Idiots who don't put their lights on in wet weather. I was coming home today on the M1 in drizzly weather, and several darkish cars didn't have their lights on. I don't get it.
The following is a quote by my nephew on facebook.
PLEASE, whatever you do, DO NOT put your headlights on when it is overcast or raining. This may cause your car battery to go prematurely flat, even while driving! Also, it is detrimental to you stealth mode and your ability to move through heavy traffic unseen. This particularly applies to dark grey and dark green cars. - JD.
Yes, he has a warped sense of humour.
Happywanderer said
02:03 AM Jul 12, 2012
I read that on facebook Beth, I thought you were serious. DO NOT put your lights on, what the??
justcruisin01 said
02:07 AM Jul 12, 2012
someone needs to have a talk to this kid before its to late.
JC/
Beth54 said
02:07 AM Jul 12, 2012
Happywanderer wrote:
I read that on facebook Beth, I thought you were serious. DO NOT put your lights on, what the??
I hope others realise he's being facetious.
Beth54 said
02:08 AM Jul 12, 2012
justcruisin01 wrote:
someone needs to have a talk to this kid before its to late.
JC/
Too late JC, he's 35.
justcruisin01 said
02:46 AM Jul 12, 2012
Beth54 wrote:
justcruisin01 wrote:
someone needs to have a talk to this kid before its to late.
JC/
Too late JC, he's 35.
A bigger stick!
JC.
bill12 said
03:01 AM Jul 12, 2012
Kids, even 35 yr old kids, should be seen not heard.Turn your bloody lights on in the rain, its safer the be seen!
03_troopy said
03:05 AM Jul 12, 2012
What also cheeses me off is people who drop down to 80Kph on the freeway when it starts to rain. If you think you can't do more than 80Kph in a light drizzle, get off the bl**dy freeway, it's safer for all of us.... just my 2c worth..
Beth54 said
03:06 AM Jul 12, 2012
Maybe I shouldn't have added my nephews comments.
It seems to have taken away from the message I was trying to convey.
Turn your bl**dy lights on!
Beth54 said
03:07 AM Jul 12, 2012
03_troopy wrote:
What also cheeses me off is people who drop down to 80Kph on the freeway when it starts to rain. If you think you can't do more than 80Kph in a light drizzle, get off the bl**dy freeway, it's safer for all of us.... just my 2c worth..
I drop by 10kms because that's what's recommended in wet weather. You can't stop as fast when the road's slippery. But I do stay in the left hand lane.
03_troopy said
03:07 AM Jul 12, 2012
To add to that last post, I really think you should get booked for doing under 90Kph on the freeway because it is just as dangerous, if not moreso, as doing 120Kph in the 110Kph limit.
Plodnalong said
05:23 AM Jul 12, 2012
Speed limits are absolute maximum speeds that you are allowed to travel on a road. They are absolutely not the recommended speed for that road. I think that if someone feels, for whatever reason, they cannot travel within, say 20%, of that absolute limit then they should be considerate of other road users and pull over if a queue develops. But to hassle someone who is going slower than you want to go would just make you an .............
Happywanderer said
05:32 AM Jul 12, 2012
I was told once by a driver the speed it said on the sign was the speed you HAD to drive at, not higher and not lower. I've never heard anything more ridiculous.
Plodnalong said
05:45 AM Jul 12, 2012
Loved pointing out to my sons when they were learning to drive the 100km/h sign at the top of the road down to Matauri Bay in Northland, NZ. The road has switchbacks that would put Monte Carlo to shame!
villatranquilla said
04:41 PM Jul 12, 2012
03_troopy wrote:
To add to that last post, I really think you should get booked for doing under 90Kph on the freeway because it is just as dangerous, if not moreso, as doing 120Kph in the 110Kph limit.
I, like many caravanners generally travel at 80k's when towing the van - yes even on the freeway, but of course use left lane. So troopy are you saying we should not use freeways ??????? Have bypassed the freeway once when passing through Melb's eastern suburbs - never again - too many trams, traffic lights, hills and narrow roads with vehicle parking on the sides.
Get real man.
Delta18 said
05:25 PM Jul 12, 2012
What cheeses ME off is the people who will drive with their lights on in daylight whatever the conditions but will not dip off high beam. High beam with or without spotties are a hazzard to others even in daylight.
Cheers Neil
billeeeeeee said
06:43 PM Jul 12, 2012
.......Happened to day............................Billeeeee
-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Thursday 12th of July 2012 06:44:56 PM
Regular lights are fine/good during the day too, it's those silly lights under the headlights, day or night, that I hate. They're so blinding.
