The stupidity of drivers
Jul 30th 2010, 6:27 am
#32
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: The stupidity of drivers
I've never driven in the UK but before anyone else points it out I feel that unfortunately I have to admit that Irish drivers really aren't all the hot either!
I guess the whole getting a provisional license simply because you're 16 and being able to drive on the open road even if you have never driven before didn't help
The system has changed there in recent years but I do remember a huge pile up on a main motorway in Dublin some years back where a woman was actually killed simply because there was horrendous fog and people didn't know how to adapt their driving to suit the conditions..
I guess the whole getting a provisional license simply because you're 16 and being able to drive on the open road even if you have never driven before didn't help
The system has changed there in recent years but I do remember a huge pile up on a main motorway in Dublin some years back where a woman was actually killed simply because there was horrendous fog and people didn't know how to adapt their driving to suit the conditions..
Just watch a typical merge and it's painful ... I just shut my eyes (kidding, only when the OH or MIL are driving ...).
Any fog or rain here and it's bets off how long the journey will take ... some road conditions don't help either ... slippery, line markings disappearing, flooding at the slightest provocation.
Jul 30th 2010, 6:27 am
#33
I'm Old Gregg!
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: A Former Bogan Colony in QLD
Posts: 8,460
Re: The stupidity of drivers
I spent 3 months in QLD, but never drove there!
Certainly in the NT, they have no clue how to use a roudabout - give way to the left, not the whole thing! Everyone just sits there waiting for everyone else....
Not in QLD?!
And yes they are VERY lazy - and seem not to understand the whole "signal and manouver" process - just do what you want, don't let anyone else know when you're changing lanes, turning... etc.
There was a guy killed here just outside Darwin a couple of days ago (3rd one in a year, at the same intersection), a roadtrain collided with a car. Someone ran a red light, but they don't know who, yet, apparently.
Last June a 21 year old girl was killed in the same situation, here.
Certainly in the NT, they have no clue how to use a roudabout - give way to the left, not the whole thing! Everyone just sits there waiting for everyone else....
Not in QLD?!
And yes they are VERY lazy - and seem not to understand the whole "signal and manouver" process - just do what you want, don't let anyone else know when you're changing lanes, turning... etc.
There was a guy killed here just outside Darwin a couple of days ago (3rd one in a year, at the same intersection), a roadtrain collided with a car. Someone ran a red light, but they don't know who, yet, apparently.
Last June a 21 year old girl was killed in the same situation, here.
Jul 30th 2010, 6:28 am
#34
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Jul 30th 2010, 6:29 am
#35
Forum Regular
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Posts: 79
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Jul 30th 2010, 6:32 am
#36
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,397
Re: The stupidity of drivers
The very time you pull out in front of one is the time he will actually be continuing round. Been there, done it.
And it's in the RTA manual too - "You must indicate left if it's practical to do so"!
The whole approach is wrong - in traffic it basically means that the RTA assume everyone has a mental map of where each car has entered the roundabout, so as to keep track of what the indicators actually *mean*. Lunacy!
Jul 30th 2010, 6:33 am
#37
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
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Re: The stupidity of drivers
Like electricity
Jul 30th 2010, 6:38 am
#38
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,397
Re: The stupidity of drivers
When we sold up in 2004 there were still regular letters in the local paper complaining that they were too complicated to use: which way do you turn, how do you leave them, can you change lanes to get off them etc?
Jul 30th 2010, 6:40 am
#39
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Location: Kent to Central coast
Posts: 308
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Jul 30th 2010, 6:45 am
#40
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 79
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Having said that, 90% of them coming round the roundabout will continue flashing right even though they are going to exit.
The very time you pull out in front of one is the time he will actually be continuing round. Been there, done it.
And it's in the RTA manual too - "You must indicate left if it's practical to do so"!
The whole approach is wrong - in traffic it basically means that the RTA assume everyone has a mental map of where each car has entered the roundabout, so as to keep track of what the indicators actually *mean*. Lunacy!
The very time you pull out in front of one is the time he will actually be continuing round. Been there, done it.
And it's in the RTA manual too - "You must indicate left if it's practical to do so"!
The whole approach is wrong - in traffic it basically means that the RTA assume everyone has a mental map of where each car has entered the roundabout, so as to keep track of what the indicators actually *mean*. Lunacy!
Jul 30th 2010, 7:02 am
#41
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Kent to Central coast
Posts: 308
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Also, I think young girls are just as bad, they drive right up your backside,and more often than not are on the phone.
Was on a roundabout the other day,going straight over,when this dumb bimbo,roared up the inside lane,and turned in front of me cos she wanted the next exit. I had to do a quick swerve and carry on round the roundabout to avoid smacking into her.In every sense of the word.
I just dont think they are taught to a very high standard,and the general approach to driving is that if you made it home without hitting anything or anyone then No worries. Never mind you managed to piss off every other rd user
Was on a roundabout the other day,going straight over,when this dumb bimbo,roared up the inside lane,and turned in front of me cos she wanted the next exit. I had to do a quick swerve and carry on round the roundabout to avoid smacking into her.In every sense of the word.
I just dont think they are taught to a very high standard,and the general approach to driving is that if you made it home without hitting anything or anyone then No worries. Never mind you managed to piss off every other rd user
Jul 30th 2010, 7:29 am
#43
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Jul 30th 2010, 8:07 am
#45
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: The stupidity of drivers
I was told by a copper if you deliberately hit the breaks which in turn causes an accident, you will be held partially responsible - the penalties increasing in severity depending on how bad the accident is.
I have felt tempted to hit the breaks and on one or two occasions I have, but I dont want to be hit and I dont want to cause an accident.
I have felt tempted to hit the breaks and on one or two occasions I have, but I dont want to be hit and I dont want to cause an accident.