Drawing Attention...

[DanP]

It amazes me, the people who draw attention to themselves when they should be keeping a low profile.

A few weeks ago, I saw a bloke drive into the local Safeway car park, through a no entry sign and then parks in the disabled zone. So I thinks, he's worth a check.;) When I check the car (while he's in the shop) I find that it's unregistered. :rolleyes: Ended up costing him about $700 AND he'd been booked for it earlier the same day.:mad: I find that those who draw attention to themselves the most are those who really don't want the attention.:confused:

Like the bloke who murdered a couple of girls in Melbourne, then gets caught (and shot) after doing a petrol drive off in WA. :confused: :confused: :confused:

Dan

[craigb]

A few weeks ago, I saw a bloke drive into the local Safeway car park, through a no entry sign and then parks in the disabled zone. So I thinks, he's worth a check.;) When I check the car (while he's in the shop) I find that it's unregistered. :rolleyes:

Basically an anti-social d*ckhead who thinks the rules of society don't apply to him.

And what would have happened if he'd run into somebody in his un-registered and un-insured car? No doubt he's probably on welfare so any poor sod that he hit would have Buckley's of getting anything out of him. :mad:

These wastes of space really annoy me :mad: . You must see far too many of them in your job.

[DanP]

Yep,
Yep,
Yep and...

Yep. :mad:

[bennylaird]

I see why so many go that way, they get the views on life from their parents who are no hopers themselves. Where are we going wrong in society?

Don't envy your job Dan, you get to see the creme of the crop.

[Wood Borer]

Thanks for that Dan.

Too many times you hear people say "where are the cops when they're needed?" Well you helped get one idiot off the road - thankyou.

[Iain]

TAC will cover unregistered vehicles in the case of an accident, but they won't tell you that.

[Studley 2436]

Talking about TAC their TV ad was a feature of the driving course I did last year. Got to do stops from 50 and 60km/h and the difference is significant. The cars too were interesting. Newer cars with ABS handled the wet crash stops more easily. We were stunned that the Toyota Avalon there had no ABS and was prone to just locking up and skidding through for miles. Tires likely had something to do with it as well.

Anyway got a good day out learning about keeping proper space, safety zone etc etc being cool and managed while driving etc. Have to recommend it to everyone. The course I did was from Jim Murcott's school but there are other good ones around too.

A day on the race track learning about handling your car only makes you more conservative on the road. Likewise you become more aware of others on the road too.

Studley

[DanP]

I think everyone should have to do advanced driving course to get their licence.

In relation to following distance, nobody (including me) keeps sufficient space these days. The two second rule is a good guide, but next time you're out, check yourself and a few other cars around you. NO ONE keeps a two second gap.

Dan

[Driver]

A day on the race track learning about handling your car only makes you more conservative on the road. Likewise you become more aware of others on the road too.

Studley

Couldn't agree more, Studley.

I did a similar course about 6 or 7 years ago. Learned far more than I would have imagined prior to doing the course. We all think we're good drivers, don't we? It's an eye-opener to realise how much you didn't know, or had forgotten or were simply choosing to ignore.

One of the things that really stuck in my head was the need to leave a 2-second gap between you and the vehicle in front (in dry conditions - double or treble that in the wet). This means that people will inevitably pull in front of you. So you drop back to leave a 2-second gap. Then someone else pulls in front - and so on.

The course instructor asked us to give the system a try and count the number of people who pull in front. I did this a couple of times over the next few weeks. On a 35-minute drive to work, an average of 18 people pulled into the 2-second gap. By dropping back each time to maintain the safe distance, I added 36 seconds to my journey. Kinda puts a proper perspective on the dickheads who tailgate on the freeway at over 100 kph.

Col

[macca2]

Leaving the correct space is a problem. As soon as you drop back to leave a little safe distance some clown jumps into it, so you drop back again and another clown comes along.
Nice guys finish last

Macca

[Studley 2436]

Maybe so Macca but I haven't found that here. I don't really concern myself too much with counting the two seconds but I do leave a really big gap in front of myself. Here in Adelaide when you change lanes people have a bad habit of trying to close the gap so you can't pull in front of them.

The big advantage in keeping a good gap in front is that your view is greatly improved. You can see a lot more of what is going on down the road. You can see your way through the traffic better and save time in your trip. Closed up hard on the car in front you are reduced to driving on the front cars tail lights. That isn't safe or smart. Back end pile ups are the most common accident on our roads. If someone is too close behind you are more likely to slow down for your own safety and also just to spite the driver behind for monstering you which adds time to his trip. Hopefully he will push past and go and have his accident elsewhere. He hasn't helped himself by pushing. How often do you get stuck behind cars making turns? You can avoid that by keeping a decent gap. Parked cars likewise and if something happens two or three cars in front you can make a decision to keep yourself out of an accident or being an accident because you could see it in time. Driving on the tail lights makes it very likely you will be trapped and crash or at best lose time stuck in traffic you could have avoided.

