Speed cameras (again)

[JonnyBoy]

Originally posted by oldcodger
How did you know that the pensioner was driving slowly because he "cant cope with higher speed"? Are you sure there was no other reason?

funny how so few young people are willing to take the IAM test, perhaps they think they will fail. That cant be right all the young people on this forum are good drivers - I know - they told me!!!!

The fact that I've come across hundreds of this type of driver rules out any other reason for the vast majority of them - unless all their cars are faulty and can't go any faster?

Oh, and I would take the IAM test, if I could afford to.

<font color="navy">Punto 55SX</font id="navy">

 

[sammiboo]

Actually oldcoger - i had myself booked in the IAMS test a couple of years ago, but unfortunatly my car was almost written off by a taxi driver and i had to go for physio and was unable to drive for some time.
Ok if that is true for drivers in regards to insurance, why does it start to go up again after a certain age???

The reason why it is more expensive for us younger ones is.... which i think is obvious, that we have to prove our skills in driving thus building up our no claims. Which then obviously makes the insurance cheaper.

I myself am a safe driver, i do not take risks, the guy who went into me was acutally an older guy, who tried to overtake me from behind as i turned into a side street - now i have a pro-lapsed disc in my spine.

Five years ago, my sister was in a horrific car accident, caused by an elderly gentleman who couldn't understand how to use a box junction.

When the police asked the old guy what had happened - he said it was my sister's fault - she was going too fast, ah, but - the police actually saw what had happened and they told they guy they knew it was his fault....hmmmmm the excuse of using young people again.

And yes I am hoping to do the IAMS test, as soon as but my local college who are running the thing are only doing it on specific days and this year they are doing it in June, as many people know about my employment this would be impossible for me to do at this time of year!

I have also rang around some insurance companies - and hardly anyone are offering the discount on premiums if you have done IAMS - they say it's beacuse too many people are taking it!

May i also add... when i took my driving test, i immediately did the pass plus course, on passing this, it has given me one years no claims bonus! [^]

And we, oldcodger aren't calling all those older drivers, just those who can't drive and shouldn't be on the road, but still think they have the right to call the younger generation.




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[arseofbox]

Well check this, yesterday I was stuck behind two Mercs both doing 50mph on a National Speed limit road. That peeved me. Especially given there was no other traffic on the road, and it was dry conditions!

I dont understand it, but I was trained to drive at the limit where possible (most of the time), go under it if needed for safety, or just stick the loud pedal down if it really needs it!

Insurance really infuriates me..I dont understand how new drivers can afford to get insurance at the moment (but the SLC helps me there, it just means Ive got to live off beer for 10 weeks a year!).

The govt get enough out of us for petrol (I paid 83.9p/L yesterday...Derv's cheaper!!), so how can the realistically consider heavier Gatso fines, silly rates of road tax, and 70% of pump revenue in their pockets with no argument?? Its lost on me.....

Tom (AofB)

95 Cinq Sporting - Rattly GrpN Catback Exhaust, <font color="black">Buckets</font id="black"> and 3pt Harnesses, 10" Sub and 6x9's.
1242cc Engine to go in soon, boot delock soon, ETech Wing still in garage, so's the effing K+N!

 

[Morty Mort]

Just have to tell. Me and 3 passengers were doing the highway in Trondheim. Low speed due to roadwork. A 79 years old woman with a brand new Golf found it very clever to change lane - where we were. My father's Sierra (RIP) was smashed out of the road, up on a concrete wall, did a jump and landed on the side on the highway. I actually had the asphalt speeding 20 cm from my head. No fun. When the car stopped we had to crawl UP the right door. Luckily we all had seat belts. The Sierra completely died, and the Golf lost a wheel cap and som minor damages to the front.

The woman could not see this was her fault. Unbelievable.

Loads of eyewitnesses could tell the opposite. She had also done a u-turn on the highway a couple of minutes earlier - on a one-way-highway!!! She almost crashed with a familiy going on vacation, when she managed to get in the right direction. This family were pretty pissed already, and had a VIP-place right behind this elderly woman when she took us down (or up and sideways).

