WA Police Confiscation Scheme

[red17]

Ok a few things to cover in this post.

Firstly, whats this crap about cops wanting to be able to confiscate vehicles for 6 months and be impounded at the owners expense? I can see that law being abused just as much as the laws surround defect notices currently are. Good on ya WA police.

Its enough for me to install cameras in my car along with a datalogging system to ensure my car isnt impounded just because a cop doesnt like the look of me.

Secondly, this story in the west:

http://www.thewest.com.au/20030422/news/la...e-sto95554.html

Now its an awful shame to see people die of the easter break and we all know driver education could really do with some serious work in this state. And lets face , the accidents are usually down to poor education or sheer incompetence/stupidity. But for the police minister in the final paragraph of that story to blame uneducated drivers for deaths is a bit irresponsible. After all arent the police and transport dept the ones responsible for handing out the education? If a driver is not sufficently educated, why is he/she on the road?

How can the police commissioner blame driver education when the entire police force is run under a "Fine first, educate later" policy?

Thirdly, and certainly not least important:

http://www.thewest.com.au/20030422/news/la...e-sto95585.html

I find it hilarious to think that 40 percent of all drivers want more speed cameras on our roads. Who did they survey? The local old peoples home?

So were the worst speeders in the country! Not a big surprise there. But our main reason for NOT speeding is fear of being fined. Not fear of DYING! Surely this comes back to lack of driver education?

Reducing speed limits, double demerits, more cameras is not the bloody answer! EDUCATION IS! Making it more difficult to get a drivers licence until some genuine competence is shown.

Thats enough of me ranting, what the hell do you lot think about all this?

Flame me up baby!

Red17

[docile]

Hmmm speed on country roads isnt the biggest killer. Have a look at the crosses on the side of the road next time you head down south. I would bet money on it that most of them were caused by a) falling asleep at the wheel or B) loosing concentration etc. FATIGUE

Sometimes education works but sometimes it doesn't. What happens when a normal 18 y/o gets in to his first car with a group of mates. They show off (mainly speed and stupid stuff like thrashing it round corners the wet etc). We've all done it and no amount of education would have stopped us. Most people are lucky and nothing too serious happens, however on the odd occasion it does and unfortuneately for the people involved, they often pay the highest price. Driving around in ANY car is like walking around with a loaded gun. Its up to YOU whether you pull the trigger...

Better driver education would be great and things like advanced and defensive driving courses should be compulsory. Driving lessons are fairly expensive and they really only basically teach you to DRIVE a car and do stupid things like "finding an address".

Maybe if they payed a little more attention to handling a car in the wet, or what happens when you lock up your brakes we would have better drivers on the road.

Something has to be done or things will get way out of hand in future years.

[SHUTO-BOY]

yep.education/advanced driving skills training actually works.

tougher laws only make rebelious ppl worse off,thats human nature

in my opinion,they just want revenue

-sorry if i offended anyone-

.02 cents

[adam 32]

i know two of the victims of this easter road toll, makes it really hit home how dangeroud driving can be if you or someone else doesnt act repsonsiblity.

[red17]

Ive just done some examination of the road safety figures and discovered in all road accidents in the Year 2000 on WA roads the following was recorded:

Speed was not a factor in 68% of all metro road accidents

Speed was not a factor in 75% of all rural road accidents

Speed was not a factor in 58% of all fatal road accidents

82% of all metro accidents occurred on straight roads

73% of all rural accidents occurred on straight roads

80% of all accidents occurred in dry conditions

75% of all accidents occurred in daylight

I could go on and on all night. Now aside from the fact that clearly most accidents are not caused by speed. Why the hell are we having most accidents on dry, straight, during the day?

Theres some interesting reading, check em all out at:

http://www.officeofroadsafety.wa.gov.au/Re...0/contents.html

Red17

[Nizmo]

Originally posted by docile

Driving lessons are fairly expensive and they really only basically teach you to DRIVE a car and do stupid things like "finding an address".

funny u should say the finding an address thing - this was my driving test (which most of u probably say - that figures!)

