Can I ride a moped?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by ADS

Fair point, but where you the worlds best driver when you were under 20, and did you drive like a priest?
Some of you make these comments but when you were of this age speed cameras were not in existence, and the current stance of this governement on attacking the motorist had yet to come into play.

I think that is probably a little niave.

Probably most people here couldn't afford a car before they were 20 so were extra careful if driving as it was their parents car! Those that did have cars were probably lucky if it could reach the speed limit. Cars have changed, the roads have got busier and so the rules have evolved to cope with this.

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Polwart

I think that is probably a little niave.

Probably most people here couldn't afford a car before they were 20 so were extra careful if driving as it was their parents car!

Maybe in some cases but by no means all, I drive my dads Audi A6 a fair bit doesn't mean I don't speed every now and again or take risks, im a young driver and so where you once.

Originally Posted by Polwart

Those that did have cars were probably lucky if it could reach the speed limit.

How old are you! Even 20yrs ago most cars could break a 30mph speed, so your naive as well!

Originally Posted by Polwart

Cars have changed, the roads have got busier and so the rules have evolved to cope with this

Agree with you on the last point, but driving for younger motorists is harder and more expensive now than it was 20 years ago. New drivers only begin with 6 points on their driving license to begin with for the first two years. Go through a 30mph speed trap at 33mph a couple of times and its game over, my mate got 3 points because someone had nicked the L plate off his 50cc scooter and he was riding it home! Get 6 points and you have to retake your theory test and your practical test, and don't start me on rip off car insurance!

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ADS

Fair point, but where you the worlds best driver when you were under 20, and did you drive like a priest?

No, I drove and rode like a complete f*cking idiot and still have the scars to show for it-and learned a bit quick!

It's not like I expect anyone to take any notice of a grumpy old git like me... but if one person does then maybe it's one less road death.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

No, I drove and rode like a complete f*cking idiot and still have the scars to show for it-and learned a bit quick!

That's it really isn't it - things like this you do generally learn from. Until it happens, you are reluctant to take the "advice" from those that have already experienced accidents/speeding.

I got caught speeding, and I've had a relatively serious accident. It has definitely changed my driving style.

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

No, I drove and rode like a complete f*cking idiot and still have the scars to show for it-and learned a bit quick!

It's not like I expect anyone to take any notice of a grumpy old git like me... but if one person does then maybe it's one less road death.

I fully agree with you Nos but the majority of young male drivers drive like nutters, always have done and always will. As you say one less road death is a good thing and thats what all this legislation and extra training is in place for. Had my first bump, wet roundabout, no other vehicle involved and the middle of the night, not very serious but has made me a safer driver

[Poly]

Originally Posted by ADS

Agree with you on the last point, but driving for younger motorists is harder and more expensive now than it was 20 years ago. New drivers only begin with 6 points on their driving license to begin with for the first two years. Go through a 30mph speed trap at 33mph a couple of times and its game over, my mate got 3 points because someone had nicked the L plate off his 50cc scooter and he was riding it home! Get 6 points and you have to retake your theory test and your practical test, and don't start me on rip off car insurance!

Alex - shall we agree to disagree?

Your original post wound me up as it seemed to be justifying speeding/careless driving because we are only young once.

I think the 6 points and you retake your test is a good thing. I also think the R-plates scheme in Northern Ireland is a good system. It might seem a bit arrogant from me but the solution to not getting those points is don't speed, or break the law! I know quite a few people who have racked up 9 points and now manage to drive more sensibly to make sure they don't get 12. If that same attitude gets to new drivers then it works.

I am not sure I agree that the cost of driving is more expensive now for young people (in real terms as a % of income) than it was 20 years ago.

I have managed over 10 years without getting any points or being in any accidents - I accept that part of that is luck.

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Alex - shall we agree to disagree?

Your original post wound me up as it seemed to be justifying speeding/careless driving because we are only young once.

Sorry if it came accross that way Neil, what I was trying to get at that was the fact that people get at Tim M in this case for driving to close to the car in front and or speeding. Yet forget that 20yrs or so ago when they a young male driver they were doing a similar thing. Nos acknowledges this and the fact of the matter is young male drivers drive like this and always have done.
I agree with you in that the schemes in place are probably sucessful, however they just come accross as irritating and a form of bullying towards younger drivers, although ulitmately they are for our own good.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ADS

however they just come accross as irritating and a form of bullying towards younger drivers,

Only towards young drivers who think they know it all....!

