Campaign aims to dispel bad Asian drivers myth

[Marmoot]

Well if your observations don't coincide with mine I'm at a loss to account for it. But that doesn't alter what I observe on a daily basis. Anyway I can't be arsed having an argument about it. You can neatly try to categorise my comments as racist or something if that suits your particular pre-disposition. Help yourself. They're not though, which is why I made reference to other readily recognisable (by age rather than ethnicity) groups of drivers who similarly stand out out as being, in a disproportionate number of cases, poorer drivers than average. So I guess I'm racist and ageist. Shame on me.

I was not implying that you are racist. However, I do believe your observation was not done objectively enough. It was made against a group just because of partial observation on the fact without looking at the other side to balance and check your conclusion.
I also tried to explore whether your response on incidents caused by other race group would be similar to ones caused by Asian group or not. There is a possibility that you did not view many no-asian incidents simply because you do not observe they are happening (no special bias, resulting in not registered in mind).

Bad Asian drivers are still far from being the majority (definition: 50% + 1) in Asian driver group. Hence the assumption "Asian drivers are bad drivers" are not valid in the situation.

A more proper and useful debate is to focus on how to improve overall NZ driving quality and awareness instead of focusing on finger-pointing. The later would only cause a stereotyping, dissent, racial-hatred, worse assumptions and more finger-pointing.

[Marmoot]

I do. Usually along the lines of, "Stupid Blonde!!" "Fucking old peaple" Cock sucking boy racer" "Idiot Asian" "God Damned Brit" "Jerk ass American"
The last two happend to have thier countries flags on their vehicle. and the "Idiot Asian" does come out more often cause they are the ones that do stupid shit on the road the most. Atleast that I see.

Good on you.

Another question slightly off topic, why are Russians not called Asians? Russia is part of asia isn't it?

my question since I understand the word "superpower"
But they sure hell don't look like Asians as we know it
You sure they are not included in "europe" part?

[The_Dover]

Another question slightly off topic, why are Russians not called Asians? Russia is part of asia isn't it?

It spans two continents. As does Turkey.

The continental divide is along the Ural Mountains.

[Waylander]

my question since I understand the word "superpower"
But they sure hell don't look like Asians as we know it
You sure they are not included in "europe" part?

Nah, Russia is part of the Asian contenint(probably spelled that wrong) so technically they are asians aswell. I think it's more that for peaple that have not spent alot of time in The Orient it's hard to tell the difference between, a Mongolian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean or what have you.

[Fart]

The last two happend to have thier countries flags on their vehicle. and the "Idiot Asian" does come out more often cause they are the ones that do stupid shit on the road the most. Atleast that I see.

There is evidence that American's are buying up all our prime beach front properties and building $20 million holiday homes. You rich bastards ! You guys are vely vely bad people.

[Marmoot]

If europe gets its own continent name despite sharing land border with Asia, how come South America is not considered separate continent? Afterall, it has smaller land border with North America compared to Europe-asia border.

[Fart]

I tried really hard to buy a drivers licence, but they wouldnt sell it to me after all the bad press release. After a long and hard discussion with my girlfriend, I went out and bought myself a packet of Weetbix and found a free licence inside.

Yehhhaaaa ! I can now drive in NZ !

Me vely happy !

[Waylander]

If europe gets its own continent name despite sharing land border with Asia, how come South America is not considered separate continent? Afterall, it has smaller land border with North America compared to Europe-asia border.

Um as far as I'm aware south america is considerd a seperate contenant. Just share the name given them on behalf of the explorer that actually figured out that they were not the Philippines.

[The_Dover]

If europe gets its own continent name despite sharing land border with Asia, how come South America is not considered separate continent? Afterall, it has smaller land border with North America compared to Europe-asia border.

It is.

Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica and Oceania are all seperate continents.

Tectonic plates or some shit.....

[kerryg]

NZ drivers are one of the worst in the world. Most kiwi drivers and riders have delusions of grandeur on the road - we all think we are as good if not better than Rossi and Schumaker.

Yes, I've heard that.

But I think we are at risk of missing the point: what is being discussed here is whether Asian drivers are (on average) worse than even the average (arguably) "awful" NZ driver. I note that that Asians are not over-represented in the RTA statistics and also that the report characterised them as tending to be cautious. Fair enough. It's hesitation, failure to signal, sudden stopping, failing to anticipate, getting in the wrong lane etc. Things that don't necessarily cause accidents but do show poor driving skills and habits, but don't show in statistics. Which means you can't point to hard data and say "see, I'm right". But that doesn't make it incorrect.