Go around the block - do u-turn drive down street a little to do "Finding address" exercise where i was suppose to find address pull into their driveway - backout onto the road - carry on. I found the address and the test guy goes "yeah u get the idea" and that was it - so i can read a number on a letterbox hmm yeah thats going to save me from killing myself! Then i went back to the licensing centre - got my license only parking i did was back out front of licensing centre - it was the easiest test ive ever taken and it shouldnt of been - not that im complaining but its a good indication of why there are soooo many driving illiterate dipshits on our roads.

After about 10 lessons i got my mum to teach me because in that time the guy hadnt still even brushed on the subject of parking! and she did a far better job than he did - she actually taught me how to break in the wet and little things liek that which have saved me numerous times that i wouldnt have known thru a driving instructor.

Things are a little harder now with the new system - i dont know anyone whos gone thru the new system thats passed their first test - usually its 2 or 3 goes to pass.

I know there are good instructors out there - but the vibe i got was they were just taking my money and teaching me F-all - besides the more times they can get u to fail the more money the instructors get for more lessons right?

But yes the system needs to be fine tuned - you can cover the road in speed cameras and everyone knows that the road toll wont be effected - more booze buses would be good i think i see about one of those a year and drink driving is a no no even if a lot of us have at some point been guilty of it. Its a intelligence problem and yes education may help but theres a lot of people out there that dont want to be educated and thats part of the problem - stupidity!

Anyway thats my little sermon - probably made no sense what so ever! haha

[zanda]

red,

I have been studying the (presumably) same set of stats for my work for the past 4 months. It turns out hat the vast majority of accidents in WA metro occur in peak times durin heavy congestion and are nose-to-tail type shunts associated with momentary lapses in concentration. these, however, are only rarely a risk to vehicle occupants in terms of fatality/serious injury.

[hippy]

bring it to ur mp ... and see if they care .. i dont' think they would ...

[Red Sky II]

I agree with the comments made in relation to education. Going back a fair while now when I got my licence but I remember it well. Things like I braked too soon when approaching a red light (could never work that one out), having to be in 3rd gear going over railway tracks (same speed but lower gear), etc, etc.

The test itself was a joke that's for sure, like Niz said. When I got my bike licence my teacher got me to ride down Albany Hwy on a Saturday morning and said to me that if we make it to the other end I am ready !!!!

Cameras, booze buses, etc have helped reduce speeding and drink driving though. Speeding without being an idiot (eg weaving, cutting people off, hard braking, etc) I don't see a problem with but driving whilst drunk is bad (although used to do it before booze buses, etc).

The biggest problem I find is the attitude of drivers - a lot of drivers out there are just too aggressive all the time and treat every drive like a race, it isn't. The complete lack of respect and thought for other road users is what is lacking as well as driving skills (that you don't get taught). The number of people driving who treat their cars like safey cacoons with no idea of what is going on around them is scary.

Fatigue and inattention causes a lot of the accidents and we are human and make mistakes - even the best drivers in the world make mistakes.

Does anyone here have any thoughts on compulsory checks on cars when rego is due - like in the other states or overseas? Safe cars may also help reduce the toll.

[GTS-t VSPEC]

red17,

I agree with what you say, and education is the answer. It might not stop the problem but it all helps, I don't see that fines etc work.

I also think that we should be allowed to put roll-cages in our cars, we all see the effectiveness of them in motorsport, so why can't I protect myself with one?

See'ya:burnout:

[R31 Chick]

Getting my licence was easy and when I stepped out on a road the first time, I had no idea what I was doing! Like said, finding addresses doesn't help you if a kangaroo jumps out in front!

Speed camera's suck so whoever said they were good probably don't have to drive, (got done by one I think, on Monday, double demerits and all).

Education and more time on L plates would be good. More experience on the roads is needed I think before you get a licence. It should have to be logged and the different conditions should be written as well. Without substantial time and conditions, a licence should not be granted.

[whatsisname]

More speed cameras, new tougher laws & large fines are the ONLY answer - Why? Because these things make the government "appear" to be committed to road safety whilst reaping the revenue they raise.

Driver ed programs, major road improvements, tiered licence systems & the like don't make money they only cost more to set up. They “could” make money – but nothing in comparison to the $$$ that roll in from cameras!

