I sincerely hope your article will reach a maximum amount of people and curb us from taking risks behind the wheel. Tie our kids in, don't speak on our mobiles. Thank you for sharing your heart-breaking loss. It's a wake up call for all of us

The loss of these two beautiful women and two beautiful babies is beyond endurance and human comprehension. Yesterday I drove next to a car as we approached a yellow light. I stopped, and he drove right through the red light. A few years ago an woman I know drove through a stop sign and her only child, a 7 year old sitting in the back seat, was killed. What's with these people? Do they have children at home? Do they want to see them grow up? Do they care if other people live to see their children grow up? I wonder......... May G-d give you the strength to endure this tragedy, and one day be able to rebuild your life.

Bryan - the hearts of so many are with you. I pray that something positive -- in the manner that you describe -- can emerge from this awful, horrible tragedy. Lately, I've begun describing habits of safe and defensive driving to my kids when we go for rides, and modeling to them better road behaviour in general. I hope others commit -- and follow through -- in doing the same. This article should be translated for the Hebrew edition. With warmest and deepest condolences, Dave Egyes, Jerusalem

changing driving habits of israelis requires a personality transformation - it won't happen. it's part of the israeli psyche to be an aggressive, terrible driver with no remorse for consequences. unfortunately it's a scourge we must live with in this country. those of us who are concerned must drive like each trip is a life-or-death matter. and then we can only hope for the best.

Mike, The attitude of "things can't be changed so don't even bother trying" is exactly what perpetuates the problem. Anything can be changed, even if the change doesn't happen overnight. Why is it that there are so few accidents with firearms in relation to the number of firearms floating around this country? It is because people are taught respect for the firearm when being trained to use it, and when respect is not shown, the punishment is swift and severe. If people were trained to see vehicles as a dangerous tool rather than a convenience and taught to respect it appropriately, and punished appropriately when they don't, the situation would be much improved.

if people would stop fighting, there would be peace. is peace any closer from the efforts of trying? no, actually it is further away. the driving problem is endemic, not because we're not thinking enough happy thoughts. this has been a problem for how long now?? is it improving in light of all of the campaigns/enforcement/scare tactics (isn't the definition of insanity doing the same things and expecting different results)? this is a result of culture/attitude that is not limited to simply driving. unfortunately part of being israeli is driving dangerously, and you can't stop israelis from being israeli. impossible, can't happen. all you can do, like i said, is be paranoid while driving (like the other drivers are going to do something crazy), pray, and hope for the best. may that you be proven right, but until then you drive with your unfounded optimism and i'll drive in my historical-based fear.

and do not do their jobs. They share equally in the blame.

Bryan, thank you very much for the writting of this hearth-breaking article. I myself have lost a young son of mine in an traffic accident some years ago, and I know that it is a very hearth-crushing experience. But believe me, with time and the aid of Hashem, you will be able to recover from this very sad situation. On behalf of my family and I myself, receive my deepest sympathy and condolences for your big loss. G-d bless you ! ! By the way- Here in Argentina, we have the same problem, with a lot of lethal accidents. But, in the last few years, our Goverment has taken steps against the misconduct of the bad drivers. The Police is applying very hard penalties to the traffic faults, mainly for the drivers that pass red lights, or the ones that are using the cell-phones when driving, or breaking the speed limit, and so on, and in some grave faults also withdrawing the driver's license. As a result of this measures, as time goes by, the behavior of the drivers is improving, with a noticeable decrease in the rate of accidents. Perhaps if the Israel's Government applies harder measures against the bad driving habits, with time the rate of accidents will decrease in Israel too.

@33(Dave) First, thank you for your consideration. Second, it was first published on the Hebrew version of ynet. Bryan

Israelis, like I said in the article, are just like human beings everywhere, we are broadly self-interested actors, who will modify their behaviors depending on the potential personal cost of our actions. At the moment, Israeli police enforcement is paltry to say the least, and that is why people behave the way they do. More manpower, budget, higher enforcement, higher fines and the possibility of incarceration WILL definitely have a change on the behavior of Israeli drivers. All this talk about it being an endemic part of Israeli culture that is impossible to change is defeatist, ignorant, and false.

Bryan, I found this article on Paul Ford's FB page. My heart aches for you, for your loss. The deep and everlasting love you have for Efrat, Noam, Ya'ari and Esther indeed shows in your commitment to change Israeli driving culture. I admire your energy and fortitude, even though I don't know you. May all this (please) bring you some measure of peace.

where's some proof? stats? evidence? facts? israel has already done a lot over the years to facilitate change, but results are the same, if not worse. saying more of the same will result in change is nonsense.

Israeli drivers have always caused me to question whether all individuals regardless of race or creed have sociopathic tendencies or if Israeli society tends to bring out sociopathic tendencies. From inconsiderate parking, to stealing car logos, to breaking sharply because you're annoyed with the person that you just overtook, all the way to honking your horn at 3 in the morning in a residential neighbourhood these are all the behaviours of sociopaths; people who don't care about the people around them. Bryan is right. What is needed is enforcement. I'm here and I've only seen 1 person get a ticket for speeding. I also find it disconcerting that when I'm speeding 20kmph over the limit (110) I am still one of the slowest cars on the road......

My heart is bleeding for you.

