RE: I'm an arrogant sod with a beemer (was Symantec - Virus Warning Bulletin)

["Brian Reynolds" <brian.g.reynolds@xxxxxxx>]

I think I became a better driver after gaining my pilots licence.....

When flying, if you sit still in the cockpit you will never see the
aircraft that hits you coming from the frontal area, something to do
with the brain not registering a small dot in one place getting bigger,
so they teach you to always move your body and head and have a good look around.

They also teach you to form a mental picture of where everything is
relative to your position in the sky and on the ground, this is
something I always try to do when driving and get worried when a car
turns off and I do not notice, I always then wonder what else did I not
notice.....

Since this I always have a bloody good look whilst driving, not just in
my excellent rear view mirrors but also over my shoulder as best I can
bearing in mind I drive a van.

I saw a good notice on a lorry once saying "if you can not see my
mirrors I can not see you" how right is that? I have known many a
motorbike disappear from my view by getting too close to my rear, and
some small cars!

I have been driving 22 years and have not yet been involved in a crash
although as the roads become more congested things get closer and closer plus I am getting older.....

For the past 3 years the locals have been sitting next to the B645
noting all the motorbike number plate's (not sure if that is legal?)  = as
the B645 is a known good racing road! I have had many a run in with
these nutters whilst out on my pushbike and in my van/car. They overtake anywhere, solid white lines, hidden dips etc. I have seen quite a few in ditches over the years.

I used to be an advocate of upping the speed limit but I do not think
the general public could cope with it. What I would like to see is a
massive crack down on the idiots, young and old, and have a fine as a
percentage of their salary, controversial I know, but a =A350, or whatever<= BR> it is, is a lot of money to me but to a rich kid it is an evening out.

I also think (maybe) that they should change the motorway lane rules as
I often "undertake" when someone will not move out of the way as = I
regard going straight MUCH safer than crossing many lanes only to cross
them again to get back into which ever lane I can use. The chances of me seeing a car come up behind me when executing this type of multi lane
manoeuvre is quite high, I have not yet had a problem with this but the
potential is always there.

Lastly, I always find if I do cockup apologise to the other driver, it
is amazing how quick you can cool down a situation by admitting you
error'd! always possible I find when driving a van in an unfamiliar
city!

Like someone said there will always be idiots, I'm not perfect, but I do get very annoyed when someone tries to kill me!

-----Original Message-----
From: Timothy Morris [mailto:timothy.morris@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 06 May 2002 10:44
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx Subject: RE: [ukha_d] I'm an arrogant sod with a beemer (was Symantec -
Virus Warning Bulletin)


I can add some personal experience here.

I took one of the intensive courses over the course of a week, taking my test on a Friday at 28 years old. It was *very* intensive. A CBT over a
weekend (Friday-Monday) 2-3 weeks before hand, and then 4 days of 9-5
followed by the test on Friday afternoon.

I then went out and bought a CBR600, but always rode within my
abilities, and started training for an Advanced Riding Test, every other weekend. Once I'd got this under my belt, I did start looking for
further training, but bad weather and lack of availability always seemed to get in the way.

I did have a rather nasty accident, but at the time I was doing around
20mph. It was the old classic - a car turning right in front of me
without looking. Unfortunately I'm no longer capable of riding bikes :(

It ain't the bikes that are dangerous, it's the riders, and more
importantly crap car drivers. I'm the first to admit it, I became a far
better driver once I'd spent some time on a bike, much more aware of
what was going on around me.

Tim.

-----Original Message-----
From: James Fidell [mailto:james@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 06 May 2002 10:16
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx Subject: Re: [ukha_d] I'm an arrogant sod with a beemer (was Symantec -
Virus Warning Bulletin)

Quoting Ian Lowe (ian@xxxxxxx):
>
> Thats *even more* of a worry, but I know of at least one chap I used to work
> with: Bought himself a fireblade aged 23 having passed his test three<= BR> weeks
> previously, and wrapped it into a volvo on the windy backroads between=
here
> and Edinburgh. He died (was thrown into a garden and broke his neck on=
a
> stone pillar) but also managed to kill three out of the family of four=
in
> the car when the blade's fuel tank ripped loose and went through the > windscreen of the car.
>
> As you know, there's always an element of risk involved in biking, but=
> allowing someone to ride such a powerful machine without the
"breathing
> space" of a noddy little 125cc seems like insanity to me.

On the other hand, I believe the largest proportion of motorbike
accidents
happen on small-capacity bikes at low speed.  The idea of riding a 125=
around here (Reading/Wokingham) is something that would concern me more
than a little.

However, I think the real problem is not power nor speed (in either case --
for a car or motorbike).  The problem is those people who irresponsibl= y
ride/drive beyond their ability and/or with insufficient care.  No
matter
what rules exist, there will always be people who do that and they'll
always be a danger to themselves and others.

James


For more information: http://www= .automatedhome.co.uk
Post message: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subscribe:  ukha_d-subscribe@xxxxxxx
Unsubscribe:  ukha_d-unsubscribe@xxxxxxx
List owner:  ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/te= rms/







For more information: http://www= .automatedhome.co.uk
Post message: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subscribe:  ukha_d-subscribe@xxxxxxx
Unsubscribe:  ukha_d-unsubscribe@xxxxxxx
List owner:  ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/te= rms/

Yahoo! Groups Spons= or

ADVERTISEMENT

For more information: http://www=
.automatedhome.co.uk 
Post message: ukha_d@xxxxxxx 
Subscribe:  ukha_d-subscribe@xxxxxxx 
Unsubscribe:  ukha_d-unsubscribe@xxxxxxx 
List owner:  ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.