I started driving (legally) at the age of sixteen, back in 1986; until then the only driving I'd done was in vehicles on private property which is where I initially learned to drive.
There was less traffic on the road back in 1986 which made the roads a safer place generally, and no mobile phones or social media so driver-attentiveness was higher than today. Yes, vehicles didn't have as many safety features as they do today, driver aids and warnings like active braking, lane assist, reverse cameras, radar adaptive cruise control, lane-change monitors, forward collision warning/active braking, anti-lock braking, traction control, electronic stability control, traffic sign recognition, pre-crash tensioning seat belts, advanced crumple-zones and side intrusion protection, automatic high beam off, automatic windscreen wipers, front and reverse beepers, bi-xenon/LED lights, cross traffic alert and so on...My vehicles have all of that and more...Back in 1986 not much of that existed and that probably made being on the the roads a little more dangerous, but maybe less traffic and greater awareness offset it? Who knows.
Culpable driving like reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol or whilst distracted by a mobile phone is probably one of the greatest factors to fatalities and serious injury crashes (wrecks) on the roads today and speeding is another, the greatest factor to road deaths in this country.
Now, I'm not innocent here; the fastest I've travelled on a public road in or on a vehicle is 290kph (180mph) which occurred when I was on my Yamaha R1 motorcycle. Had I come off at that speed I'd be a little red stain on the road or a tree somewhere, I know it now and I knew it then. I did lesser speeds also, but still faster than I should have, and it was fucken idiotic. These days, I do the speed limit...except when overtaking on open roads when I might get my truck up to around 150kph or so for a brief period.
I'm also a very good driver, attentive and aware of what's around me and have a good spatial awareness and eye for what may pop out of nowhere. I don't late brake, don't tailgate, use the indicators, check blind-spots, know the road laws well and generally drive around the nutbaggery that others may or may not do; one must these days as so many people are phone driving.
I've had accidents also, I was rear-ended in my Lexus and T-boned in my Audi at traffic lights when someone came through a red light, both times I was ok but the cars were fucked up - I loved both those cars and was furious as I was not at fault either time. But that's how it goes on the roads these days, it's increasingly risky.
I was having a conversation about all of this last week and about the fucken annoying fact that speed limits are decreasing...although I understand why. I guess I wonder where it stops though, how low does it go?
The maximum speed limit here is 110kph (68mph) although there are some remote roads that can be specially designated a little higher at 130ph.
In urban areas speeds range between 25kph (school crossings and roadworks) to 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 and 110kph. It's all reasonably sensible I guess, but it can be frustrating as not all the zones are signposted and getting caught speeding is very easily done. The net result of the speed deceases are a decreasing fatality and serious injury number; speed is the number one killer on Australian roads and reducing it, with greater speed detection technology employed by the police and very costly fines it seems to be having an effect...but the decreasing speed limits are bloody annoying.
Below is a screen capture from the SAPOL website clearly showing the statistics and while there's anomalies there's also a clear trend. I also looked up 1986, the year I got my drivers license, and interestingly it was almost 300 deaths, the highest number from 1980 to this day.
I drive a lot and in many different places across Australia and the common theme is speeding and inattentiveness. Fatalities are lowering but the cases of road accidents are increasing meaning there's more non-fatal accidents than ever before...a combination of many factors I guess, and an alarming trend also.
What's it like in your location? If you've been driving for a while and have good perspective on the trend in your region feel free to comment. If you're a safe driver tell us what led you to be and if you're an inattentive phone driver, excessive speeder or like to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs feel free to tell us why. Comment on anything related I guess, it's up to you.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
Image(s) in this post are my own except for the SAPOL screen capture as indicated above
I pretty much stay to the limits here. On the super highway, maybe 5 over, but no more than that.
There are so many distracted drivers here. When I leave the house in my car I am ultra vigilante, defensive driving and the such, otherwise, it could have been over already. Why oh why do people think they can text and drive? Ugh! It's awful !
