Aging motorcyclists - Close Up tonight 30/11/10

[Voltaire]

Improve driver attention....
Replace the air bag in the steering wheel with a big steel spike 100 mm long aimed at the drivers chest, fit it to all cars....that would improve driving standards in a flash.

If the Police think speed is the main problem why don't they restict the power to experience ratio.
Cars these days are so comfortable, quiet and easy to drive with loud stereos that the driver is in a world of his own....often miles away concentration wise.

[Ocean1]

Practically any Western European licensing system.

However where the point you've raised comes to the fore is that respect for individual human life takes a precedence over individual "needs" in a lot of Western European cultures. Their approach to life is different to our "me first" attitude, hence why political protest is so effective in those cultures.

A licence in NZ has no value. Neither does anyone else's life you or I share the road with.

In any respect that matters regarding driving behaviour ours IS a Western European culture. A pre-70's one, true. But nonetheless... their driving is superior to ours? Their accident rate less? Have you ever driven in the any of those Western European roads? I think your taking the piss.

I think any difference in their aproach to life is more likely to be explained by the last 3 or 4 decades of changes in the way they, (and us) see the value of life in general. It's supersized. Fucking long but not a lot in it.

[Katman]

Improve driver attention....
Replace the air bag in the steering wheel with a big steel spike 100 mm long aimed at the drivers chest, fit it to all cars....that would improve driving standards in a flash.

They should outlaw motorcycle helmets too.

[bogan]

How many driver hours were clocked up on NZ roads last year?
And how many hours did it take before someone died?
How did that stack up compared to the other ways people choose to die?
Anyone?

Dunno about hours, but on a yearly basis, for 100 years behind the wheel you got a 1 in 82 chance of carking it in a crash, behind the bars this is 1 in 20. Figures are fairly approximate.

Not sure how this stacks up to other ways, but I have about a 1 in a bajillion chance of getting to 100 years of riding anyway

[James Deuce]

In any respect that matters regarding driving behaviour ours IS a Western European culture. A pre-70's one, true. But nonetheless... their driving is superior to ours? Their accident rate less? Have you ever driven in the any of those Western European roads? I think your taking the piss.

I think any difference in their aproach to life is more likely to be explained by the last 3 or 4 decades of changes in the way they, (and us) see the value of life in general. It's supersized. Fucking long but not a lot in it.

Yes I have driven there and it is infinitely preferable to driving in NZ. France, Italy and Switzerland. Better vehicle control, less aggro.

[Katman]

In any respect that matters regarding driving behaviour ours IS a Western European culture. A pre-70's one, true. But nonetheless... their driving is superior to ours? Their accident rate less? Have you ever driven in the any of those Western European roads? I think your taking the piss.

I've driven/ridden in many different countries around the world.

Would I consider NZ drivers/riders to be amongst the worst in the world?

Fuckin oath I would.

[LBD]

I've driven/ridden in many different countries around the world.

Would I consider NZ drivers/riders to be amongst the worst in the world?

Fuckin oath I would.

Among the worst in the world? Not by a along shot....Long way from the best in the world, but miles from the worst...

[James Deuce]

Among the worst in the world? Not by a along shot....Long way from the best in the world, but miles from the worst...

I rate them close to the worst OECD drivers.

[LBD]

I rate them close to the worst OECD drivers.

That is probably more accurate.....

[Ocean1]

Yes I have driven there and it is infinitely preferable to driving in NZ. France, Italy and Switzerland. Better vehicle control, less aggro.

Well at least there’s some definable qualities there. My experiences are slightly different, but it's possible I notice different qualities.

I've driven/ridden in many different countries around the world.

Would I consider NZ drivers/riders to be amongst the worst in the world?

Fuckin oath I would.

Among the worst in the world? Not by a along shot....Long way from the best in the world, but miles from the worst...

I rate them close to the worst OECD drivers.

Numbers, gentlemen. Without numbers you don’t have facts, what you’ve got in an opinion. Colourful as they are they’re useful only for entertainment purposes. Unless I’m profiling NZ motorcyclists.

Dunno about hours, but on a yearly basis, for 100 years behind the wheel you got a 1 in 82 chance of carking it in a crash...

So the actual numbers, (the ones that describe the risks of karking it whilst enjoying a modest fang) are fucking tiny. Not dramatically dissimilar to a number of other common tasks associated with a modern lifestyle.

Cheers.

[rastuscat]

Well, it looks like the best (only?) suggestion to date is to mandate better driver training.

Not sure what you want us Popo to do, as delivering training is not part of our employment. We do the enforcement, others who are better trained at it do the training. Sure, I'm no driving instructor.

One of my blokes (Popo bike-cop) has suggested that we focus exclusively on offences that incur demerits. He says demerits have a far greater coercive effect than fines.

What say you? Should we go for the demerit offences only?

[James Deuce]

Well, it looks like the best (only?) suggestion to date is to mandate better driver training.

Not sure what you want us Popo to do, as delivering training is not part of our employment. We do the enforcement, others who are better trained at it do the training. Sure, I'm no driving instructor.

One of my blokes (Popo bike-cop) has suggested that we focus exclusively on offences that incur demerits. He says demerits have a far greater coercive effect than fines.

What say you? Should we go for the demerit offences only?

In the current Political environment the Police can't do anything to "fix" NZer's driving habits. Greater demerits will only increase the quantity of disqualified drivers.

The "fix" needs to be moved from Politicians and enforcement agencies and onto the individual. You can't fix an attitude, an approach to life in general with punishment.

[rastuscat]

I'm much affeared that you're right. Sniffle.

Back to my donuts.

[LBD]

...Numbers, gentlemen. Without numbers you don’t have facts, what you’ve got in an opinion. Colourful as they are they’re useful only for entertainment purposes. Unless I’m profiling NZ motorcyclists.
Cheers.

Ocean 1....I don't give a shit about what you are doing.....Kateman, JD and self were having an opinion based discussion on driving standards around the world...WTFDYTYA butting in with critiscm of our opinions? Facts don't enter into it!

[Voltaire]

Well, it looks like the best (only?) suggestion to date is to mandate better driver training.

Not sure what you want us Popo to do, as delivering training is not part of our employment. We do the enforcement, others who are better trained at it do the training. Sure, I'm no driving instructor.

One of my blokes (Popo bike-cop) has suggested that we focus exclusively on offences that incur demerits. He says demerits have a far greater coercive effect than fines.

What say you? Should we go for the demerit offences only?

Enforce the 100kmph all the time, until no one has any money left and has to stay at home