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Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by Wol
(Post 8743169)
*I* can generalise: Australians :blink:
It was never as bad as this back in the 80's. |
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by scaria197
(Post 8743335)
Interesting read....so any one knows how are driving standards compared to the USA? Anyone drove in the US and Oz both?
No country has a monopoly on poor driving attitudes, but Australia has a head start. It's a truism that driving safety is mainly in the attitude of those on the roads, and unfortunately the Australian attitude seems to be that providing you can keep roughly within the confines of your side of the road you are a competent driver. Subtleties such as keeping space in front, dipping headlights, thinking ahead and road positioning when turning right are not even under consideration. By contrast, American driving I found, by and large, infinitely more competent. |
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by Wol
(Post 8743366)
By contrast, American driving I found, by and large, infinitely more competent.
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Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by PaulandNic
(Post 8743140)
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Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by ABCDiamond
(Post 8743389)
I've watched a lot of US TV shows, and I must disagree with you on that.... :lol:
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Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by Broad Shoulders
(Post 8739588)
I think so much of it just comes down to the tuition. Nearly all drivers were taught by their parents in this country it seems. There is just no discipline whatsoever in Australian (especially QLD) drivers. They are lazy (no indicators before they manoeuvre), impatient (deliberately running red lights, driving down hard shoulders in traffic, deliberately driving down one way streets because it is "quicker"), belligerent (turning right to cross single continuous white lines on road and subsequently holding up traffic behind them), ignorant (sitting in outside lanes when not overtaking anyone or there is no one to be seen ahead or driving with no lights on in the dark).
I've said it once and I'll say it again, you would think you were in some third world country where driver's licenses were handed out in exchange for a police bribe. |
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by Broad Shoulders
(Post 8739588)
I think so much of it just comes down to the tuition. Nearly all drivers were taught by their parents in this country it seems. There is just no discipline whatsoever in Australian (especially QLD) drivers. They are lazy (no indicators before they manoeuvre), impatient (deliberately running red lights, driving down hard shoulders in traffic, deliberately driving down one way streets because it is "quicker"), belligerent (turning right to cross single continuous white lines on road and subsequently holding up traffic behind them), ignorant (sitting in outside lanes when not overtaking anyone or there is no one to be seen ahead or driving with no lights on in the dark).
I've said it once and I'll say it again, you would think you were in some third world country where driver's licenses were handed out in exchange for a police bribe. |
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by meelie
(Post 8744812)
Actually I've heard that in a certain country you can buy a driving license without actually having passed a driving test and then use said license to get one here! Kind of explains some of the drivers eh !
Austria Finland Isle of Man (after a certain date) Netherlands Sweden Belgium France Italy Norway Switzerland Canada Germany Japan Portugal UK Croatia Greece Luxembourg Singapore USA Denmark Ireland Malta (after a certain date) Spain Guernsey Jersey I think you'll find that you can't just buy a licence in any of those jurisdictions. On the other hand, from experience, I can say the driving in my part of Victoria is better than that found in Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and Spain. |
Re: The stupidity of drivers
The problem is that ALL visitors can drive on their own licence for as long as they are here.
When we look at those numbers: 4,700,000 short term visitors per year 315,000 long term visitors (457 visas etc) per year There could be a lot of drivers who may not know how to drive the local way. |
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by ABCDiamond
(Post 8745055)
The problem is that ALL visitors can drive on their own licence for as long as they are here.
When we look at those numbers: 4,700,000 short term visitors per year 315,000 long term visitors (457 visas etc) per year There could be a lot of drivers who may not know how to drive the local way. And how many of the expats on here doing the complaining actually read and learned the australian highway code or had aussie driving lessons ? I dunno where you guys all live but I think its pretty cool , a lot less aggro driving around, you can actually use those inside 3rd lanes at traffic lights or traffic jams without a hairy ass HGV driver deciding he knows better than the road designers and blocking it, you can merge without hassle. People queue quite nicely, dont usually block intersections. Roundabouts seem to work as designed. Plenty of people speed, and plenty of people get caught for it. Ive been breathalised more here in 5 yrs than in 15yrs driving in UK ( through roadside bus tests not because I drive swervy ) (edit : Perhaps Im the driver you are all complaining about ) |
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by spalen
(Post 8745069)
indeed.
And how many of the expats on here doing the complaining actually read and learned the australian highway code or had aussie driving lessons ? I dunno where you guys all live but I think its pretty cool , a lot less aggro driving around, you can actually use those inside 3rd lanes at traffic lights or traffic jams without a hairy ass HGV driver deciding he knows better than the road designers and blocking it, you can merge without hassle. People queue quite nicely, dont usually block intersections. Roundabouts seem to work as designed. Plenty of people speed, and plenty of people get caught for it. Ive been breathalised more here in 5 yrs than in 15yrs driving in UK ( through roadside bus tests not because I drive swervy ) (edit : Perhaps Im the driver you are all complaining about ) In part, I think some people have a problem adapting to the driving style (both written and unwritten rules) therefore (to them) it's the locals who are wrong instead of them. |
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by Coryate
(Post 8744652)
So basically it's just like in the UK ?
I've driven all around the UK in all kinds of conditions for business and pleasure and the standards around Brisbane are shocking. It is, and will continue to be, my main issue with living here. |
Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by Coryate
(Post 8744652)
So basically it's just like in the UK ?
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Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by meelie
(Post 8744812)
Actually I've heard that in a certain country you can buy a driving license without actually having passed a driving test and then use said license to get one here! Kind of explains some of the drivers eh !
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Re: The stupidity of drivers
Originally Posted by Coryate
(Post 8744652)
So basically it's just like in the UK ?
Even the most "I LOVE AUSTRALIA IT IS THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH" basher will tell you they are some of the worst drivers in the world. In fact it is probably the most concensus you will get on comparitive debates brought up on this forum. I'm not saying the Brits are angels on the roads but they are much more disciplined than Aussies. |
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