Studley

[silentC]

Nowhere to pass on our roads, so you can maintain a 60 second gap if you want to. But how do you get the guy behind you to maintain a 2 second gap?

[Wood Borer]

I've only ever had one driving lesson in my life. It was a couple of years ago when I went for and got my Heavy Rigid licence. I needed it so I could drive a reasonable sized truck to QLD to pick up some timber. I paid for the course and licence test out my own pocket - all in the name of woodwork. The course, driving test and written test were all completed in one day for about $800.

I enjoyed doing the course as it confirmed things I had picked up just from experience plus it taught me quite a few other things that I hadn't really considered before or things where I needed improvement.

Being brought up in the bush on a farm meant you were driving trucks and tractors before kindergarten. I only started driving a car when I was 16 as driving cars was considered a bit wimpish. If you were 15 and hadn't driven a semi yet - well you wouldn't make that too public amongst your mates.

Fortunately times have changed because three year olds driving tractors solo is dangerous as is driving on the road without some form of proper training.

I suggest the formal driver training today is a bit ordinary though when you see the "graduates". Perhaps they should put them on a track to get their hearts in their mouths when in skids and slides.

I can't see how a kid with no experience can do ten 45 minute lessons and be adequately prepared for controlling a vehicle under less than ordinary conditions.

I might do one of those advanced driving courses one day - thanks for the idea.

[craigb]

But how do you get the guy behind you to maintain a 2 second gap?

Machine gun? ;) :D

[oges]

He probably lived only a 5 minute walk from the shops too


NO ONE keeps a two second gap.
You leave a slight gap between cars in Sydney and its an open invitation for someone in the lane beside you to jump in, even if there is no speed advantage

[TassieKiwi]

I think everyone should have to do advanced driving course to get their licence.

Agreed

In relation to following distance, nobody (including me) keeps sufficient space these days. The two second rule is a good guide, but next time you're out, check yourself and a few other cars around you. NO ONE keeps a two second gap.

Dan

...I do. They tell us you should also keep watch on what is happening 10-12 vehichles in front. Trouble is, here that sometimes is 50km, which is somewhat difficult.:D

[Greg Q]

Having had the advantage of growing up in real-life skid school (Canada), I bought a car-control class for my wife. She, like almost every other driver in the world, had been taught 'road rules' only, never vehicle control.

She was powerfully impressed with plowing through cones and cardboard pedestrians, and the skid pan.

My daughters are going to get a 'performance' driving course before they ever get a chance to use their "P" plates.

Greg

[rrich]

Here we drive to the right, so a right turn on a red light is usually permitted IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. This evening, I'm the second vehicle in a right turn only lane. The traffic light is red. There is NO CROSS TRAFFIC.

I'm sitting there, waiting.
I'm sitting there, waiting.
I'm sitting there, waiting.
I'm sitting there, waiting.

The person in front of me is oblivious to the right on red rule. Oh well.

I'm sitting there, waiting.
I'm sitting there, waiting.
I'm sitting there, waiting.

Finally, a motorcycle is coming through the intersection. The person in front of me decides that it is the time to go. Right turn on red! Motorcycle swerves. Motorcycle and car miss each other less than a meter.

[ozwinner]

Yeah Ive heard of that right on red rule. :eek:

Its scary.

Al :eek:

[Greg Q]

I'm sitting there, waiting.

Finally, a motorcycle is coming through the intersection. The person in front of me decides that it is the time to go. Right turn on red! Motorcycle swerves. Motorcycle and car miss each other less than a meter.

Yeah, we have that sport here, too.;)

For real atrocity I recommend a drive on one of our freeways: Motorcyclists pass between cars, driving on the lane markers. I'd love to see 'em try that on the 405:D

Greg

[ozwinner]

Finally, a motorcycle is coming through the intersection. The person in front of me decides that it is the time to go. Right turn on red! Motorcycle swerves. Motorcycle and car miss each other less than a meter.

With this rule who is at fault if they collide??

Al :confused:

[Ian007]

With this rule who is at fault if they collide??

Al :confused:

AL, its you

EVERYTHING IS YOUR FAULT AND DONT YOU FORGET IT:p

[Shedhand]

I think everyone should have to do advanced driving course to get their licence.