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Only towards young drivers who think they know it all....!

My license is clean, and my one mishap was no big deal! Although your probably right.

[Alice]

When I get my moped out on the road I'm gonna ride, ride .............

[codprawn]

Old drivers scare me FAR more than young drivers.

There have been loads of cases recently of people driving the wrong way down motorways etc - nearly always old drivers. Been quite a few deaths because of it as well.

Saw an old lady today in a Fiesta causing complete havoc - in the space of about 200yds she came close to causing about 6 accidents - totally oblivious to all the tooting horns etc. If it was a younger driver they would have been breath tested.

As to it ALWAYS being the person at the back's fault for shunting another driver up the backside I USED to think that - until I saw this video!!!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...29614689548442

There are better versions of this out there but can't find them now!!!

[Gray]

Originally Posted by codprawn

As to it ALWAYS being the person at the back's fault for shunting another driver up the backside I USED to think that - until I saw this video!!!

..and true to form the driver just drives off as if they are oblivious to everyone and everything else on the road!

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Gray

..and true to form the driver just drives off as if they are oblivious to everyone and everything else on the road!

Standard procedure for the OAP. although that looks like a taxi to me, Fiat Croma methinks, they are used alot in Turkey as Taxis and are made over there and rebranded, the name escapes me.
EDIT: a quick google has refreshed my memory, Tofas they are called over there, although it doesn't state where the accident happened.

[Gray]

Originally Posted by ADS

Standard procedure for the OAP. although that looks like a taxi to me, Fiat Croma methinks, they are used alot in Turkey as Taxis and are made over there and rebranded, the name escapes me.

taxis are a law unto themselves....aren't they?? Once saw one taxi driver having an argument with a customer, within seconds there were 5 more taxis / taxidrivers surrounding the one customer. One taxi driver who had nothing to do with it marches in and smacks the cusomter in the face. The Police gave the customer a warning for public disorder or something similar and said nothing to the taxi driver, how unfair is that far?

edit: this was in Southampton, not abroad!

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Old drivers scare me FAR more than young drivers.

Yep.

Originally Posted by codprawn

As to it ALWAYS being the person at the back's fault for shunting another driver up the backside

It's not ALWAYS the person at the back that's at fault-spend a day driving a fully loaded artic... The number of people who cut in just in front then brake is scary.

I've had someone do roughly what that yellow car did to me on the Stafford North junction of the M6.
She was parked on the hard shoulder of the exit slip. She drove the WRONG WAY up the exit slip and pulled straight onto the motorway in front of me at about 10mph. I had to go down the exit ramp to avoid her.

[Jono]

..and amazing how many truck drivers drive about 10 foot away from the truck in front… whatever the weather… and middle lane hogs…what are they doing?….. anyone noticed how many more aggressive female drivers there are these days?… people driving along reading reports/instructions whilst wandering all over the carriageway anyone?… what about the Sunday morning bikers?… overtaking on blind bends? …and it’s spreading…. You used to be able to go to the continent and expect a huge leap in the standard of driving… especially amongst the truck drivers… but now that ain’t so… especially if the truck is wearing eastern European plates… young drivers…..old drivers…male drivers…female drivers… It’s pretty hard to work out who is worse… there is only one exception… I’m a great driver! Laugh all you like.. but isn’t that what most people think? Especially the young who haven’t had yet realised that they are not going to live forever… but I have an answer to the problem.
It came to me in a flash last night… well, when I say flash… more of a rattle and a wheeze… Last night I drove with more concentration and consideration than at any time in the last 25 years…..

Why?… well.. I use a local garage for all my vehicle servicing..both the commercials at work and my own fleet of assorted vehicles. The garage I use is a Grandfather, Father, Son type of business that specialise in commercials but will turn their hand to anything you throw at them from Artics to Lawn mowers with equal skill and professionalism.. they’re not cheap.. but by Christ they are thorough….. and honest… the Son builds competition Land Rover based vehicles…for fun .. the Father restores and works on classic rally cars… for fun… This is the sort of garage that it is. Anyway, they also operate a pretty unique service in this day and age… they have a team of drivers who collect and deliver for anything from a full service on your lorry to an MOT for your car…and.. this is the best bit.. they always leave you with a courtesy car… The Loaner!… They acquire these “loan” vehicle from a variety of sources… mostly from older customer who are giving up driving… or from the families of older customers… whose old relatives have… shall we say just “given up”.. if you know what I mean. The point that I am coming to is that all these loan vehicle are older models with low miles that have been lovingly cared for. ….. So I handed over my Ford Explorer to them yesterday and received… in return…. A splendid 25 year old Metro City…. Well what a shock to the system.. no power steering… no air bags…. no radio… no electric window.. in fact not much at all… I mean… it had four gears! When was the last time people drove a car with four gears?

