I really don't get it

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Fat Controller, May 20, 2014.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    I have been driving now for over 20 years, both in private vehicles and professionally in vehicles of all shapes and sizes, and as you would imagine given the mileages covered I have seen a fair few incidents and accidents.

    Yesterday, I saw the aftermath of an accident, which was a variation on a fairly common theme at the location, and I cannot for the life of me work out what it is about this location that seems to make it an accident hotspot.

    Google Street View Link

    If you look at the image as that page loads, you will see a traffic island in the middle of the road, on a slight left hand bend. The bend is not sharp, and is on a mild downhill slope when heading in the direction shown, and is otherwise unremarkable. However, the number of people that seem to miss the bend somehow and take the bollards and lamp standard out in the middle of the island is incredible.

    Now, yesterday's one was even worse (although thankfully, it appeared that there were no injuries, by better luck than judgement), where a convertible Audi took the bollards and lamp standard on the central island, crossed the opposite side of the road, took out a lamp post and ended up in the trees and shrubbery behind it; I reckon, given the final resting place of the vehicle and taking into account its angle etc, that 12-18 inches to the left at the time of the first impact would have seen this car wallop straight into a tree (and we all know that they are a hell of a lot less forgiving than a lamp post. A closer Street View shows the island, and if you look just behind the car that is in the street view image, you will see the lamp post on the right hand verge, and if you look a little further on into the distance on the right hand verge, you will see the tree.

    This road is a 30-mph road, the parking is well off to the side so the carriageway width is unimpeded, and the weather yesterday can only be described as warm, sunny, dry and generally lovely. I have travelled this road, thousands of times (literally, probably into the tens of thousands even), and I cannot for the life of me see how on earth accidents like this are happening with such regularity?

    Speed will certainly be a factor in yesterday's accident (I would have thought the concrete and lamp post on the first impact would have slowed the car significantly, so for it to go on and take another lamp post out it must have been shifting), but surely even then the speed can't be that high in every case? Its a short road with traffic signal controlled junctions at either end?
     
  2. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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    The answer is a simple one, and one we see more and more evidence of every day I reckon. People can't drive any more. It is not difficult, especially in a modern car, to hold the vehicle in lane. Yet so many people seem to drift out of the lane, cut corners, straddle the lines at junctions etc.

    It is pure and simple incompetence. There simply is no other explanation in the majority of these cases.

    There is a junction at the end of my mam's street that is a sort of gentle S shape. Its easy to stay in lane. I've done it one handy in old heavy cars with no power steering, yet people always seem to fail completely to manage it.

    I'd like to say its mostly old people, young people, women, blokes, taxi drivers, or whatever group but it isn't, its just everyone.
     
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    • Jenny namaste

      Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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      Sloppy driving - like discipline in schools; both gone downhill in the last 20 years.
      A lot of drivers no longer feel pride or get pleasure from driving well.
      I still do,
      Jenny
       
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      • Phil A

        Phil A Guest

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        I'm just amazed at how many people don't keep their eyes on the road, seems any sort of distraction is an excuse to not look forwards.

        I'm sure any of you that have driven with me will know, i'll talk to you in the car, but I won't look at you while i'm doing it.
         
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        • Jiffy

          Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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          Speed,phones,talking,radio,cars are easyer to drive,people don't care any more and things like lamp post/trees move and the worst one of all, is being in a rush all the time,if it takes 5 minutes to get some where so they leave 5 minutes before and you must not get in they way
           
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          • Lolimac

            Lolimac Guest

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            For once being a passenger driving down to Essex yesterday it was a complete eye opener...No wonder you see such carnage on the roads.:rolleyespink:
            Nice wide lanes,well marked and clearly sign posted ,marvellous roads until..... you get cars on them:doh:
            Just to mention one incident...a large motor bike going at a fair lick in the 'fast lane' with an Audi behind it only 5ft from it's back wheel (no exaggeration) all lanes were full ,there was no where to go so why?:scratch: The car driver was constantly tapping on his brakes as he kept getting even closer.One false move and it would have been curtains for not just the driver but but dozens of us on that road.Some people have no consideration whatsoever:mad:
             
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            • Lea

              Lea Super Gardener

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              I don't drive but I have noticed how everyone seems to be a huge hurry to get anywhere these days. Surely turning up at a location a few minutes later makes less of an impact on a day than an accident does? :scratch:
               
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              • Jiffy

                Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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                It's better to be five minutes late than turn up in a coffin, even better get up ten minutes earlyer

                Once a passenger in a lorry and the driver was nuts, so i asked him to pull over, as i got out i said " carry on as i'm now going to walk home as it's safer" and shut the door and started walking
                 
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                • JWK

                  JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                  Sometime it's people texting or on their mobiles or fiddling with their Sat Navs. Quite often you see them on their mobiles waving their arms about trying to describe something whilst the vehicle is all over the place. No phone call is that important that it has to be answered whilst your driving.
                   
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                  • wiseowl

                    wiseowl Admin 24/7 Staff Member

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                    Good afternoon if only people were to drive the same way as if they were walking and showed the same consideration and good manner's "Oh wouldn't it be lovely"when ever they overtake Woo,I always catch them up at the next set of traffic lights;):smile:
                     
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                    • Jiffy

                      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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                      @wiseowl, do you get any problems flying at night with them big planes on auto pilot??
                       
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                      • wiseowl

                        wiseowl Admin 24/7 Staff Member

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                        Good afternoon Jiffy my friend only occasional as they usually fly a little higher than me,I usually keep to about 45 feet and a steady speed of 40mph on a good night;) and I have recently managed to fly upside down so I can see what's above me:heehee:
                         
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                        • Jenny namaste

                          Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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                          :thumbsup: :love30: :star:

                          Jenny
                           
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                          • NigelJ

                            NigelJ Total Gardener

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                            I find that people tend to walk like they drive, especially shoving trolley around the supermarket. All over the place and frequently chatting on the mobile or texting.
                             
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                            • wiseowl

                              wiseowl Admin 24/7 Staff Member

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                              Good evening Nigel no ones perfect and that's only a minority;) May I be so bold as to add a proviso (excluding Supermarkets:heehee:)Maybe Woos perception is different to yours and why he always shops very early mornings when the supermarket is almost empty;) and as we are of the same masculine gender and perhaps have less patience:heehee: Enjoy your evening my friend:smile:

                              Patience is a virtue
                              Find it if you can
                              Seldom in a lady
                              Never in a man
                              :lunapic 130165696578242 5:
                               
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