Traffic advice on forum

[Calaber]

When someone posts a thread regarding traffic infringements, they often get back many responses from other members offering "advice".

In theory, Australia has a "Uniform Traffic Code", introduced some years ago to ensure uniformity of traffic laws between all the States. However, if there is one area where the States cannot agree, it's traffic penalties and procedures for dealing with appeals, license suspension and cancellations. To put it simply, no two States seem to do the same thing and the way certain matters are handled can be totally different.

Many of the posts offered as "advice" are misplaced, simply because the poster lives in a different State to the OP. I often see advice given which is completely wrong and misleading, but if offered in such a way as to suggest that "it is right because it happened to me" (or a mate).

It might be worth remembering that these things are widely divergent from State to State and because you know it's right from personal or close experience, it may well be completely wrong for the OP.

[Rossbx]

I couldn't agree more

[ClairBear]

This should be a sticky.

[GetToDaChopa]

Another thing is if someone does not know what to do it is best to call your local police station or the local RTA place and simply ask them.

[STEALTHY™]

When someone posts a thread regarding traffic infringements, they often get back many responses from other members offering "advice".

In theory, Australia has a "Uniform Traffic Code", introduced some years ago to ensure uniformity of traffic laws between all the States. However, if there is one area where the States cannot agree, it's traffic penalties and procedures for dealing with appeals, license suspension and cancellations. To put it simply, no two States seem to do the same thing and the way certain matters are handled can be totally different.

Many of the posts offered as "advice" are misplaced, simply because the poster lives in a different State to the OP. I often see advice given which is completely wrong and misleading, but if offered in such a way as to suggest that "it is right because it happened to me" (or a mate).

It might be worth remembering that these things are widely divergent from State to State and because you know it's right from personal or close experience, it may well be completely wrong for the OP.

It might be worth mentioning, 90% of these posts don't list a location in their thread, nor have one in their mini profile. Maybe that would solve it?

[HamaTime™]

Words of wisdom from Calaber. Take heed everyone.

[Grennan]

It might be worth mentioning, 90% of these posts don't list a location in their thread, nor have one in their mini profile. Maybe that would solve it?

Yeah usually its some random bypasser who has joined simply to ask about their fine and fails to fill out their info.

[STEALTHY™]

Yeah usually its some random bypasser who has joined simply to ask about their fine and fails to fill out their info.

Exactly. Why get worked up over a passer by (if they get information not relevant to the state which no-one knows besides them). Most of the 'traffic' threads end up locked anyway.

[Calaber]

Exactly. Why get worked up over a passer by (if they get information not relevant to the state which no-one knows besides them). Most of the 'traffic' threads end up locked anyway.

Stealthy

Some months ago, I proposed that an address of some sort should appear on the masthead of each member whenever they post. Minux suggested that mods might consider it, but I haven't heard anything since then. Even just having the state where they reside as a compulsory field would help. It would certainly assist with this sort of issue.

And quite a few more "permanent" members post these sorts of threads too, not just the five minute "blow-ins".

The fact that they often get locked is irrelevant. My post relates to the "advice" given in response. Many times, the "advice" is hopelessly wrong because of State legislative variations.

[STEALTHY™]

Maybe the advice wouldn't have been posted if the state was listed, or maybe, just maybe, people are posting what happens in 'their' state to add to the discussion (although not helping the post starter directly, it would give an idea)

The fact they get locked should be of consideration. Its basically a nothing thread that will end up dead, so what does it matter either way, is my point

[Calaber]

Maybe the advice wouldn't have been posted if the state was listed, or maybe, just maybe, people are posting what happens in 'their' state to add to the discussion (although not helping the post starter directly, it would give an idea)

The fact they get locked should be of consideration. Its basically a nothing thread that will end up dead, so what does it matter either way, is my point

We disagree (gee, fancy that!) but others seem to support my suggestion. That's good enough for me.

[TVR-190]

Most of those people would be better off searching their states traffic authority's website. 90% of the time it will answer their question

[davway]

Maybe if people took responsibilty for their own actions instead of coming here and whinging like a little girl about how they broke the law but dont think you should have to wear the punishment, that might solve 90% of all these threads.

Do the crime - wear it - deal with it - move on.

[Calaber]

Maybe if people took responsibilty for their own actions instead of coming here and whinging like a little girl about how they broke the law but dont think you should have to wear the punishment, that might solve 90% of all these threads.

Do the crime - wear it - deal with it - move on.

In fairness to the OP of the thread that started me on this subject, he had admitted his stupidity and said he was prepared to cop the penalty. It was all the free advice he got from all over the country that made me think about how wrong some of them were.

[STEALTHY™]

We disagree (gee, fancy that!) but others seem to support my suggestion. That's good enough for me.

I didn't disagree at all. Yes, it should be known theres different laws for different states.

Wouldn't it make more sense for the person who starts the thread to be responsible for it? Maybe have a blanket ban on any threads that don't list the state (or have it in the mini profile), that would work better than this thread in the pub where nobody reads it anyway (going by the lack of people down with the simplest or rules)

And for the record, I don't agree with the prefix thing, some people don't want everything known about their car all over the internet

[danja]

I didn't disagree at all. Yes, it should be known theres different laws for different states.