In relation to following distance, nobody (including me) keeps sufficient space these days. The two second rule is a good guide, but next time you're out, check yourself and a few other cars around you. NO ONE keeps a two second gap.

DanTulla Freeway mate:mad: . Whenever I fly to Vic and hire a car at Tulla I risk my life. On any weekday between 4 and 6.30pm if you're on the freeway you have no choice but to speed...because everyone else is. If you attempt to slow down to the speed limit they tailgate and blow horns at you:mad: . Pull over and let them pass, I hear you say. Yeah right:rolleyes:. I'd never get to the city. And onother thing. Don't the powers that be realise what a serious distraction advertising on freeway overpasses is. Here in Tasmania its banned. I remember once driving down the Tulla Fwy and having to look it Jeff Kennett's sneering visage all the way in.:eek::eek::eek::mad::mad: I often wonder how I didn't have a major accident.:mad:
Anyway, good grab of the d*ckhead in the safeway incident.;)

[Greg Q]

The driver stopped at the light only can proceed if the way is clear. If he collides with another vehicle, the charge is "failing to yield right-of-way". At least in the jurisdiction where I served (Ontario). The charge is basically the same everywhere.

I think that it makes fewer problems than you might otherwise think, and I have often wondered why we don't have a left turn on red rule here. Just like a roundabout, only stopping first.

Greg

[ozwinner]

and I have often wondered why we don't have a left turn on red rule here. Just like a roundabout, only stopping first.

Greg

I have pondered that in the past too, if its clear turn left.
Ive actually seen a few do it.
But the collision thing has me worried.

Al :)

[ozwinner]

AL, its you

EVERYTHING IS YOUR FAULT AND DONT YOU FORGET IT:p

I know that, no need to rub it in, unless you use KY heat gel then your forgiven. :p

Al :o

[ozwinner]

Tulla Freeway mate:mad: . Whenever I fly to Vic and hire a car at Tulla I risk my life. On any weekday between 4 and 6.30pm if you're on the freeway you have no choice but to speed...because everyone else is. If you attempt to slow down to the speed limit they tailgate and blow horns at you:mad: . Pull over and let them pass, I hear you say. Yeah right:rolleyes:. I'd never get to the city. And onother thing. Don't the powers that be realise what a serious distraction advertising on freeway overpasses is. Here in Tasmania its banned. I remember once driving down the Tulla Fwy and having to look it Jeff Kennett's sneering visage all the way in.:eek::eek::eek::mad::mad: I often wonder how I didn't have a major accident.:mad:
Anyway, good grab of the d*ckhead in the safeway incident.;)

You need to head down the Western Ring Road at 6.00 am, when its dark, cold and wet.
Driving me yoot Im above the traffic and can see for frickin miles.
One day these 2 doofie ( plural for doofusus) were chasing one another.
They were lane swapin like it was a game of Chicken Run.
They were leaving mm's between themselves and the cars they were overtaking.
This went on for miles.
They gained about 2 metres from when they had started.

Al :mad:

[Greg Q]

I have pondered that in the past too, if its clear turn left.
Ive actually seen a few do it.
But the collision thing has me worried.

Al :)

With increasing fuel costs and worries about greenhouse gas emissions, there may end up being pressure to change some of these laws. Anything to expedite the flow of traffic should be encouraged. Left turn on red is one, limited red turn arrows is another.

I have a frequent 0530 sit at a red right turn arrow with no oncoming traffic. That's simply unescessary in this age of cheap processor control.

[Greg Q]

You need to head down the Western Ring Road at 6.00 am, when its dark, cold and wet.
Driving me yoot Im above the traffic and can see for frickin miles.
One day these 2 doofie ( plural for doofusus) were chasing one another.
They were lane swapin like it was a game of Chicken Run.
They were leaving mm's between themselves and the cars they were overtaking.
This went on for miles.
They gained about 2 metres from when they had started.

Al :mad:

There is a freeway in Ontario that my adventurous wife refuses to drive on. The last time we spent four hours on it, stopped three times to assist at catastrophic multi-vehicle accidents. The minimum speed to avoid being rear-ended is, and I'm not kidding, 135 Kph. Right after one visit there was a sixty car pile-up not far from my parents' house. Petrol tanker right in the middle of it. The fire got so hot that several cars were melted into shadows, and the reinforcing rods in the concrete melted.

I've changed my mind about my daughters' driving education. They aren't getting licences.

