SirWanker's Daily Rant

[SirWanker]

I really doubt that the new cell-phone usage ban while driving will have much, if any, affect on the current driving habits and be easily enforceable.

Case in point, Mr I'm-too-important-to stop-my-conversation this morning. You were meandering down the street like a good DUI half twit. Driving just a bit too fast for me to pull out of the side-street safely but slowly enough to test my patience.

Wait....it looks like you were slowing down to allow me to turn onto the street but alas just as I start proceeding, you speed up forcing me to brake abruptly. What the flaming retardedness is this idiot doing? Then I see the cellphone squashed against the side of his fat pasty puss now in a rather animated conversation and steering with one FAT paw. Steering quite poorly as he started to negotiate a left turn onto the street I was trying to get out of. Steering right into ME!

I was not able to go into reverse as there was another car behind me so I started blasting away with the horn ( did I mention that the mazda 3 horn is sooooooooo whimpy sounding? ) . Not once did this FAT albino orangutang(sp? and no insult intended to primates) appear to notice his surroundings.....Thank deity that he cleared the turn...BARELY......

[Cardinal Fang]

That's not much of a rant now is it?

I came here expecting a good rant and I got another reminder about how bad our horns are. :chuckle

By the way Mr. Half Wit sounds like he drives like my father. :whoa

[froggy]

blame this on the minimal requirements of getting and retaining a drivers license in north america where the car is king. The recent economic downturn and the plight of the "big three" is a good place for me to illustrate the point. The car buisness, maintenance, building, parts, accessories, etc is such an ingrained part of the society here that they can't allow it to fail (so the people in the industry and economy will want you to believe). This dependancy on the automobile I believe is also responsible for the ease of getting a drivers license.
If you suddenly made it harder to get and keep a drivers license, and for arguments sake lets say this reduced the number of drivers on the road by 25%, with a corresponding 25% reduction in cars how badly would that dominoe onto the rest of the car economy? Plus look at the way that our cities and metropolitan areas have been setup "urban sprawl" I can't think of any subdivision in the GTA area in the last 20 years that has been setup in anyway to be transit or pedestrian friendly, people who live in those areas have to have cars.

Also the public transportation systems in most municipal areas would not be able to accomodate the extra infux of new passengers. To get things up to speed would cost billions of dollars north america wide and take probably close to a decade to finish.

So this is why I think that it's stayed relatively easy to get and keep a license in north america, pure and simple money. Because of this money they are willing to put up with traffic snarls that come from having bad drivers and the ocasional fatality here and there. Economically the benifits of having more drivers and not neccisarily good ones on the road doesn't outwiegh the costs resultant of those bad drivers. Until the cost of these bad drivers or other environmental concerns, which will force governments to try to find a concerted way to reduce the amount of cars on the road i'd say get used to bad drivers.

Ok so having got through background and reasoning for why governments don't do more to get rid of/prevent bad drivers, lets look into ways that I feel we can get and prevent bad drivers off and from getting onto the road in the first place. (i'm sorry about the length but I"m really passionate about this)

What I think should be done to prevent this from continuing to happen
1) no more being able to take just your test over again if you fail, you'll have to take a certain number of lessons/classroom time before you are allowed to re test
2) same requirements for above for people who get a certain number of points on there license
3) a better transit system so people can't use the "I need my car to get to work" excuse to get a judge to go lightly on them and give them back their licenses
4) for all proffesional drivers, taxi, limo, pizza delivery, bus, etc, even when off duty they have a 1 strike limit, whatever the traffic infraction is they loose their proffesional license forever, they may be able to get their personal license back as per above.
5) If when People qualify to get their licenses back they have a one year probation where if the slightest infraction is commited they will loose the license again.

Off course we know this will never happen because of the importance of the car in the society we live in but I believe that implementing something like that would clean up the roads like no body's buisness. Also if we had not only emissions inspections every 2 years but also mechanical inspections for the same time frame to renew your license we'd also have safer streets!

again sorry for the length of this but I really really think it's important maybe I should cut and paste this into a letter to my mp also.

[froggy]

That's not much of a rant now is it?

I came here expecting a good rant and I got another reminder about how bad our horns are. :chuckle

By the way Mr. Half Wit sounds like he drives like my father. :whoa

I think i've satisfied your expectations of a rant :chuckle

[SirWanker]

That's not much of a rant now is it?

I came here expecting a good rant and I got another reminder about how bad our horns are. :chuckle

By the way Mr. Half Wit sounds like he drives like my father. :whoa

I'm just getting my writing legs going. The greatest challenge would be to not use that lovely fornicating verb/noun.adverb/adjective. ahhh what the ****!

