The totally off-topic thread

[Hvr]

Driving in New England recently , the absence of constabulary was a pleasant change.
Everybody settles into a speed on the motorways, usually about 75>80 mph
Very few hoons, all quite orderly in spite of some tailgating.

UK? USA? Having driven in both places I agree it is easier on the highways without worrying about being 3kph's over the limit. However, in built up areas they are jut as strict as Australia.

When driving in Wyoming (headed for Mt Rushmore) the speed limit was 75 mph but everybody was doing 95mph. The police would come beside the car, see the seat belt on and a middle aged white male driving safely and move on.

It is the fastest I've ever driven and it was on the wrong side of the road!

 

[oz_mark]

I was driving down Ballarat Road the other day and a lane was blocked off, why? Because they had to fix the speed camera box before peak hour.

I think Victoria also has had a rise in motorbike rider deaths. I think it is partly because people are riding more, maybe due to money issues?

I think we need more Police patrolling highways and cracking down on bad drivers. I have mentioned this before, but the amount of Cars with Lights I think are not complaint with Australian Standards at night is just staggering.

When I was first driving, there used to be many police around on motor bikes watching drivers. They'd shake their gloved hand at you and you knew you did wrong. Sometimes they'd pull you over for a chat about something you did.

They wouldn't always fine you, but you were certainly educated on the rules.

Seems to be missing these days. If you can't be caught on camera, you'll probably get away with it...

 

[love_the_life]

I'm sure she drives safely but I see far too many people using these things as though they are driving on a speedway with pedestrians forced to jump out of their way to avoid injury.

She’s 95 and a speed demon she ain’t. Slowly down the footpath, waits till it’s safe to cross the road and leaves it outside any shops she goes into.

 

[Pushka]

Used to also have a sign after you’d passed through a speed sign so you knew that ‘they’ were on the road. Then they stopped the signs ‘ostensibly’ because drivers who’d been caught were turning back to assault the person stationed there. Yeah right. If that had occurred I think we would have read about that happening before they dreamt up that excuse. All those signs meant that others saw them in advance and possible flashed their lights to warn others hence loss of revenue. The only time I flashed drivers is when the cameras were put in a sneaky place - eg downhill, and hidden behind bushes etc.

Agree that the visible presence of more cars on the road is a great deterrent but the strategists argue otherwise. But that is with regards to ‘general crime’ and not road safety.

 

[Denali]

You should think working for the tax office would be bad but how about NBN workers?

Just had 3 guys walk in for our office installation and they could tell my by face, Im not happy. Before I even said anything, one held up his hands and said, "Dont hate me".

 

[Pushka]

You should think working for the tax office would be bad but how about NBN workers?

Just had 3 guys walk in for our office installation and they could tell my by face, Im not happy. Before I even said anything, one held up his hands and said, "Dont hate me".

Son used to work as HR Manager for major NBN infrastructure installer. Oh My, An industry fraught with so much angst - on every possible side.

 

[JohnK]

If only the same resources and rigour was put into investigating car accidents as aircraft accidents. Then we might be able to move away from stereotypes - or provide justification for them.

The thing I've noticed more often is the selfishness of drivers and the arrogance on the road. Drivers are taking unnecessary risks and expecting the other drivers on the road to know what they are doing or going to do.

 

[QF WP]

Oh really

Suspect's farts end police interview

In other news: Three people charged in naked car crash

 

[Denali]

Searching Prefab homes and wondering if its an option.

The way Im feeling, I would take a lego house at this point.

 

[RAM]

Well your frontal lobes don't fully form till the age of 25, hence why we have P plate laws and insurance rules that reflect impulse control in under-formed brains.

Remembering that the "25" is the population average - why is it that it has such a long-tailed distribution?

There seem to be so many (both male and female) whose impulse control is still lacking when they're many decades past 25. Such as those drivers who are more important than everybody else that they should be permitted to over-take on the left by using a turning lane for example and then let back in 8 or 10 cars further up the queue!!

I feel that way when someone puts pineapple on pizza.

and I when they don't!

 

[Pushka]

Well, I am going to be controversial maybe. As a general rule when out shopping etc it is the males aged mid sixties to mid seventies whom I've found to be really rude and selfish - on the road, in the shops etc. Younger men on the other hand I have found to be rather nice and less "me". Maybe its an SA thing but I expect older men to cut in front of me everywhere - like they have paid their taxes and I am just in the way. Younger men go out of their way to help me.

 

[Milboo]

2am in the morning and I'm dealing with people at work who tell me one thing but don't do it creating headaches all round when trying to get an invoice paid...

 

[TomVexille]

Guy in my building uses an electric assist bike, I like them and would seriously consider buying one but not for mountain biking. Thats nuts.

I know a guy...

I say Parma.

It's parma. No question.

Well, I am going to be controversial maybe. As a general rule when out shopping etc it is the males aged mid sixties to mid seventies whom I've found to be really rude and selfish - on the road, in the shops etc. Younger men on the other hand I have found to be rather nice and less "me". Maybe its an SA thing but I expect older men to cut in front of me everywhere - like they have paid their taxes and I am just in the way. Younger men go out of their way to help me.

I think @blackcat20 might agree with you. Especially in airports and wine tastings

 

[blackcat20]

Well, I am going to be controversial maybe. As a general rule when out shopping etc it is the males aged mid sixties to mid seventies whom I've found to be really rude and selfish - on the road, in the shops etc. Younger men on the other hand I have found to be rather nice and less "me". Maybe its an SA thing but I expect older men to cut in front of me everywhere - like they have paid their taxes and I am just in the way. Younger men go out of their way to help me.

I

I think @blackcat20 might agree with you. Especially in airports and wine tastings

The worst! Waiting to try the new Penfolds wines at DMs and the old blokes just push past me like I'm not there! They must be of the same opinion as my great uncle who thinks a woman can't possibly be capable of opening a bottle of red wine with a cork.

 

[whatmeworry]

Well, I am going to be controversial maybe. As a general rule when out shopping etc it is the males aged mid sixties to mid seventies whom I've found to be really rude and selfish - on the road, in the shops etc. Younger men on the other hand I have found to be rather nice and less "me". Maybe its an SA thing but I expect older men to cut in front of me everywhere - like they have paid their taxes and I am just in the way. Younger men go out of their way to help me.

Maybe Drivers are just better trained these days.

Then again, a friend of my mothers said Men tend to go a bit "funny" after 70.

 

[Pushka]

@Denali - I blame you!

 

[JohnK]

Then again, a friend of my mothers said Men tend to go a bit "funny" after 70.

It's all those years spent with women!

 

[Denali]

Terrible way to die or witness!

Man dies after falling into woodchipper

 

[TheRealTMA]

Terrible way to die or witness!

Man dies after falling into woodchipper

Always with the happy stories, Denali!

 

[Denali]

Always with the happy stories, Denali!

Pauline lost a senator this morning, is this happy news?

One Nation down a senator after Fraser Anning quits an hour after being sworn in