[oges]

Finally, a motorcycle is coming through the intersection. The person in front of me decides that it is the time to go. Right turn on red! Motorcycle swerves. Motorcycle and car miss each other less than a meter.
Often get the same in Canberra with the round-a-bouts, especially the big ones, you see a car waiting as you make your way around it then when you are getting close they then decide to enter the round-a-bout.

[Gaza]

hey i am new to selling on ebay, i just lsited an item but when i searched for it could not find it any where, in myebay the item is in the listed section..... whats going on...

[Greg Q]

Very nice thread hijack. Really good. What's the item number?

[Greg Q]

Often get the same in Canberra with the round-a-bouts, especially the big ones, you see a car waiting as you make your way around it then when you are getting close they then decide to enter the round-a-bout.

I read an article once by a Neurologist who described this kind of behaviour. It can be the result of an old head injury, and I gather it isn't uncommon. My brother, for example, does this sometimes, and its very scary to watch. He doesn't even know that he's doing anything wrong.

[ozwinner]

hey i am new to selling on ebay, i just lsited an item but when i searched for it could not find it any where, in myebay the item is in the listed section..... whats going on...

Huh?

Al :confused:

[redwood]

It amazes me, the people who draw attention to themselves when they should be keeping a low profile.


Dan

Spoken like a true copper:D at least you blokes know how to keep your dodgy activities away from public view:D well sort of, bit like the off duty cop from the training school in vic who recently took the work car home and as pizzed as a fart smashed it up and decided we are all morons so he called it in stolen to fool every one. well it didnt work:D :D but thats isolated and most cops are good blokes just like the good ones from the old drug and majors:D at least vic pol wont need a fitzgerald or wood inquiry cause their all nice blokes and wouldnt dream of driving in an unregistered or heaven forbid park in a disabled bay, or even enjoy the odd window shutter or 2:D

[Ian007]

I know that, no need to rub it in, unless you use KY heat gel then your forgiven. :p

Al :o

your sick :eek::eek:

[Sturdee]

I have a frequent 0530 sit at a red right turn arrow with no oncoming traffic. That's simply unnecessary in this age of cheap processor control.

Around my way that is done on purpose.

The council insisted that Vic Roads program their computers that way in order to " Educate " drivers to use their preferred way of accessing and leaving the Eastern freeway. That it has no effect and is annoying the local residents doesn't seem to matter to them.


Peter.

[journeyman Mick]

I did a training course which included some emergency procedures (locking brakes at 60kmh and 80kmh) in a 16 tonne 4wd firetruck with the driver's seat more than 2M off the ground :eek: . Seriously hairy stuff! Lots of body roll and sway. I usually drive with a minimum of 3 seconds gap and add more if the road is wet/I've got a trailer on/heavy load on/in a truck etc etc. Never tail ended anyone (yet) and if some idiot wants to slip into the gap, well, he's in a hurry to have an accident so I just let them be.

Mick

[Studley 2436]

I just noticed that I hijacked this thread

NEVER done that before

It was about idiots who draw attention to themselves and then get more of their crimes exposed.

But it turned into a tailgating and everyone else is an idiot and that is why I can't drive safely.

Studley

[Daddles]

I just noticed that I hijacked this thread

NEVER done that before



You evil, evil man Studley :D

Richard

[Studley 2436]

yeah must be a real mongrel

I am going out to find some grumpy old git to tailgate then I am going to pass him and chop in front so he has to hit his brakes.

Maybe I should do it to a copper to prove Dans point about idiots drawing attention to themselves.

Studley

[chrisp]

But how do you get the guy behind you to maintain a 2 second gap?

silent,

At my work, a work colleague who was a driving instructor for a car club explained to 2-second gap in greater detail. He talked about the dynamic and static safety zones (my terminology - the driving instructor may have used different terms).

The 2-second gap is the dynamic safety zone (i.e. leave a 2 second gap between you and the next car). If someone is tailgating you (i.e. not allowing a 2 second gap), then what you do is add their 2 seconds on to your dynamic safety zone - i.e. you open up your safety zone to 4 seconds. This allows you to gently brake if sometime untold should happen ahead and allows the person tailgating a chance to brake without hitting you.

The static safety zone was used when stopping behind another car. The guideline allow sufficient space so that you can see the where the (rear) tyres of the car in front are in contact with the road. This gap is to ensure that you can manoeuver your car out of the lane should you find the car ahead connot move, or if someone behind looks like running into the back of your car.

