Well, it finally happened. Silly old bats

[sunhuntin]

finally had a car turn in front of me. never thought id see it for myself, but whaddaya know.

got stuck behind a permanent brake rider this afternoon on the way to work. she had her brakes lights on the whole way across an essentially empty 2 lane bridge. she waited for ages at the roundabout at the other end. she had her brake lights on the entire way around the RAB and for the next two blocks. she then braked at every single intersection [not so bad i guess, defensive driving and all, maybe] we proceeded up the long straight with me travelling at 35-40k trying to keep a gap without pissing off the van behind me.
we get to the last intersection before main street. a block or so before we get there, she starts drifting more and more to the left. i hang back even more. we get the to intersection, and her left indicator finally goes on. by this time im travelling at below 35k. i get ready to overtake and would have been just coming up to her back bumper when i saw her RIGHT indicator come on, and sure enough, she starts moving right! she did not check her mirrors before drifting. brain went into overdrive, and it took a few seconds for it to kick in that braking would be an idea. i hit the picks and come to a stop basically on the white line, searching blindly for my horn. by the time i find it, the van behind had already found his. needless to say, she got screamed at by me, while shes mouthing something through a closed window. buggered if i know what she was saying, but im picking something along the lines of "holy fuck" by this time, there were a good 5 or 6 vehicles banked up behind the van. thankfully, no oncoming traffic, or vehicles waiting at the giveway signs.

so beware the old lady who should not be driving. she would have been upwards of 70 years and really is a danger on the roads. unfortunately i didnt get the license plate, otherwise id report her. had the van and myself failed to stop, she would have her drivers door caved in by my front tyre, and been rear ended at the same time by the van.

[Headbanger]

So....Your the one screaming abuse at me dear old mum?

[kasper]

If it was your mum then she needs some instructions.

And she definitely deserved a screaming at.

Also an attempted murder charge for any drivers who do this, but that is unlikely. so a screaming at will have to do.


--kasper

[toycollector10]

There used to be an old duck up in Nelson in the 1970's who only used first and second gears.......Seen screaming down the road doing 25 MPH (Miles Per Hour) in her green Morrie Thou with all the valves bouncing away...How we laughed.

[Headbanger]

Dear old Mums can do no wrong.

Evil motorcyclists, terrorising the elderly, Its just not on.

[Badjelly]

From personal experience, I think the majority of people who live into their 70s or 80s go through a period where they are very unsafe drivers but don't want to admit it to themselves or others. A big part of the problem is that old people find themselves in a situation in which they have to drive to lead a reasonably normal life. I think it's a pity the Government cancelled the regular testing of older drivers. I know it caused a lot of stress, but I think it was necessary.

Edit: OK, not personal experience, but experience of parents and their contemporaries.

[sunhuntin]

i do think that there needs to be funded buses/vans for elderly. anything to enable them to get into town without being a danger on the roads. the way this woman was driving, i wouldnt be surprised if she kills someone. im just glad i hadnt got more speed up... i hadnt even hit 50k yet.

HB, tell ya mum to look in her freakin mirrors, keep her foot off the brake unless needed, and be thankful i didnt have the time to follow her to deliver a proper bollocking, though i think "ya silly fucking old bat" did the job nicely.

[Manxman]

I think I've been in this (great) country long enough to make the following observation:

When performing a maneouver, drivers typically:
1) pull out; then
2) indicate; then
3) look over their shoulder for traffic.

in that order:bash:

I'm sure the Road Code doesn't recommend this.

[The Baron]

Well Sunhuntin, it was YOUR good driving / riding that kept you from harm today. You did well and got home safe. Good for you.

[Swoop]

There used to be an old duck up in Nelson in the 1970's who only used first and second gears.......Seen screaming down the road doing 25 MPH (Miles Per Hour) in her green Morrie Thou with all the valves bouncing away...How we laughed.
"One careful lady owner. Only driven to church on Sunday's. etc"
Tui, anyone???

[Blackshear]

Well I haven't had anyone turn in front of me yet, out of the ordinary way of traffic yet, but gather 'round.

As I was going down the road the old Georgie pie was on, and turning right to go down the street with speed bumps on it...
The big baby semi-truck in front decided to have whatever the hell it was in the back (kinda looked like a big, old&rusty BBQ in a tarp) bounce OUT and onto the tiny island, and RICOCHET TOWARDS ME FROM THE KERB. So I dodge this Bstard and toot lots.
He speeds up?! Righty ho then. The street to his right was in his planned route, and seemed to forget the car coming towards him in her lane, merely 5-10m away. Straight into her path without a hint of slowing, EERRRRKEKEKEKKEKEKEKE *squealsqueal etc* musta missed her bumper by millimeters. Phwoar.
Thank god I was obeying the 4 second rule after the previous attack. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON. So I see a clear road ahead, and pull up to his side on the other lane while he goes over a speed bump.
"HEY MATE YOU DROPPED SOMETHING BACK THERE, ALSO, WHAT THE F*%@!"
Dude, the guy is stupid or something.
"Huh, whaa? Ahhhhhh..."
Got in front and tried to read the plate but rather murkey, and decided the back was also.

