Safe or unsafe

**FJRider** · 27th February 2020, 20:14

Originally Posted by TheDemonLord

No change to the Legislation, however it sounds like from the Judge's interpretation that it may now be precedent that a defense against the charge of Dangerous driving (not speeding) will be to prove, absent citing the speed, that there was Danger.

The precedent was set when "Motorcycling" was found to be "Dangerous" ... after that ... it was all downhill. The danger itself wasn't putting people off ... but is often the reason people ride.

Danger was not the issue in this case ... as no other factors were involved in the incident ... like other traffic. Road conditions and weather were good. Speed was the only issue. This has always been the case. I have known of similar results in court ... and for the same reason. One recently in a car at a higher speed.

Remember ... 40 km/hr over the posted limit and you're walking ... you know the risks ... your choice.

**Berries** · 27th February 2020, 20:52

Originally Posted by Moi

Would I want to attempt such speed in a Suzuki Swift? Doubt it. What about an SUV? No way!

Have you driven in the UK, or Europe? There will be Suzuki Swifts and SUVs banging along the motorways at 130 to 40km/h every day without blowing the pistons through the bonnet, taking flight or melting due to friction from the passing air.

Well, with a clear bit of road.

**SaferRides** · 27th February 2020, 21:12

I've gone a bit stupid in a Swift I rented in Queenstown. Keep the revs up and they go well and stick to the road. But I would not want to crash in one. Not exactly a solid build.

**Berries** · 27th February 2020, 21:55

Bloody tourists.

**Jeeper** · 27th February 2020, 22:44

Originally Posted by Berries

Have you driven in the UK, or Europe? There will be Suzuki Swifts and SUVs banging along the motorways at 130 to 40km/h every day without blowing the pistons through the bonnet, taking flight or melting due to friction from the passing air.

Well, with a clear bit of road.

Suzuki Swift comes in 3-4 different engine variations. If it's 1.0l version, it would be interesting. But the 1.4l turbo (in Swift Sport) with 6 speed transmission would be fine at those speed on good roads. But I wouldn't do that on most NZ public roads. Not much margin of error on roads here.

**Scuba_Steve** · 28th February 2020, 10:07

Originally Posted by Jeeper

I said same driver ability. Comparing like for like, car makes a huge difference in how they behave in like situations.

Again a good driver shouldn't be putting the vehicle beyond it's capabilities. Again making the driver the most dominate feature in vehicle safety
I've never driven a Swift but I've taken a C20 Vanette to 140km/h and had no problem with safety, I'd dare say the capabilities of the Swift far exceed the Vanette.

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Your next post after this one trys to talk around this post. You said 'only'. In capitals.

If you've ever driven a tiny little shitbox, say my old flatmates daihatsu, it felt unstable at much more than 50 and you could induce ever increasing oscillations by tweaking the wheel going uphill.

In an emergency move I think my van would be safer, and a modern car with abs, braking stabilisers and decent dampers would help most people be safer.

All this stuff is BEFORE impact.

I claim internet bragging rights and you can imagine me doing a little victory dance. Except I'm tired so I'm not really.

Most situations don't call for those features they only kick in when the driver has exceeded the standard capabilities of the vehicle. So yea maybee saying ONLY on on impact was an exaggeration, they can help in 'shit done fucked' situations; but fact remains the driver is the biggest safety feature (or hazard) a vehicle has. Nothing affects the safety of a vehicle more than the driver

**onearmedbandit** · 28th February 2020, 10:15

Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve

but fact remains the driver is the biggest safety feature (or hazard) a vehicle has. Nothing affects the safety of a vehicle more than the driver

We all knew that already, it's just that wasn't what you said.

**SaferRides** · 28th February 2020, 12:07

You should see all the safety stuff on the 2019 Corolla I rented last week, including autonomous emergency braking. And it read the speed limit signs and told you off if you went 5 km/h over. I turned that feature off very quickly.

