Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Crazycarzowner on 12 October 2013, 15:58:01
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Just pootling along the road last night in the sleepy hollow of one of the areas I patrol, when I happened to drive past a pub at the same time some numpty exits the car park straight in front of me causing me to slam the anchors on somewhat sharpish :o :o :o Said car then takes off at a rate of knotts on the wrong side of the road doin about 60mph in a 30mph limit :o :o First thoughts were 'its nicked' so once I'd peeled the front end of the Beemer off the tarmac I went after the offending vehicle, which was literally weaving along both sides of the road, narrowly missing parked cars, lampposts and houses!
Turn on the blues & twos - nope, not stopping, lit up like the illuminations flashing headlights, sirens takedown bar - still no stoppy. Eventually, 1 mile later it stops. I open the driver door take the keys, drag escort driver out of said car. He can't stand up absolutely nissed as a pewt. Blows 4 x the limit!!! :o :o >:( >:(
Very very close shave for me, just brings it home how lucky I was, 30 secs earlier he'd have been embedded in the side of my car IDIOT!!!!!
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I guess that'll be an automatic ban then? ::) How long do you think he'll be removed from the roads? :-\
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Probably 2 years, with a few months shaved off for attending school again ::) ::) ::) However loss of job as licence needed for it ::) ::) ::) ::)
The most ironic part about it is he had over £100 on him, enough for a taxi for the 2 mile ride home >:( >:( >:( or for that matter he could have walked!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I guess that'll be an automatic ban then? ::) How long do you think he'll be removed from the roads? :-\
Probably banned already ::) so a custodial sentence is the only guarantee that he won't be driving for a while (and even that won't stop him doing the same tonight >:()
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This guy was pissed, but I come across absolute idiots every time I go out. I only drive local and not even much of that, but people seem to have lost their 'awareness' of other road users. Plus, everyone is in such a tearing hurry, even on the morning school run.
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You're right there Stemo, I've been asked to do some speed enforcement outside a local school next time I'm on earlies ??? due to the local crossing patrol nearly getting knocked over by parents on the school run ??? Can't believe it can ya (well yeah nowt suprises me anymore)
Andy - He wasn't known to us before mid 20's never been in trouble :-\
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You're right there Stemo, I've been asked to do some speed enforcement outside a local school next time I'm on earlies ??? due to the local crossing patrol nearly getting knocked over by parents on the school run ??? Can't believe it can ya (well yeah nowt suprises me anymore)
Andy - He wasn't known to us before mid 20's never been in trouble :-\
I can.. I used to live just off a largeish long straight road with a school at one end; occasionally in the dead of night you'd hear cars tearing up and down it.
Clearly the mummies residents complained and the council put in 'speed cushions' - so high that I had to come to a complete stop and crawl over them, rearranging the paintwork on the floorpan of my car as I did so.
The mothers dropping their kids off at school? Oh, they'd fly past me, beeping their horns at being held up, wrong side of the road, wrong side of the pedestrian refuge bollards, 40mph, bouncing over them in their 4x4s... ::) ::)
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You're right there Stemo, I've been asked to do some speed enforcement outside a local school next time I'm on earlies ??? due to the local crossing patrol nearly getting knocked over by parents on the school run ??? Can't believe it can ya (well yeah nowt suprises me anymore)
Andy - He wasn't known to us before mid 20's never been in trouble :-\
Should get a few parking tickets out of it as well ::)
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While we're on the subject (kind of, and I know this is a touchy one) older drivers really should have to pass some kind of proficiency test at, say, 67-70 years old and every three years after. There are some lovely old folk round here but, Jesus, I really don't know how they haven't killed anyone yet.
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That's easy ::) every body knows that speed kills, and old people never do anything quickly ;D
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I've just had a think about what I said there. Thousands of extra examiners would have to be recruited and trained. Test centres would have to be built. Old folk who lost their licences would become dependant on social services. And I'm sure there are lots more consequences that I haven't touched on. Hmmmmm... :-\
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I've just had a think about what I said there. Thousands of extra examiners would have to be recruited and trained. Test centres would have to be built. Old folk who lost their licences would become dependant on social services. And I'm sure there are lots more consequences that I haven't touched on. Hmmmmm... :-\
Sounds like you've hit on the ideal job creation exercise to spend our way out of recession... ;D
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I've just had a think about what I said there. Thousands of extra examiners would have to be recruited and trained. Test centres would have to be built. Old folk who lost their licences would become dependant on social services. And I'm sure there are lots more consequences that I haven't touched on. Hmmmmm... :-\
Or forced to use taxis :y If they can afford to run a car they can afford taxis :) And probably cheaper than running a car ;)
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This guy was pissed, but I come across absolute idiots every time I go out. I only drive local and not even much of that, but people seem to have lost their 'awareness' of other road users. Plus, everyone is in such a tearing hurry, especially on the morning school run.
