Thread: Road toll rises

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Do you have to introduce this crap into every thread?

Could cut these down to almost zero by putting a link ban on the guardian. I'd even up my membership.

Back on topic. Drove the Landrover twice today and didn't increase the road toll. Also, it didn't break down. That's potentially bigger news.

Could cut these down to almost zero by putting a link ban on the guardian. I'd even up my membership.

Add the "Conversation" to the list and I will go from a Silver subscriber to a Gold subscriber in a Heartbeat

Originally Posted by p38arover

Not for us old fogies.

Yes, I know, and old fogies are great (I'm one), but that's also about dropping the 'h' and being Cockney. Anyway, whatever is cool.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Do you have to introduce this crap into every thread?

I started the thread and it was in the first post and people have discussed it, so yes, it belongs in this thread.
If you don't like that, well that's your problem, not mine. No one is forcing you to participate.

Originally Posted by p38arover

Re Wheels COTY, see John Cadogan's recent video. Also his comment on 4X4 Australia's 4WD of the Year - a Jeep!

Thanks. I watched the COTY one today and had a laugh.
I actually agree with him that the Mercedes was a poor choice and did not rate top on several criteria, such as design, value for money, and function.
It's an existing ICE wagon with batteries and electric motor shoved in. It has redundant features like a grille, engine bay for a non-existent ICE engine, transmission tunnel, high boot floor and space for twin exhausts.
If an EV was to win the Tesla would be my choice because it's designed to be electric with a skateboard chassis, it's a lot cheaper and it creams the Mercedes and Nissan Leaf for performance and range.
But actually, I would have chosen the Mazda 3, which Wheels ranked 3rd, because it's just such a quality car for the money.
Anyway, each to their own.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Always found that almost comical in its implementation.

I can (and have rightly or otherwise) driven thousands of kms stopping only for fuel and comfort stops and there’s nothing preventing me from doing so. Yet trucks have extremely strict rules governing maximum operating hours without a break, total hours per 24 etc.

I’ve done Perth to Adelaide non-stop, Solo.
Adelaide to Brisbane, same, at least 5 times and same for return journey.
Adl-Melb-Adl with an hour in the CBD - We went for a Pizza!
Melbourne to Whyalla (collected D4 After initially driving from Whyalla to Adelaide and flying to Melbourne).
Whyalla to Nullarbor road house and back - collect some Wheels.

I’ve slowed a bit over the last 10 years and now break up any journey over 10-12 hours.

We do regularly do the 800+km return trip to Adelaide and back in a day though. It’s nothing to head down, do what’s required and drive home again.

It’s very different when it’s done regularly and a driver understands how they behave/fatigue as opposed to metro drivers trying large distances and higher speeds.

Fatigue is many factors, understanding and paying attention to how you are feeling, understanding distraction and inattention are important.

Stay safe!

Yes, it's certainly true that some experienced drivers can manage fatigue and do long distances safely. Unfortunately, some people just can't do that and crash.
I've done Sydney-Brisbane in daylight hours, with just a couple of breaks, plenty of times.
The standard of road certainly makes a difference. It's a lot easier and safer on a high standard road than on a goat track.

Not just goat tracks vs "high standard roads" - the statistics show that the really big improvement in safety comes with divided roads. But between that and goat tracks there are a vast array of improvements that make a significant difference, such as better alignment, wider sealed surface, improved markings, particularly edge marking, improved signage, controlled level crossings, safer runoff areas and safety rails where the edges can't be made safe, just to give a few improvements.

Even some of the "goat tracks round" here have been made significantly safer by changes such as improved sight lines, warning signs, frequent grading, even short sealed sections round bad corners.

Originally Posted by scarry

Just another politician on the band wagon,feathering his own nest,and trying to grab some votes....

As you would know most of them are totally out of touch with what is actually going on in the real world,and have no idea what they are doing.

Anyway end of rant or this post may disappear...

Ev's don't suit most in their current form,and those 'most' are not going to suddenly change,even though some think they will.

The few that they do suit should use them.

But many of those few are not going to suddenly race out and buy them,for whatever reason.

I wonder if it is a ploy for the Brexit Trade Deal as this would really scare car makers on the continent VW, BMW, Merc, Audi, Porsche, Peugeot, Renault, Citroen, Fiat to name a few.