Whilst most people have been enjoying the BBQ weather this bank holiday weekend, there have been some people who've taken it upon themselves to bring sorrow and misery to the roads.
Three times this weekend I've witnessed driving which I thought i'd never see outside of the Vodka fuelled Russian capital.
On Sunday going along the motorway a car swerved in front of another car as it suddenly decided it wanted to stay on the motorway, and not exit. It was centimetres away from a high speed, and probably fatal accident. As I got side by side with the muppet, expecting Kermit the frog or Bert and Ernie, there was a man with a phone in one hand, and a map in the other. Not quite believing it, and deciding it was my duty to try and get him to stop what he was doing, I gave him the full duel horn affect. he took no notice. He overtook me, still with no hands on the wheel. I decided waving my hands out the window and shouting was the next stage. Still nothing. He then decided he wanted to be in my lane, and cut in front of me. Short of ramming him in a US police style pit manoeuvre there wasn't much I could do. He had at least got one hand on the wheel by this time. An accident waiting to happen. I was angry and wish I could legally lob a grenade into his open window.
Sunday evening now, and driving along a 60mph road, I find a car doing 30mph. I held back for a while, and then overtook when it was safe to do so. I got the flashing light treatment for this, and they decided to then speed up and follow me. The story doesn't end there however. As I neared a roundabout and slowed down to the appropriate speed to take it, I heard screeching tyres behind me and in the mirror saw the car i had overtaken, plough into the sign post on the island of the roundabout. It would seem that the reason why this driver was doing 30mph to start with is because they cant handle the car anything over this speed! Clearly they shouldn't be driving.
Monday afternoon, and the last of the bad drivers. On a 60mph road again, and i spot some reversing lights at the side of the road. Wondering what might be about to happen, i slow to 40mph. Just as well, as a van had decided to reverse out of a driveway, straight onto this fast section of road. I had time to stop. If i had been the drive previously revered to, i would not have noticed the reverse lights, would have panicked and swerved and ploughed into an oncoming car, or a tree. This van then decided to do 35mph on a road which is safe for 60mph plus, and jam on its breaks for no good reason at one point as well. I had enough and overtook on a straight, and safe section. Now even more shocked and appalled at the state of driving skill i had witnessed during the weekend
So in summary... It is not speed that kills, it is the drivers who cant drive at 30mph, and cant handle their car anything over this speed. You can drive fast, and safely - its just you have to know the limits of your car, and what situations are safe, and not safe! These drivers put lives in their hands every day, and this is when the roads are dry and fairly empty. Imagine what happens when these drivers try to drive when its raining, dark, or icy.
Showing posts with label bad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bad. Show all posts
Monday, 26 August 2013
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Cyclists!
Driving through a town this morning, a cyclist in some shorts that were obviously two sizes too small, and meant for a child was ahead of me. I slowed down, as he was wobbling all over the road. Just about to overtake him, and he glances behind him for about half a second. then without hesitation pulls right in front of me to turn right. Had i not slowed down, i would have run him over and probably killed him - and no doubt it would have been all my fault!
There are, i'm sure - lots of responsible people who cycle, and wear the right size clothing, who are much more road aware. However, with the cost of petrol, more and more idiots are taking to the road on their two wheels thinking they are invincible, and not thinking! You only have to go to London to see what hell the cyclists bring to the roads. There are also countless videos on YouTube from cyclists who wear cameras on their helmets, showing that they've apparently been almost killed because a car has overtaken them within the 50 foot radius they think they have rights to. There is one who actually pulls up to a van, and kicks in the door because apparently it got too close when it overtook.. It did, but that was because the cyclist pulled into the middle of the road for no reason!
I have no problem in cyclists being on the road - but please have some respect for the other things on the road that can crush your bones in an instant. If you cant do that, get the bus or walk!
There are, i'm sure - lots of responsible people who cycle, and wear the right size clothing, who are much more road aware. However, with the cost of petrol, more and more idiots are taking to the road on their two wheels thinking they are invincible, and not thinking! You only have to go to London to see what hell the cyclists bring to the roads. There are also countless videos on YouTube from cyclists who wear cameras on their helmets, showing that they've apparently been almost killed because a car has overtaken them within the 50 foot radius they think they have rights to. There is one who actually pulls up to a van, and kicks in the door because apparently it got too close when it overtook.. It did, but that was because the cyclist pulled into the middle of the road for no reason!