Police came fairly quickly. She wasn't allowed to drive home either. But ofcourse it looked like it was death-driving from me. We were 4 young people sitting beside a car on its side on the highway...

So people: Take it easy. It isn't always yourself you should watch. Drive like all others are idiots, and ALWAYS HAVE PLAN B in mind. Always look for an escape before you have to.

Morten.


gas lowered on abarth wheels. upgraded interior and visuals. audio through phoenix gold and kenwood.

projects: air in and out.

 

[Stu DemonD]

Originally posted by oldcodger

Chrislusty - did you report the old lady (by means of reg no) to DVLA or police? NO? then you know why she is still on the road - no one else did either.

Finally - if all you young drivers are so good why do you have to pay so much for your insurance when us oldies pay so little? Answer - its all down to the risk we pose and the possibilty that the insurers will have to pay out.

I have reported bad driving to Police many times, old farts and young hooligans alike. Yes, it takes time, I have sat in stations waiting to give a statement - and guess what - no further action - I was even involved in a hit and run once [see some earlier thread], my car damaged, descriptions and such like reported to Police - I was left with a damaged car, no further action.
Surely the person should know their own capabilities to be on the road [a 3 point turn taking 10 turns, lack of parking skills] - if they don't know this themselves, what the hell are they doing driving about. The Police and DVLA are effing useless, imo.

The reason insurance companies charge so much - because they can get away with it, and no one has the balls to stand up to them. Plus young drivers have no NCB - this is a PERCENTAGE that reduces premiums. No percentage as a young driver, no reduction!!!

Driving standards in this country are generally poor, retesting is fine if properly controlled and ALL drivers tested, not just the legal ones.

Personally, I don't have the time for the IAM, even thought contemplated in the past. Also, the IAM is not what it used to be. Plus do you realise the Police use out-dated modes of driving techniques - if you want me to go further into it, feel free.

Stu


Fiat Ulysse 2.2JTD Eleganza, 53 plate, with options Angel Tuning [see ad] tuned

 

[Stu DemonD]

Originally posted by oldcodger
stuart - I have no idea what (if anything) goes through the minds of speeders

Try driving up to, and maybe beyond, the speed limit - if the conditions prevail, long straight national roads, no queue of traffic behind you with young hoons in their souped up 1.1s - obviously any speed cameras ahead will be apparent - they will be the ones NOT near any schools or children!!!

Fiat Ulysse 2.2JTD Eleganza, 53 plate, with options Angel Tuning [see ad] tuned

 

[whitewabbit2001]

isnt the cameras changing?
i watch that driving program on sunday and it said u get points system changing, 2 points instead of 3! means they get more money before u get banded

 

[ChrisLusty]

oldcoger, imagine you are driving along a road 40mph limit,no houses, schools, children just fields. You catch a car where the driver is doing twenty five for what ever reason. You know the road well and there is a long straight in a mile or two. When you get tp the straight you check its ok to over take, and proceed. the driver, for what ever reason speeds up at the same time you are along side him. You speed upto 40-50mph pass him and pull back in and reduce your speed. Further up the road is a white van with the new mobile speed camera. You didnt notice it at first, as it was so far up the road, but your ok as you have been doning 40mph for most of the road.
A week later you get a letter saying you have been caught doing 47mph in a 40mph whilst passing the driver, did you deserve that fine?


Chris

 

[Helz]

Oh god chris don't ta;lk about that it happened to me last night: went frmo 40 (which he had been doing for some 10 miles) up to 80 before a car appeared and I relaised i wasn't going to make it and he refused to give way so I had to brake and swerve in behind him, banked up onto the grass verge, swerved back onto road then had to stop in the nearest bus stop [V]. His arrogance could have killed me and several other road users [!]. I know I should have pulled in sooner when I saw the car coming at me which would have prevented the violent braking and swerving but why was he behaving so pig-headedly???

<font color="violet">

. o O Helz O o .

