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- Path: sparky!uunet!pipex!ibmpcug!robobar!stl!bnr.co.uk!stc!nnsgs52!ianking
- From: ianking@nnsgs52 (Ian King)
- Newsgroups: uk.transport
- Subject: Re: Rear end drivers, etc
- Date: 20 Jan 1993 09:06:15 GMT
- Organization: Northern Telecom Europe Ltd
- Lines: 77
- Message-ID: <1jj4m7INNi2t@bnsgd245.bnr.co.uk>
- References: <21063@acorn.co.uk>
- Reply-To: ianking@lon40.nt.com
- NNTP-Posting-Host: nnsgs52.lon40.nt.com
- X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]
-
- Andy Smith (asmith@acorn.co.uk) wrote:
-
- > OK, a few comments. Firstly I do about 30k miles a year, mainly on motorways
- > and dual carriage way, but I always try to drive below 90mph.
-
- I drive about 35K miles a year mainly on motorways and dual carriage ways but
- I always try to drive at "around" 70mph.
-
- Out of curiosity, how many accidents have you been involved in? You are subject
- to the same law of averages that I am. I know about 5 other drivers with the
- same amount of miles/year figure. All of them either havent had an accident
- or they have an an odd slow-speed shunt.
-
- > The various arguments about speed limits all suffer the same problem. You are
- > taring everyone with the same brush, whereas there are various different groups
- > that need to be taken into account.
-
- > Fred is young with fast reactions, but no experience.
- > Jim is older with good reactions and x years experience
- > Sheila is 80 and has very poor reactions, she is also easily frightened
- > Debby drives a BMW 525ix so has 4WD ABS and a new suspension, as a rep she
- > does a lot of miles.
- > Joe has a clapped out Cortina with duff shocks nearly bald tyres.
-
- > Only two of the above should be doing 70 on a motorway in good conditions.
-
- > But I bet any money its Fred and Joe that will be rear end driving. I hate to
- > see such situations as I often see on the A45. Some guy in a fiesta sitting on
- > the tail of an Audi Quattro at 90. If the Audi had to break, the fiesta driver
- > would be dead!!
-
- No you should include Debby in that. She is probably over-confident of her
- car's ability and probably impatient since as a rep she has to get to meetings
- on time. (I *know* a lot of reps :-) ... I'm not one :-) ). The number of
- people who tailgate with BMWs seems to be higher than other makes... well on
- the M1 anyway IMHO.
-
- > The only way to make the roads safe is to allow for the sheep. You need a to
- > teach people to drive. NOT how to pass the test. They should then have a
- > 1 year limit to 1600cc and no motorway access, followed by a motorway test.
- > The MOT needs to be tougher and cover shock absorbers (checked yours lately).
-
- Couldnt agree more.
-
- > Speed signs need to be replaced with variable signs, that read x MPH during
- > the day 1/2 x when it gets dark or starts raining, and 1/4 x when there is
- > ice around.
-
- No... that would really confuse a lot of drivers.
-
- > Learners should be limited to 60mph max, normal drivers to 70mph and advanced
- > drivers to 90mph. This would give sales reps the incentive to advance their
- > driving skills.
-
- Nice idea but totally unworkable since the normal driver would block the outside
- lane at 70mph ..... :-)
-
- > There should also be a mandatory eye and reaction test every 10 years.
- > The law needs to be changed to reduce the chance of dangerous drivers getting
- > on the road, cameras tar everyone with the same brush. It is NOT speed that
- > kills; it is the way that speed is used.
-
- Speed kills and it may kill you. I think of that constantly when I'm driving
- although I'm sure a lot of drivers dont.
-
- ------------------------------------------
- I think you are trying to justify your breaking of the law.
-
- Regards...
- ..........Ian
-
-
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