Unmarked green sloppy semi-thing without a trailer, just a ... Built in trailer?

I always paid great care towards trucks, but I am rather scared now.

The ride to work was much more fun, chatted to a couple of kiddies in love with my bike at the lights. Even when you know it's the bike and not you, awww it swells ya heart.

Mum wasn't happy at their excitement :banana:

[Headbanger]

..
The big baby semi-truck in front decided to have whatever the hell it was in the back (kinda looked like a big, old&rusty BBQ in a tarp) bounce OUT


A couple of weeks ago I was following 2 cars down the the hill that leads to the bridge over the Whangaehu river, big corner, bill hill, anyway the car ahead had a trailer with a BBQ on it, not tied down, I see it start to rock n Roll so I button off, as expected she rolled off the trailer (we were doin about 110km/h) and the entire shebang is rolling along shattering and bits are flying everywhere and rolling down the road, including the gas bottle.

Anyway, I saw it unfold, I was off the throttle, picked a clear line, and kept an eye on the car between us, They either didn't notice, or were so surprised they shit themselves, When they were nearly about to go over top of the mess they hit the brakes and pulled hard left, right into the space I would have been occupying if I didn't figure they were about to pull a sudden retarded move.

Anyway, BBQ car stopped, *driver got out grinning sheepishly, I gave him the finger and carried on.


*The driver was not my dear old mum.

[RentaTriumph]

I was heading home yesterday down a main road and a boy racer in a jap cage at an intersection on the RHS side of the road pulled out directly in front me and at the last minute slammed on his brakes. Luckily I'm on a 07 Tiger with double disc brakes with 4 pistons calibers which is the first time I have had to use them in an emergency. They did the trick and I pulled up just short of his LHS door and gave him the glare of death. He promptly gave me the 1 finger salute smoked his tyres and took off at a great rate of knots but got caught at the next set of lights where my RH foot accidently took out his rear tail light as I took the cycle lane up on the inside of a huge line up of cars.

[DarkLord]

You broke his rear tail light?

Wow. I've often thought of doing such a thing myself, but have never actually heard of it being done. Hope he didn't grab your plate....

Regarding the old folk, I think Moe Sizlac (or whatever his name is, the bartender from the Simpsons) sums it up with the following quote -

"Old people are no good at everything!"

Seriously though, regular testing of older drivers should be brought back. Some of them are bloody terrifying. My grandfather was one, in his last 5-6 years or so he was hopeless and nearly caused so many accidents.

[Blackshear]

I was heading home yesterday down a main road and a boy racer in a jap cage at an intersection on the RHS side of the road pulled out directly in front me and at the last minute slammed on his brakes. Luckily I'm on a 07 Tiger with double disc brakes with 4 pistons calibers which is the first time I have had to use them in an emergency. They did the trick and I pulled up just short of his LHS door and gave him the glare of death. He promptly gave me the 1 finger salute smoked his tyres and took off at a great rate of knots but got caught at the next set of lights where my RH foot accidently took out his rear tail light as I took the cycle lane up on the inside of a huge line up of cars.
Good on ya dude, I'd have done the same to a tosser like that. But I will now be extra weary of ricers, thanks to his new view on cyclists :2guns:

A couple of weeks ago I was following 2 cars down the the hill that leads to the bridge over the Whangaehu river, big corner, bill hill, anyway the car ahead had a trailer with a BBQ on it, not tied down, I see it start to rock n Roll so I button off, as expected she rolled off the trailer (we were doin about 110km/h) and the entire shebang is rolling along shattering and bits are flying everywhere and rolling down the road, including the gas bottle.

Anyway, I saw it unfold, I was off the throttle, picked a clear line, and kept an eye on the car between us, They either didn't notice, or were so surprised they shit themselves, When they were nearly about to go over top of the mess they hit the brakes and pulled hard left, right into the space I would have been occupying if I didn't figure they were about to pull a sudden retarded move.

Anyway, BBQ car stopped, *driver got out grinning sheepishly, I gave him the finger and carried on.


*The driver was not my dear old mum.

I know what you mean, You may be 2-4 seconds behind, but goddamnit you're a plonker if you're not mentally alert 10 seconds ahead.
And piece of sharp metal + tyres = really full undies.
Or for those of you wearing boxers, really fkin messy pants.