Fixed that for you Steve, if our local school is average!!! To be fair, they are usually on the phone, presumably explaining why they are late. >:( >:( >:(
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While we're on the subject (kind of, and I know this is a touchy one) older drivers really should have to pass some kind of proficiency test at, say, 67-70 years old and every three years after. There are some lovely old folk round here but, Jesus, I really don't know how they haven't killed anyone yet.
I haven't yet, at least I don't think I have. ::)
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You're right there Stemo, I've been asked to do some speed enforcement outside a local school next time I'm on earlies ??? due to the local crossing patrol nearly getting knocked over by parents on the school run ??? Can't believe it can ya (well yeah nowt suprises me anymore)
Andy - He wasn't known to us before mid 20's never been in trouble :-\
I can.. I used to live just off a largeish long straight road with a school at one end; occasionally in the dead of night you'd hear cars tearing up and down it.
Clearly the mummies residents complained and the council put in 'speed cushions' - so high that I had to come to a complete stop and crawl over them, rearranging the paintwork on the floorpan of my car as I did so.
The mothers dropping their kids off at school? Oh, they'd fly past me, beeping their horns at being held up, wrong side of the road, wrong side of the pedestrian refuge bollards, 40mph, bouncing over them in their 4x4s... ::) ::)
I've come to the conclusion that mum's doing the school run in our village are only allowed to do so IF they have an SUV. ??? ??? ??? :y
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You're right there Stemo, I've been asked to do some speed enforcement outside a local school next time I'm on earlies ??? due to the local crossing patrol nearly getting knocked over by parents on the school run ??? Can't believe it can ya (well yeah nowt suprises me anymore)
Andy - He wasn't known to us before mid 20's never been in trouble :-\
Ah - difficult. Could well be youthful stupidity so lets hope he doesn't have his career screwed as a result.
& doesn't make the habit of stupid mistakes. :-\
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As phones have been mentioned, I'd like to see what Jason thinks about them, as a member of the law. I am led to believe that using a phone is equal to being over the drink drive limit (automatic ban)...so do you think phone users should be automatically banned.
IMO they should :y
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While we're on the subject (kind of, and I know this is a touchy one) older drivers really should have to pass some kind of proficiency test at, say, 67-70 years old and every three years after. There are some lovely old folk round here but, Jesus, I really don't know how they haven't killed anyone yet.
I certainly haven't killed anyone yet - probably driving too fast to notice ;D ;D ;)
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While we're on the subject (kind of, and I know this is a touchy one) older drivers really should have to pass some kind of proficiency test at, say, 67-70 years old and every three years after. There are some lovely old folk round here but, Jesus, I really don't know how they haven't killed anyone yet.
I don't know the statistics, but I suspect that, while the occasional 'wrong side of the M-way older driver' gets lots of press coverage, less accidents are caused by older drivers than those, say, 40 or under, if insurance premiums are any guide. I realise that my reactions are probably not what they were when I held a rally license, so, I hope, I drive accordingly. :y
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Personally, I often wonder if re tests should be taken periodically.
1 brush up on changes in rules and latest thinking in tests. The test most of us took originally, is nothing like the latest test.
2 keep on top of health issues and competancy. Eye tests etc.
3 add a motorway test.
4 uk/eu licence holders only. Ie none of this international license rubbish.
Plus, I'm sure some people are acquiring/passing tests and licenses that simply are not at pass level.
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Although, all of that is useless if there's no enforcement. Which there isn't ATM.
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While we're on the subject (kind of, and I know this is a touchy one) older drivers really should have to pass some kind of proficiency test at, say, 67-70 years old and every three years after. There are some lovely old folk round here but, Jesus, I really don't know how they haven't killed anyone yet.
I don't know the statistics, but I suspect that, while the occasional 'wrong side of the M-way older driver' gets lots of press coverage, less accidents are caused by older drivers than those, say, 40 or under, if insurance premiums are any guide. I realise that my reactions are probably not what they were when I held a rally license, so, I hope, I drive accordingly. :y
There are many, many older drivers who are more than competent, probably the majority. But there are a significant minority who are dangerous. As time passes, and people live longer, we will have a lot of drivers into their nineties. Surely we must make sure they are safe to be on the road?
