Saw a Fatality Today...

[Bobman]

Ever thought that Brakes and Tyres actually do play a big part?

Many cars on our roads have unroadworthy tyres & drivers...

Look at the commercial the TAC did regarding wiping off 5km/h, two AU Falcons, one gets written off and the roof bends in, the other has a scratched bumper bar. 5km? I DON'T THINK SO.

Also think about driver reaction time & other factors, speed plays a very minimal part in most motor collisions.

Glad to see the Victorian State Government are focusing more on drink and drug driving - by far the leading cause of traffic related casualties.

[Abacus]

Originally Posted by drcook

the point would be if you cant safely drive a vehicle at 60kph (considering, of course, the conditions around you, like a good driver would), you arent a capable driver, and you shouldnt be given a licence.

You are missing the point. We're talking suburban streets here.

You can be the best driver on the planet driving the best car with the best tyres and the best brakes, doing 60km/h down a suburban street and a kid wanders out from the other side of a parked car, the kid is still dead. And he'll be on your conscience for the rest of your life.

50km/h gives you much more room to react. 40km/h better still.

The examples you gave were ridiculous. We're not talking about driving at 50km/h for the whole trip from A to B, we're talking about an appropriate speed when you've turned off a main road and your driving through the backstreets of a residential suburb.

Having done a few driver education days many years ago, I can still recall being amazed at how long it took to brake from 60km/h, and how long the reaction time was. Try it yourself. Drive down a quiet road and get a friend standing to one side to give you a signal when to stop. From the time your friend signals to the time your brain recognises the signal to when you stop is a longer distance than you think.

[05MkIIFutura]

Originally Posted by Abacus

You are missing the point. We're talking suburban streets here.

You can be the best driver on the planet driving the best car with the best tyres and the best brakes, doing 60km/h down a suburban street and a kid wanders out from the other side of a parked car, the kid is still dead. And he'll be on your conscience for the rest of your life.

50km/h gives you much more room to react. 40km/h better still.

The examples you gave were ridiculous. We're not talking about driving at 50km/h for the whole trip from A to B, we're talking about an appropriate speed when you've turned off a main road and your driving through the backstreets of a residential suburb.

Having done a few driver education days many years ago, I can still recall being amazed at how long it took to brake from 60km/h, and how long the reaction time was. Try it yourself. Drive down a quiet road and get a friend standing to one side to give you a signal when to stop. From the time your friend signals to the time your brain recognises the signal to when you stop is a longer distance than you think.

Yup, good point

[05MkIIFutura]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Ever thought that Brakes and Tyres actually do play a big part?

Many cars on our roads have unroadworthy tyres & drivers...

Look at the commercial the TAC did regarding wiping off 5km/h, two AU Falcons, one gets written off and the roof bends in, the other has a scratched bumper bar. 5km? I DON'T THINK SO.

Also think about driver reaction time & other factors, speed plays a very minimal part in most motor collisions.

Glad to see the Victorian State Government are focusing more on drink and drug driving - by far the leading cause of traffic related casualties.

Do the AAMI Skilled Drivers Course, costs $165 and runs for 3/4 of a day. http://www.aami.com.au/aami_customer...ed_drivers.asp

I did it, and the one message of the whole day which you ACTUALLY LEARNT IN YOUR CAR is that wiping off 5km/h makes a WORLD of difference. You dont realise the extent to which speed effects mobility and safety until you practice it in real life on a closed track.

Plus it will get you cheaper insurance :voldar02:

I would really recommend it.

[Bobman]

Originally Posted by 05MkIIFutura

Do the AAMI Skilled Drivers Course, costs $165 and runs for 3/4 of a day. http://www.aami.com.au/aami_customer...ed_drivers.asp

I did it, and the one message of the whole day which you ACTUALLY LEARNT IN YOUR CAR is that wiping off 5km/h makes a WORLD of difference. You dont realise the extent to which speed effects mobility and safety until you practice it in real life on a closed track.

Plus it will get you cheaper insurance :voldar02:

I would really recommend it.

I strongly support police style advanced driving education to all new licencee's and it is something the Government should be supporting.

I will agree that on some roads or heavy traffic, 5km makes a difference, however on Freeways or wide roads with little traffic and good visibility, conditions etc that 5km will have very litle impact on controlling a motor vehicle.

The advanced driving course at Sandown is a worthwhile one too.