Considering you say that you come from the U.S. originally, you must recognize the extreme difference in enforcement between the U.S. (I know it depends somewhat on which state) and Israel. The amount of speed traps is paltry in Israel, the fact that I see policemen over and over pissing on the side of the road, the fact that police cars will be speeding along over the speed limit and everyone next to them also speeding over the speed limit keeping up with him because he just legitimized it by his own actions, the fact that double parking is the rule not the exception, the fact that parking against the flow of traffic (on the left side) is the rule and not the exception in many places. Police enforcement in Israel is minuscule compared to most states that I have been in the U.S. and that IS at least a good portion of the disgusting behavior of Israeli drivers.

i hope you understand the context in which i made my comments. i used to think that the horror of yearly traffic deaths would eventually cause israelis to search their souls and make a change. then i see how they treat each other when not driving and see how the police do their jobs only as a last resort when they can't justify and excuse putting their duty off any longer. hope vanishes, cynicism sets in. in all of the years i've been here israeli driving still makes me angry, even to this very day. the only thing one can do is either curse while driving and become like them or just shrug your shoulders (like a policeman) and say that's the way it is and it won't change.

Bryan, I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful family. In California, some cities have portable cameras set up in vans with radar. When you speed, it takes your picture and you get a ticket in the mail. They can move these vans around town based on whatever the particular trouble spots are. Also, more and more cities are setting up cameras permanently mounted at intersections. If you are in the intersection when the light turns red, a photo is taken of the front and back of your vehicle (it usually includes a pretty good view of the driver) and you get a ticket in the mail. The red light tickets are very expensive and will set a person back around $400 or $500. When people have to pay that much money, they pay more attention to their driving. Normally, I am against cameras etc as it smacks too much of "big brother," but considering the stakes, it does make sense to use this technology in this area. Maybe these steps would save a few lives in Israel. I am so very sorry for your loss and extend to you my deepest sympathy

I've been aware of this odious situation - Israeli dangerous driving and traffic violations for a long time. I was absolutely petrified at the tragic story I've just read. I am absolutely dumfounded. The aim with this little comment to you is to tell you that just because of this totally stupid, irresponsible and frankly utterly dangerous "driving culture" I actually changed my plans and opted for NOT to, I repeat NOT to make aliya to Israel as a young man. And really, what for? To die on the roads as a sorry, some kind of rat??? No thanks! My life is worth more than Israel and its boors. Please tell me if I have made the correct decision or not. What do you advise? Yours respectfully, Gabor Fränkl

I understand your cynicism, my fucking family is dead and there is nothing I can do about it. But the policemen (and you too) shouldn't be shrugging your shoulders and just saying "Que Sera, Sera." The police in Israel do a lack job of enforcement and they have no right to shrug their shoulders (nor the gov) and just say "that is the way it is." Your cynicism has got the better of reality. The situation is changeable, if the government and police decide that it is truly a priority to stop the slaughter that is going on the roads of Israel. It is obvious to me that it is not a high priority, and it is up to US (ME) to make sure that they don't slip away on paltry excuses of "that is just the way it is." If there is not a significant increase in budget, manpower and resources to combat the driving behavior of the Israelis, then each and every death is on their heads. NO MORE FRIGGIN' EXCUSES!!!!!!!

My sympathies to you Bryan. But you people fail to understand and get to the ROOT of issues. Israelis are selfish, self centered, non caring, they only know of "ME-MYSELF & I" So whether they are driving, talking, behind a desk, where ever, they are who they are. Driving, is just one display of their ugliness. Get to the CORE, need to educate these people, to be human beings. They have the time & money to run all over the world to help other people. Where is the time & money, for their own people? I call it, a Law less country. Millions of laws on the books, BUT NO ONE TO ENFORCE them. REAL SAD, REAL SAD,

i'm just a nobody gentile with an arab family who are second-class citizens when it comes to most things. heck, when people don't want us as friends because we're not "in", how can we expect to make a difference on anything? i support people like you and my israeli jewish friend killed in a car accident (whom we named our daughter after), but i'm not naive enough to think i matter. i've lived here too long to be deluded like that. you have some organization i can join add my name to the list, i'm there. that's all pee-ons like me can do in this place.

Mike, you are an insensitive and brainless

Your aunt Vickie told me of your horrible tragedy. My heart bleeds for you. I hope your requests for strict enforcement of the laws is heeded. Bless you.

Extremely sorry for your tragedy, Bryan, and many people are, as you can see from the comments made. Change can be had, "YES WE CAN". It will take time,energy and organization. Note, I am not mentioning money, the omnipresent excuse (for everything lacking) in Israel. Many good ideas have been presented in talkback, but the key issue, willingness to get involved and an action plan is lacking. I am talking about borrowing a page from MADD (mothers against drunk drivers) in Canada, about the successful undertaking by the motorcycle owners in Israel against insurance increases, and not to forget, the ongoing campaign of the Shalit family to free their son. Concerned citizens have been enlisted and are being enlisted to pursue the particular goals set out by the founders of these movements. While I wish the Shalit movement would succeed soon, the motorcyclists and MADD have made a difference with their endeavors, already. So first step first, a founding meeting needed, goals, responsibilities and time frames established and I believe the rest will follow. Every community will have to have a branch of this organization and with devotion and persistence, success will follow. I only stay in Israel 3-4 months per year but I am ready to participate and spread the matra, and so are the people around me. I can be reached by email. Joe

I live in Tel Aviv but am visiting now in Toronto. Truly Bryan is right that driving cultures differ between societies and Israelis are notorious for driving aggressively and fast---not that it does not occur also in Canada at times as well. That being said Bryan is a brilliant writer and special soul who is trying to heal a societal problem out of unbelievably tragic personal circumstances. I for one believe he is 100% correct in his arguments and it is horrible it took such a great loss for the rest of us to be aware of the truth of which he speaks. Your family would have been proud of your actions and words, Bryan.