One can only compensate for slowing reactions, ie. leaving a bigger gap, braking earlier etc., for so long before we become overcautious and irritate other road users, thus becoming a liability.
I have more than a passing interest as it won't be long before I would be affected and, although I think I'd be fine at an actual driving test, I wouldn't fancy the hazard perception one. :(
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Personally, I often wonder if re tests should be taken periodically.
Agreed. I can't think of any other regime in which people operate machinery that's potentially dangerous to 3rd parties without some form of regular assessment or retraining.
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Personally, I often wonder if re tests should be taken periodically.
1 brush up on changes in rules and latest thinking in tests. The test most of us took originally, is nothing like the latest test.
2 keep on top of health issues and competancy. Eye tests etc.
3 add a motorway test.
4 uk/eu licence holders only. Ie none of this international license rubbish.
Plus, I'm sure some people are acquiring/passing tests and licenses that simply are not at pass level.
Agree with that 100% Chris :y
In fact, i'd enforce a refresher every 5 years after the age of 50.
Nothing too drastic, just a 2 hour drive with a mix off town / country / motorway with a quick eye / highway code test thrown in at the end.
People should get a reminder then be given 3 months to book the test.
Things to look out for on the test should be lane discipline (no sitting at 34 mph in the outside lane of a duel carriageway) >:(
As for drink driving, the dick should be looking at 2 years inside for that and if he wants sympathy reference his job, he can find it in the dictionary between shit and syphilis ;) ;)
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I don,t think it,s an age thing it,s more down to awareness. Living near a school as well some of the driving/ parking
is a disgrace. The kids who walk to school can,t walk on the pavement as it,s full of cars, drivers of both sexes i may add.
As for the age thing i am probably a bit biased, er i,m sixty eight. :D
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Bit of a mixed bag of views being bandied about along with a fair smattering of sweeping generalisations.
I'm mid 50's and consider myself substantially sharper on the road than most around me thanks to to my police persuit/SED/TPAC/firearms/police biker etc background.
My wife is a similar age. Since she started to drive she has steadfastly refused to look out any window of the car bar the windscreen and (very) rarely the drivers side window. I love her to bits but sometimes she scares me when driving.
So see it from both sides, I suppose, as regards retesting.
Point is, my other half hasn't improved too much since she passed her test at 17.....
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I have no comment on the alleged drunk driver.
I am sure his punishment will be as the law dictates >:(
And they say a copper's never around when you need one!
As to periodic re-tests due to age - I think it should be periodic re-tests regardless of age. say every 5 years.
I got my car ridiculously cheap cos the old bloke that owned it from new "decided" that he wasn't fit to drive any more :( at 74
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And they say a copper's never around when you need one!
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of only a copper had been around this morning Knob Head behind me decided to overtake me on the pedestrian crossing by going on the other side of the centre island ...... and half a mile up the road did the same with another car in front. ??? ??? ???
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......that he wasn't fit to drive any more :( at 74
my Dad is 76 and still drives to work :y :y :y
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I have no comment on the alleged drunk driver.
I am sure his punishment will be as the law dictates >:(
And they say a copper's never around when you need one!
As to periodic re-tests due to age - I think it should be periodic re-tests regardless of age. say every 5 years.
I got my car ridiculously cheap cos the old bloke that owned it from new "decided" that he wasn't fit to drive any more :( at 74
Just to be clear(er) I'm talking across the board. Nout to do with age as such. My eye site, I now know as that's when the headaches started, has been deteriorating since the age of 20. That varies person to person of course.
Although I would like to see more regular test as the years advance. Yearly from 50? Or something along those lines. I feel the uncertainty increasing as I approach junctions, as I get older. The ability to process info quickly diminishing slightly. Driving at night gets harder, rain on the screen at night distracts more... Blah blah. Add in tiredness, from shift work, well you get the picture.
Fork truck drivers are tested regularly. But a vehicle, with passengers, capable of well over the ton, isn't! Yes yes I know there's the the company liability angle but its still a ludicrous situation IMO.
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Although non of this helps with DD. Thread drift... ;D
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Although, all of that is useless if there's no enforcement. Which there isn't ATM.
That's because the authorities believe that ANPR is covering the basics, however all it has achieved is to make it even easier to get away with driving illegally.