Are they supposed to be fog lights or what?
I also agree with Troopy re 80kph on the Freeways or Motorways. Very dangerous. I've had a couple near misses too.
I know others say 80kph for towing, but from my research, I believe 90kph is the most economical/safest speed.
-- Edited by Beth54 on Thursday 12th of July 2012 07:04:53 PM
jules47 said
07:56 PM Jul 12, 2012
Plodnalong wrote:
Speed limits are absolute maximum speeds that you are allowed to travel on a road. They are absolutely not the recommended speed for that road. I think that if someone feels, for whatever reason, they cannot travel within, say 20%, of that absolute limit then they should be considerate of other road users and pull over if a queue develops. But to hassle someone who is going slower than you want to go would just make you an .............
Plodnalong - agree completely - we travel at the speed we feel safe for us - we pull over when safe to do so for trucks and queues of traffic - as you know there are some roads where there is nowhere to pull over, the sides of the road slope sharply down - but pull over as far as we can when able to - usually say what we are doing on the uhf -
and what cheeses me off most of all are TAILGATERS!!!!!! trucks, cars or whatever.
billeeeeeee said
08:22 PM Jul 12, 2012
Howdyeeee all U cheeseeeeee ppl, greeting and Salutations, We have been camped at Mocrossen park, Noticed lots of Crosses on side of road,,,road speed was 110kls,.....Police keep telling us SPEED KILLS but We know better......stay alive and stay excited,,,, .....Billeeeeeeee
and what cheeses me off most of all are TAILGATERS!!!!!! trucks, cars or whatever.
Oh yess! thats my biggest cheese-off. I've had a couple of scares.... really dangerous!
aussietraveller said
12:31 AM Jul 13, 2012
I very much agree with the initial post, currently in north Queensland where the rain is constant and heavy and vehicles with their lights on are much easier to see especially those impatient ones who overtake in the mist and rain when visibility is considerably reduced with lights on you may just save your own life and some twit coming the other way.
Beth54 said
01:30 AM Jul 13, 2012
And another one...tradesmen in utes. Sorry if you are, or were...The majority are so aggressive on the roads! Yes, tailgating, then if you don't speed up or move over for them, they duck around you, then straight into your breaking distance in front of you.
Yes, I was in the right hand lane, only because there were two lanes merging in front of me, and everyone but the ute was just plodding along while the merge was happening.
Friday arvo on the M1 is the worst! I'm guessing they must be in a hurry to get to the pub!
03_troopy said
01:52 AM Jul 13, 2012
Traveling with lights on in the day can only make you more visible to other drivers, so it has to be a good thing. Of course not with high beam though.
As far as doing 80K on the freeway, a couple of mornings ago on my way to work there was a light drizel falling and it was just on sunrise so not the best light either. Following me in the left lane was a B-Double, followed by a semi trailer, all doing around 110Kph. In the right hand lane was a steady stream of traffic doing their 120Kph as we have all seen. As I approached a car doing about 80 I started to slow down... the B-Double didn't.... the semi behind him also didn't.. I couldn't change into the right lane for traffic. When the B-Double finally realised what was happening he hit the brakes as did the semi behind him. The traffic in the right hand lane blocked all 3 of us from changing lanes. I came very close to being rear ended by both the b-double and the semi behind him. The car in front of me kept puttering along at his 80Kph.
miroku12g said
01:54 AM Jul 13, 2012
They proberly drive some Euopean car, with "Ski racks" on the roof, living in Queensland ???
03_troopy said
02:25 AM Jul 13, 2012
Actually I forgot the other thing that cheeses me off.. (LOL who started this topic?)... These days it seems that using a blinker to signal your intention to change lanes or make a turn at an intersection is no longer compulsory. It's not just young drivers either. On my hours drive each way to work and back, the count is that more people don't use a blinker than drivers that do. And yet again, even on the freeway when cutting in front of you at 110Kph.
I think I must be turning into a grumpy old man...