Good to hear you weren't killed by either the BBQ or the resultant effect on the car beside you!

[sunhuntin]

damn HB, im glad that gas bottle didnt blow up... thatd be my worst fear. some people are just stupid. 1; why the hell would you not tie down a bbq? 2: why the hell would you not put the gas bottle in the car?? sheesh!

i always keep miles back from trucks and trailers. i make susan do the same when we are in her car. one of my biggest worries.

[imdying]

Hope you kicked the shit out of her door... make sure she's too scared to drive home, let alone on the road again.

[vgcspares]

I don't understand why (with all these anecdotes) anyone concludes older drivers in particular need regular testing ... drivers of trucks, buses and most cars that pull out (or turn right) in front of oncoming traffic with next to no room to spare aren't generally OAPs (though of course some are).

So why isn't the proposal : periodic practical tests for all ?

And given the revenue potential, how come the Govt isn't doing it ?

[Max Preload]

Some people are quite literally unsafe at any speed and she's one of them. :oi-grr:

[sunhuntin]

Hope you kicked the shit out of her door... make sure she's too scared to drive home, let alone on the road again.

nope... my voice was the only thing she got, and for that i felt bad, as i normally adore old people and wouldnt dream of speaking that in normal terms. but these werent normal terms.

vgc, when was the last time one of those people rode their brakes for in excess of 5 blocks, as well as entire bridge and a round a bout? never mind drifting left for more than 2 blocks before indicating and then changed their mind? while regular retesting would be a good idea, older people need more testing more often, as their skills can deteriorate much faster.

[Boob Johnson]

If it was your mum then she needs some instructions.

And she definitely deserved a screaming at.

Also an attempted murder charge for any drivers who do this, but that is unlikely. so a screaming at will have to do.


--kasper
Tis one of those things, called "life".

The moment we noticed my Grandad "touch" parking we took the keys away, we actually disconnected the battery & told him the car was in need or repair to save him his dignity. Not everyone has family close by to observe every move as they slowly but surely loose independence.

Don't be rude or aggressive to old folk, if you have the time follow them until they stop & talk to them nicely & respectfully about their driving & how it might be time to give it up.

Remember, it will be YOUR turn to get old & decrepit one day & you may wish the same courtesy :niceone:

[pete376403]

At a nursing home, a group of senior citizens were sitting around talking about their aches and pains.
"My arms are so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee," said one.

"I know what you mean. My cataracts are so bad I can't even see my coffee," replied another.

"I can't turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said a third, to which several nodded weakly in agreement.

"My blood pressure pills make me dizzy," another contributed.

"I guess that's the price we pay for getting old," winced an old man as he slowly shook his head.

Then there was a short moment of silence.

"Well, it's not that bad," said one woman cheerfully. "Thank God we can all still drive."

[sunhuntin]

boob... honestly, thats the first, and hopefully only, time ive ever spoken like that to an old person. i would have followed, but was on my way to work and just didnt have time. although... after the way i spoke, my following her probably would have lead to a heart attack. :(

and btw... i dont plan to get old. got enough pains now and im only 23. hate to think what my knees are gonna be like in 10 or 20 years. sure as hell wont be riding i dont think.

[Boob Johnson]

boob... honestly, thats the first, and hopefully only, time ive ever spoken like that to an old person. i would have followed, but was on my way to work and just didnt have time. although... after the way i spoke, my following her probably would have lead to a heart attack. :(

and btw... i dont plan to get old. got enough pains now and im only 23. hate to think what my knees are gonna be like in 10 or 20 years. sure as hell wont be riding i dont think.
I know you are a sweetheart, only met you briefly but was enough time to see you are a lovely person :sunny:

Fear of death & or injury can create a knee jerk reaction, been there before myself, sincerely hope im not in that situation again but when it comes to elderly folk its a different matter altogether, as you know. Spending time at an old folks home is a pretty humbling experience.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

Your alertness and reading ahead certainly paid off. I bet the adrenalin was pumping for a while.

[sunhuntin]

yeh, mum used to clean at an old folks home. she also went weekly to visit some of her favourites. she arrived several times to find one woman either naked in the shower, freezing, or naked on the toilet covered in faeces. the nurses there were beyond shit, didnt give a rats about the residents. mums made me promise not to put her in that home.

bmw... yeh. i had to have a rest before starting, lol. but i was still riled up when i got inside.

[Badjelly]

i dont plan to get old. got enough pains now and im only 23. hate to think what my knees are gonna be like in 10 or 20 years. sure as hell wont be riding i dont think.

Ya bloody wuss!

Anyway, you can always get new knees.

[sunhuntin]

lmfao... why dya think ive got the virago? means i can hook my ankles over the footpegs and press a sore knee against the motor.

new knees... now thats something i dream about! lol.