**F5 Dave** · 28th February 2020, 12:24

Yeah Dads Sooburroo does all that shit with eyes off the road warning which would be a boon for sleepy drivers (who hopefully take a hint and pull over).

The autonomous braking was awesome and decided to kick in just before I pressed the brake pedal when someone slowed to avoid someone else pulling out on open road. I hovered my foot above the pedal to see what happened as it braked fairly heavily. It was conservative but quicker to react than I was. In certain circumstances it will save collisions I'm sure. I was well impressed.

Cue detractors of technology, making us worse drivers blah blah. Go.

**Berries** · 28th February 2020, 13:30

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

The autonomous braking was awesome and decided to kick in just before I pressed the brake pedal when someone slowed to avoid someone else pulling out on open road. I hovered my foot above the pedal to see what happened as it braked fairly heavily. It was conservative but quicker to react than I was. In certain circumstances it will save collisions I'm sure. I was well impressed.

Cue detractors of technology, making us worse drivers blah blah. Go.

Well.......

Have been driving a new Corolla at work with all these bells and whistles. I do like the adaptive cruise control, it means you don't have to concentrate on driving quite so much. Pain in the arse when you follow a car in to an urban area which then pulls off and you end up accelerating away with a clear road ahead.

The autonomous braking has caught me out twice. The first time the car in front indicates to turn left off a rural road. It slows, I slow and I check the way is clear to go past him and as I pull out my car suddenly brakes. Probably would have been hit if someone was behind me and about to follow suit. The second time was on what we call a motorway down here where the slip lane on the right had stationary traffic queuing back from traffic lights but the main road and through lane curves away to the left and was free flowing (Andy Bay Road for those who know it). My car thinks I am going to hit a stationary car in the slip lane and brakes very hard. Anyone behind me would think I was a right twat. I can see the safety benefits of this system but it needs some work on the Toyota.

A new game is using the lane assist and seeing how far you can drive with no steering input. It must scare oncoming traffic with the car weaving to keep centered in the lane. It does make me think how many of these tourists we see in late model rentals weaving all over the road are just playing the same game?

Oh yes -

**HenryDorsetCase** · 28th February 2020, 16:44

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Yeah Dads Sooburroo does all that shit with eyes off the road warning which would be a boon for sleepy drivers (who hopefully take a hint and pull over).

The autonomous braking was awesome and decided to kick in just before I pressed the brake pedal when someone slowed to avoid someone else pulling out on open road. I hovered my foot above the pedal to see what happened as it braked fairly heavily. It was conservative but quicker to react than I was. In certain circumstances it will save collisions I'm sure. I was well impressed.

Cue detractors of technology, making us worse drivers blah blah. Go.

I'm a terrible driver (ask SWMBO) and all those things sound good to me.

**actungbaby** · 28th February 2020, 18:10

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Very strange reporting (if it can be called that) by Stuff again

Initially there is a non biased report on the judgement and suddenly and opinion piece from the AA. The original piece was sensible I thought but I suppose this makes better click bait.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/119...e-aassociation

By the AA's thinking 50kph will always be dangerous as well. Even walking has an element of danger and of course the AA always knows more that the Judge - pfft...

Yeah I was in court .there kid lived next door to this cop.was ovbovious cop had in for him.judge goes to him I got word of cop of 30 years or yours
I was thinking this cop threaten to frame my dad.because my dad was bit outspoken.so am thinking he but of a prick.

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**actungbaby** · 28th February 2020, 18:13

Originally Posted by Jeeper

Not entirely correct. Grip and aerodynamics play a big role when cars start exceeding 100+ kmph. Suzuki Swift doing 148 kmph is more likely to contribute to loss of control, versus Lamborghini Avantador at the same speed, driver ability and road conditions.

Not to mention wheelbase and also engine just ticking over in comparison . brakes car like chould reach brake to standstill quicker.

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