Keith19837 said
02:26 AM Jul 13, 2012
In Victoria, the posted speed limit is the MAXIMUM permitted speed under FAVOURABLE conditions. If there is rain, heavy traffic, fog or ANY OTHER ADVERSE condition, then driving at that speed limit can constitute a charge of Travelling at a Speed That is Dangerous Under the Circumstances (Speed Dangerous). I don't know how many collisions I attended where the driver's excuse was "I was doing the speed limit but the road was slippery/traffic heavy/rain afffected visibility etc". My reply was always "Funny how the other cars who dropped their speed accordingly didn't crash." I don't want to harp on about this, but yes, I agree that slower vehicles can be an inconvenience and there is an offence for Undue Obstruction (slow speed as well and parking), but poor roads, adverse traffic, poor visibilty and wet weather are not under the category of FAVOURABLE conditions and therefore the maximum speed is no longer safe (this is why some bends have advisory slower signs). This is written into Vic legislation and supported by a number of Case Law decisions. For what it's worth.
jules47 said
02:29 AM Jul 13, 2012
A "grumpy old man" troopy ? I think most people who do use their blinkers, activate them too late - as they get to the corner, or as they are overtaking etc. I thought there was a law about when to indicate - how long before making the turn?
03_troopy said
02:43 AM Jul 13, 2012
Keith19837 wrote:
In Victoria, the posted speed limit is the MAXIMUM permitted speed under FAVOURABLE conditions. If there is rain, heavy traffic, fog or ANY OTHER ADVERSE condition, then driving at that speed limit can constitute a charge of Travelling at a Speed That is Dangerous Under the Circumstances (Speed Dangerous). I don't know how many collisions I attended where the driver's excuse was "I was doing the speed limit but the road was slippery/traffic heavy/rain afffected visibility etc". My reply was always "Funny how the other cars who dropped their speed accordingly didn't crash." I don't want to harp on about this, but yes, I agree that slower vehicles can be an inconvenience and there is an offence for Undue Obstruction (slow speed as well and parking), but poor roads, adverse traffic, poor visibilty and wet weather are not under the category of FAVOURABLE conditions and therefore the maximum speed is no longer safe (this is why some bends have advisory slower signs). This is written into Vic legislation and supported by a number of Case Law decisions. For what it's worth.
I totally agree Keith, in the conditions you suggest. Incidentally, in Vic you will fail your driving test for driving too slow for the conditions. And in WA the drivers handbook states:
"As freeways are designed for higher speeds, driving too slowly can cause dangerous situations. Therefore, you must not travel at a speed less than 20 km/h below the posted speed limit unless adverse conditions or traffic congestion prevents you travelling any faster"
Keith19837 said
03:08 AM Jul 13, 2012
I totally agree Keith, in the conditions you suggest. Incidentally, in Vic you will fail your driving test for driving too slow for the conditions. And in WA the drivers handbook states:
"As freeways are designed for higher speeds, driving too slowly can cause dangerous situations. Therefore, you must not travel at a speed less than 20 km/h below the posted speed limit unless adverse conditions or traffic congestion prevents you travelling any faster"
G'Day Troopy; you make a valid point. I can't comment on other states with a degree of authority as I did not police those states; only Victoria and bordering regions of N.S.W. Undue Obstruction is defined under the Acts Interpretation Act (Vic) as undue having regard for the experience of the driver, or the type of vehicle (non turbo diesels and vehicles towing up hills) or having regard to the prevailing conditions. A driver who is merely 'sightseeing' or unable to operate the vehicle (as two examples); would be causing an Undue Obstruction as his vehicle is capable of higher speeds but he is deliberately having no regard for other road users. In the torrential rain we have had lately or during fog; a vehicle travelling at speeds of 30kms or 40kms under the limit would not be classed as causing an Undue Obstruction. Having a vehicle that (manufacturers specs) has a top speed of 100 such as some of the Isuzus would not be causing an undue obstruction when going uphill at say 30kms under the limit. Most loaded heavy vehicles are incapable of traversing parts of the Prince's Freeway in Vic at more than 70kms to 80 kms. Undue Obstruction (Vic) does not quantify any speeds that are 'Undue'. It is the reasons behind the slower speeds that define what is or isn't "Undue'. For what it's worth.
Idiots who don't put their lights on in wet weather. I was coming home today on the M1 in drizzly weather, and several darkish cars didn't have their lights on. I don't get it.
The following is a quote by my nephew on facebook.
Yes, he has a warped sense of humour.
someone needs to have a talk to this kid before its to late.
JC/
Too late JC, he's 35.
A bigger stick!
JC.
Maybe I shouldn't have added my nephews comments.
It seems to have taken away from the message I was trying to convey.
Turn your bl**dy lights on!
I drop by 10kms because that's what's recommended in wet weather. You can't stop as fast when the road's slippery. But I do stay in the left hand lane.
I've never heard anything more ridiculous.
