Police saving our lives again

[Edbear]

Every road has what I call a 'natural speed'...a speed at which one is comfortable negotiating that road in safety. Trouble is, that speed is different for each of us. Factors such as what vehicle, it's condition, weather, experience, ability all come into play (assuming a free run with no Mabels in the way). It is patently obvious that some roads are rated too slow, but as riders we try to avoid them, except as a means of getting to the roads that present a challenge, even at legal speeds.

That's the key point here. You and I might be quite capable of doubling the open road speed limit, or cruising at 140km/h and be quite safe, but the great unwashed can barely control their vehicle at 70km/h! I've been passenger in a lot of vehicles and the driving standards have been disturbing and even frightening at times.

So what is the best compromise for a realistic speed limit and who should make that decision?

Certainly I deplore the acceptance of driving standards by the authorities, especially with immigrants! Far too many are allowed behind the wheel without what I would consider a minimum level of competence. Generally the NZ Licencing system is okay IMHO, and the kids learning to drive today are doing very well. Notable is the fact that it is the 20 somethings causing the most carnage, with immigrant/tourist drivers about the next highest offender's.

[MSTRS:Me]

Notable is the fact that it is the 20 somethings causing the most carnage....

I think you will find that it always was. (Most) learners tend to respect their lack of skill and experience, but give them a couple of years ...
It's the 40ish born again bikers that are the anomoly.

[BigG]

It's the bleeding Roads

[MSTRS:Me]

Hasn't been hot enough...yet.

[shrub]

That's the key point here. You and I might be quite capable of doubling the open road speed limit, or cruising at 140km/h and be quite safe, but the great unwashed can barely control their vehicle at 70km/h! I've been passenger in a lot of vehicles and the driving standards have been disturbing and even frightening at times.

So what is the best compromise for a realistic speed limit and who should make that decision?

Certainly I deplore the acceptance of driving standards by the authorities, especially with immigrants! Far too many are allowed behind the wheel without what I would consider a minimum level of competence. Generally the NZ Licencing system is okay IMHO, and the kids learning to drive today are doing very well. Notable is the fact that it is the 20 somethings causing the most carnage, with immigrant/tourist drivers about the next highest offender's.

And that's why this blind adherance to speed being the major (and almost sole) cause of crashes is a problem. Instead of dealing with the problem, which is driver skill (and I include riders here), our masters focus on a single issue and wonder why people die on the roads.

[steve_t]

It's the bleeding Roads

Hasn't been hot enough...yet.

[ukusa]

Let's face the reality here. Some people are just better than others at some stuff. no matter how much training, practice or years they put in. Sometimes it's just in the genes.
Sport is a good analogy, eg. 2 kids can grow up playing rugby from a young age, played every game, went to every practice. One is brilliant & makes the AB's, the other is average & doesn't.

Same with driving. Some people can attend as many driving schools as they like, and have 20 years plus experience on the road, but they may never be any better than a good attentive driver who has been driving only 2 years.

We have the ability to improve things a little, but if anyone thinks we can all come up to the same standard they are dreaming.

[Edbear]

And that's why this blind adherance to speed being the major (and almost sole) cause of crashes is a problem. Instead of dealing with the problem, which is driver skill (and I include riders here), our masters focus on a single issue and wonder why people die on the roads.

I do believe the cops do look at driving ability when they're on patrol, but it is an area very hard to quantify with stats. Perhaps the Police on KB can tell us how much effort they put in to general driving standards?

I think you will find that it always was. (Most) learners tend to respect their lack of skill and experience, but give them a couple of years ...
It's the 40ish born again bikers that are the anomoly.

Yep, I agree. I gave myself a fright when I returned in '03. It was riding a modern bike with handling and brakes that saved me turning myself into part of the scenery.

Get a few youngster's together with beer and testosterone flowing freely, egging each other on and all sense of reason gets flushed down the toilet.

[red mermaid]

In conclusion, I think you are all saying...its everyone but me!

[spookytooth]

In conclusion, I think you are all saying...its everyone but me!

No its you definitely

[oldrider]

Basically it all comes down to "attitude" and the population of this country has a "bad attitude" towards almost "every-bloody-thing"! Case closed. IMHO.

[riffer]

Personally, I think it's all the crashers' fault.

[red mermaid]

And how are you supposed to judge a persons total driving skills from a glimpse of maybe 30 seconds of driving?

I do believe the cops do look at driving ability when they're on patrol, but it is an area very hard to quantify with stats. Perhaps the Police on KB can tell us how much effort they put in to general driving standards?

[pritch]

The Police hierarchy have their heads up their collective arse. I'm with Whale Oil (and "Paranormal"):

http://whaleoil.gotcha.co.nz/2010/10...n-road-safety/

[baptist]

...
Certainly I deplore the acceptance of driving standards by the authorities, especially with immigrants! Far too many are allowed behind the wheel without what I would consider a minimum level of competence. Generally the NZ Licencing system is okay IMHO, and the kids learning to drive today are doing very well. Notable is the fact that it is the 20 somethings causing the most carnage, with immigrant/tourist drivers about the next highest offender's.

Think you need to quantify the remarks a little. I am an "immigrant" and when I moved to NZ from the UK, over ten years ago, the first thing I noticed was the crap standard of driving on the roads here and it has not improved (and our driving test was mickey mouse!). I was raised in London, way more traffic, and way more discipline in driving, ditto on the motorways. One thing also was that in those days (I believe it has changed now) the cops would not give a ticket on the motorway for anything under 85mph They were more concerned with poor lane changes etc.