Proud owner of a silver Baby Brava with a Smiley air freshener​

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[ChrisLusty]

Bloody hell helz, hope your ok though. It has happened to me too on a few occations, they see the size of the car and dont want to be passed by it. thats what i think goes through thoer mind any way. Or they are just pig-headed as you said.
Thats why i asked him that question, because it does happen.


Chris

 

[Helz]

I am fine thanks Chris, didn't even blow a tire which was my biggest fear when the car started swerving across the road. Next time I shall just give up and pull in sooner, I would rather look stupid than end up dead. Glad it's not just me these things happen to.

<font color="violet">

. o O Helz O o .

Proud owner of a silver Baby Brava with a Smiley air freshener​

</font id="violet">

 

[GhostWKD]

2 things really; off topic again but still...

1 - old people as always lol
2 - those people that do 40 on national limit but then 40 in a 30 too

1 - old people with illnesses should not be behind the wheel, they are a risk to themselves and other drivers, one such person had a stroke (from what i hear she had regular strokes, could be rumor though) at 10pm, and went careering off the road into a BP petrol sign, what if she had've gone the opposite way into oncoming traffic?

(appologies for any generalisation here and any offence taken will result in withdrawn post)

2 - The people that do 40 on national limit, so you overtake, and then when you get to a 30 they're tailgating you, almost trying to overtake you.. grr they annoy me

Abarth Kitted Cinq Sporting, New lil siggy pic coming soon, till then.... not much really lol

 

[Stu DemonD]

Usual story this morning!

Part of my commute includes going down a long, straight b-road - about a mile in length, straight as anything, into and then out of a valley! Minimal trees, total visibility.

So, driving behind a guy in his 50s in his 51 plate Volvo 1.6. National limits, we are doing 38 in the roads leading up to this straight. Why! I suppose I am tailgating him a bit, but what is other option. Get to straight, I pull out, get level, ease off and stare across at him for a bit - not a flinch, in his own little world - for all he could have known, I could have been naked [maybe not] - put foot down [ok, just tickled the throttle, not exactly going fast] and sped up to 60 with my hazard lights on.

Obviously he is one the safe drivers out there, and I am a hoon!



Fiat Ulysse 2.2JTD Eleganza, 53 plate, with options Angel Tuning [see ad] tuned

 

[sammiboo]

I also love it when people sit in the middle lane on a motorway doing about 60, not actually overtaking and often there isn't any traffic in the slow lane and they aren't doing anything but just sat there....in the middle lane, not a care in the world. And often you see people undertaking them in the slow lane, but they still sit there![!]

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[JonnyBoy]

Originally posted by GhostWKD
went careering off the road into a BP petrol sign, what if she had've gone the opposite way into oncoming traffic?

Or, indeed, into the forcourt and through the pumps?? [:0]

<font color="navy">Punto 55SX</font id="navy">

 

[Gav]

My commute to/from work is about 25 miles, cross country. There's 30's, 40's nationals and dual carriageways. Every day I go through a village on the A25 at 30-33mph, because there are some shops, people about etc... More or less every time I get people right on my bumper because I'm sticking to the limit. Now, in this village there's a bridge for the railway to go over, which is a swift right - left for the road. It has no pavement, because there's a seperate pedestrian tunnel. For my Punto, 30 is no problem for it, yet just about everyone else actually slows to take it. I get a break from being tailgated for observing the speed limit. Obviously you have to watch out, but its not dangerous to go at 30...

And through the country lanes, one set is a national, which in some places is pretty tight - a few times its single file. Through these people go anything from 20 to 50, and on seeing a car coming the other way will either zoom through making the other car get in tight to avoid being hit, or slam on thier brakes. A few weeks ago a Focus in front of me just emergency stopped for no reason, other than that the car coming the other way was stopping in a passing place. I had to stop sharpish because I'd seen that happeneing and expecting the focus to drive normally. The overly cautious Focus driver then wnt slowly until we get to a nice 30 where they leave me for dead... There was a Porcshe Caynenne (sp?) that did 40 in the national (okay) and then about 45 in the 30! I let them get on with it, because one day, just one day, there will be a police man standing there with a big grin collecting bucketfulls of money because the roads are 30 for a reason. I hope that's done before there's a serious accident though the village.

