Random thought

[purpletigron]

Smoking is already banned on most (all?) public transport in the UK. People regularly smoke e.g. on the top floor of double-decker buses. Now there is a proposal to ban the drinking of alcohol on public transport. The enforcement of this ban will be no more successful than the enforcement of the smoking ban. Moreover, there are already laws against being drunk and disorderly in public, which would cover most alcohol-related trouble on public transport already.

There need to be officials on each bus and train who are both trained and willing to enforce the laws, in the face of a small but real risk of being assaulted. The bus driver usually won't, and sensibly, can't.

Comments

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

It is daft. Bring back the old conductors/guards. It'd help with all manner of problems. Of course, that means shelling out to actually pay them - never a popular choice.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

My choice would be hypothecation, from increased tax on low MPG vehicles :-)

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

Weirdly, long distance trains have hordes of staff on now; far more than they used to.

As my boss said, "I hear the government is planning to ban the gin and tonic I drink on the 6pm train home from Sheffield". So I think that at least will be safe.

[timill]

As usual, it will penalise the law-abiding whilst having no effect on the law-breaking.

[frandowdsofa.livejournal.com]

There are the American states where you can't "carry" an open bottle of booze. Even if it is wrapped in a bag and in the boot of the car. No picnics, no helping out a friend who needs a glass of brandy for the dessert, no taking the drinks cabinet with you when you move.

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Here in the Garden State, the "open bottle" laws apply: doesn't matter if you're entirely sober, if there is an opened (even re-corked) bottle of alcohol in your car, you can be prosecuted. It's utterly ridiculous.

[mkillingworth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I used to live in one of them. Plain stupid, I say. Of course, there are ever so many reasons that I have chosen to be a British citizen.

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

Sadly there's an increasing number of reasons for why I might choose not to be. Importing laws like this, that have proven to be a waste of effort elsewhere, is one of them.

[mkillingworth.livejournal.com]

I do still hold some hope that Britain will wake up to the insanity at the door. There are way too many people who think that we have to be just like the US or just like Europe. Britain is an island nation with its own identity and rich history. We need to stop trying to be just like someone, anyone else.

[sharikkamur.livejournal.com]

I fear that the chance of being assulted may not only be real but also surprisingly high, given the amount of violence that alcohol seems to produce. Then there would be the inevitable law suits of people claiming to be 'assaulted' in being thrown off the bus. And there's bound to be a human rights issue somewhere... there always is...

[gaspodog.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I'd say people regularly smoke on the buses in London - I've seen people smoking on buses maybe 3 times (and they were all on near-deserted night buses) in just over 4 years I've been here and I use the buses quite often.

The only problem with putting more officials on buses is that it will invariable lead to more increases in public transport fares.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

It must be more common up here :-(

Anyhow, you've spotted my reason for liking hypothecation :-)

I've just realised ... is that Fuji-san in your picture?

[gaspodog.livejournal.com]

It is indeed The Great Wave at Kanagawa from Hokusai's views of Mt. Fuji. Cropped and scaled for icon-sizing.

[mkillingworth.livejournal.com]

I think there are well and truly enough laws to cover most situations. It is truly a case of needing enforcement of existing laws rather than making new ones, surely. Why can't people see this? I'm with you 100% on this one.

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Because making new laws is sexier and higher profile than just enforcing the laws your predecessors put into effect? Just a thought... ;)

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

It is better to be seen to be doing something while not actually doing it, than to do it and for it not to be acknowledged.... The first commandment of New Labour (or is that all politicians?)

[mkillingworth.livejournal.com]

That would be all politicians.

[mkillingworth.livejournal.com]

Probably a valid thought, but a really stupid idea. Why keep reinventing the wheel?

[sharikkamur.livejournal.com]

Because a large number of politicians are laywers. The more laws, particularly the more stupid laws that can be challenged in court, the more money the lawyers will make. And what do lawyer politicians do after losing their seats? Return to practising law.

[mkillingworth.livejournal.com]

I suppose job security is a pretty powerful motive.