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ANPR covers the basics? ;D ;D :D :D yeah right! If you only knew how c**p it is........When it works, when its up to date & when its monitored its great, but that's less than half the time on a busy shift.
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ANPR covers the basics? ;D ;D :D :D yeah right! If you only knew how c**p it is........When it works, when its up to date & when its monitored its great, but that's less than half the time on a busy shift.
I know exactly how easy it is to circumvent ANPR Jason ;)
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I have been to several lectures by the ANPR manager of a local force. They turned off detection of the common offences (no tax, no insurance, cloned plates, etc) because the screens in the control room are just a blur otherwise. :o
They reckon it's been invaluable in countering serious crime, though.
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Fork truck drivers are tested regularly. But a vehicle, with passengers, capable of well over the ton, isn't! Yes yes I know there's the the company liability angle but its still a ludicrous situation IMO.
Thats not guaranteed either and is totaly down to company process.....but then there is no such thing as a forklift license either.
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ANPR covers the basics? ;D ;D :D :D yeah right! If you only knew how c**p it is........When it works, when its up to date & when its monitored its great, but that's less than half the time on a busy shift.
So what you're saying is .. we don't need to bother taxing or insuring our cars anymore and you guys won't be doing anything about it?
Money saver!
;) ;D
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Fork truck drivers are tested regularly. But a vehicle, with passengers, capable of well over the ton, isn't! Yes yes I know there's the the company liability angle but its still a ludicrous situation IMO.
Thats not guaranteed either and is totaly down to company process.....but then there is no such thing as a forklift license either.
A company I know ::) have let "licenses" lapse completely in despatch, and running annualised hours they noticed staff in that dept where ahead on hours so sent them home. Only to realise they where being audited by a new customer. So demanded staff returned from their forced holiday to re test, in their own time. :o
It didn't go well ::) ;D
Management. Really!
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Indeed, I am currently looking to get a process implimented at a certain site (where there is currently very little).
The J Certificate is out for us as it does not cover the kit we have well (it also does not consider maintenance and checking of the equipment very well).
So a local documented process is needed with bi-annual assessments
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If you can demonstrate competence, have regular and systematic training in place and keep thourough and transparent records, then there should be no reason for not being self certificated (from a management point of view) :-\
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re-test every 5 years ??? ok why not, but it will not stop the regular drink & drive bods. >:( it`s now time for zero alcohol consumption if driving.
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re-test every 5 years ??? ok why not, but it will not stop the regular drink & drive bods. >:( it`s now time for zero alcohol consumption if driving.
Yes that's why I posted about thread drift earlier, nout will stop determined DD. Except more police presence. Outside each pub probably. Never going to happen.
Zero alchahol. Can't disagree, but IMO, its lower down the priority list.
Driving standards, and numbers on the road are way off IMO. No?
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re-test every 5 years ??? ok why not, but it will not stop the regular drink & drive bods. >:( it`s now time for zero alcohol consumption if driving.
Yes that's why I posted about thread drift earlier, nout will stop determined DD. Except more police presence. Outside each pub probably. Never going to happen.
Zero alchahol. Can't disagree, but IMO, its lower down the priority list.
Driving standards, and numbers on the road are way off IMO. No?
Fair point re driving standards, but I suppose even if zero alocohol was introduced the regular DD wouldn`t take a blind bit of notice.
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Both my Father and Father in law kept driving when they should have been stopped , my dads sight was so poor my mother had to tell him what colour the traffic lights were ! he eventually saw sense when he clipped a kerb and punctured a tyre :(
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Why not have a re test with an approved instructor? no need for the full test with an examiner, they are looking for slack habits and eyesight etc not a 3 point turn, (I know they dont do a 3 point turn now)
anyway, Im waiting to see if I get a speeding ticket from last week, temp camera on a bypass, I had followed the car in front 35 to 40mph, weaving about and bumping off kerbs, got to a straight bit and just as I passed the camera van was there, the camera wont catch the drunk driver I was passing.
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Years ago Swansea held the driving licence of one of my older brothers longer than he did!All through drink driving.So when I passed my test
bike and later car,I swore that that was one thing they'd never get me for,so being a basically idle sod and not wanting to walk to a pub etc.,I just gave up alcohol and I must say I've never missed it.I think zero tolerance is the way to go,though as said by others this won't of course deter those determined to drink and drive.
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Zero tolerance just isn't practical. Someone who has had sherry trifle,brandy butter or certain cough medicines could be done for drunk driving.
Imo though,anyone who drives a car p1ssed should be pulled out of the car and shot.