Oh, the irony . . .

**WRT** · 27th July 2005, 10:09

The things you see when you dont have a camera on you . . .

Was heading out to east auck last night for the usual tuesday night snooker and beer with the old man. Going down the south eastern arterial, and just over the other side of carbine road where it goes from three lanes down to two, noticed a middle aged lady driving one of the ACC company cars (you know the ones, big "ACC ThinkSafe" logos plastered all over them) edging up on the car in front so the guy in the right hand lane couldnt merge in front of her. Typical Auckland-style driving, but unfortunately for her, the guy in the other lane was driving some beat up old stationwagon, and just held his line - merge like a zipper lady, merge like a zipper . . .

Eventually, just when you think a collision is inevitable, the lady in the ACC car gives way and drops back in behind him. As we keep travelling down the motorway, we pass through the traffic lights (at not much more than a crawl) at Waipuna, and head up onto the Waipuna bridge - the whole time the lady keeps right on this guys date. As we head over the bridge, speeds increase until we are doing upwards of 70, and still the lady is glued to the guys bumper, maintaining a following distance of no more than maybe a meter to a meter and a half.

Its about this time that I am actually starting to get worried. Not only is it rush hour traffic, but there is a kid in the passenger seat of the ACC car (looks about 10-12yo), its going on dusk so the vis is pretty poor, plus its raining and the roads are as greasy as.

Not to mention, plastered across her bumper, in 6" high lettering, is the slogan . . . .

"Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule".

**zadok** · 27th July 2005, 10:15

Irony alright! Not a good advertisment for the ACC. Don't you just hate it when you are keeping a safe following distance, especially in the wet, and some idiot ducks in front of you.!?

**Motu** · 27th July 2005, 10:25

Oh for a camera eh? I do my bit to keep Auckland's motorways flowing....by allowing a safe following distance for everyone else to move into,it is tempting when you see someone move up the inside with their eye obviously on your 2 sec of space....

Mind you I can talk - a few days ago after carefully going through my lane changing routine of carefully checking everywhere around me,putting on my left indicator and moving over....I see a huge truck 2ft off my rear! The bastard had moved up into the vacant space,my intentions were obvious,but he was having none of it!

**vifferman** · 27th July 2005, 10:26

Originally Posted by zadok

Irony alright! Not a good advertisment for the ACC. Don't you just hate it when you are keeping a safe following distance, especially in the wet, and some idiot ducks in front of you.!?

Yes.
Waddyameanthemessageistooshort??!
Alright - Yes. Yes I do. Hate that. Hate stupid messages too.

**WRT** · 27th July 2005, 10:53

Originally Posted by Motu

Mind you I can talk - a few days ago after carefully going through my lane changing routine of carefully checking everywhere around me,putting on my left indicator and moving over....I see a huge truck 2ft off my rear! The bastard had moved up into the vacant space,my intentions were obvious,but he was having none of it!

There's your first mistake, never indicate, it only gives away your next move . . .

**unhingedlizard** · 27th July 2005, 11:19

I find in the situation where someone takes you 2seconds of space. Merely slow to recover your space and realise that people that drive like this dont do it once. Sooner or later it will catch them out.

At least this happens at realitivly low speeds. Coming out of the village I live in on the way to work there is a 80 limit fotr a while as kids stand on the side of the road waiting of r the school bus. Was headin out on the way to work, had a BMW and a car transporter behind me. BMW overtakes the transporter but as there is a bend and a narrow bridge at the end of the 80b limit he pulls in behind me. A Vw Toureg 4x4 overtakes the transporter and the BMW and trys to force me off the road so he doesnt hit the truck that has appeared coming over the bridge. he then PULLS OVER!!!! to let a kid out on the road side before appearing behind me and overtaking again in a 30limit due to roadworks, showering me and the workers with stones. Rest assured Buddy, you number plate has been giving to the police, who reckon its a dagerous driving charge for you. Fuckwit.