Safer motorways
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Safer motorways
One complaint I often note from disgruntled POMs on this forum are about the high use of drugs in the UK. Just as well that Australia is so backward that drugs have not eaten into the fabric of society here. Just one thing, be careful on the long drives between the "cities" here. After all you may be tired, but the truckie coming your way may not feel sleepy.
One in three truckies takes speed
By Matt Sun
August 27, 2004
ONE in three truck drivers on NSW highways takes amphetamines to stay alert, their union conceded yesterday.
The Transport Workers Union said many also smoked cannabis to calm themselves afterwards.
TWU spokesman Scott Connolly said: "About 30 per cent of long-distance drivers use (drugs) and the figure is probably more.
"Drivers will take something like speed as an upper and then get on the cannabis to get themselves down."
The union said drivers were forced into such extreme measures because of the demands of the job.
"We need a compulsory code of practice for the industry and sustainable rates for drivers. And we need to give control of the industry back to freight companies and not their clients," Mr Connolly said.
The TWU also said that Monday's The Daily Telegraph investigation which revealed as many as 8 in 10 drivers disabled speed limiters to increase their rigs' top speeds past 100km/h was correct.
TWU Newcastle secretary Mark Crosdale urged the Government to make freight customers more responsible.
He accused large companies of "playing off freight companies against one another", forcing drivers to provide a faster service to secure contracts.
"If a driver knows how to bypass a speed limiter, that will make his job easier and get him extra sleep. Drug use is a symptom of that as well," Mr Crosdale said.
Yesterday NSW Roads Minister Carl Scully responded to the claims by commissioning a report. He said: "I've asked the RTA to provide me with options on how to deal with this issue and to work with police on how to better enforce the trucking industry's compliance with our laws, including the issue of drug driving."
1. Sydney to Melbourne (871km, Hume Hwy): Sensible drive time is 10 hours. Truckers told to do it in 8, meaning they would need to maintain an average speed of 108km/h.
2. Sydney to Brisbane (938km, Pacific Hwy): Takes 13 hours sensibly. Truckers told to complete the distance in 11, averaging 85km/h.
3. Sydney to Adelaide (1370km, Hume/Sturt Hwys): Takes 17 hours comfortably. Drivers forced to do it in 12, meaning an average speed of a shocking 114km/h.
The Daily Telegraph
This report appears on NEWS.com.au.
One in three truckies takes speed
By Matt Sun
August 27, 2004
ONE in three truck drivers on NSW highways takes amphetamines to stay alert, their union conceded yesterday.
The Transport Workers Union said many also smoked cannabis to calm themselves afterwards.
TWU spokesman Scott Connolly said: "About 30 per cent of long-distance drivers use (drugs) and the figure is probably more.
"Drivers will take something like speed as an upper and then get on the cannabis to get themselves down."
The union said drivers were forced into such extreme measures because of the demands of the job.
"We need a compulsory code of practice for the industry and sustainable rates for drivers. And we need to give control of the industry back to freight companies and not their clients," Mr Connolly said.
The TWU also said that Monday's The Daily Telegraph investigation which revealed as many as 8 in 10 drivers disabled speed limiters to increase their rigs' top speeds past 100km/h was correct.
TWU Newcastle secretary Mark Crosdale urged the Government to make freight customers more responsible.
He accused large companies of "playing off freight companies against one another", forcing drivers to provide a faster service to secure contracts.
"If a driver knows how to bypass a speed limiter, that will make his job easier and get him extra sleep. Drug use is a symptom of that as well," Mr Crosdale said.
Yesterday NSW Roads Minister Carl Scully responded to the claims by commissioning a report. He said: "I've asked the RTA to provide me with options on how to deal with this issue and to work with police on how to better enforce the trucking industry's compliance with our laws, including the issue of drug driving."
1. Sydney to Melbourne (871km, Hume Hwy): Sensible drive time is 10 hours. Truckers told to do it in 8, meaning they would need to maintain an average speed of 108km/h.
2. Sydney to Brisbane (938km, Pacific Hwy): Takes 13 hours sensibly. Truckers told to complete the distance in 11, averaging 85km/h.