[SirWanker]

I'm just getting my writing legs going. The greatest challenge would be to not use that lovely fornicating verb/noun.adverb/adjective. ahhh what the ****!

dayummm! auto-censorship that I was not aware of

[Iceman_F1]

blame this on the minimal requirements of getting and retaining a drivers license in north america where the car is king. The recent economic downturn and the plight of the "big three" is a good place for me to illustrate the point. The car buisness, maintenance, building, parts, accessories, etc is such an ingrained part of the society here that they can't allow it to fail (so the people in the industry and economy will want you to believe). This dependancy on the automobile I believe is also responsible for the ease of getting a drivers license.
If you suddenly made it harder to get and keep a drivers license, and for arguments sake lets say this reduced the number of drivers on the road by 25%, with a corresponding 25% reduction in cars how badly would that dominoe onto the rest of the car economy? Plus look at the way that our cities and metropolitan areas have been setup "urban sprawl" I can't think of any subdivision in the GTA area in the last 20 years that has been setup in anyway to be transit or pedestrian friendly, people who live in those areas have to have cars.

Also the public transportation systems in most municipal areas would not be able to accomodate the extra infux of new passengers. To get things up to speed would cost billions of dollars north america wide and take probably close to a decade to finish.

So this is why I think that it's stayed relatively easy to get and keep a license in north america, pure and simple money. Because of this money they are willing to put up with traffic snarls that come from having bad drivers and the ocasional fatality here and there. Economically the benifits of having more drivers and not neccisarily good ones on the road doesn't outwiegh the costs resultant of those bad drivers. Until the cost of these bad drivers or other environmental concerns, which will force governments to try to find a concerted way to reduce the amount of cars on the road i'd say get used to bad drivers.

Ok so having got through background and reasoning for why governments don't do more to get rid of/prevent bad drivers, lets look into ways that I feel we can get and prevent bad drivers off and from getting onto the road in the first place. (i'm sorry about the length but I"m really passionate about this)

What I think should be done to prevent this from continuing to happen
1) no more being able to take just your test over again if you fail, you'll have to take a certain number of lessons/classroom time before you are allowed to re test
2) same requirements for above for people who get a certain number of points on there license
3) a better transit system so people can't use the "I need my car to get to work" excuse to get a judge to go lightly on them and give them back their licenses
4) for all proffesional drivers, taxi, limo, pizza delivery, bus, etc, even when off duty they have a 1 strike limit, whatever the traffic infraction is they loose their proffesional license forever, they may be able to get their personal license back as per above.
5) If when People qualify to get their licenses back they have a one year probation where if the slightest infraction is commited they will loose the license again.

Off course we know this will never happen because of the importance of the car in the society we live in but I believe that implementing something like that would clean up the roads like no body's buisness. Also if we had not only emissions inspections every 2 years but also mechanical inspections for the same time frame to renew your license we'd also have safer streets!

again sorry for the length of this but I really really think it's important maybe I should cut and paste this into a letter to my mp also.

Interesting post and up for interesting debate...which is just what I need when I don't want to do work :chuckle

I agree with much of what you said. My take on your points to "fix" the system

1) Agree, instead of just driving test again, classroom and other such tests would hopefully help. As seen in Canada's Worst Driver, people get lazy and even forget common street signs!

2) What number of points would force to go to point 1? More on this later...

3) Would be interesting to see what this transit system would be like. The GO train and TTC aren't bad currently...if they are close or are reasonable to use to and from work. However, for someone like me currently, Burlington to Mississauga by the airport, there is no alternative...and even if there was, how much longer of a commute? Might not be "worth it" and some people wouldn't be able to afford to move closer to work to make proper use of public transit.

4) That's a BIT harsh. Even OFF the clock you would do 1 strike and done? But I do agree, they do need to be a bit more careful...specially since they are responsible for paying peoples lives.

5) So basically like going back to their G1/G2? Maybe make a G3? Steps go G1 -> G2 -> G...ooops, bye bye license -> G3 -> G?

As for questioning of your 2nd point. How many "points" would you say? Does it matter how many points or doesn't matter? I personally think the whole points system needs a bit of a change. To me, yes, speeding is "wrong", but at the same time, just speeding alone shouldn't hold as much of a penalty as it does. If the flow of traffic is going 120km/h on the highway, and you are following at a safe distance and doing nothing else wrong...why should you be punished so harshly? (3 points & $$$ Fine). Sure, that's not really an "excuse" but to me, it's a valid point. Things in general need a re-working.

