Thread: Victorian Road Rules

Originally Posted by 3toes

The idea behind P plates is sound. It gives other drivers warning that this car is driven by someone who is stil a learner and to give them room. Unfortunately they are exploited by the traffic police who know they are more likely to make a mistake and so are easy prey for achieving their performance targets.

In the early seventies P plates were done away with in Queensland with all the usual suspects (as they were then , not as organised or as well funded by the government as they are today) saying that there would be a blood bath as a result. Funny thing happened the accident rates for new drivers did not alter however the number receiving points and loosing their licences fell dramatically.

Vehicle technology has changed somewhat in that time 3toes.....allowing these inexperienced drivers to get behind the wheel of an evo direct imported from Japan...yes yes in the early 70's they had Holdens, Fords and Valiants...but now they have V6's that would leave those old V8's for dead....

Originally Posted by RaZz0R

Just having a look over this thread - its funny from the point of view of a motorcyclist such as myself - I mean full time with no car at any point in 12 years - till now of course lol

But I do have to disagree with Micks statement there - I mean - its correct on one hand - but not in another - trying to function in our society with out personal transport leaves you at such a disadvantage due to our crappy public transport system - so in a way the statement is correct - but at the same time wrong as our society has made it in such a way, that with out it your almost trapped. but anyway just a thought.

good point but lost a tiny bit of credibility with that avatar in this topic!!!! lol2 lol2

cheers (couldnt resist!!!!!!!!)
(yep back up you go people!!!)



PS in SA law clearly sets out size of white background and size,colour and thickness of "P".... so if you cut it out...you havent got a P plate....
you just have a P (and that rhymes with T...ohh no thats backwards! <<<-- oldy joke)

Originally Posted by digger

good point but lost a tiny bit of credibility with that avatar in this topic!!!! lol2 lol2

cheers (couldnt resist!!!!!!!!)
(yep back up you go people!!!)

LOL!! That is a fair call!! lol - I need to replace that with my rangie now lol

Originally Posted by 3toes

The idea behind P plates is sound. It gives other drivers warning that this car is driven by someone who is stil a learner and to give them room. Unfortunately they are exploited by the traffic police who know they are more likely to make a mistake and so are easy prey for achieving their performance targets.

In the early seventies P plates were done away with in Queensland with all the usual suspects (as they were then , not as organised or as well funded by the government as they are today) saying that there would be a blood bath as a result. Funny thing happened the accident rates for new drivers did not alter however the number receiving points and loosing their licences fell dramatically.

Actually Provisional licences weren't introduced in Queensland until the early 70s. A 'P' plate had to be displayed and secured firmly (not wired on) for the first 12 months of driving. It was an offence for a non-provisional driver to display 'P' plates. The requirement to display 'P' plates was removed by the early 80s and only recently re-introduced.

Originally Posted by RaZz0R

Just having a look over this thread - its funny from the point of view of a motorcyclist such as myself - I mean full time with no car at any point in 12 years - till now of course lol

But I do have to disagree with Micks statement there - I mean - its correct on one hand - but not in another - trying to function in our society with out personal transport leaves you at such a disadvantage due to our crappy public transport system - so in a way the statement is correct - but at the same time wrong as our society has made it in such a way, that with out it your almost trapped. but anyway just a thought.

Which makes it even more important to guard that licence...errr privilege

Sooooo true! I think it is why people arch up so quick about points, fines, our goverment etc, etc. One day I wish I could to walk in to a MP's office with one simple question: Who do you work for?

& smack'em till they answer - The Australian People & you - but thats for another chat lol

Originally Posted by digger

good point but lost a tiny bit of credibility with that avatar in this topic!!!! lol2 lol2

Fixed just for you

It seems to me that there are two basic schools of thought here. On one hand, the people who are saying all coppers are illegittimate, and the other (I note two of them in uniform) appear to be saying that if you cop a bluey, just wear it as you deserved it.
It just ain't that simple folks, the 10/90 rule works both ways. 10% of coppers give 90% a bad name. Most cops (ie not traffic) are fair and reasonable, applying the spirit of the law rather than the letter. A senior Police Officer, who I knew socially, told me that usually the fundimental orifii amongst their ranks end up in traffic or watch-house duties. These are the one who will ping you for some obscure technicallity or 1-2 kays over. On the other hand, the drivers are 10% total idiots who need to be removed from the roads ASAP, 'P' platers represent the biggest part of that 10%.
To illustrate the above comment; the other day I was driving the seven kays home from my local shopping centre. As I approached a red light I lifted my foot from the throttle, hoping that the light would change before I reached it. A moron in a black Commodore on 20" rims with rubber bands enveloping them, and displaying 'P' plate overtook me in a dangerous and illegal fashion. He then proceeded to drive at least 1.5 times the posted speed limit. At no time did I exceed the limit, yet when I turned into my street he was less than 100 metres in front of me. Simply because he had no idea how to corner, I caught him up at every bend and intersection. With the remarkable lack of manouvring skill this kid displayed, how well would he cope with an unexpected eventuallity, particularly driving at 80 kph in suburban back streets. Also with our recent wet weather, all the H2O horsepower heros have crawled out of the woodwork. These two examples are very rarely, if ever displayed by over 25-30 year olds, and never by mature drivers of any age.
My father-in-law used to say "It takes no skill to drive flat out, a three year old kid can stand on the accelerator and hold it there."