I think that's smart, it's too costly not to I suppose, and I agree with the vigilance, it's required with so many choosing not to be. Phone driving is not acceptable.
Here in my country a lot of people are reckless drivers,that's why I was afraid to learn how to drive a motorcycle before because of the people around me who drive recklessly.
Anyways, I still learn to drive a motorcycle way back 2019 and until now I am trying my best to drive safely and away from accident especially that I am carrying my kids daily.
It's good to be safe, but I think it's also dangerous on the roads as many other people are not safe and that can have knock-on effects for those who are I suppose right?
Stay safe.
right. that's why I tried to be attentive on the vehicles behind me or even even the vehicles in front of me. I don't know what's their next move or what they think.
thank you
The reducing of speed limits is what gets to me. Like you rightly put it cars have evolved in almost every way, less effort is used to hit higher speeds. I at times think the people In charge of licensing drivers are not confident in the quality of drivers they are sending out or governments see it as a way of making easy money through fines. My country has speed limits as low as 60km/h on a high way.
You raised a point I chose not to mention, revenue raising through traffic infringements. The fines here are massive and usually the locations chosen for speed cameras are not necessarily high crash zones, just areas the government know they'll keep the fine-revenue coming in. It's pretty pathetic.
Very pathetic. It’s sad when the institutions meant to protect the people are the ones ripping them off. What’s ironic in my country is over seven policemen and women will leave there offices, and hide in conners after traffic lights. To fine and collect money from anyone that beats the traffic lights, in ways the deem wrong.
The same thing happens here, they hide despite not being supposed to, and they also put cameras in different types of vehicles to catch people out. They get plenty.
I remember getting my learners and doing my driving test on the first day I was legally able to, had them booked for weeks before too. I have never driven anywhere near your speeds but I liked the old cars and the modern cars are great too with all the comfort. The biggest difference I notice is the quality and improvement of the main highway between Brisbane and Sydney. It used to take for ever on the old pacific highway, slowing down through every small town, struggling to over take anything in my old Toyota corolla. Nowadays its a 110 limit and almost dual highway the whole way cutting hours off any trip. There working on a Coffs Harbour bypass now while will improve it even more.
There's some really great road projects which reduce risk and travelling times, but for each one there's many more that confound logic. I guess they can't fix every problem area but with all the revenue raised from traffic infringements I'd at least expect a few more to be rectified, and rectified far quicker than they are.
I think it's about the same in the States. With the possible exception that no one ever drives the speed limits and the police don't really seem very interested in enforcing the limits. When I lived there, the highway speed limit was 65 mph (105 kph) and everyone went 5 over at a minimum. Now the highway limit is 70 (113) in my home state, but I've been told and I've seen on my visits home that everyone does at least 80, and usually higher. The semis are suppose to do 5 below, but they are often going just as fast as the cars.
I think I am a pretty good driver. I've never been in an accident, though I've had to act quickly to avoid them many times in cases where I would not have been the one at fault. I can drive quickly and safely (I think). If the state just raised the limit to 90, I'd be ok. But the unpredictability of the current situation I think makes it far more dangerous.
Lots of tailgating too... but I'm past my quota on complaints.
(In Japan it's not that bad and everyone mostly follows the posted limits)
People rarely do the speed limit here, mostly people do 5-8kph over, but they get caught for it, (revenue raising) and it's costly.
I mostly do the speed limit I guess, overtaking on country roads is the exception. I once got $2300AUD in fines for speeding three times over two weeks and lost all my points except one or two which wasn't good. (Points don't come back for three years). If I lost my license I'd lose my job the same day so had to be careful (for three years). All good though, and it built a habit of doing the right thing.
Also got my driving license in 1986 but have been 18 ... 😉 So ... Hi you young man 😘
I think no matter how technique and security develops, some people will always go to the limit and risk their life?
You know Austria 30 / 50 inner cities, 100 overland and 130 kph the highways.
