FknAmerican's First Rant

[Ocean1]

Perhaps we've always had the careless and stupid amongst us, and we've just made it too easy to (a) obtain licences, and (b) not have to demonstrate that we are worthy (or competent or have changed our behaviours sufficiently) of getting their licence back after losing it.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Personally I don't care if careless and stupid drivers/riders are rehabilitated or not, as long as they're off the road I'll be happy. I could support a policy whereby the loss of a licence meant having to undergo advanced training before reinstatement, as long as the cost was coverec by the pary concerned. I'd be a tough bastard too, people tend not to change their day to day behaviour without a bit of pain...

[pritch]

Perhaps we've always had the careless and stupid amongst us, and we've just made it too easy to (a) obtain licences, and (b) not have to demonstrate that we are worthy (or competent or have changed our behaviours sufficiently) of getting their licence back after losing it.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Nobody I know in the motor trade would disagree with any of that. Even a retired Senior Chief Traffic Officer friend would agree with it - now. Although he wouldn't while he was in the job, and while Police did the licence tests.

The only little ray of sunshine I see is that the idea of a kilowat rule such as in use somewhere in Australia has now been floated. I can see that mums might not find this convenient. The little darlings might have to attend a driving school instead of picking up their parents bad habits. Bugger!

A system that roughly parallels the motorcycle licencing system sounds good to me. Nobody under the age of 25 allowed to drive a "performance" car. Brilliant! (It is known that the brain isn't fully developed until 25, some conceal it very well even after that).

I must be getting old but all that sounds great to me.

[bell]

The only little ray of sunshine I see is that the idea of a kilowat rule such as in use somewhere in Australia has now been floated. I can see that mums might not find this convenient. The little darlings might have to attend a driving school instead of picking up their parents bad habits. Bugger!

A system that roughly parallels the motorcycle licencing system sounds good to me. Nobody under the age of 25 allowed to drive a "performance" car. Brilliant! (It is known that the brain isn't fully developed until 25, some conceal it very well even after that).

Yeah, I'm unsure how well that engine size/kilowatt stuff has worked in Australia. I think it's a very sound idea though. From memory when I got my Queensland "P" plate (Provisional licence) for the car it was for a 3 year period and in that time you could only accumulate 4 demerit points. My memory sucks somedays but IIRC you'd be looking at 3 points for a 21-30 k's over the limit ticket. Get that ticket on a public-holiday-long-weekend or during school holidays and the $ value of the fine and the demerit points is doubled! Start walking sonny....

Re driving lessons: a friend from the Netherlands has told me how expensive it is to get your licence over there. It is several thousand Euros all up by the time you've had the compulsory number of lessons. Then you sit the test.

I guess it could work if it was mandatory to have x number of lessons with an approved driving instructor.

[BarryG]

Man, you are lucky you don't live in South Florida! You'd really have something to rant about then.

I'm not sure I've been anywhere in the world lately where the standards of driving could be called even marginally competent - Portugal, NZ, US east and west coasts - the best I can remember was Germany, but that was many years ago.

I suspect that someone who has ridden or rides a motorbike will always be a better driver than someone who hasn't - training for survival always sinks in deeper and lasts longer.

Cheers
Barry

[James Deuce]

We don't "drive" motorcycles in NZ, we ride them.

[Grahameeboy]

I don't like driving an automatic, however, to twist things around a bit, I think that they should help you concentrate on the road more (around town) as you don't have to think about gears.

With big engines an automatic is probably better as the transmission gives you the right gear and kick down, to overtake, has got to be better.

I mean, once you are cruising doesn't matter whether you are in an automatic or manual.....and how many accidents happen on the open road so gears / automatic, doesn't matter.

I am not convinced that riding a scooter or motorbike necessarily makes you a better car driver........well not a scooter anyway.....it is about attitude..if you are an arsehole you will be an arsehole regardless.

We need to stop having a go at car drivers and blaming them for our existence or otherwise..........I find that I encounter have just as many non-alert drivers driving my large people carrier as I do riding my bike and there are also a few bikers who fall into the 'category'.....on the bridge last night the biker in front of me just changed lanes in front of me without indicating and then of course there are the 'bike racers' on KBer rides.

Easy to blame others but we hold our own existence in our own hands.

[Grahameeboy]

We don't "drive" motorcycles in NZ, we ride them.

Morning Jim Sir............"going for a ride in the car"......I am confused now.

[Grahameeboy]

.....now you got me thinking..."can I have a lift in your car"...........no there is not enough room!!

[terbang]

I'm not sure I've been anywhere in the world lately where the standards of driving could be called even marginally competent - Portugal, NZ, US east and west coasts - the best I can remember was Germany, but that was many years ago.

Its still good in Germany, all part of the way they (germans) do things. Ironicly enough the German Motorway system (Autobahn) has a lot of areas with no speed limit. Now that can be fun and fine for those with the right frame of mind but very lethal for a dick head to be loosed onto.

[FkNAmerican]

Griff, by "the rest of the world fades away" I meant everything else in the world fades away other then what Im taking in as a driver......thought that bit was obvious!!! Let me clarify: When Im on the motorcycle, every other worry in my life, be it school ,work, relationships, etc.....it all goes out the window and is replaced by the act of driving well and all the things that go along with that!

[kiwifruit]

motorists should have to ride a bike before they are allowed to apply for a car licence imho

basic bike handling course, on the dirt
basic bike handling course, on the road
1 year on a bike with less than 30hp
1 year on a bike with more than 30hp
then
basic car control, on the (wet) grass
basic car control, on the seal

etc etc

or ban all motor vehicles (best)

[bell]

Let me clarify: When Im on the motorcycle, every other worry in my life, be it school ,work, relationships, etc.....it all goes out the window and is replaced by the act of driving well and all the things that go along with that!

Eh?! Your bike has windows!?

Sorry...just had to. I'll go back to lurking now.