Chris

[HappyHammer]

Not a bad option Chris but who's got time to think about all of that stuff. All you have to do is turn on your rear fog lamps when they're really close then watch the blue smoke as they lock up their front wheels:o :eek: :eek: :D

If you're really stupid (no comment on my qualification here) you can brake test them properly with a quick dab on the brakes and then hit the accelerator:eek:

HH.

[rrich]

Yeah, we have that sport here, too.;)

For real atrocity I recommend a drive on one of our freeways: Motorcyclists pass between cars, driving on the lane markers. I'd love to see 'em try that on the 405:D

Greg

They do it all the time. Usually scares the poop out of me. ESPECIALLY when they are going 25 MPH faster than the traffic in either lane.

BTW - Lane splitting (As it is called here) is completely legal. I would assume that it is legal in Australia also. The wording in the vehicle code is something like this: A vehicle overtaking another vehicle must use the traveled portion of the highway. (i.e. It is illegal to use the sholder or center median for the purpose of over taking.)

[rrich]

With this rule who is at fault if they collide??


There are two rules that apply.
1) The vehicle that LEGALLY enters the intersection first has the right of way.
2) The key words 'Provided that it is safe to do so' also apply.

In this case the motocycle had the green light so he was in the intersection legally. The car making the right turn on red violated the motorcycle's right of way AND made the right turn when it was unsafe.

On two counts, the car was at fault. HOWEVER, should they have collided the motorcycle rider probably would have been dead. (60 KPH on a bike, hitting a virtually motionless vehicle.) Fault really doesn't matter much, dead is dead.

To add further confusion about turning on red. There are some places that legally permit a left turn on a red light if you are turning FROM a one way street into another one way street. The one way street that you are turning into must be one way from right to left from your perspective.

[rrich]

Yeah Ive heard of that right on red rule. :eek:

Its scary.

Aren't you allowed to turn left on red?

[Felder]

Only if there is signposted permission to do so.

At least, that is the case in NSW. Could be completely different in other parts of the country.

[Iain]

I have attended some rather spectacular motorcycle accidents and I am amazed at how resilient some riders are:
Dandenong. Drug crazed moron doing monos, rear ends stationary Toyota Hilux 4WD at approx 160kph, major leg and internal injuries but lives.
I had to interview him in gaol re his claim, he thought he had won lotto until I explained that everything was based on loss of earnings and earnig potential, never had a job in his life and was a crim.
Not a happy camper when he found out he was getting nothing except his medical bills.
Motorcycle accident in Doncaster, bike comes over rise at approx 180kph and into side of brand new Mercedes performorming right turn, driver said way was clear when he proceeded and bike came out of nowhere.
Rider has a flying lesson, broken shoulder, broken legs, Mercedes is a write off (as was bike).
I used to ride a bike but had too many close calls, never came off on the road (once in the dirt but that was my fault and was only embarrassing).

[ozwinner]

Only if there is signposted permission to do so.

.

Same here.

Al :)

[Rookie]

Only if there is signposted permission to do so.

At least, that is the case in NSW. Could be completely different in other parts of the country.

Yep. Not allowed in Victoria, or Queensland yet I believe but it's still 1982 there :rolleyes: and could take a while (insert ducking for cover emoticon)

I believe it was first trialled in 'Straya in WA.

Anyone from WA able to confirm?

It's a great law. I travel the US lots and I love it.

[Auld Bassoon]

Some time ago when I lived in Johannesburg I attended a BMW sponsored 1/2 day advanced driving couse on BMW's own skid-pan and tuition grounds in the mid-Rand.

I enjoyed it so much that I signed up for a full five day advanced course.

This was really intensive stuff as well as being both informative and fun.

To 'pass' one had to have retained 95 points or more from an allocated 100. Errors such as resting an elbow on the door cost a point. Stopping too close to the car in front at a traffic light (where one couldn't see the car in front's rear tyres on the road) cost two points. Any traffic infringement of any kind meant an instant fail.

I got 97.

The reward - the last half day on the skid pan and doing some defensive driving on private roads - Whooooo!

I like to think that all of the above made me a better driver and, above all, a safer one.

[ozwinner]

I like to think that all of the above made me a better driver and, above all, a safer one.

So when I see you bearing down on me at 200kms per hour, Ill know Im alright.

Al :p :D

[macca2]

In Western Australia you only turn left on a red light if there is a green arrow displayed.
You can never turn right or left on a red light without the arrow.

Macca

[Auld Bassoon]

So when I see you bearing down on me at 200kms per hour, Ill know Im alright.