In the past normaly you could Drive roundabout 10-20 kph more without big troubles. But this changed a lot.
For example "Section control" haha reminds me of a friend! They first made section control area between Graz and Vienna. And in the middle of the two measure points there was a resting station 😂 so the friend decided to drive faster and just took a coffee break in the middle. And so the "whole time" was ok for the section.
Now there are much more cameras everywhere to control every step you (drive) make
Lol...you mean someone is actually older than me?!
We have section control too, average speed zone, it's called. They have so many different ways of catching drivers for speeding really, and they also use cameras for inattentive phone driving. People still do it though, and they pay the fines (which are huge).
I don't have a problem with speed limits, but I think they need to be sensible and well signposted which is not always the case.
No in Austria in general everything about speed limits is clear and well signed. So no problem with that, except you yourself can easily oversee you are to fast. I think with old cars we had better feeling on how fast we really drive.
When we have flying cars we won't need roads huh?
But would need more speed and other limits.
Reminds me of "the 5th element" you know the Chinese Cook flying with a ship, cooking fresh in front of the window? Yummi !
I know the movie and what you're referring to. Good movie!
1986! I was fresh out of the whom then! But all the extra safety features added to cars then, does it make better drivers or less attentive drivers? Of course I see the pros, but it also makes people a little lazy, but I guess some will argue more at ease. But I'm arguing with myself here. And who am I kidding, I could never live without power steering! Because that was like a thing when I bought my first car at 22.
Here we have similar situation. I reckon I'm a fairly safe driver but I tend to drive better when I'm alone in the car, more focussed. Not Chatting away. But Cape town is full of petrol heads who are reckless mo fos. Engineering there cars to make annoying noises when driving normally. And revving like wankers every time they pull away. So you gotta be aware when you driving, because there is always thate mofo in a hurry and think they on a racecourse and can just do what they please. Generally BMW drivers!
Yeah, I'm as old as the dinosaurs I guess, but that's ok, still fucken rockin' it! 😊
There's a lot of wankers on the road and it's them who are often to blame for the accidents that occur, and for the way the laws change in an attempt to combat their fuckassery. Driving around what others may or may not do is the only real way to stay out of trouble and even then it's usually not possible.
290 kph is quite fast 😅 although Hamilton and company would say otherwise.
In my country, the maximum speed limit in the city is 80 km/h, and that's on the avenue where the president and diplomats commute. On normal streets, it's 60 km/h, which is partly understandable because there are no good roads here. Going over 60 kph is crazy; you'd wreck your car, and the streets are quite narrow. Even though it's the capital, the city is small.
I got my license at 18 (the minimum age to obtain one in Cuba) during my military service. I remember almost losing it a week later because I had to run a red light due to my mother having an asthma crisis. The police stopped me, and even though the officer initially wanted to revoke my license, he understood the situation and ended up escorting me to the hospital. Fortunately, I haven't had another similar situation.
Here, when you're learning to drive, they say: it's better to lose a minute of life than life in a minute
You're lucky that cop was lenient and you retained your licence, I guess common sense prevailed. It happens sometimes here too, but not too often I think.
The president gets his own road? Maybe he should get a fucken clue and fix the country as well!
I’m a doctor at the orthopedic unit. You can imagine how many surgeries we do every week based on bad driving and high speed.
We’ve tried our very best to enlighten people about this but it’s to no avail sometimes it’s based on the influence of alcohol.
People are very slow to learn and even more resistant to change I guess. No one thinks it'll happen to them but, as you know, it can, and does. Drug and alcohol driving is reprehensible and it's sad that often the victim is the innocent party, not the idiot who was doing the wrong thing. I'm sure you see that a lot.
