Italy or NZ?

[Mekk]

Here is an article by Mr Harold that provides an interesting perspective.

OK, admittedly I cracked up laughing at the thought of an angry blind person beating cars with their stick...but then I did some comparative thinking.

This is an example of what can happen when authorities are more relaxed on things like traffic regulations.

A lot of people bitch about how they got a ticket or how this law is too strict or whatever, but personally I'd prefer our system to theirs after reading things like this.

Their attitude towards pedestrians no doubt extends to motorcyclists, so I thought it'd be interesting to get your thoughts on it. Would you prefer their system with an increased risk to your safety and having to battle for the road, or ours where the regulations are much stricter?

[Romeo]

Here is an article by Mr Harold that provides an interesting perspective.

I was wondering why the link went straight to Wikipedia, turns out you have two http://Http:// in your link.

Anyways, the story seems pretty grim I must say, they all seem pretty barbaric over there ;s!

[Mekk]

Oops! Have fixed.

[MVnut]

Italy's rules are quite relaxed but they work better than here.

[mbazza]

At least our seatbelt stats are bit higher than reported here! Cheers

[Mekk]

Italy's rules are quite relaxed but they work better than here.

You reckon that article's just another over-hyped Harold attack?

[swbarnett]

At least our seatbelt stats are bit higher than reported here! Cheers

That's one law I'd like to see removed completely. Although I would never drive a cage without one who am I going to hurt if I crash without it? Comes down to personal choice about one's own safety (the same applies to helmets).

[MaxCannon]

Having just come back from Italy a month ago the traffic over there is total chaos.

but - I didn't see any accidents, plenty of near misses.

You certainly need to pay attention crossing the road as drivers almost never stop at pedestrial crossings .

[Katman]

Comes down to personal choice about one's own safety (the same applies to helmets).

No, it comes down to trying to lower the cost to the country (i.e. taxpayer) from serious injury caused by motor vehicle accidents.

[Brian d marge]

No, it comes down to trying to lower the cost to the country (i.e. taxpayer) from serious injury caused by motor vehicle accidents.

yup I would agree with that ,, we have insurance ,,no insurance no picky uppee the pieces

our police do sweet FA

they do a speed check the same place every week

Stephen

[swbarnett]

No, it comes down to trying to lower the cost to the country (i.e. taxpayer) from serious injury caused by motor vehicle accidents.

We have a sad lack of personal responsibility in this country.

By your reckoning I should be prohibited from climbing a mountain (or riding a bike for that matter) because of the increased risk that places me in and the relative cost increase to our health system.

I have a right to partake in any activity I choice that does not directly harm others. If you choose to pick up the pieces the responsibility for that decision is yours, not mine. You may choose not to pay for any injuries sustained in a car while not wearing a seatbelt. That decision would be yours and I respect that. You do not have the right to say I must wear one. That decision is mine to make.

Would you have the government stop paying for all smoking related illnesses? Not fund hospital stays for race drivers, pedestrians crossing against the lights, suicide attempts? Where would it end?

[swbarnett]

Having just come back from Italy a month ago the traffic over there is total chaos.

but - I didn't see any accidents, plenty of near misses.

I drove in Genova a few years back (admittedly not Rome). When I first entered the city I couldn't make head nor tail of what was going on. After 15minutes of careful observation I caught the methodology and started to have fun. I found the traffic far more predictable than here. It seems to me that everyone drives to the same set of unwritten rules, unlike here where everyone seems to have their own view on how to behave on the road.

Maybe all those near misses were actually because the drivers can be trusted to act in a certain way and therefore a smaller gap is required.

[Brian d marge]

We have a sad lack of personal responsibility in this country.

By your reckoning I should be prohibited from climbing a mountain (or riding a bike for that matter) because of the increased risk that places me in and the relative cost increase to our health system.

I have a right to partake in any activity I choice that does not directly harm others. If you choose to pick up the pieces the responsibility for that decision is yours, not mine. You may choose not to pay for any injuries sustained in a car while not wearing a seatbelt. That decision would be yours and I respect that. You do not have the right to say I must wear one. That decision is mine to make.

Would you have the government stop paying for all smoking related illnesses? Not fund hospital stays for race drivers, pedestrians crossing against the lights, suicide attempts? Where would it end?

I5ts called insurance ,,, no insurance no hospital , See the kiwis who were lost in the mountains here , no insurance dispite being told ... search party didnt bother ,

The police here dont care , they do have a moan once in a while , but they basically do nothing ... why cause the government aint paying ,,,,I am ,,,

If I dont wear a seat belt and go through the window ,,,I pay the costs , If I have insurance , a few months later I get most of the money back

No insurance ,,,,I pay the full amount ,,,,which is HUGE ....

The health system here is good ...( you can call an ambulance for anything and people do !!!
My boy had a fever so we took him to the big hospital , the poor boy had EVERY test , inclucing a cat scan and spinal tap ....cost about 60 bucks after insurance

Stephen

[swbarnett]

I5ts called insurance ,,, no insurance no hospital , ...

Exactly. I lived in Switzerland for two years. There everyone is required by law to have health insurance. If you can't afford it the government pays (just for the insurance). The health system is one of the best in the world. They will even fly you free of charge to the nearest approved country for treatment if you happen to be overseas at the time (assuming you're well enough to travel).

[SPman]

Having just come back from Italy a month ago the traffic over there is total chaos.

but - I didn't see any accidents, plenty of near misses.

You certainly need to pay attention crossing the road as drivers almost never stop at pedestrial crossings .

Surely you mean plenty of near hits - if they were near misses, they would have hit each other - as in "he nearly missed".............

perhaps the chaos over there means that the drivers are more attuned to the road and conditions - they arent lulled into the "Im going slow - I'm safe - I don't have to pay attention to whats going on.
Also,most Italians LOVE motor vehicles, including bikes.......