limit-login-attempts-reloaded domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home1/enabling/public_html/blog/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121There\u2019s a class of crimes that don\u2019t have immediate, identifiable victims. Clearing native vegetation, smoking cannabis, hosing a driveway during Level Three water restrictions, parking in a loading zone.<\/p>\n
On the weekend I saw a sign at Minnamurra Rainforest<\/span> walk that said \u201cNo swimming or diving. Penalties apply.\u201d<\/p>\n Last month the NSW Parliament made the act of compensating the mother of a surrogate baby punishable by two years imprisonment.<\/p>\n Is criminalisation an effective way to control behaviours that are deemed to cause social or environmental harms?<\/p>\n The oft-quoted success story is Mandatory Seat Belt laws. So I thought I\u2019d go back and look at how these laws achieved such a momentous change in behaviour.<\/p>\n I wasn\u2019t prepared for the story that emerged. In short, seat belt laws, combined with continuous enforcement and education, HAVE modified the behaviour of all but a small percentage of the population. Nowadays, practically everyone belts up. But what seat belt laws HAVE NOT DONE is make us a whole lot safer. Amazingly, after 40 years, repeated analyses by credible statisticians show that we are little safer than before the laws were enacted.<\/p>\n Subtle forms of social resistance appear to have almost completely negated the hoped-for impact of these laws on road safety.<\/p>\n I didn\u2019t think that would happen. Neither did the authorities. The story has important implications for anyone attempting to control behaviour through criminalisation.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the story, and below it are some lessons.<\/p>\n