Al :p :D

Al! how could you possible say that :eek: I never, ever, exceed the maximum speed of whatever I'm driving :D

BTW, now that I'm NOT is RSA, I used to drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town fairly regularly. About 1610KM - call it 12 hours +/- 5 mins - would set the cruise control at 240Km/H through the Great Karoo (yes, there really is a region with that name:eek: ) 850+Km of largely nothing...

BTW2 When I first arrived in Johannesburg, it was perfectly legal to use the hard shoulder to overtake, and overtaking was legal on either side - made for some interesting highway runs.....

[echnidna]

- would set the cruise control at 240Km/H through the Great Karoo (yes, there really is a region with that name:eek: ) 850+Km of largely nothing...


sounds like the nullabor

[Clinton1]

Now that I don't commute to work through peak hour my general stress level is pretty much set at Nil.

Lets see, what used to annoy me:
the pull into the 2 second space morons,
the pull into that space between the truck and the car in front morons,
idiots that get on the horn when I'm at the front at a red light and won't turn left illegally,
the bloke behind me that lit up his tyres cause I would not go through the red light,
the people that travel in the right lane doing 10km less than the speed limit,
Mr P-plater who cuts across 3 lanes to find a 2 second safety zone to get into,
Trucks trying to avoid running up the &&&& of idiots that pulled in front of them and then stopped,
Fools that use "driving lights",
4WD's with incorrectly adjusted lights,
Unsecured loads on the Western Ring road.

Theres more.... but not no more :D

[Auld Bassoon]

How about reaction times that need to be measured with a sun dial.

1. Melbourne drivers (an oxymoron, perhaps?) see a traffic light change to green; think "hmm, maybe I should start moving soon, oh! It's gone amber again...)

2. People who think that they have they god bothering right to make whatever lane changes they like, when they like, just because they've flashed their indicator for a couple of blinks...

I'll go now. :D

[Groggy]

This one happened Sunday night.

Driving down a 110km freeway at 9pm, on cruise control, doing exactly 109kms. Car slowly catching me from behind but well clear, in right lane. I am in left lane approaching a car doing maybe 10kms less than I.

Just as I put my finger on the indicator to overtake the car in front, it changes lanes to the right lane. Not sure what it was doing, I stay in left lane on the cruise control. The car in the right lane behind me slows and changes to get in behind me as I am now level with the car and overtaking.

The car beside me then accelerates hard and pulls in front of me and brakes! I am forced to brake and the car behind me accellerates and overtakes, blocking any exit I had on the right. I brake harder then pull immediately behind the overtaking vehicle. The dunce in the left lane then accellerates and stays level with the car that overtook me, they then go to about 120kms until the driver in the right lane really guns it. The dunce then backs right off, lets me pass then goes on high beam.

I flicked my mirror to night,engaged the cruise control again and nudged up to 111kms so I could slowly leave the dill behind.

What was it about? No idea. My lights were on low beam, I'd approached steadily and was not exceeding the limit. The other driver was also behaving lawfully and carefully (except I wished he hadn't overtaken me when I needed the room). Within ten seconds the fool had endangered four people's lives for no apparent reason.

I can only suspect drugs or alchohol.

[Schtoo]

Only drugs or alcohol?

I'd say he was just an id10t myself.


Uhh folks, don't drive here. Trust me on this.

I don't usually drive during peak hours, and this is a small city (kinda like Adelaide, a little smaller though) but the number of morons amazes me.

People don't look, don't think and don't even try to drive sensibly. It's common to see some halfwit who is $#!* terrified to drive at a sensible speed (like 30 in a 50 zone) proceed to run a red light. Like 5 seconds worth of red.

I came home about 1AM last night, and was doing 60 in a 50 zone most of the way home, I was the slowest car on the road, and yes I was driving in the right lane because I was sure some nimrod was going to run a red light and figured a lane of space might give me a sporting chance.

Many times some cornhole will tailgate me. Tailgate here means you can see the back of their head they are so close. If they become obnoxious about it, I will brake test them. Not a gentle dab at the stop pedal, I mean ABS invoking emergency stop stuff. Still waiting for someone to get out and have a word to me. Should be fun, I think I'll break their keys off in the ignition and fling them somehwere.

I should keep a list, or maybe set up a video camera in the car. Could make a fortune selling tapes of nutjobs running around here.

Seems to be that because I am not one of them (I do stop for red lights, stop signs and other minor traffic annoyances) I notice it all the more.

On second thought, if you could come here Dan and sort them out. Please?

Maybe I should become a cop, I think I'd have heaps of fun.



Still don't feel any better after that though. I still have to go out there and face those demons tonight, and what's worse is that my wife will be in the car too. My only release (screaming at them in paint peeling language) is denied to me.

