I can relate to many of the thing spoken by others this sight like speed cameras , breath testing the days of .08 and the green crystles tubes coppers driving mini cooper "S"
I have been driving since I was 12 yrs old out of a case of necessity I learnt in a ex army Jeep in the bush and a single spinner Ford customline back in 1958 in and around Hobart. and trucks a bit later , From the age of 17 I have used steering wheels to make a living (about 45 years) I have seen many changes in vehicle design, road law, roads but the biggest change would have to be driver attitude. I t was drummed into me at an early age that to hold a drivers license was a privilege not a right. As it seems to be this day. In my younger years I had a couple of minor accident, thankfully nothing serious. And a few speeding fines nothing else
When I fist drove in NSW on the open road there was no speed limit unless otherwise posted and high speeds were very common but I don’t recall a huge accident rate compared to today’s figures and most roads are much better than in the 1960/70’s I think this was due to the fact that driver’s drove to the conditions,. Something that is not done in many cases today.
I think people were more aware of the condition of their cars as more home maintenance was done as vehicles were simpler to maintain. and less costly
One of the things I learnt from an early age in life is that any vehicle that you drive for the first time is that the vehicle must become an extension of yourself, get to know it with in the fist few minutes of driving it. Get to know the feeling of the vehicle ie. power to weight performance, steering, braking , gen handling, where the controls are, any load effect on vehicle handling .And remember even though they may have followed one another off the assembly line they are still different vehicles
I still drive a big cross selection of vehicles today and I enjoy driving the old one as much as the newer vehicles.
I think I have adjusted with the times and have no trouble adjusting to conditions; when and where ever I am. And I still enjoy driving as much as I did when fist started and I like to test drive any type of vehicle for the fist time or an oldie again , it is the actions and attitudes of the lesser educated steering wheel attendants that I have a problem with
But them my grand kid tell me I am a becoming grumpy old man .
Hodgo
Bookmarks