Wow, that is pretty crazy. I wouldn't have guessed that speed limits are going down. They just seem to keep going up here. Plus no one drives the speed limit anyway. We have some remote back roads in Michigan that have been bumped up to 65 MPH. Those are two lane highways. Expressways with more lanes and a divider between them are up to 75 MPH in some areas. I was driving home going 78 MPH the other day and people were passing me that had to be going close to 90 MPH. I almost hate driving these days because people are in such a hurry, unpredictable, and distracted.
It works for revenue raising to lower the speed limits I guess, and that's what t the government are good at, revenue raising.
I don't mind limits as long as they are relevant and sensibly applied which is not always the case. I think there other issues that can be addressed to make things better on the roads, but they are not. I wonder where all the revenue from fines goes? Hmm...
With all the distracted driving these days, I honestly trust AI and robots to drive more than I do people! I think it would be safer. Politicians I would guess as far as the revenue goes!
There's an argument that leans that way for sure. I'm not a fan of AI generally, but it's one aspect where it may work out ok...until the robots take over completely.
Ain't that the truth!
Driving in the Philippines is insane. There are motorcycles and bicycles on the main road. Jeepneys [public transport] stop and swerve all the time. People can cross the road from almost anywhere. There is horrible traffic, so fatalities and big collisions aren't as common. Drivers can't practice safe driving as much, since leaving a big gap between you and the car in front is like inviting other vehicles to squeeze in and overtake you. It's a nightmare.
Yeah, I've not been there but I can imagine as I've travelled all over the world including a lot of Asia. It's bad, and getting worse, everywhere though and with the onset and rise of inattentive phone driving it'll get worse yet.
Well... I don't know how to drive, I must confess. I'm not too worried about not knowing the truth. I do everything I need on foot or by bus, but what I can do is tell you that if I did, I would be super attentive to everything, no distractions, driving and my safety and that of others is my priority. You have to be responsible. I guess you imagined I would say that and it's real.
If I can compare this issue between Argentina and Spain. Argentina is a real disaster, and the reality and truth is that many people have a license without really knowing how to drive... you can imagine there are many ways to achieve that. Well, in Argentina you must be extremely careful, especially if you are a pedestrian, because they will run over you without thinking about it, no one cares about anything.
When I got here, wow, I was crazy surprised by the respect, although there is always a drunk and things like that. But in comparison I can tell you that there is an abyss.
Yes, those accidents that you mention have also been recorded, people fainting... cardiac arrests on the increase... that produces accidents... and that didn't happen before.
I couldn't do my job using public transport, it just wouldn't work. That's ok by me though, I hate public transport anyway.
Having said that, some I've used in cities around the world isn't too bad at all, Singapore and London to name two.
Those cities must be beautiful... well it's true having a car reduces distances, times and is much more comfortable! It is real.
Wow!
290 Kph on a bike is fast!
I used to own a Kawasaki Bandit 400 before our son was born.
I've always loved speed. Driving, cycling, skiing, and when I was on that bike I remember getting into 200 kph sometimes on the highway. Crazy, just crazy.
At that speed, the dashed lines painted on the paved road looked just like a straight line!
One day, while cycling on the mountain bike, got hit by a fly or a bug in my face and almost crashed, I was using a helmet when driving the motorcycle but still, that fly hit my face and my reaction made me think just any little thing can make you crash going at that speed.
A few months later, on that same highway, I suddenly broke into a traffic jam and slid down the paved road scratching my helmet into the asphalt for a few hundred meters. I can still picture that moment in my mind, listening to the sound of the helmet (which saved my life) scratching on the road. That was the end of my motorcycling life. My son was a few months old and I realized I did not want him to leave with no dad.
I now see some crazy guys driving and racing with their bikes on the highway and know, sooner or later they will hit the ground driving that way. It is just a matter of time before you do, and when that happens, only luck saves you from a serious fatality.
You become more and more responsible as you grow old, you see the dangers as you gain experience from your living and the ones around you. It is ok to risk a little bit when you are young, but risking on a bicycle or skiing is way much safer than doing it on a motorcycle on the highway.
