Okay it's offical Cyclists are bigger wankers than Car drivers

[mutz]

Well Dave, very few people have an objective view of themselves, and still fewer don't have colored opinions, green persons excepted of course.

I find that irresponsible and non-responsive drivers create a whole chain of reactions and frustrations that often finds expression in an accident or some form of aggression. I try to avoid those situations, though I don't mind flipping the bird at some jerk from time to time.

I have found that driving under constraints that allow no dynamic leads to boredom, lethargy, negligence and sleepy responses. and/or frustration, which in turn leads to accidents or some other form of unpleasantness.

If I pass someone, I do is snappily and decisively, reducing exposure time and such a manner that the other driver(s) distinctly know what I'm doing. I don't poke along behind one of the aforementioned so as not to tempt some driver behind me to do something stupid. Et cetra, et cetra. I make my moves out of experience in many situations and conditions. I sometimes do things I wouldn't advise other people to do, but that's me.

A while back I served part time as deputy sheriff as a community service for five years. Police car, actually a Jimmy, whirly lights, sirene, S&W.357 magnum, shotgun, handcuffs, mace and the whole bit. My training was thorough. I saw and learned a lot about people, drivers, accidents, violations and stupidity those five years. Among other things, I came to the conclusion that I was better off driving in a manner that suited me, and my driving record to date, or lack thereof, speaks for itself (knock on wood).

So what I'm saying in this thread is mostly for fun, but I think the commonality of what is said in this thread from a good half of the world speaks for itself.

[The PIT]

"PIT: haven't you seen the hedgehog campaign? Children under 12 can't judge distance/speed well enough to cross the road, they shouldn't do it. (I'm sure I will be corrected if I am wrong) they are being actively discouraged from crossing the road on their own at the moment."


Dave the only campaigns I've seen are Kill your speed. Nothing on general road saftey for cyclists or pedastrains.

I walk 90% of the time and time and time again I've seen young children, adults trying to cross a busy road when theres a pelican or other type of crossing twenty feet away. By the time they've walked across they could gone across by the crossing.
People have a general idea of how to walk safely in the country side but then forget the most basic principle being visable. Walking round a blind bend facing on coming traffic isn't the correct thing to do as your invisable to one set of drivers. Crossing to the other side gives both sets of drivers a view and they should hopefully act accordingly. Walking two or more abreast isn't a good idea either in general terms.

Koolindo not stopping at lights showed you were just being idle. Luckily you didn't get hit.

[dave m]

Mutz, I wasn't taking pop at you, I know exactly what you mean, just wanted to be sure you weren't advocating reckless driving, no offense was intended.

PIT, there's a series of ads on TV featuring cartoon hedgehogs singing words to the tune of "King of the Road" which advocates careful road crossing for pedestrians. The kill your speed campaign was different if memory serves.

Dave

[mutz]

Pop away, don't mind at all. That's part of the fun around here. I'm not for reckless driving, but I don't mind abandoning the rules so long as I'm not endangering anyone or exceeding my capabilities.

"If I live fully today, tomorrow will take care of itself."

[The PIT]

Never saw it Dave. However it would be useful it adverts promoting road saftey were placed around schools. Also if Parents were encourage finacaly not to park on/near crossings would be useful as well.

Mutz thats an interesting one about exceeding your capabilties. I wonder how many people can handle a blow out on the motorway at 70 mph. Driving lessons and tests are sadly lacking in skid control etc.

[mutz]

...well, finding the limits of ones capabilities takes the willingness to scare oneself shitless. And it can be dangerous.

But one thing for sure, you have to find out for yourself. It can't be taught and nobody else's assessment is worth diddle 'cause that's not ones own experience.

Many (most?) drivers drive around with a head full of dos and don'ts, he said-she said, petrified for fear of making a mistake. How the hell can you drive a car responsibly with a head chock full of garbage?

Yes, I feel the most valuable thing an automobile driver can do is discover the limits of his capabilities, HIMSELF!

Once one knows ones capabilities, one can dump other peoples garbage, drive free and alert with the focus on what one is doing.

Driving becomes much more enjoyable too.

[The PIT]

Can remember being told off by Policeman for checking how the car handles. Pity he never saw me doing but thats another story.

[mutz]

Some policemen get off on any excuse to play policeman. The truly experienced ones don't, They're just happy to see traffic flow, even if it's over the speed limit.

One policeman once told me "Drive as fast as you like, just know where the radar is stationed."

[The PIT]

If i'd have looked in mirror before I decided to brake he wouldn't have stopped me.

[mutz]

I regret to inform you that this cop had a point...

[The PIT]

Mmm 4 mph over the limit for about 2 yards slowing down anyway.

[Kooldino]

Originally posted by The PIT
Koolindo not stopping at lights showed you were just being idle. Luckily you didn't get hit.

Eh, I wouldn't really call it lazy. I mean, I'd be doing 25mph and fighting to keep that pace. If I came to a desolate intersection (which was frequent where I used to live) I could easily look both ways to make sure no one was coming to proceed through the red. It's just that it takes WAY too much energy to stop completely (in which case my legs would have cramped) and get back up to 25mph again.

If I ever got to an intersection where my light was red and there were cars around, of course I'd stop. But if there's nothing in sight, there's no reason to stop.

And in a car, i always stop at red lights. Even if it's 4AM and there's no other cars on the road. They really need more "smart lights" around here. Nothing beats waiting 4 mins at a stop light to have ZERO cars cross your path.

[Kooldino]

Originally posted by mutz
...well, finding the limits of ones capabilities takes the willingness to scare oneself shitless. And it can be dangerous.

But one thing for sure, you have to find out for yourself. It can't be taught and nobody else's assessment is worth diddle 'cause that's not ones own experience.

Best way to learn is on a vacant road with nothing on the sides...and/or in a vacant parking lot.

[mutz]

Maybe I misunderstood you Pit. I thought he was cautioning you for not taking a peek in the mirror before/when braking, i.e. preventing a rear-ender.

Hard braking for no visible reason is a traffic offense in many places.

A policeman may not stop you without "probable cause", i.e there is a visible and definite offence. He may think you are drunk, but unless you have a broken tail light or commit an offense he can't stop you.

In your case for example, the cop may have thought you were drunk, but he couldn't stop you to check it out unless there was an offence, even if it was only technical.

Cops let many things go unless they suspect something heavier. They have to set priorities, otherwise they will write tickets non-stop and traffic will pile up for miles.

Of course if the cops get bored, well anything can happen...

[THE_Editor]

DaveM Spake poetically:

"Here lies the grave of Elijah Grey,
Who died defending his Right of Way.
He was right, dead right as he sped along;
And now he's as dead as if he'd been wrong"

Hmm ..good one ..Must remember that one.

btw .... That trucker doing the "WRONG THING" ....

Ya gets pricks in all sorts of vehicles ( even pedestrians)!!