[SirWanker]

ooooK a lively thread-derail but me likey
1) Perhaps restructure the existing driving test to make it comprehensive to both summer AND winter conditions.
2) clearly demonstrated repeat offenders of DUI ( alcohol,drugs ) and reckless driving should be banned for life ( or at least until they are re-formed via independent third party process ). Problem is what will stop them from grabbing a set of keys and driving away?
3) Do-able. Need more funding for maintenance AND expansion of the existing systems.
4)concur on the harshness but you have to start somewhere.
5)agree

[mazdabetty]

I feel your pain... I had made a similar post yesterday, except there was no phone to blame the stupidity on, sadly. :\

[Iceman_F1]

I feel your pain... I had made a similar post yesterday, except there was no phone to blame the stupidity on, sadly. :\

Yeah...you had just a :AH driver...at least this :AH was on a phone!

[froggy]

Interesting post and up for interesting debate...which is just what I need when I don't want to do work :chuckle

I agree with much of what you said. My take on your points to "fix" the system

1) Agree, instead of just driving test again, classroom and other such tests would hopefully help. As seen in Canada's Worst Driver, people get lazy and even forget common street signs!

2) What number of points would force to go to point 1? More on this later...

3) Would be interesting to see what this transit system would be like. The GO train and TTC aren't bad currently...if they are close or are reasonable to use to and from work. However, for someone like me currently, Burlington to Mississauga by the airport, there is no alternative...and even if there was, how much longer of a commute? Might not be "worth it" and some people wouldn't be able to afford to move closer to work to make proper use of public transit.

4) That's a BIT harsh. Even OFF the clock you would do 1 strike and done? But I do agree, they do need to be a bit more careful...specially since they are responsible for paying peoples lives.

5) So basically like going back to their G1/G2? Maybe make a G3? Steps go G1 -> G2 -> G...ooops, bye bye license -> G3 -> G?

As for questioning of your 2nd point. How many "points" would you say? Does it matter how many points or doesn't matter? I personally think the whole points system needs a bit of a change. To me, yes, speeding is "wrong", but at the same time, just speeding alone shouldn't hold as much of a penalty as it does. If the flow of traffic is going 120km/h on the highway, and you are following at a safe distance and doing nothing else wrong...why should you be punished so harshly? (3 points & $$$ Fine). Sure, that's not really an "excuse" but to me, it's a valid point. Things in general need a re-working.

For points I don't know that's why I left it as an ambiguous point.

for point 3 then you have to blame lack of foresight in urban/sub -urban development for making people unable to live without cars. but I agree there will be people who will always need cars, and my point is that if you really, really need to have a car, then if there is a possibility of you loosing your only viable means of transportation for running that light instead of waiting 45 seconds you'll most likely stop and if you don't then well lets hope you get what you deserve.

for point 4 I agree it could be a bit harsh but a doctor is always on call, and if part of your profession is driving then there's no excuse on or off the job to not do it well. It'd be like saying that the doctor wasn't responsible for the guy who died because he gave him the wrong medication since he wasn't actually in his office. maybe the penalty is too harsh and they could have a staged type of system, where first infraction is 6 months, and second is a lifetime ban similar to what they do in professional sports with drug infractions.

I think that might be on the right track, but on the other hand if someone's on probation and commits an offence do they downgrade his probation to house arrest? or just put them back in jail?

[whiteomega]

Personally, I do not think the cellphone ban is going to help matters at all. At best, it will encourage some people to stop driving and chatting; at worst it will encourage the uninformed that it's safe to drive "hands free" when it has been shown many times that this is in fact not the case. The net result will likely be to have roughly the same number of distracted drivers on the street as we do now; only some will now feel justified in talking on the phone while driving.

What is so important that people feel they must both talk on the phone and drive at the same time? If you *must* take an urgent phone call, pull over to the side, and call the other party back. They'll surely understand if you employ common sense when it comes to driving and chatting.

With regards to licencing, I challenge each and every one of you to go re-take a drivers test to see if you pass. I know almost for certain that I probably won't if I did, and I would bet it's the same for most people who have been driving five years or more. We all pick up bad habits while driving; I think that is just human nature. As a result, I think as part of the drivers licence renewal, an in-car re-test should be necessary within six months of the expiry date.

For "point four" above (as we seem to be calling it), I do agree that penalty is a bit harsh, however I also feel that professional drivers should be compelled to re-test their skills every few years as well. I believe professional airline pilots have this requirement, and statistically, flying is the safest way to travel. Given that fact, why are we not all forced to re-take a driving test every few years for a method of travel that is NOT the safest in the world, especially when such activity relates to your job?