Yeah man, way to fast for a public road but that's what I did, stupid though it was.
On the bug thing, I had my visor up one time, riding on my motorcycle and a bug got into it to the side of my head and was still alive...it was buzzing around and moving and all...unpleasant. I pulled up pretty quickly as I was worried it was a European wasp which are pretty dangerous. It was just a dragon fly but still felt kind of shitty.
I agree that people (usually) become a little more sensible when they get older, a mix of experience, understanding and plain old common sense I guess. Still, some never learn and accidents happen too, try as we might to avoid them - I mean in vehicles and other things as you mention.
Fuck European wasps!
That's the variety that bit me awaikening my allergy and almost killing me two summers ago!
You were lucky it was a dragon fly but I can imagine it was quite a dangerous experience.
I know right? We have them all over the place, fucken dangerous things. They sting repeatedly, multiple times, and many people don't react well. With that dragon fly...well, he met his end that day, I'm just glad it wasn't a European wasp.
Age to obtain license is 18 now dropped to 16 for learners license in recent years which I personally think is crazy.
Obtained my license aged 22 with excellent train service not a necessity to have a car back in 1977. Roads were quiet in comparison, no road rage evident, speeding in suburbs or cities not excessive, open roads most put their foot down to cover distance not over exceeding speed limit too much by what I remember. Currently the roads are mayhem, dance with the devil is easier than driving!
Have been in an accident many years ago when vehicle was a write-off (slight injuries), another when the car spun out without any injuries thanks to quiet roads. To date touch wood, I have never as a driver been involved in an accident, hope to keep it that way!
Yep, roads are bonkers here and in loads of other places as well, plenty of reasons why too.
I'm not surprised about your road death statistics and I think there's probably countries that are even worse. I'm not sure how it works out per capita but I know that a lot of it is avoidable.
Too many trucks and taxi's on our roads, had railways remained it might have been a totally different story here. Powers that have been for past 30 years, no logical nor strategic thinking except a quick buck to enrich themselves.
It's somewhat cool that over there, they do have speed limits which most people adhere to. Over here, in Nigeria, no one obeys all these. We've got reckless drivers all around and I guess that's why the number of road traffic deaths is at an alarming rate.
It's a cool to know you strictly keep to traffic regulations. The world would be safer if everyone did the same .
Greetings!
Yeah, I'd expect there to be no real control over there and plenty who want to break the speed limits, I assume many pay the price for it through vehicle accidents, and probably some innocent people pay with their lives or bad injuries also.
Really Galen, I've been driving since I was 14 and I've been driving for years in my country and abroad also in the USA, Madrid, Latin America fortunately serious accidents thank God none, I love driving listening to the radio, because the loneliness of driving needs a reliable driver who releases endorphins, while driving... lol...
Driving is awesome, I enjoy it too...seems you're a world-driver.
Probably drive people crazy too! 🤔🤣
It is possible Galen, because when I get to the traffic lights if the music is very good I even dance sitting up well aware of the green light to start. I think people around me will say "that lady looks crazy dancing" 🫡🤣...
Yep, you're crazy...there's no doubt.
🤣🤣🤣🤣💪
🤪
Having driven for a while. I guess you have respect for what cars have become. Imagine the feeling of driving a fords model T in this day and age.
I know right? It would have taken ages to get anywhere, but I guess for those who had them it was a huge step up from horse and cart.
Like you, I am an old driver🙂
I got my license in 1995 and have been in the car since then. Until I bought my first car in 1998, I drove the cars of my brother, who was a car registration service. Then I was attracted to everything...
Thank God, except for minor knocks on the bumper and door, I have not had any serious traffic accidents.
In my country the situation is similar, restrictions on highways 120 and 130 km/h, main roads 90-110 km/h, in cities 50 km/h, and in special zones, schools. hospital, 30 km/h.
I am aware that reducing the speed, i.e., the limit, has a positive effect on the number of traffic accidents, but on some roads the speed limit has been the same since 1998 until today.