Well, at least she is starting to see how stoopid they are too. It's a start... :mad:

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

the pull into the 2 second space morons,
the pull into that space between the truck and the car in front morons,

Both these bring back memories. :)

My bros-in-law used to haul honeycomb rocks from Melb's western suburbs to garden supplies in an old Dodge tipper and dog-trailer. About 60 tons all up. Stopped at the lights over the bridge, he'd just started pulling away when some moron in an MG sports (I think... 'twas a long time ago) tried pulling in between the truck and dog!! :eek:

My BIL showed me some photos after the event, let's just say the MG was beyond panel-beating. ;) Pity it wasn't LH drive, then the idiot would've been a prime candidate for the Darwin Awards.

[journeyman Mick]

We get a few idiot drivers around here, on average 3 cars a fortnight go off the edge of the Kuranda range road. This has a high potential for serious injury or death. There's idiots that drive it at 40km/h and then madly accelerate on the overtaking stretches causing the traffic to bank up behind them, like 30 or so cars and trucks.

The road I live on is semi-rural and there's a section about 1km away that has a long straight with an off-camber 45deg bend in it. A few times now I've half woken to the screech of brakes (it's very quiet here and sounds really carry at night) followed by that unmistakeable "scrunch" of a car making high speed contact with an immovable object. I usually just half wake, make a mental note "oh, just another ####head driver making an offroad excursion", then roll over and go back to sleep. And before anyone gets upset at me for not checking on the accident victims, There's about 20 houses closer to the site than ours and I do my bit for the idiots in our community by putting out fires that they've lit in scrub right next to their houses etc so I feel absolutely no need to get out of bed a 3am to see what some drunken or drug addled idiot has done to themself.:p

Mick

[Jack E]

I have nearly had so many accidents at roundabouts it is not funny.
The reason for this: I approach the roundabout looking to the right, I see the way is clear and look forward again ready to proceed through, only to find that the idiot in front of me has stopped to make sure the road is clear to the right:mad:

Another gripe is cars taking off from traffic lights.
Why does everybody need the car in front of them to move 5 or 10 metres before they decide to move?
It's simple, everybody watches the light, when it turns green you watch the car 2 or 3 in front of you, when it starts to move, you move.
People say "but then I will hit the car in front of me", but if he has done the same thing your way will be clear and it won't take a couple of light changes to get through the intersection.

And then of course I hate those people that sit in the right hand lane doing a touch below the speed limit, MOVE OVER:mad:
That is nearly as bad as two cars sitting next to each other doing the same speed and not letting others through.

I also hate the red arrows, I am able to make a decision whether it is safe to turn left or right, I don't need an arrow to tell me so.

Not only should young drivers be taught road rules and defensive skills, they should be taught how to improve traffic flow and be a courteous driver.

Cheers, Jack

[DanP]

Maybe I should become a cop, I think I'd have heaps of fun.

Consider yourself sworn in as a special constable. Go get 'em Tiger...:rolleyes: :D

Dan

[aussiecolector]

Nowhere to pass on our roads, so you can maintain a 60 second gap if you want to. But how do you get the guy behind you to maintain a 2 second gap?

Thats easy, you just slow down untill the reduced speed causes the gap to become 2s. On the highway at 100 I have been down to 60 pleanty of times before they got the idear to pass. May not be practical in heavy trafic though.

[Clinton1]

idiot in a MG....tried pulling in between the truck and dog

:D Good one. Takes all kinds doesn't it.

I feel sorry for the truckies trying to get out of Melbourne and having fools seeing their stopping zone space as an invitation to "get ahead" in traffic. When I was commuting I'd see at least one truck a day trying not to lock up their brakes and hit the idiot that pulled in front of them. Usually see the car driver mouthing off at the truckie too.

I was getting so stirred up that I was heading toward doing something stupid..... now I just walk 30 meters and I'm at work. Probably just as well.

Thoughts of a fire extinguisher filled with paint stripper, or dog poo mixed with water did enter my mind :D

Great hijack this one!

[Schtoo]

Heaps of fun or possibly an embolism...

I couldn't handle the fuit loops, I tend to have a very low tolerance for blatant stupidity.

Except for my own that is. ;)

[doug the slug]

......... when some moron in an MG sports (I think... 'twas a long time ago) tried pulling in between the truck and dog!! :eek: .......