Another part of my journey is along more country lanes (east of the A24), which are all 40 limits apart from the villages. They include a 1/3 mile straight and roads that are better (surface, foliage and layout) than the earlier nationals! These 40's I speed on if its safe, because the limit is too low (compared to the nationals - or are they too high?). You could say a police man there would collect another fortune, but I'd be arguing with him why its a 40 when you can see so well (in good conditions). Of course I do get caught out - people taking the corners at 25mph when I want to go at 40-45.

As for older drivers who shouldn't bo on the road - one wrote off my last car! He drove across in front of me on a national limit road at about 5mph, obvilious to anything going on. When he got out the police told him to get back in his car because it was safer. He admitted he'd had a stroke (doesn't mean you can't drive, but obviosuly take care), and didn't walk great - needing support. He got a written warning for dangerous driving, and both cars were written off. Becasue of that, and the time I've been in Norway, I use my lights (sides or dipped beams) throughout the day so people definatly see me. The number of people who drive unlit in fog and por visibility, or make it hard to see them when you're driving into the sun is crazy - they need to be told!

My own father is now classified as disabled and knows his driving isn't anything like it was 10-15 years ago. He wont go where he doesn't know, it has to be light etc. He's slow to react, and so has to anticipate things much earlier. He's not going to be driving very much longer, and now he does less than 200 miles a year. I recently had my mum as a passenger and she was warning me of braking 100m ahead, which is what she has to do for him. Its a shame for my father to lose that indipendance, but I'm glad he's prepared to admit he can no longer drive safely.

Back on topic - speed cameras need to be in dangerous areas, not to generate money. If the limit is sensible, stick to it and blow everyone else. Look out and drive sensibly!

Punto Mk2 ELX 8v in Teseo Blue with the electric Sunroof and CD changer, doing 50mpg whilst passing down country lanes

 

[Stu DemonD]

Originally posted by Gav
I recently had my mum as a passenger and she was warning me of braking 100m ahead, which is what she has to do for him. Its a shame for my father to lose that indipendance, but I'm glad he's prepared to admit he can no longer drive safely.

It is a sad day indeed when you need another pair of 'eyes' on the road. Surely this has to be driving without due care and attention. At least he admits it, which is always a big step.

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[Stu DemonD]

Originally posted by oldcodger
I have had 3 accidents in 30 years. All were caused by young drivers travelling too fast and being unable to stop in time

Finally - if all you young drivers are so good why do you have to pay so much for your insurance when us oldies pay so little? Answer - its all down to the risk we pose and the possibilty that the insurers will have to pay out.

Hmmm, not a very good track record, 3 accidents in 30 years - I have never been involved with anyone else, made a claim, or had a claim made against me in 15 years or driving! Also, without knowing full circumstances of each of your 3 accidents, was the young driver 100% to blame????

Fiat Ulysse 2.2JTD Eleganza, 53 plate, with options Angel Tuning [see ad] tuned

 

[sammiboo]

Last night, i went for a drive in yorkshire and i was stuck behind a old guy doing 35 in a national, I was stuck behind him for ages, i couldn't overtake because of the solid white lines in the rd - the weather was fine, and there was no reason to be this slow!!!!![!]
I then over took him on the straight - no doubt he was muttering "young hooligan"!

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[Helz]

Today I came back up from the West Midlands along the M6 and it was scary how many bad drivers there were out there: I undertook soooooo many times because of people sitting in the FAST lane when they could be in the middle or slow lanes (what was I gonna do, wait behind them when there were two clear lanes to the left?) and STILL they didn't get the message and move over. Got a few dirty looks trying that trick Also a lot of people don't really get the concept of lanes at all and think the pretty white lines are there for decoration while they waver back and forth between them, holding back anyone who wants to overtake or switch lanes - loads of accidents nearly caused by that stoopid trick . I may not always stay exactly in the centre of my lane but they are big enough that I could whip the steering wheel from side to side and still stay in it so why can't they???

<font color="violet">

. o O Helz O o .

Proud owner of a silver Baby Brava with a Smiley air freshener​

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