“I’m so glad I don’t drive anymore - especially around Sydney …..”
Okay after many hours of hard yakka around my retirement home that I peacefully enjoy in the bush I have emerged once again to take some time out and read the latest that has been posted here and to my amazement I see that there has been a lot of bash the truckie in here and really its amusing that this has come about and so quickly.
What I cant get my head around is why are we bashing the tailgating theme like so. I must be losing the plot here somewhere. I thought that we was trying to get some form of action in trying to generally educate the so called motorists and pretend drivers in to becoming more aware of safer ways of becoming better drivers and so forth…..
Someone rattle my cage and bring me up to speed please and tell me what’s going on here now……
Some very interesting reading ….. better than what I read in the papers I might add and wow I an so glad that I don’t drive anymore and especially around Sydney. From what I can work out most of these reports are based on city driving. What about country driving? Don’t think for one minute that it doesn’t happen out there too. Well sorry folks the bad news is that it does so please never believe that only the city clowns are the only ones that are guilty of this.
I have been seen and partaken in some interesting situations on the vast wide open spaces over the years on the open roads that straddle this vast country and even made several front pages of different papers over some of the stupid things that our so called drivers both trucks and cars have done.
I also attended 3 Coroners Courts over some of these incidents and the end result of these findings was SPEED INEXPERIENCE FATIGUE and outright stupidity to be blunt….
Not a good thing to attend these Courts as you have to relive these incidents and that truly sticks in ones mind and you never forget things like this….
DRIVER EDUCATION to me is a very important issue and hopefully one day someone will finally realise that there are some huge issues that need to be addressed and sorted out but when will this happen and if at all…….
To all the fellow writers to this site you are all a great bunch and I love to read what you all have to say and yes I know that this is an open site for all but it seems that the real reason here is being lost and I hope that it isn’t.
Lyndal you keep battling and never give up and I am here in support of what you are doing ….
Chris where is part 3 and Nitro David Westy love the comments and yarns keep them coming ….
Where’s Rhonda is she hiding now….and Irene…..?
Cheers everyone I have some huge go slow projects on my plate and will be back again…. Can’t rush things you know
Richie
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
Hey Richie,keep in with us mate.
Don’t be too alarmed at the influx of bad truck driver[alleged]reports.
You and I both know that people have to take more responsibility for their actions on the roads and that means everyone behind a wheel.
You look after yourself and I look forward to your return here.
Dave
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Dear Richie
I am glad that you are enjoying your bush retirement and thanks for querying about Rhonda and myself.
I think that what you are witnessing, is, that due to individual experiences, we are all coming in from different directions in regard to the safety issue and hopefully we are meeting somewhere in the middle, with all viewpoints for the benefit and education of drivers of all kinds.
I agree that driver education is most important and as an elderly I would be happy to participate.
Also the old fashioned courtesy factor between motorists and truckies is important; perhaps that is being a bit idealistic, but it should be encouraged; and we have heard of a few ‘Pat the Truckie on the back’ or ‘Hug the truckie’ stories on this site, which is great; lets hope that a lot more will come in. I guess we have to be patient as we encourage attitudes to change for the better.
Lyndal is fair and I think that she might have a soft spot for the ‘truckie’ and I know that she would like to see them treated fairly in regard to treatment from firms and major outlets. conditions, wages and hours etc…which according to my logic of things, this would mean lower frustration and fatigue levals and more responsible safer driving of these huge vehicles.
Now, for ‘the rest of us’! I am sure that in due course we shall see
‘Reporting the bad car driving habits’ it just takes a little time and organizing to make it happen. You and I and others have to keep on encouraging these great people involved in running Coast to Coast 100
It is an awsome and admirable job.
Most Sincerely Irene Baldwin
October 7th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Hi Richie,
Thank you for your interest in my where about’s, but rest assured I’ve been lurking around, reading all of the posted, but due to a serious family medical situation I’ve not been in the frame of mind to reply.
But I would like to say you have brought up a very important issue re: country driving! it is something I’d like to at another time discuss.
Keep safe
Rhonda
October 8th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Hello there Irene and David….. yes I am hanging in there now that my wife is home for good and has decided to call Aussie home and not live any more in her native country Canada and now that she is home there is some really major renovations going on here and in about three weeks ir will be all over and then I can get serious here again…..until then stay safe and catch you all soon…. Richie
October 14th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Rhonda, very sorry to hear of a serious situation in your family.
I’m thinking of you and your family.Keep in touch.
And Richie,good on ya mate!
Dave
October 17th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Dear Rhonda,
Hope all things will go well for you and your family. This site is a little like an addiction! My son Ian and I have the same difficulty, we decide that there isn’t any more we can possibly say, but inevitably something will pop up that we either agree or not agree with and there we go again! Lyndal and Team are doing a marvellous job, making all of us think and I am sure that this site is having a healthy effect on drivers of all kinds.
Sincerely Irene Baldwin
November 12th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Richie, Glad to see your wife has seen the light!lol Now you can really enjoy your retirement.
Dave & Irene thank you for your thoughts, My sister was stabbed and after seven and a half weeks intensive care she has been released from hospital.
Richie meantioned country driving, which has all of the issues being discuss on this site but some of them are applified by sometimes narrow winding or gravel roads. An example of this happened here not that long ago. A gentleman was on his first camping trip in a lovingly restored old ute, traveling at what would have been a safe distance on a city road turned out to be to close when a car he was following slammed on their brakes suddenly to allow ducks to cross the road, the collision that followed not only required him to be hospitalised, but the beautiful ute is once again a wreck.
Travel safely
Rhonda
November 17th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Dear Rhonda
It is lovely to see that you are back and I am pleased that your sister is well on the way to recovery; best wishes to you and your family. Also hope that the driver of the ute is now okay, must be upset about his ute though…take care; Irene Baldwin
November 18th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Irene,
Your absolutely right this site is addictive!Although I haven’t contributed much lately, The posts have sparked alot of discussion in this house, My 12 year old son made a valid comment in regard to truck lanes in heavy traffic area’s like they do for buses. I know this is probably not cost effective but I think it demonstrates that by exposing young people to the discussions going on in here it is making them aware.
Hugs for you all
Rhonda
November 21st, 2008 at 7:01 am
Dear Rhonda
Isn’t it great that your 12 year old son and others is taking notice and forming their own opinions and ideas; here we have the citizens and drivers of the future…very encouraging. Irene Baldwin