Accidents on Ring Road St. John's. Use the TWO SECOND RULE, eh?
stan
greater extent choose the time of day; but do occasionally find myself
on the Ring Road near St. John's at busy times.
There was an accident there yesterday, if I recall the radio correctly
and the other day I witnessed the results of another one on same
stretch!
Listening to radio around 08.30 there is a another accident this
morning, possibly three vehicles ...... etc. So that's at least three
accidents involving at least six vehicles? this week that am aware
off!
So what's that; an accident every coupla days, or thereabouts, on that
stretch of road alone?
What have also noticed when driving the Ring Road, at say close to the
100 kmh. limit, in the inner (slower or kerb, or whatever one wants to
call it) lane, the number of vehicles of all types who pass driving a
lot faster in the outer lane, no matter what road conditions,
including very wet! i.e. risk of hydroplaning?
Another factor one notices is that overtaking vehicles are often
driving too closely, often at well above 100 kmh (e.g. 120+), not
using the 'two second rule' for spacing themselves from vehicle in
front of them. Three vehicles in a 'convoy' did this the other day and
they were sooooo! close it was uncomfortable to watch.
The 'two second rule' is useful one finds, when driving in any
traffic. Pick a spot on or alongside the road and when the vehicle
ahead of you passes it start counting; "A thousand and one, a thousand
and two..... etc.". If my spacing is correcet my vehicle will pass the
same spot at or after the two seconds.
A neighbour who is a professional driver has also mentioned this, plus
various examples of bone-headed none defensive driving. Also sitting
higher up than most he can see numerous cases of people using lap
tops, cell phones, blackberries, applying makeup, drinking-eating etc.
And many of the devices and features fitted to today's vehicles
require at least a quick glance off the road!
Better than they be operated by feel. For example, in the dark; the
first radio button on the left is the lowest frequency radio on the
dial, say VOCM on 590!
BTW; at 100 kmh per hour; that's (100 x 1000)/60 = almost 1700 metres
(about 5200 feet) per minute, the 'Old fashioned mile per minute' at
60 miles per hour.
So during a five second glance away from the road ones vehicle travels
more than 400 feet (about 20 car lengths) and that's at the speed
limit! Scary?
ThePainter
"stan" <tsan...@nf.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:e3abf16b-0607-4f15...@p33g2000vbn.googlegroups.com...
clouddreamer
Doesn't help with people using all-season tires.
..
--
We must change the way we live
Or the climate will do it for us.
Dave
>
> - Show quoted text -
Townies are not used to driving on the highway :). That stretch of
road is no different than the downtown arterial or the highway out to
Whitbourne. I think Stan has a point, tailgating at 120kmh is a recipe
for disaster.
clouddreamer
With all-season tires, one doesn't need to be tailgating to create that
recipe for disaster.
;]
Dave
I agree, however on a nice fall day like today any suitable tires
would work fine. However when it rains I stay away from the ring road
unless I have my studless snow tires on. Try driving a corvette on the
outer ring road when its pouring with summer tires on....it's no fun.
Scott Martin
because I knew there was an accident, without listening to the radio.
Unfortunately, it is common now, out of the 5 days I take the ORR for
work, I usually exit 2-3 times early because of traffic backed-up from
an accident or people rubbernecking at cop who pulled someone over for
speeding.
from my own experience (out of 10 near misses), I would say 6 - 7 of
them were people who don't know how to fucking merge and the rest
would have to be people going to damn fast then locking up brakes
behind a slow moving vehicle. which brings me to another point...why
the hell are backhoes allowed on the ORR in the morning or evening?
That's insane.
Carter
> Another factor one notices is that overtaking vehicles are often
> driving too closely, often at well above 100 kmh (e.g. 120+), not
> using the 'two second rule' for spacing themselves from vehicle in
> front of them. Three vehicles in a 'convoy' did this the other day and
> they were sooooo! close it was uncomfortable to watch.
Let me guess, pick-up trucks?
>
> The 'two second rule' is useful one finds, when driving in any
> traffic. Pick a spot on or alongside the road and when the vehicle
> ahead of you passes it start counting; "A thousand and one, a thousand
> and two..... etc.". If my spacing is correcet my vehicle will pass the
> same spot at or after the two seconds.
That's a basic defensive driving rule, as road conditions
deteriorate the spacing should increase.
Here's another; when you stop behind another vehicle in traffic,
for instance at a red light, you should be able to see the rear
tires of the vehicle in front. If you can't you are too close.
Did you ever notice how many people stop behind you so close that
you can't see their headlamps? I'm at a loss to understand why
people think that's necessary.
Carter (Never wear your tires bald but always drive as if they were)
Carter
> It's the Outer Ring Road....
Which means?
BTW, it's not, it's the TCH.
Carter
Carter
> Townies are not used to driving on the highway :). That stretch of
> road is no different than the downtown arterial or the highway out to
> Whitbourne. I think Stan has a point, tailgating at 120kmh is a recipe
> for disaster.
"That stretch of highway" *is* the "Highway out to Whitbourne",
it's called the Trans Canada Highway. ;^)
By the "downtown arterial" do you mean Pitts Memorial Drive?
