it.”
Mr Khoury said it made sense to use all available technology.
“As long as it’s not a distraction to the driver, any technology that can improve how we get around and help prevent accidents and keep us safe is a good thing,” he said.
Wagga residents have taken full advantage of the relatively new technology, with Super Cheap Auto Wagga store manager Jason Bortolazzo and Autobarn Wagga co-owner Angela Bennett both reporting sharp increases in dash cam sales.
“We’ve definitely sold a lot more around around Christmas this year than we did last year,” Mrs Bennett said. “People are becoming much more aware of them.”
382 motorists have died in NSW this year according to Transport for NSW.