I have no problem in cyclists being on the road - but please have some respect for the other things on the road that can crush your bones in an instant. If you cant do that, get the bus or walk!
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Insurance black box
So you've heard of Aircraft black boxes. Now many insurance companies are offering you the chance of a black box for your car! Now don't be concerned, it isn't a little box that will record everything you say in the car so that in the event of a minor prang, you are put to death for having said "cheese" on your way to the supermarket.
The black box records speed, time, location, and G forces as you are driving the car - which is then fed back to the Insurance HQ. If you are proved to be a driver who sticks to the speed limits, and doesn't go round corners at 60mph then your insurance price will stay low. It also depends on how much mileage you do, and where and when you drive too. If you are a normal driver who mostly sticks to the speed limits, and goes round corners at a practical speed then this black box arrangement is not for you. You will get penalised for bad driving, even though you are actually perfectly safe. for example if you were stuck being a 20mph driver on a 60mph limit, and overtook them - the G forces recorded would put you down as a dangerous driver, even though in actual fact the 20mph was the dangerous one!
So, when should you get a black box? If you are a practical, but safe driver who enjoys driving then don't bother. If you only drive to the shops once a week on a Monday afternoon, religiously stick to 5mph under the speed limit, and drive a car that's capable of accelerating from 0 - 60 in 2 months, then this is the deal for you!
One day all of us will be made to get one, and that will be the time when driving will no longer be fun, but a massive bore. Super Cars will no longer exist except for track days, and the worlds economy will suffer because everyone is taking 2 hours longer to get to work.
The black box records speed, time, location, and G forces as you are driving the car - which is then fed back to the Insurance HQ. If you are proved to be a driver who sticks to the speed limits, and doesn't go round corners at 60mph then your insurance price will stay low. It also depends on how much mileage you do, and where and when you drive too. If you are a normal driver who mostly sticks to the speed limits, and goes round corners at a practical speed then this black box arrangement is not for you. You will get penalised for bad driving, even though you are actually perfectly safe. for example if you were stuck being a 20mph driver on a 60mph limit, and overtook them - the G forces recorded would put you down as a dangerous driver, even though in actual fact the 20mph was the dangerous one!
So, when should you get a black box? If you are a practical, but safe driver who enjoys driving then don't bother. If you only drive to the shops once a week on a Monday afternoon, religiously stick to 5mph under the speed limit, and drive a car that's capable of accelerating from 0 - 60 in 2 months, then this is the deal for you!
One day all of us will be made to get one, and that will be the time when driving will no longer be fun, but a massive bore. Super Cars will no longer exist except for track days, and the worlds economy will suffer because everyone is taking 2 hours longer to get to work.
Friday, 10 February 2012
Overtaking behaviour
There has been some brilliant opportunity for some overtaking this week due to several people wanting to crawl along at ridiculously slow speeds on the way back from work. Honestly, India will have conquered how to build a Mcdonalds on the moon, before some of these people will make it home!
One person decided they would do 35mph on a 60mph road, with a long straight. The car behind that hesitated and wanted to stick behind it, sniffing its rear exhaust. So i went for it and overtook both of them. No hastle, so fuss - overtaken safely and made it home before the next Ice Age. That was Tuesday.
Wednesday, another one decided they would do 40mph on a 60mph road. I didn't hesitate, i went for it and overtook as soon as it was safe, and again all was well.
No doubt it was me who was seen as the reckless driver here - but i was not taking risks, i was completely safe. If you don't think its safe, don't do it. If you hesitate, don't do it. Only perform an overtake if you are sure you can keep control of your car.
If you get overtaken constantly, surely you should be thinking "perhaps i should go a bit faster?"
One person decided they would do 35mph on a 60mph road, with a long straight. The car behind that hesitated and wanted to stick behind it, sniffing its rear exhaust. So i went for it and overtook both of them. No hastle, so fuss - overtaken safely and made it home before the next Ice Age. That was Tuesday.
Wednesday, another one decided they would do 40mph on a 60mph road. I didn't hesitate, i went for it and overtook as soon as it was safe, and again all was well.
No doubt it was me who was seen as the reckless driver here - but i was not taking risks, i was completely safe. If you don't think its safe, don't do it. If you hesitate, don't do it. Only perform an overtake if you are sure you can keep control of your car.
If you get overtaken constantly, surely you should be thinking "perhaps i should go a bit faster?"
