Car veers into motorcycle

[Ocean1]

I drove to LA from Orange County the other day, took the I405. I was told to ignore the speed limit and go with traffic, which floated around 75-85 in a 65 zone. Knew everything was cool when a cruiser passed me in the car pool lane at around 90 ha. Traffic was crazy on the way back to OC, Friday afternoon and the freeway I was doing 80 on the other day was now stop start and an average of 15mph.

I found an Orange County in New York. And a Florida in New York. Bloody place-names are worthless.

Speeds are apparently policed a bit more around towns, but yeah, speeds averaged maybe 110% on the I95. Didn't see anyone spontaneously explode as a result. Lane discipline was good though.

On holiday are we?

[onearmedbandit]

I found an Orange County in New York. And a Florida in New York. Bloody place-names are worthless.

Speeds are apparently policed a bit more around towns, but yeah, speeds averaged maybe 110% on the I95. Didn't see anyone spontaneously explode as a result. Lane discipline was good though.

On holiday are we?

Orange County, California. Yeah over here for 7 weeks, back home in 3 weeks.

And to keep it on topic I wonder if the driver has had his day in court yet?

[RDJ]

I'm over in the states at the moment and the people I've been out with don't go near crossing the yellows. Doing 80 on the freeway? No problem, but never crossing the yellows. That's just my limited experience.

FWIW, my experience too over quite a few years and a few tens of thousands of American-homeland miles. If you're tucked in to a stream of traffic all doing 85 in a 75 mph the law generally don't care / react. But people who get out of line and do considerably more than the ambient speed, especially if they pass on a double yellow, get hammered.

[Ocean1]

Orange County, California. Yeah over here for 7 weeks, back home in 3 weeks.

And to keep it on topic I wonder if the driver has had his day in court yet?

And if he cares yet...

[Ender EnZed]

That's 'cause no-one there recognises yellow lines. Dunno if they mean the same thing there as they do here but the natives pass the shit all over those lines at will.

That's what happens when they just get painted everywhere by default and have no relation to visibility.

[jasonu]

Best line
..."and charged with TWO counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon"

Good shit!...hope he gets bowled over in court (I believe that's a relatively serious charge in that state...jasonu?...tell us he's gonna get reemed?...twould make my day!)


Ride Safe KBers

It can depend on where he is and who does the prosecuting. All of these counties have their Boss Hoggs and Sherriff Roscoe P Coltranes. If you are in with the right people you can get off with the old wet buss ticket. If someone with a bit of power doesn't like the way you part your hair you can and will get slammed.

That's 'cause no-one there recognises yellow lines. Dunno if they mean the same thing there as they do here but the natives pass the shit all over those lines at will.

I've lived here for 15 years and in my experience what you have posted is bullshit.

I'm over in the states at the moment and the people I've been out with don't go near crossing the yellows. Doing 80 on the freeway? No problem, but never crossing the yellows. That's just my limited experience.

I've lived here for 15 years and in my experience what you have posted is totally correct.
I feel safer driving over here than on NZ roads.

[Ocean1]

I've lived here for 15 years and in my experience what you have posted is bullshit.

Fair enough. Doesn't change the fact that in the last month I've seen a shitload of people passing on double yellow lines.

Maybe it's a Vermont thing. Maybe they can't abide people who dawdle around at the speed limit sightseeing.

[Bass]

Fair enough. Doesn't change the fact that in the last month I've seen a shitload of people passing on double yellow lines.

Maybe it's a Vermont thing. Maybe they can't abide people who dawdle around at the speed limit sightseeing.

I'm just back from 6 weeks in the States on the bikes. Visited about 10 states and got to the point where I seriously wondered what the yellow lines meant. No joke. I Had to check to find out that they indeed were "no passing" lines.

None of what I just said applied on the interstates however. Really good discipline and courtesy there.

It's not totally cut and dried either, because despite the yellow line thing I too felt safer in the US. Maybe it's the possibility of getting sued for everything you have if you stuff up.

[RDJ]

Fair enough. Doesn't change the fact that in the last month I've seen a shitload of people passing on double yellow lines.

Maybe it's a Vermont thing. Maybe they can't abide people who dawdle around at the speed limit sightseeing.

Vermont would definitely explain that!

[Ocean1]

I'm just back from 6 weeks in the States on the bikes.

Bloody hell, musta been wall to wall Kiwis there this month, it's a wonder there was room for the natives. Maybe we should have all just stayed home, stuck some ZZ Top on and knocked back a few Bud lights.

[Daffyd]

That's 'cause no-one there recognises yellow lines. Dunno if they mean the same thing there as they do here but the natives pass the shit all over those lines at will.

You're quite right... no-one here recognises them. People say that NZ'ers are bad drivers... If the standard of driving in NZ rated 7/10, the Philippine standard would be about 3.

[jaypi]

Three would be generous !! The "Professional" drivers around the Metro maybe, but all the amateurs in the provinces who were taught by their father, cousin, playstation etc etc - they got no idea.
Did a seminar a few months ago with some truck drivers - and when asked on the meaning of center lines the deadpan answer was the cars go on the right and the motors ( motorcycles) go on the left of the centerline - huh ?
Double yellows - they don't know because no one tells them - no rules, no idea,and no enforcement
Something like 10-15,000 deaths on the road here annually, realistically it could easily be double that - I wonder why ....

[Virago]

...Something like 10-15,000 deaths on the road here annually, realistically it could easily be double that - I wonder why...

In Wellington?

[Ender EnZed]

In Wellington?

Context suggests he's talking about the Philippines.

[Ender EnZed]

Update: http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/crime...cted/78544848/

William Crum, the man behind the wheel, who was caught on camera saying he “didn’t care” about the wreck, was indicted. Hood County court records show it was for two counts of aggravated assault.
...
Crum’s next court appearance is Feb. 2
...
Crum remains in jail on a $150,000 bond.