The state governments would budget for revenue raised from long weekend (ie Easter) road blitzes, before they've occurred.

It doesn't matter how much the statistics are manipulated; the plain fact is road tolls have hardly changed since the introduction of speed cameras.

[OptiC]

this may sounds a little bad but i live in a country area (mandurah)

and all speed limits in the areas out of here perth and pinjarra have been changed from 110 kmph to 100kmph ... the thing is i have a mate that does rally and driver training courses in his opnion is the diffrence in a crash @ 100kmph compared to a crash @ 110kmph is the size of the splatter on the road

so really why do they slow us all down. meh

--Marc

[ix9]

GOOD GOD!

This pisses me off.!

Yes, speed isn't the cause of the accident, but SPEED increases the chances of being DEAD!!!!!

So all you lot that say speed doesn't kill, driving does can suck my wang!

If two cars collide (due to UNEDUCATED driving) at 40km/h chances are they won't die. If they collide at 140km/h you can almost gaurantee DEATH.

THERE. Speed kills.

[R34]

Originally posted by OptiC

this may sounds a little bad but i live in a country area (mandurah)

and all speed limits in the areas out of here perth and pinjarra have been changed from 110 kmph  to 100kmph  

--Marc

I wouldn't complain 100kmph is around 161,000kph:)

Might have to do something about the gearing.

Seriously though whatsisname hit the nail on the head...whip the press into a frenzy offer to fix things with more cameras and reap the extra income.

[hako]

How come every decision I hear about involving new, or proposed laws for WA's motorists involves John Standing. This incompetant hothead seems to be on some sort of mission to get anyone but old boys and girls driving their stock standard magna's to bowls and back every sunday. Step back and take a look at the bigger picture Mr Standing, rash decisons such as double demerits and vehicle impoundment isnt going to save any lives. Police will be taken off the streets to deal with more paperwork instead of doing other, non-traffic related useful duties. While I'm at it, the 21 new motorbikes recently delivered is only going to result in more revenue for you, and more defects for us, no lives saved.

*end rant here*

[red17]

Strich9ine,

Nobody is saying Speed doesnt kill. Of course it does, drive at 140 into anything and you'll die, thats a fact.

Im saying Speed is not a factor in a majority of all road accidents. And is not a factor in a majority of all fatal accidents. That is also A FACT!

Theres a difference between saying speed kills and saying speed is the root cause of all accidents, which the government would have you believe.

Red17

[33Spec2]

instead of trying to increase revenue they should spend more money on making advanced driver training courses and defensive driving courses compulsory! The way i see it is that a lot of accidents could be avoided if people know how to control their car better as said a few times above we dont learn jack shit in a driving test really wouldnt it b better to learn about driving in the wet, wat 2 do if you lose control of you car and stuff like that because really there is always going 2 be idiots out there (who speed, drink or wateva) and accidents arent always going to be our fault so we should learn how to protect ourselves

increasing fines and reducing speed limits does absolutly nothing you think they woulda realised that by now - look at how many people go 50 instead of 60? i think it just frustrates people even more

just my 2cents

[3R1K]

I read through all from top, actually I know from my experience that speed can kill but also Lacks of self control is the most important, If you are in bad mood and driving like my friend does, he can hit 160 in a freeway, and OMG!!!! he can kill me, while he drives normally on 80 km/h.

I believe external factor does affect driving skills, e.g weather and such.

Peace.

Drive safe, longer life time in this world.

[docile]

LOL 160 on the freeway isnt overly fast and can be 100% safe (ok hands up here who's driven at 130+ on freeway late at night....ohh wait a minute, were all saints lol) however i agree with you and you can drive at 160 and be all over the road and then that becomes very dangerous. I used to go see my (ex) girlfriend on a wednesday night and because she lives in armadale the easiest way to get home was on the freeway. After the drags, u get all the P platers and stuff trying to race etc. Thats when things can get very dangerous and down right stupid.

It all boils down to the driver. We all learn to change gears properly and stuff in our driving lessons but how many of us actually learnt to handle a car properly?? Why arent the government doing anything about this if they think its so important to drive safe??