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Driving to work rage
I am fortunate enough to work in some buildings surrounding a country mansion house in the middle of the Hampshire / West Sussex countryside. It is a great place to work but comes with its downfalls in that it is a magnet for seriously slow and dangerous drivers!
There is a very straight and 60mph limit road leading to a series of country roads in which the work place is situated. Pretty much every day I get stuck behind someone doing 35mph max, who then of course turns off to go the same way as me. The country roads can accommodate a car doing at least 40mph, but people insist on travelling 20mph. This week i was stuck behind one such driver who did 20mph all along this road (probably thinking they were being safe) and then at a sharp bend decided to speed up and cut the corner off. If a car had been coming the opposite way there would have definitely been a head on crash! More proof that people who think they are being safe because they are going slow, end up causing the accidents because they are not skilled drivers.
There used to be someone who worked for us, who used to do 15mph down this road. His car had a huge dent in the back of his car - because he had reversed into his girlfriends house... TWICE! When trying to overtake him, he would always decide to head to the middle of the road. Now, if that doesn't speak "cannot drive, should be banned" i do not know what is.
The driveway to work has a speed limit of 20mph and speed humps. 30mph is about the correct speed here and perfectly safe. This week an e-mail was sent around all businesses on the estate telling people not to speed, and not to do handbrake turns in the car park! To which my only comment was. It wasn't me - this time!
Speed doesn't cause crashes. People who cannot drive do!
There is a very straight and 60mph limit road leading to a series of country roads in which the work place is situated. Pretty much every day I get stuck behind someone doing 35mph max, who then of course turns off to go the same way as me. The country roads can accommodate a car doing at least 40mph, but people insist on travelling 20mph. This week i was stuck behind one such driver who did 20mph all along this road (probably thinking they were being safe) and then at a sharp bend decided to speed up and cut the corner off. If a car had been coming the opposite way there would have definitely been a head on crash! More proof that people who think they are being safe because they are going slow, end up causing the accidents because they are not skilled drivers.
There used to be someone who worked for us, who used to do 15mph down this road. His car had a huge dent in the back of his car - because he had reversed into his girlfriends house... TWICE! When trying to overtake him, he would always decide to head to the middle of the road. Now, if that doesn't speak "cannot drive, should be banned" i do not know what is.
The driveway to work has a speed limit of 20mph and speed humps. 30mph is about the correct speed here and perfectly safe. This week an e-mail was sent around all businesses on the estate telling people not to speed, and not to do handbrake turns in the car park! To which my only comment was. It wasn't me - this time!
Speed doesn't cause crashes. People who cannot drive do!
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Cut up, but not shut up. X Factor driver vote off system.
On a 12 mile journey yesterday i got cut up TWICE. Both of which i had to swerve violently in order to not hit them, and both times the reason for the people cutting me up was not clear at all. They just suddenly decided they liked the look of the lane that i was in better! Perhaps i made it look sexy and irresistible and they wanted a piece of the action! I doubt it to be honest, but I cannot think of any other reason.
This made me think of a system in how people could vote bad drivers off the road. Let's inject some X Factor style technology into the road system. A website should be created called "Driver vote off" - if someone cuts you up badly, you go on the website and place a vote against the driver / car reg. If this car / driver receives 5 votes in one year, the DVLA visit them and tell them that they have to pass a full UK driving test, otherwise their license is taken away for a year. The person has to pay for the test, with that money going to improve roads, and lower road tax for everyone else. This would mean that the roads are safer, and therefore less accidents, less jams, and cheaper insurance! What is there not to like about this idea? Have i just hit on the best idea since making fire?
Please let me know your thoughts and whether this is a good idea by making a comment!
This made me think of a system in how people could vote bad drivers off the road. Let's inject some X Factor style technology into the road system. A website should be created called "Driver vote off" - if someone cuts you up badly, you go on the website and place a vote against the driver / car reg. If this car / driver receives 5 votes in one year, the DVLA visit them and tell them that they have to pass a full UK driving test, otherwise their license is taken away for a year. The person has to pay for the test, with that money going to improve roads, and lower road tax for everyone else. This would mean that the roads are safer, and therefore less accidents, less jams, and cheaper insurance! What is there not to like about this idea? Have i just hit on the best idea since making fire?
Please let me know your thoughts and whether this is a good idea by making a comment!
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)