3. Sydney to Adelaide (1370km, Hume/Sturt Hwys): Takes 17 hours comfortably. Drivers forced to do it in 12, meaning an average speed of a shocking 114km/h.
The Daily Telegraph
This report appears on NEWS.com.au.
#2
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by kong
One complaint I often note from disgruntled POMs on this forum are about the high use of drugs in the UK. Just as well that Australia is so backward that drugs have not eaten into the fabric of society here. Just one thing, be careful on the long drives between the "cities" here. After all you may be tired, but the truckie coming your way may not feel sleepy.
This report appears on NEWS.com.au.
This report appears on NEWS.com.au.
#3
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by kong
One complaint I often note from disgruntled POMs on this forum are about the high use of drugs in the UK. Just as well that Australia is so backward that drugs have not eaten into the fabric of society here. Just one thing, be careful on the long drives between the "cities" here. After all you may be tired, but the truckie coming your way may not feel sleepy.
<snip>
<snip>
Yaaaaawwwwn Yes we get the message Kong. OZ is all things bad. UK is all things good.
Tell me though (genuine question) was there a single moment - day, hour, minute - of your time in OZ that you enjoyed or was every single second a misery of drugged up australians ripping you off, spewing dangerous fumes out of gas guzzling cars driven by hoons and forcing you to slave at that grind stone for a measly pittance ????
#4
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by bondipom
I thought of you when I read this earlier. I am sure a similiar no of Taxi drivers are on speed as well. Lucky I am not on the road for a living.
Just to add a bit of balance to this thread....
Do not for one minute think that dangerous driving practices do not occur in UK.
I used ot own a taxi company in London. Before this i was a driver who had ot compete with idiots who were so gredy to earn big bucks that they would regularly do "the marathon" as it was called, every weekend. This was a term used for a driver coming on shift Friday afternoon and not going home to bed until Monday morning!!!.... the most sleep they would get was whilst waiting in trap order for next job when things were quiet. They also used speed and other stimulents to keep themsleves awake.
When i set up my company i made it part of their contract that they worked no longer than 12hrs with out 8hrs break inbetween. I despise this practice, and due to the amount of driving i did myself, have had several near misses with other drivers who were obviously in no state to be driving...in my opinion it is as bad if not worse than drink driving.
So do not think all this is specific to Australia...its been happening all over UK for many years.
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by Mairi&Chris
Yaaaaawwwwn Yes we get the message Kong. OZ is all things bad. UK is all things good.
Tell me though (genuine question) was there a single moment - day, hour, minute - of your time in OZ that you enjoyed or was every single second a misery of drugged up australians ripping you off, spewing dangerous fumes out of gas guzzling cars driven by hoons and forcing you to slave at that grind stone for a measly pittance ????
Tell me though (genuine question) was there a single moment - day, hour, minute - of your time in OZ that you enjoyed or was every single second a misery of drugged up australians ripping you off, spewing dangerous fumes out of gas guzzling cars driven by hoons and forcing you to slave at that grind stone for a measly pittance ????
#6
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by kong
Well the airport on the return leg was superb, quality time spent in Oz.
Note to all Australians : Poms are escaping our fair shores without suffering in their final few hours. => Job opportunity at Sydney airport.
#7
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,235
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by Mairi&Chris
Aaah excellent. I'm so glad you enjoyed at least part of your time here
Note to all Australians : Poms are escaping our fair shores without suffering in their final few hours. => Job opportunity at Sydney airport.
Note to all Australians : Poms are escaping our fair shores without suffering in their final few hours. => Job opportunity at Sydney airport.
Hey if it means making the last memories of Oz a misery for people like kong, I want that job!!!
#8
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by podgypossum
Just to add a bit of balance to this thread....
Do not for one minute think that dangerous driving practices do not occur in UK.
I used ot own a taxi company in London. Before this i was a driver who had ot compete with idiots who were so gredy to earn big bucks that they would regularly do "the marathon" as it was called, every weekend. This was a term used for a driver coming on shift Friday afternoon and not going home to bed until Monday morning!!!.... the most sleep they would get was whilst waiting in trap order for next job when things were quiet. They also used speed and other stimulents to keep themsleves awake.