[Motu]

And the one that sits at roundabouts for 2 or 3 seconds because she can't figure it out - then no doubt decides the easiest way out of her dilemma is to pull out in front of the oncoming bike , cos it's smaller than her cage.

I work outside a busy roundabout all day,on a good day we can have half a dozen ''accidents'',all races are involved,but Asians are involved in at least 50%,I'd say much more,but 50% is enough by themselves.The dithering and then pulling out is one of their biggest faults.We often hear horns tooting as they miss 4 good chances,then a blaring horn as they pull out on someone.All the accidents here are unreported,just minor dings - no way do LTNZ,the Herald or the Womans Weekly know what's happening daily on our roads.

[Marmoot]

Ooookay....now I just realized this fact:

Five Ways to Count Continents

#1 - Seven Continents
Africa - Antarctica - Asia - Europe
North America - South America - Oceania

#2 - Six Continents
Africa - Antarctica - Eurasia - Oceania
North America - South America

#3 - Six Continents
Africa - America - Antarctica
Asia - Europe - Oceania

#4 - Five Continents
Africa - America - Antarctica
Eurasia - Oceania

#5 - Four Continents
Eurafrasia - America - Antarctica - Oceania

And this is the entry in Wikipedia.com

The 7-continent model is usually taught in Western Europe, the United States, Australia, and much of Asia. In Canada, the government-approved Atlas of Canada names 7 continents and teaches Oceania instead of Australia. The 6-continent combined-America model is taught in Iran, and Latin America. The 6-continent Eurasia model is preferred by the scientific community, and as such is commonly found in all parts of the world, but is especially used in Russia and other countries of Eastern Europe, and in Japan. Historians may use the 5-continent model in which North Africa is separated from Sub-Saharan Africa and attached to Eurasia (Jared Diamond) or the 4-continent Afro-Eurasian model (Andre Gunder Frank).

Yes, America can be split into 2, and Russia can be included in Asia or not is entirely up to your point-of-view.

Wow. I've been quite wrong for some time and thought they are only America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe.

[judgeshock]

Yes, I've heard that.

But I think we are at risk of missing the point: what is being discussed here is whether Asian drivers are (on average) worse than even the average (arguably) "awful" NZ driver. I note that that Asians are not over-represented in the RTA statistics and also that the report characterised them as tending to be cautious. Fair enough. It's hesitation, failure to signal, sudden stopping, failing to anticipate, getting in the wrong lane etc. Things that don't necessarily cause accidents but do show poor driving skills and habits, but don't show in statistics. Which means you can't point to hard data and say "see, I'm right". But that doesn't make it incorrect.

To some extent I agree, however how often do we gather statistics on kiwi drivers? I also believe that the media play a huge part in showing us what is the hot topic of the day, they never seem to show a fair balance to each story.I can't really make a judgement without seeing all the statistics that you have.
I do tend to agree that their may seem to be alot of bad asian drivers out there, but is this somewhat our circle of perception? I guess living in Timaru where the amount of asian drivers is very few, I see lots of useless Kiwi drivers also.
A hot topic either way we look at it.

[Marmoot]

All the accidents here are unreported,just minor dings

That is an understatement. In my experience, minor dings is a more serious crime than burglary

It takes 3-7 days for police to turn up for burglary, but it normally takes them less than 1 hour for minor dings.
Not that I blame the police, of course. They turn up and that's good on them.

[onearmedbandit]

Ha! I'd love to see any average Kiwi driver survive in a big city enviroment for the first time, and for a while after that as well. In my time in Japan saw more traffic that I ever thought possible, and guess what it flowed properly, no one got lost or confused, saw no accidents, only seen one instance of road rage. Saw polite, patient, well educated drivers. Typical Kiwi attitude shown here, blatant ignorant generalisation.

What needs to be addressed in NZ backward laws in certain areas regarding road rules, and the lack of proper driver trsting carried out in this country. To get a licence in Japan costs a lot of money (ie you don't want to fail it at all so you practise lots) and also requires driver training. In NZ it requires a small display of car control and answering a few questions, which I've heard the testers provide the answers to if the applicant is struggling.