NZ Road Toll Now Higher Than Last Year

**Grahameeboy** · 12th January 2006, 12:32

Originally Posted by scumdog

But it's hard to legislate against 'stupid' and the incidents I mentioned ALL happened because a stupid person was driving too FAST - and you can legislate against a certain amount of that.

Yep on of the cars was the old Honda, take the 'stupid' out and MAYBE they might not have gone so fast (yeah right!) but if they hadn't been going so quick there's a good chance they wouldn't have crashed and/or the injuries to bad.
Young people = "Never going to happen to ME!" and "Yeah yeah, what the hell do YOU know?"

I agree you cannot legislate for stupidity.......although I suppose the new Drag Laws sort of cover that.......you can Educate (which is lacking) but then if you are stupid can you be educated....it is a tough one to solve as these things tend to be 'of the moment' and despite road toll which is all over the papers, it still goes on.......
I guess it just shows that we are human with the basic frailties......
But take away the stupidity and speed can still be safe......so the cause is stupidity and if you crash, because of stupidity, then the speed affects the outcome.......it is a roundabout debate eh

**Lou Girardin** · 12th January 2006, 13:47

Originally Posted by scumdog

Last five out of six crashes down here had SPEED as a major factor including the fatal (side by side at 150kph going over a hump in the road).

Speed as a major factor?
They would have died at 100 km/h. Stupidity was the major factor, speed just ensured they were moving.
If you want trauma reduction, legislate for safer cars, build safer roads.
What that? It costs money rather than earns it?
Well we can't have that can we?

**inlinefour** · 12th January 2006, 15:53

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Speed as a major factor?
They would have died at 100 km/h. Stupidity was the major factor, speed just ensured they were moving.
If you want trauma reduction, legislate for safer cars, build safer roads.
What that? It costs money rather than earns it?
Well we can't have that can we?

I thought the sudden loss of speed was the problem when it came to physical trauma?:spudwhat:

**scumdog** · 12th January 2006, 16:23

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Speed as a major factor?
They would have died at 100 km/h. Stupidity was the major factor, speed just ensured they were moving.
If you want trauma reduction, legislate for safer cars, build safer roads.
What that? It costs money rather than earns it?
Well we can't have that can we?

You'll never get cars or roads safe enough, they'll still kill each other just the same......they'll find a way.

**Lou Girardin** · 12th January 2006, 16:25

Originally Posted by scumdog

You'll never get cars or roads safe enough, they'll still kill each other just the same......they'll find a way.

Well, why try and deny Darwins theory?
I say let 'em die and it's one less dickhead liable to take me out.

**scumdog** · 12th January 2006, 16:27

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Well, why try and deny Darwins theory?
I say let 'em die and it's one less dickhead liable to take me out.

The catch is Lou, they may well take YOU out too....

**Lou Girardin** · 13th January 2006, 07:21

Originally Posted by scumdog

The catch is Lou, they may well take YOU out too....

Haven't yet in 38 years of 'enthusiastic' driving/riding.
*touches huge lump of wood*
(only the good die young)

**spudchucka** · 13th January 2006, 08:59

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Well, why try and deny Darwins theory?
I say let 'em die and it's one less dickhead liable to take me out.

Thats fine until they darwin somebody that didn't deserve it. If all they did was drive at high speed into solid concrete walls there wouldn't be a problem but it seems that the idiots cars are magnetically attracted to cars driven by innocent folk who are just trying to get from point A to point B.

**Lou Girardin** · 13th January 2006, 11:11

Originally Posted by spudchucka

Thats fine until they darwin somebody that didn't deserve it. If all they did was drive at high speed into solid concrete walls there wouldn't be a problem but it seems that the idiots cars are magnetically attracted to cars driven by innocent folk who are just trying to get from point A to point B.

You know as well as I do that both party's contribute to many accidents, if only in a small way.
Like the people that insist on hugging the white line, it doesn't leave them any options when someone else crosses it.

**madboy** · 13th January 2006, 11:50

Harsh call, Lou. I agree to an extent, there are plenty of "innocent" incompetents out there that wouldn't have the skills or common sense to "avoid" an accident. But at the end of the day it's not their fault Jimmy Numbnuts comes flying over a blind corner on the wrong side of the road.

Competence and defensive driving skills may avoid the accident, but I'd be inclined to put 98% on Mr Numbnuts and 2% on Mr Innocent.

Most people, me included, will be pretty quick to take a swipe at bastard drivers who don't indicate when lane changing. But you could also suggest that the rider should have known better and not put themselves in that position by being more defensive in their riding style.

**Lou Girardin** · 13th January 2006, 13:42

Originally Posted by madboy

Competence and defensive driving skills may avoid the accident, but I'd be inclined to put 98% on Mr Numbnuts and 2% on Mr Innocent.

Probably about right.
But shouldn't the basics be taught? Things like maintaining a safety cushion, looking 12 seconds ahead. Even really basic stuff like correct driving position.
The number of driving instructors that used to come in with their students jammed up against the wheel, even sitting on cushions FFS, would amaze you.