When i set up my company i made it part of their contract that they worked no longer than 12hrs with out 8hrs break inbetween. I despise this practice, and due to the amount of driving i did myself, have had several near misses with other drivers who were obviously in no state to be driving...in my opinion it is as bad if not worse than drink driving.
So do not think all this is specific to Australia...its been happening all over UK for many years.
Do not for one minute think that dangerous driving practices do not occur in UK.
I used ot own a taxi company in London. Before this i was a driver who had ot compete with idiots who were so gredy to earn big bucks that they would regularly do "the marathon" as it was called, every weekend. This was a term used for a driver coming on shift Friday afternoon and not going home to bed until Monday morning!!!.... the most sleep they would get was whilst waiting in trap order for next job when things were quiet. They also used speed and other stimulents to keep themsleves awake.
When i set up my company i made it part of their contract that they worked no longer than 12hrs with out 8hrs break inbetween. I despise this practice, and due to the amount of driving i did myself, have had several near misses with other drivers who were obviously in no state to be driving...in my opinion it is as bad if not worse than drink driving.
So do not think all this is specific to Australia...its been happening all over UK for many years.
It is harder to enforce the truckies as they do not have a coach load noting their every move.
I guess the UK equivalent would be those that go over to Europe.
#9
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by Mairi&Chris
Yaaaaawwwwn Yes we get the message Kong. OZ is all things bad. UK is all things good.
Tell me though (genuine question) was there a single moment - day, hour, minute - of your time in OZ that you enjoyed or was every single second a misery of drugged up australians ripping you off, spewing dangerous fumes out of gas guzzling cars driven by hoons and forcing you to slave at that grind stone for a measly pittance ????
Tell me though (genuine question) was there a single moment - day, hour, minute - of your time in OZ that you enjoyed or was every single second a misery of drugged up australians ripping you off, spewing dangerous fumes out of gas guzzling cars driven by hoons and forcing you to slave at that grind stone for a measly pittance ????
HAHAHH i reckon the 10 seconds the first time he and his mrs did the horizontal tango.
#10
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by Siren
HAHAHH i reckon the 10 seconds the first time he and his mrs did the horizontal tango.
Probably blame Aus for it lasting only 10 secs, bet it lasts at least 30 in UK.
#11
Bitter and twisted
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Upmarket
Posts: 17,503
Re: Safer motorways
That's the way.
Shoot the messenger!
Always makes things OK
G
Shoot the messenger!
Always makes things OK
G
#12
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by Grayling
That's the way.
Shoot the messenger!
Always makes things OK
G
Shoot the messenger!
Always makes things OK
G
BANG.
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by Grayling
That's the way.
Shoot the messenger!
Always makes things OK
G
Shoot the messenger!
Always makes things OK
G
Now reset browser to include these words
Beaches
Big Ouses
BBQ
#14
Keeping it fairly real
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: In the sun
Posts: 32,863
Re: Safer motorways
Originally Posted by kong
If some here had their way they would set their browser setting to filter out "any realistic truths about Oz, especially those nasty negative reports on crime, drugs, low pay/long hours"
Now reset browser to include these words
Beaches
Big Ouses
BBQ
Now reset browser to include these words
Beaches
Big Ouses
BBQ
How ya doing?
Interesting motorway thread, think I'll fly between cities anyway so hopefully I'll not get hit. Out of curiosity do Aussie truckers use them tachographs (is that the right word?) that British truckers use?
Anyway back to work as I'm working from home or so my boss thinks.
Walla
#15
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: Safer motorways
First experience in Oz was a Taxi driver at Brisbane airport who was speeding off his brain. He was waffling on about a meeting with the insurance and something about a wreck. Bloke was out of his mind. At least he needed no directions.
Sydney cabbies invariably need guiding. Those that know the way I have to point out the most economic way. It is my right by law to chose the route.
Sydney cabbies invariably need guiding. Those that know the way I have to point out the most economic way. It is my right by law to chose the route.