A bit over 10 years ago i waas driving home on the parkway in canberra and i had a 4wd tailgating me. I was just about to do the old brake test when i saw that there was an MG between the 4wd and the back of my car! that would have probably been disatrous there cant have been more than 300 mm between the mg and either of the other cars. instead i just slowly eased off the accelerator. i got down to about 10km/h before these idiots got the ideahttp://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon9.gifhttp://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon9.gif

[Christopha]

Please realise that not all these twats are youngsters, my father frightens the Bejesus out of me. He hates all truckdrivers with a passion, "the barstards all want to go everywhere at 100kph" is his complaint, the limit here is 110..... his reaction if some barstard trucky passes him when he is doing 80 - 90 kph ( that's as fast as anyone need travel!") is to pass them, he will do 160kph to manage this! Then get in front and jump on his brakes! The silly old bugger will not only kill himself and Mum but probably others as well. He just has no idea of any others needs on the road, it is there solely for him and his bloody caravan. Oh, and while I'm on him and the van, he hates towing mirrors, "they are so ugly and they can vibrate you know." so he doesn't fit them, to see behind, if it should ever become necessary, he just saws the steering wheel and makes the van sway a bit till he can see past it......:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Daddles]

Back in the eighties, when my old Gran was in her late eighties :rolleyes: , she had to do an annual driving test (think it was annual, might not have been). Anyways, she lived in Renmark and drove and old, blue Austin that she'd had since new (1950's model). She passed her test and mentioned to the terrified copper that she was thinking of buying a new car. He said to her: "Ivy, if you buy a new car, I'm taking away your licence. You know your old car and how it works and everyone else in Renmark knows it and knows to get out of your way.":D

She was a terror. Some years before that, she was driving me out to the Renmark hospital to visit someone. The hospital is on a long straight ... on a normal two lane road (one each way). About 100 metres from the entrance, she turns on her indicator (fair enough), then pulls into the right hand lane ready to do the turn :eek: Remember, this is the lane that has oncoming traffic ... which was doing the oncoming bit:eek: She calmly turned into the hospital in plenty of time (I still reckon the other bloke slowed down) but considering she went out there nearly every day, how often did she used to pull that stunt?

Grand old lady my Gran. I miss her:(

Richard

[Groggy]

Please realise that not all these twats are youngsters, my father frightens the Bejesus out of me. I think I used to car pool with your Dad's brother. He would get in the right hand lane going over the Westgate bridge and sit on 10 km under the limit. When people undertook and cut in front of him ('cuz they were ticked off) he used that as justification to block them "they're idiots anyway and need to slow down before they kill someone". He didn't seem to understand that these were 'normal' people he was driving crazy! Three trips was all I could handle so I bailed on the carpool thing - waaayyyy too stressful and I knew there was trouble waiting to happen.

He got snotty when I tried to explain why people behaved that way "they always behave like that!" was his answer.

[DanP]

I tend to have a very low tolerance for blatant stupidity.

For that, there's always the penalty notice book...:D

[Schtoo]

Do I get a flashy light on the roof too?

Heeeeeey, can I get a gun too? Can I can I can I?

On second thought, scratch that. I'd end up using the gun more often than the book...


Interesting note. Yesterday there was a little incident about 3kms down the road. Seems some Yakuza fella decided he didn't like some newspaper editor, so the Yakuza shot him. Only winged the paper guy apparently.

The shooter went to the local Police station and turned himself in, all of 2 hours later. :confused:


If the shooter didn't turn himself in, there's a good chance he'd still be running around right now, and possibly never nabbed. Kinda explains just how things are here in that regard really. :(

Luckily, this kinda stuff happens rarely, so it's not too bad, but it is getting worse.

Just don't ask about the road toll... :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Master Splinter]

Living in a place with good roads and a government wedded to revenue raisers (speed cameras, I think they are called), I really love those people who, in peak hour traffic on a road with 100k limit "want you in the left lane, now!!!" because you are doing the speed limit and they want to do 10k (or whatever they think is a safe 'I wont be booked by the speed camera for that little over the limit' ) over it.

The fact that you'd need a can opener, a prybar and a bit of luck to get your car into the left lane never seems to worry them. (Canberra drivers aren't the best when it comes to letting people merge in in front of them...but they are good at chrome swapping because they are driving too close to the car in front).

I also wonder at the reasoning skills of our local members...they introdce more speed cameras, and the road toll goes up...so the solution is...add more speed cameras!! Maybe they need to focus their efforts on other behaviours...? Oh, of course not, there are no automated 'driving too close to the vehicle in front' cameras. Silly me, I forgot that life saving initiatves have to be kept revenue positive. Pardon me while I slap myself upside the head. Nice to know what your life is worth.