Back then we drove Zastava 750 cars with 767cc and 25PS (like the one I had), and today we drive cars with 2000cc and over 150PS, and the same speed limit. Shit...
By the way, the max speed I drove, way back in 1996, was 225km/h, in a Ford Sierra 2.0 Cosworth with 204PS.
I like speed limits, I feel they are appropriate, what I don't like is how they are used inappropriately, like to raise revenue or improve a politicians' standing prior to an election in the eyes of particular voters. Lower speed limits, and yet some of the roads are so poorly maintained they are downright dangerous. It's bonkers.
Those Sierra's you mention, I have driven one also, nice little cars and they've got some speed in them for sure.
In Nigeria speed limit for urban areas is 40kph while in rural areas is 80 kph, highways 120kph, I really love driving but unfortunately I don't know how to drive, I wanted to go for a driving school a friend said it's not advisable because I don't have a car yet.
Even as speed limit are reducing people still get involved in accidents that takes life, is just to drive safe and stay safe.
I wonder, do people stick to the speed limits there or do they go largely ignored? There's huge fines here, demerit points; speeding at 80 in a 60 zone incurs around $1,500AUD in fines for instance, and a loss of 5 demerit points (each driver only has 12 to start with.)
Hmmm even when there is fine to pay Nigerians are not known for obeying such laws, cameras are mounted in some traffic 🚦 just to see if people will adhere to the driving rules but no they won't they rather pay than obey, the worse is when you get to some states that are not well developed no one cares about driving laws
Yeah, some people have a propensity for law breaking I guess.
Even me I think so and most people are so impatient
The year 1986 when you started driving at the age of 16 was when my Mom gave birth to me. I guess you should be at your middle 50's right? If all those features you mentioned are in a vehicle, their shouldn't be more accidents on the road. But careless drivers will always allow things to divide their attention. Glad to know that you are very careful while driving and you know all road laws. Keep driving safe Man
I think a vehicle could be made with every safety feature known to mankind but an inattentive driver will still crash it. That's why the speed limits are lowering also, to mitigate the damage and risk of accidents when they happen, make the impact much less.
I really like driving a car, but lately I have to be really careful because the police are constantly on the highway, and last month, of course, they directed me off the highway because I exceeded the speed limit. Penalties are not cheap in Slovenia :)
But I would really like to try the highway in Germany (A1) where there is one lane without restrictions, and you can drive as much as you want.
We have some very high traffic infringement fines as well, you'd think it would deter people from doing the wrong thing but it seems not.
Apparently, if you have a good expensive car, you can afford to pay your fines. I mean, if speeding with a BMW and receiving a 1400€ fine is still not enough to stop you, then I dont know what is
Hi Galen, I got my driver's license at a late age for what is usual here in Spain, at 23 years old. I got it for work reasons, it was useful for me for a few years to have my own car. Now I don't have a car, and I only use it as a rental when I need it. I have always been a very cautious driver, I have always been aware that a car can become a deadly weapon. As for speed limits, I think they are more about collecting money than anything else. A hug
Yep, I agree the government use speed limits to raise revenue, other traffic infringements also I guess. I think speed limits are valid though, when used correctly and in the right circumstances.
In Spain the same thing happens, it must be a universal phenomenon to limit the speed, and here are my thoughts on the subject. That with the numerous unnecessary expenses of the Spanish public administration, among them a fleet of 36,266 official cars, it is intended to collect even more money from the pockets of citizens, to me it seems immoral and a robbery. And, it is not that I am against speed limits and other traffic regulations. What angers me, and very much, is the continuous theft of a public administration that does not stop wasting resources that are not theirs, they belong to the citizens.
Government are very good at taking and not so good at giving back generally I guess, it's probably the case all over the world. The waste of resources annoys me also.
Galen, you may have already noticed that I am also very annoyed by the waste of resources, it's already a night for me, have a great day.