Andrew McGavin Q&A

Andrew, what was it that made you set up BetterDrivingPlease.com?

I attended a local community meeting where it was unanimously agreed that something had to be done about dangerous driving and speeding in the area. I concluded that there was a ‘need’ and I would do something about it.

What reaction have you had from naming and shaming drivers?

Most people support the BetterDrivingPlease.com initiative - saying something has to be done. Obviously ‘policing by camera’ is failing as there is a ‘free-for-all’ in between cameras. Motorists know that the chances of being caught by a real policeman are remote
Some people however have been very abusive, refusing to accept that as motorists we all have to be socially responsible. Endangering other people’s lives is no longer acceptable.

There are more speed cameras and other restrictions on the roads than ever before. Why do we need this database?

There are 1,000 less traffic police officers on the roads than ten years ago, but millions more vehicles. Most cars have sat nav to tell them where the speed cameras are. Those that are caught are not always those that are the most dangerous drivers.
The police are losing control of the roads. Already there are more than 2 million unregistered or uninsured vehicles - 1 in 15 vehicles is untraceable - soon it will be 1 in 12 if the present trends continue. The only way that this can be addressed is by the public taking responsibility.
The police forces can no longer police without public assistance. Unfortunately policing by camera has alienated many responsible motorists. Ultimately Government policy has failed road users.

Do you really believe your website can make a difference?

Absolutely. When the public makes up its mind to do something, mountains can be moved. This is about the 90% of law-abiding citizens doing something about the 10% who endanger their lives, and who know there is little chance of being caught. We will make the difference. When the public realise that that 10% are costing each and every one of us hundreds of pounds, changes will quickly happen.

What reaction have you had from the police?

At first negative, but now they no longer regard me as a nutcase and are taking BetterDrivingPlease.com seriously. They know that they need help from the public. Without public support they cannot regain control. This is how serious things have become upon our roads.

What do other organisations such as the RAC think?

I have read that they regard a ‘place to vent’ as a positive for motorists: we regard BetterDrivingPlease.com as the fore-front of a culture change. Drink-driving, for example, is socially unacceptable; irresponsible dangerous driving, endangering other people’s lives will also become socially unacceptable.

Q: How is the website funded?

The website is funded by my company. Ultimately the plan is to raise money to run the service using an annual low-cost subscription, plus memberships from the Casualty Reduction Partnerships and road-safety authorities.
Tell us a little about your personal life.

I am aged 53 and have been the boss of my own company for the last 32 years. I am an international stamp dealer running an approvals and an auction company supplying stamps to collectors in the UK and worldwide. I have a strong sense that life is not just about ‘taking out’ but putting ‘back in’. In the last decade - more than ever - it has become apparent that society is breaking down. Values have been so eroded - that few are prepared to accept responsibility for themselves, and those that do may be laughed at. We can not allow this to continue, and nowhere is this breakdown of responsibility more apparent than upon today’s roads. If we start there, who knows what may follow.