[froggy]

Personally, I do not think the cellphone ban is going to help matters at all. At best, it will encourage some people to stop driving and chatting; at worst it will encourage the uninformed that it's safe to drive "hands free" when it has been shown many times that this is in fact not the case. The net result will likely be to have roughly the same number of distracted drivers on the street as we do now; only some will now feel justified in talking on the phone while driving.

What is so important that people feel they must both talk on the phone and drive at the same time? If you *must* take an urgent phone call, pull over to the side, and call the other party back. They'll surely understand if you employ common sense when it comes to driving and chatting.

With regards to licencing, I challenge each and every one of you to go re-take a drivers test to see if you pass. I know almost for certain that I probably won't if I did, and I would bet it's the same for most people who have been driving five years or more. We all pick up bad habits while driving; I think that is just human nature. As a result, I think as part of the drivers licence renewal, an in-car re-test should be necessary within six months of the expiry date.

For "point four" above (as we seem to be calling it), I do agree that penalty is a bit harsh, however I also feel that professional drivers should be compelled to re-test their skills every few years as well. I believe professional airline pilots have this requirement, and statistically, flying is the safest way to travel. Given that fact, why are we not all forced to re-take a driving test every few years for a method of travel that is NOT the safest in the world, especially when such activity relates to your job?

I agree to something like that, I'm a lifeguard and first aid instructor and I have to recertify myself every two years, it's a pain, but I am after all responsible for peoples lives. Plus the union reimburses me for my costs. The only problem i have with that is if what happens if you have another examiners strike? What kind of penalty's would there be if you failed your test? I'd like to say if you failed you had to go through remedial driving school again before retaking the test.
Well I just last year took my M2 exit exam and passed with flying colours, so I don't completely agree with your point that most people would fail a drivers test again.
I would argue that cars today are so easy to drive that most people take driving for granted. I mean we have automatic transmissions, power assisted steering, powered brakes, air bags, seatbelts, and cruise control. Do you see what I'm getting at? It almost makes me think that some of these "improvements" to the driving experience are making people complacent, It's so "easy" to drive people actually can get distracted. does that make any sense

[SirWanker]

Do you see what I'm getting at? It almost makes me think that some of these "improvements" to the driving experience are making people complacent, It's so "easy" to drive people actually can get distracted. does that make any sense

In my case it is the backseat driver aka the wifey-unit :blah, who distracts me to no end......

[froggy]

SFL = Single for life!

[SirWanker]

SFL = Single for life!
yeah right! that was my motto until recently.

Just make sure she loves you for who YOU are before making the decision and do not EVER let the other head override your brain.....yes I'm posting under influence but whatever

[whiteomega]

I agree to something like that, I'm a lifeguard and first aid instructor and I have to recertify myself every two years, it's a pain, but I am after all responsible for peoples lives. Plus the union reimburses me for my costs. The only problem i have with that is if what happens if you have another examiners strike? What kind of penalty's would there be if you failed your test? I'd like to say if you failed you had to go through remedial driving school again before retaking the test.
Well I just last year took my M2 exit exam and passed with flying colours, so I don't completely agree with your point that most people would fail a drivers test again.
I would argue that cars today are so easy to drive that most people take driving for granted. I mean we have automatic transmissions, power assisted steering, powered brakes, air bags, seatbelts, and cruise control. Do you see what I'm getting at? It almost makes me think that some of these "improvements" to the driving experience are making people complacent, It's so "easy" to drive people actually can get distracted. does that make any sense

Yeah, you're making sense. I think a lot of the modern conveniences in cars are partly responsible for all this; integrated blueteeth so you can call your friends, etc. What gets me is that all these safety features we keep mandating on cars make people think they're safer than they really are. A Clarkson quote comes to mind: "Yeah, I'm sorry officer for doing 100 miles an hour in a fifty zone, but it's okay because I've got ABS!"

As someone once said "make something idiotproof and someone invents a better idiot."


yeah right! that was my motto until recently.
<br/>
Just make sure she loves you for who YOU are before making the decision and do not EVER let the other head override your brain.....yes I'm posting under influence but whatever

(Almost) Nothing wrong with posting under the influence...as long as you're not using a cell phone while behind the wheel of a car to do it :)

[froggy]

[QUOTE=whiteomega;513842]

As someone once said "make something idiotproof and someone invents a better idiot."

QUOTE]

who ever said that should have an Interanational holiday named after him/her, and there should be a school named after him/her in everycountry.

Also to the point if you want to make someone appreciate them make them have to work for it.