Wouldn't it make more sense for the person who starts the thread to be responsible for it? Maybe have a blanket ban on any threads that don't list the state (or have it in the mini profile), that would work better than this thread in the pub where nobody reads it anyway (going by the lack of people down with the simplest or rules)

And for the record, I don't agree with the prefix thing, some people don't want everything known about their car all over the internet

Knowing what state you live in is hardly a serious privacy violation.

I agree that it's dicey business giving away personal details on the internet, but if that level of detail concerns you, you have too much time on your hands.

Calaber's observation is a valid one. People should be more aware and up-front about the accuracy and limitations of any advice they give - sounds like a no-brainer to me, but yet here we are. Not sure why you seem to want to poke holes in this observation?

[Julie]

My view... that is my personal view as a member not a moderator is that anyone that is stupid enough to take randoms strangers 2 cents worth of advice as gospel on such important matters rather than contact the relative authorities deserves any trouble they may get. Harsh maybe but theres too many stupid people in this world and I don't have much pity for them, I think its the OP's onus to ensure they get the right information, no one elses.

[minux]

My view... that is my personal view as a member not a moderator is that anyone that is stupid enough to take randoms strangers 2 cents worth of advice as gospel on such important matters rather than contact the relative authorities deserves any trouble they may get. Harsh maybe but theres too many stupid people in this world and I don't have much pity for them, I think its the OP's onus to ensure they get the right information, no one elses.

+1, well said Jules.

[STEALTHY™]

Knowing what state you live in is hardly a serious privacy violation.

I agree that it's dicey business giving away personal details on the internet, but if that level of detail concerns you, you have too much time on your hands.

Calaber's observation is a valid one. People should be more aware and up-front about the accuracy and limitations of any advice they give - sounds like a no-brainer to me, but yet here we are. Not sure why you seem to want to poke holes in this observation?

Did you miss where i said i agree? I just said theres a better way to overcome the issue. Ban 'i got a fine whinge' threads

And i never said your state is a privacy violation. I just said not everyone will want to display theirs.

[danja]

I think its the OP's onus to ensure they get the right information, no one elses.

I'm sure most people do end up getting the right info, one way or another. It doesn't change the fact that people throwing incorrect information at them, all the while claiming it's true, doesn't help that happen.

I really don't see the problem with trying to raise awareness about the matter.

Stealthy, I'm not a fan of the whinge threads either, but not all such threads are a whinge, some of them have genuine questions about how the road rules work.

Re the state thing, I'm not after a semantic argument - it is my opinion that when you sign up you should have to nominate what state you're in, and that should mandatorily visible on your profile. It would help with two issues, one is people asking a state-specific question without saying which state they are in, and also what Calaber is talking about so when people pitch their 2c in everyone knows where they are speaking from.

Like I said, if you can't handle that little bit of "personal" info being posted, you worry too much (and don't have to join the forum)

[STEALTHY™]

The point is they don't contribute anything to the forum. If anything, people google it and it comes up and we end up with more whingers.

Also thats one thing, you just worded it 2 different ways

Its a good idea yes, and i couldn't careless about displaying my state, i just said some people wouldn't want to have their state shown. Its already bad enough with the spotted thread saying 'i saw XXXXXX out the front of his work, every day between these times'. The only thing you aren't giving the car thieves is the keys to their car.

[vlv8vic]

was going to type something very similar to Julie. I figure if someone is stupid enough to assume all the 'help' they are going to get here is correct then they'll learn the hard way.
These threads are really easy to ignore, so i don't know why this thread is here but for those who can't ignore why not adopt a standard approach that explains where they can find appropriate help without 'guessing' their way through responses from all the wannabe cops and lawyers we get on here.

In fact, Calaber - or anyone else- feel free to compile a list of the appropriate links for each state on ADRs and road rules and i'll lock and sticky it. That way when the "get me out of this" threads come up we simple link and lock. Would that work?

[STEALTHY™]

was going to type something very similar to Julie. I figure if someone is stupid enough to assume all the 'help' they are going to get here is correct then they'll learn the hard way.
These threads are really easy to ignore, so i don't know why this thread is here but for those who can't ignore why not adopt a standard approach that explains where they can find appropriate help without 'guessing' their way through responses from all the wannabe cops and lawyers we get on here.

In fact, Calaber - or anyone else- feel free to compile a list of the appropriate links for each state on ADRs and road rules and i'll lock and sticky it. That way when the "get me out of this" threads come up we simple link and lock. Would that work?

Minux already has a sticky for ADRs, why not add the road rule links to that one? then blanket ban the shitty 'waaa waa i got a fine' threads

[vlv8vic]

^^^ if someone does the research into the links I'm more than happy to add them to the ADR thread. I personally can't be effed going looking though...

[STEALTHY™]

^^^ if someone does the research into the links I'm more than happy to add them to the ADR thread. I personally can't be effed going looking though...

The thing is, there on the same sites....its just a different click