Re: Tougher licensing = Safety Fast? -Reply

[Andrew Fletcher <FLETCHA@citec.qld.gov.au>]

>>> <WARATAP@aol.com> 12/February/1997 08:54am >>>

> -Driving, while treated as a RIGHT, is still respected as a priveledge.  

Yes, too many take it for granted.

>>We also have (in general ) much better, larger, and wider roads. I think

Avi, I don't see why this indicates better drivers? I would have thought
the opposite, that more is needed to assist the poor drivers?
 
> Our strong automotive culture still has its shortcomings.  Their isn't a
> day that goes by that I don't see an unsafe vehicle being driven
> wrecklessly (sp?- pun intended) by an even more unsafe driver.  Avi, 

I learnt to drive ( not that long ago ) in a 1966 Mini. It's 998cc engine was
tired, clutch was pretty dodgey, and brakes were woeful compared with
todays tech. However it was a great learning experience, I couldn't rely
on ABS and all the new gadgets. I had to learn to drive properly, to
anticipate what other drivers are going to do cause my Mini just wasn't
capable of the braking etc. of a modern car. I haven't had a single
accident yet.

I believe that there is a place on our roads for every (sound) car
provided the driver has their attention 100% on driving with consideration
for every other driver.

I have had many near misses where cars have pulled out of a side street
in front of me etc. I have never had ABS and have no desire for it either.
Often my passenger would ask "How did you know the other lane was
clear?" and I reply " because I have been aware of every car around me
since I drove out my driveway. When the idiot pulled out I knew the xxxx
was 20 metres behind in the other lane.".

It's just a matter of diving within my cars capabilities, my technical
capabilities and ensuring I have 100% attention on the road.

A friend of mine T-boned a lady in a sedan about 2 yrs ago in his Saab.
She pulled turned right from the opposite direction straight into his path.
Luckily he managed to hit the rear wheel of her car, 1 metre to the left
and he could have killed her children. Her excuse was that she was
having an arguement with her child in the front seat and not paying
attention. She damn near killed her child for lack of attention to her
driving. I don't think this is unusual. If he had been anticipating her move
perhaps he could have stopped in time? Maybe not, but he nearly had to
live with the guilt.

Fletch
'81 urQ 95K miles