So how did I enjoy this experience, driving the 30 odd miles home last night? I was bloody terrified….to start with… that’s how much I enjoyed it. I actually had to concentrate on driving and felt pretty vulnerable. I gave way to people…which.....if you now me is pretty remarkable in itself… I didn’t even miss the radio as driving was taking all my attention .. I left plenty of room between me and the car in front…then it struck me….. I was actually enjoying the drive… for the first time in years.. I actually enjoyed the drive! Why? Well… firstly the frustration at slower cars disappeared.. the route home takes in motorways, major trunks and country lanes… and country lanes can be pretty frustrating behind slower cars…but suddenly.. I don’t feel the need to overtake… 50 mph in a Metro feels like you’re flying along. Secondly, with concentrating on driving the agricultural little beast.. I had no time to let my mind mull over the problems of the day… a revelation, I can tell you.

So… my current theory is…* fanfare of trumpets * …. Modern vehicles are too easy to drive.. they cosset the driver so much that insufficient attention is paid to the actual driving of the vehicle.. air bags, ABS SIPS… they all make the driver feel invincible and cocooned... and allow them to take risks,… as does the effortless power that we have at our command, relatively speaking… so..

Ladies and Gentlemen.. I give you the "Retro Metro Revolution”

….. get caught speeding, tailgating, driving like a numpty and you will be sentenced to driving a small, low powered and very “unsafe” vehicle until you realise that the modern vehicle only gives an illusion of safety and invincibility…..






Ps… I can’t wait to borrow their latest “loaner”… a genuine, low mileage, one careful owner..beige .. Allegro ! Fantastic…

[Hugh Jardon]

Originally Posted by Jono

..and amazing how many truck drivers drive about 10 foot away from the truck in front… whatever the weather…

if i get a tail gater i jently ease off the throttle and allow myself to slow down a bit then speed up to my original speed leaving them lagging, always works, especially effective with a lorry or diesel at the start of a large hill. the stubbon ones get the hint second time round icant beleive how close some cars travel and especially the lorrys, yes they can see a lot further ahead than you possibly can but still not good practice.

[Rodan]

For sure the elderly are the most scary thing on the roads these days.
For anyone who doubts this spend a few hours dodging and trying to get past the nissan micra and austin maxi loads of blue rinse found on the Isle of Wight. 15 to 20 mph is pretty normal for these and remember to keep your wits about you for enexpected strange manouvers which are nigh on impossible to predict.

and i continue my rant.... why on earth do pensioners insist on all shopping in the supermarkets on saturdays when they have the whole week free for this? It makes Sainsburys a virtual no go zone with silver trolley rage and elderly car park antics - I recently witnessed an elderly lady very forcefully park her japanese whatever firmly in the trolley bay - with trolleys in it...


i know... we will all be old one day but...

[Hugh Jardon]

Originally Posted by Rodan

For sure the elderly are the most scary thing on the roads these days.
For anyone who doubts this spend a few hours dodging and trying to get past the nissan micra and austin maxi loads of blue rinse found on the Isle of Wight. 15 to 20 mph is pretty normal for these and remember to keep your wits about you for enexpected strange manouvers which are nigh on impossible to predict.

and i continue my rant.... why on earth do pensioners insist on all shopping in the supermarkets on saturdays when they have the whole week free for this? It makes Sainsburys a virtual no go zone with silver trolley rage and elderly car park antics - I recently witnessed an elderly lady very forcefully park her japanese whatever firmly in the trolley bay - with trolleys in it...


i know... we will all be old one day but...

never ceases to amaze me how rude some older people are when they push into the queue or push to the front of the bargains section at tescos!!

i guess my view is that time is pressing for them as they dont have much time left!!

[Nos4r2]

Ah, bollocks to them...

In fact, bollocks to everyone-far safer. I can't be accused of ageism or any other kind of discrimination then.