I have been witness to many vehicle collisions in my time, some of these were due to people speeding, some due to other factors such as people driving under the influence, the driver's attitude and offenders evading Police.
What do you guys think will help reduce people slamming the pedal to the floor?
Stopping people from putting the pedal to the floor is not the key to preventing accidents as has been proven in Europe and the NT (I read somewhere that the number of car accidents in the NT have actually increased since capping the max speed limit). There needs to be a serious overhaul of speed limits and the conditions of the roads in this country. Living out in the sticks I drive anywhere from 1500 to 3500km's per week and if I sat on 100-110 along some of the longer stretches, I'd end up bored, losing my concentration or falling asleep.
We need more experienced/better educated driving instructors teaching our young learners too. They all teach the same basic crap not taking into account the personality and attitude of the learner. An overconfident leadfoot who thinks they know it all needs different training to a leaner who's nervous and scared when they get behind the wheel. I went to a couple of driving instructor when I was learning and it was a waste of time and money. in the end it was my mother and husband who taught me the most valuable lessons....mum taught me - don't just focus on the car in front, take note of the car up the road....take note of how the cars ahead move over the road (makes you aware of bumps, potholes and any possible obstructions that you may have to go around). Don't just check your rear view occasionally, I should be able to ask you at any given moment what is behind you and you should be able to answer correctly without looking. As for hubby well he knew my personality and that I liked powerful cars so he took me out in his vl, got me in the drivers seat and put me in a position where I found out for myself how everything can go from being really fun to being really fkd in a matter of seconds. i was in tears and shaking at the end but it was a lesson someone like me needed. Another thing driving instructors don't teach learners is that the condition of your car is paramount when it comes to safe driving, you could be the best driver in the world, it dont mean **** if you got bald tyres and worn brakes.
use your mirrors and focus on the road and not whats around
And that's how people end up with a young child as a hood ornament. If you don't focus on, or at least take not of, all your surrounds (as well as the road) you'll never see that kid playing in the park, yard or footpath off to the side up ahead and wont anticipate them darting into the path of your car until it's too late.
I could go on for pages with what I think would help prevent accidents but I will finish my ramble here with one last comment and a question.
When on the highway I often see people pulling just in front of semis and roadtrains and my gut churns 'cos these rigs can't stop on a dime. So please, unless you want to end up looking like a still shot from some gruesome horror movie, give them a bit of space.
Question - In the defensive etc driving courses you can do these days, do they have a program where you drive at 100kph and the tyre blows out? I think all learners should have to experience this (as well as a few other things) before getting their licence.
The End!