I, like many caravanners generally travel at 80k's when towing the van - yes even on the freeway, but of course use left lane. So troopy are you saying we should not use freeways ??????? Have bypassed the freeway once when passing through Melb's eastern suburbs - never again - too many trams, traffic lights, hills and narrow roads with vehicle parking on the sides.
Get real man.
What cheeses ME off is the people who will drive with their lights on in daylight whatever the conditions but will not dip off high beam. High beam with or without spotties are a hazzard to others even in daylight.
Cheers Neil
.......Happened to day............................Billeeeee
-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Thursday 12th of July 2012 06:44:56 PM
Regular lights are fine/good during the day too, it's those silly lights under the headlights, day or night, that I hate. They're so blinding.
Are they supposed to be fog lights or what?
I also agree with Troopy re 80kph on the Freeways or Motorways. Very dangerous. I've had a couple near misses too.
I know others say 80kph for towing, but from my research, I believe 90kph is the most economical/safest speed.
-- Edited by Beth54 on Thursday 12th of July 2012 07:04:53 PM
Plodnalong - agree completely - we travel at the speed we feel safe for us - we pull over when safe to do so for trucks and queues of traffic - as you know there are some roads where there is nowhere to pull over, the sides of the road slope sharply down - but pull over as far as we can when able to - usually say what we are doing on the uhf -
and what cheeses me off most of all are TAILGATERS!!!!!! trucks, cars or whatever.
Howdyeeee all U cheeseeeeee ppl, greeting and Salutations, We have been camped at Mocrossen park, Noticed lots of Crosses on side of road,,,road speed was 110kls,.....Police keep telling us SPEED KILLS but We know better......stay alive and stay excited,,,, .....Billeeeeeeee
Oh yess! thats my biggest cheese-off.
I've had a couple of scares.... really dangerous!
And another one...tradesmen in utes. Sorry if you are, or were...The majority are so aggressive on the roads!
Yes, tailgating, then if you don't speed up or move over for them, they duck around you, then straight into your breaking distance in front of you.
Yes, I was in the right hand lane, only because there were two lanes merging in front of me, and everyone but the ute was just plodding along while the merge was happening.
Friday arvo on the M1 is the worst! I'm guessing they must be in a hurry to get to the pub!
As far as doing 80K on the freeway, a couple of mornings ago on my way to work there was a light drizel falling and it was just on sunrise so not the best light either. Following me in the left lane was a B-Double, followed by a semi trailer, all doing around 110Kph. In the right hand lane was a steady stream of traffic doing their 120Kph as we have all seen. As I approached a car doing about 80 I started to slow down... the B-Double didn't.... the semi behind him also didn't.. I couldn't change into the right lane for traffic. When the B-Double finally realised what was happening he hit the brakes as did the semi behind him. The traffic in the right hand lane blocked all 3 of us from changing lanes. I came very close to being rear ended by both the b-double and the semi behind him. The car in front of me kept puttering along at his 80Kph.
They proberly drive some Euopean car, with "Ski racks" on the roof, living in Queensland ???
I think I must be turning into a grumpy old man...
I totally agree Keith, in the conditions you suggest. Incidentally, in Vic you will fail your driving test for driving too slow for the conditions. And in WA the drivers handbook states:
"As freeways are designed for higher speeds, driving too slowly can
cause dangerous situations. Therefore, you must not travel at a speed
less than 20 km/h below the posted speed limit unless adverse
conditions or traffic congestion prevents you travelling any faster"
G'Day Troopy; you make a valid point. I can't comment on other states with a degree of authority as I did not police those states; only Victoria and bordering regions of N.S.W. Undue Obstruction is defined under the Acts Interpretation Act (Vic) as undue having regard for the experience of the driver, or the type of vehicle (non turbo diesels and vehicles towing up hills) or having regard to the prevailing conditions. A driver who is merely 'sightseeing' or unable to operate the vehicle (as two examples); would be causing an Undue Obstruction as his vehicle is capable of higher speeds but he is deliberately having no regard for other road users. In the torrential rain we have had lately or during fog; a vehicle travelling at speeds of 30kms or 40kms under the limit would not be classed as causing an Undue Obstruction. Having a vehicle that (manufacturers specs) has a top speed of 100 such as some of the Isuzus would not be causing an undue obstruction when going uphill at say 30kms under the limit. Most loaded heavy vehicles are incapable of traversing parts of the Prince's Freeway in Vic at more than 70kms to 80 kms. Undue Obstruction (Vic) does not quantify any speeds that are 'Undue'. It is the reasons behind the slower speeds that define what is or isn't "Undue'. For what it's worth.