Speeding facts vs fiction

[yevjenko]

they're talkin about it from the '80s.
it wouldn't be completely a bad idea.
here we have insurance companies that offer a lower price if you agree to put a gps box which constantly records your speed...

They all ready are. Tower have an app to run on your smart phone that records driving style and offers rebates if you have a 'safe driving style'

No way I'm putting that on my phone



One way to improve driving quality would be get rid of automatic boxes cars (impractical i know). Since moving over here i notice the low standard of driving, and can't help wondering if it's because there are many auto's that let people switch off on the road compared to Europe. You're certainly more involved in the car if you have to think about engine revs and gear ratios


sent from my phone (so scuze auto correct typos)

[R650R]

OK, It won't do 150 either, so I guess I'm safe on that bike.

Apparently they will with one hand behind your back and chin on the handlebars...

One way to improve driving quality would be get rid of automatic boxes cars (impractical i know). Since moving over here i notice the low standard of driving, and can't help wondering if it's because there are many auto's that let people switch off on the road compared to Europe. You're certainly more involved in the car if you have to think about engine revs and gear ratios


sent from my phone (so scuze auto correct typos)

Automatic transmissions actually enable you to concentrate on driving more. I was always a diehard manual gear fan, never owned an automatic car. Even mastered Eaton roadranger 13/15/18speed, slip shifting without clutch etc...
Then my boss at time gave me keys to brand new R580 scania with autotransmission (12speed tiptronic style with clutch for start and stop).
I was converted pretty quick then I sat down and did the maths and realised how many gear changes during a night I would make. Even though its second nature and you do it without thinking it still uses a few concentration dollars to steal a keith code line. Sure there's a few quirks and situations where you need to over ride but that's about 0.0001% of time spent driving.
A few years later time to upgrade car and went for auto and never looked back.

[Big Dog]

When I sat my license you had to do it in a manual unless you wanted an auto only license.
I mostly drive autos now but I do believe having the understanding of what is happening as you are driving is essential to driving safely. I always find re driving of those who can't drive stick frightening.

Auto all the way in Dorkland though. Not enough opportunity to benefit from the clutch in stand still traffic.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Erelyes]

A few years later time to upgrade car and went for auto and never looked back.

Autos can be handy but they are pigs on hills sometimes.

My 06 Outback 3.0 is fairly competent in the torque stakes, but with the 5spd auto, it still 'hunts' between 3rd/4th going up a hill at 90-100. You have to chuck it in tippy and tell it what to do (suppose that's not much different to a manual).

What gets me is even with the cruise control on, it keeps the same throttle when dropping a gear.... it should work out there is extra load and hold the gear til the hill is done.

Maybe the modern ones are better (aside from being 7+ speed)

[R650R]

Autos can be handy but they are pigs on hills sometimes.

Yeah I'll give you that, my 2.5L annoys the hell out of me on Napier-Taupo road on big hills.
The new truck ones are a different act, much smarter though I'm waiting for them to link GPS to them so they know what terrain their on...

[Scuba_Steve]

Automatic transmissions actually enable you to concentrate on driving more. I was always a diehard manual gear fan, never owned an automatic car. Even mastered Eaton roadranger 13/15/18speed, slip shifting without clutch etc...
Then my boss at time gave me keys to brand new R580 scania with autotransmission (12speed tiptronic style with clutch for start and stop).
I was converted pretty quick then I sat down and did the maths and realised how many gear changes during a night I would make. Even though its second nature and you do it without thinking it still uses a few concentration dollars to steal a keith code line. Sure there's a few quirks and situations where you need to over ride but that's about 0.0001% of time spent driving.
A few years later time to upgrade car and went for auto and never looked back.

But as per someone else post back a bit, humans can only concentrate on 1 thing for so long; a manual allows you to concentrate on the road longer as auto's tend to end up putting people into "cruise control". This might be & probably is different in big rigs but for the avg driver the auto allows them time to look at the scenery & goto sleep
Course then there's the technical reasons why manuals are better like control of vehicle & no delay but most drivers cant so those advantages aren't of concern

[Urano]

What you talking bout willis?

tachograph?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachograph

in europe it's standard (and required) equipment on any heavy vehicle (buses, truck, work stuff...)

One way to improve driving quality would be get rid of automatic boxes cars (impractical i know). Since moving over here i notice the low standard of driving, and can't help wondering if it's because there are many auto's that let people switch off on the road compared to Europe. You're certainly more involved in the car if you have to think about engine revs and gear ratios

mh.
consider that many drivers can't even bear to think at the distance from the car before.
not sure adding another mental load would generate a better outcome

[unstuck]

tachograph?

Yes, I am quite aware what they are.
What I was wondering is, what makes you think all heavy vehicles here have them?? Cos we is not europe.

[TheDemonLord]

Yeah I'll give you that, my 2.5L annoys the hell out of me on Napier-Taupo road on big hills.
The new truck ones are a different act, much smarter though I'm waiting for them to link GPS to them so they know what terrain their on...

That big looooong hill with the passing lane where every auto can't decide which gear to sit in?

[Urano]

Yes, I am quite aware what they are.
What I was wondering is, what makes you think all heavy vehicles here have them?? Cos we is not europe.

the fact that your regulations are often quite similar to uk

even if this is not the case, we can take it as a gross statistic equivalency: in europe all heavy vehicles have tachs and they're not on the low side of the crash tables. this suggests me that in nz, with or without tach, the numbers could be somehow similar.

[Daffyd]

That big looooong hill with the passing lane where every auto can't decide which gear to sit in?

I don't think this is the problem it used to be with more intelligent autoboxes today.

[Swoop]

Is there any merit in a higher speed limit being applied on some roads? For instance, the new piece of SH from Taupiri through to Hamilton is open, clear and a good piece of road. I'm sure we can all think of similar stretches elsewhere.

Like the Australian freeway system. I know Brisbane is(was?) 110kph and it made a lot of sense.

[yevjenko]

Do it like they do in France, 130 I the dry, 110 or lower in the rain

sent from my phone (so scuze auto correct typos)

[rastuscat]

Set the speed limit at 110. Anyone riding a Harley just do what your bike can manage.

[scumdog]

Set the speed limit at 110. Anyone riding a Harley just do what your bike can manage.

Great! My HD is in MPH!