Geez, I'd hate to be a tourist asking for directions around here. ;^)
Carter
clouddreamer
Yeah, it's beautiful out there now, but it was quite cold this morning
so I imagine it was slippery. Ever notice how a lot of these early cold
weather accidents happen overnight or in the morning...
;]
blank
you were to meet any of these idiots face to face and bring it to their
attention that their driving habits are dangerous to everyone about them,
they'd have an untold amount of reasons why THEY can break every rule on the
road because they are such good drivers with such wonderfully equipped cars.
But hey there is a bright spot. All these arseholes plowing into each other
and spinning out into ditches are keeping emergency services personnel in
work. Too bad innocent people get involved sometimes too. Last summer I was
motoring along the highway out by Avondale access on my bike and I saw that
a vehicle overtaking me was sort of drifting back and forth over the line.
Watched for a bit, and decided the best bet here was to slow down and ease
over and let this wandering arsehole go by. When SHE got up broadside to me,
I glanced over and saw that she was driving with a book open in her left
hand jammed against the wheel, while her right hand was using a cell phone.
On the highway. At highway speeds. But hey, thats ok, she was driving a big
ol' black SUV affair that would have driven over most without noticing, and
I'm sure she had something really important to talk to someone about. I bet
somewhere later on she managed to put on lipstick too I betcha. I drive as
if everyone else is out to kill me, because quite frankly none of you are to
be trusted. It's kept me out of trouble more than once.
"Carter" <per_ardua@ad_astra> wrote in message
news:4b06a4e7$0$5350$9a56...@news.aliant.net...
stan
Thank you both for corrections to terminology; e.g. "ORR = OUTER Ring
Road", "Part of the TCH (Trans Canada Highway)" etc.
Duly noted .............. strange though how everybody seemed to
understand what section of road we were talking about!
BTW: Going to get snow tyres (OK, OK 'tires' for those enamoured
[enamored?] of American spelling) put on today.
Also adding some weight to rear wheel drive vehicle.
Drive safely .............. help keep insurance rates down!
Cheers
Steve
Rio de Janeiro, cities of millions where you'd expect the roads to much more
dangerous than little ole st. john's. Funny I've never seen as bad driving
in any of those places as I see on a daily basis around here. Speed limits
, school zones, turn signals, merge lanes, yield signs, right-of-ways,
concepts unfamiliar to a large part of the driving population around here.
I have a friend who grew up in the bahamas and he says the same thing about
the people down there, the only thing diff between our bad drivers is theirs
are often drunk (that's legal down there I believe). perhaps it's something
common to islands with small populations, or small police forces that don't
effectively enforce traffic laws or something like that....
the other thing I find particularly funny about it is everyone you talk to
thinks it's everyone else whom are at fault! You'll never find anyone who
realizes they are a bad driver, it's always everyone else lol
"stan" <tsan...@nf.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:e3abf16b-0607-4f15...@p33g2000vbn.googlegroups.com...
duende
> Here's another; when you stop behind another vehicle in traffic,
> for instance at a red light, you should be able to see the rear
> tires of the vehicle in front. If you can't you are too close.
> Did you ever notice how many people stop behind you so close that
> you can't see their headlamps? I'm at a loss to understand why
> people think that's necessary.
>
> Carter (Never wear your tires bald but always drive as if they were)
I notice this especially with cab drivers. I drive a G5 which doesn't
have a high backend, and most of the time when a cab is behind me, I
can't even see their headlights they're tail-gating that closely. I
even try to tap my break lights to try and get them to back off, but
they rarely do. In town, I drive the speed limit, so its not like i'm
crawling along. They also like pulling onto roadways cutting cars
off.
I haven't taken a cab much in the last year or so, but before that I
used to request they slow down because I wasn't comfortable with the
speed they were driving. Hey, if i'm paying them to transport me, I
want it done at my speed.
Brad P
"duende" <cqui...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:f571ca96-f5d8-4b65...@p36g2000vbn.googlegroups.com...
I was in a cab one coming from downtown, going up Logy Bay Rd. He was doing
well over 100. Although I was feeling good, if you know what I'm sayin, I
was still half nervous. lol
hb
apparently the best
driver in St. John's, and are experts on defensive driving, and at noticing
how bad everyone else is...
Ide say half of em don't even own a car.
ha ha ha
photographyguy
What erks the shit out of me is the morons driving in the grooves filled
with water. If you can drive at all you should be able to stay out of the
grooves/ruts while driving.
as I always say Water kills in all forms ;)
"clouddreamer" <Reuse....@nd.Reduce.now> wrote in message
news:3eGdnfY_RYv-CZvW...@supernews.com...
photographyguy
a trailer being towed to the jobsite. The minimum speed on the highway is
70km/hr or you can receive a ticket for impeding traffic, I'm sure someone
here knows the details/laws.
"Scott Martin" <hardt...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:b17a902b-314a-40ea...@37g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
photographyguy
overtake you and get the license plate number and call it in. Not what I
have done in the past but the right thing to do.
"duende" <cqui...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:f571ca96-f5d8-4b65...@p36g2000vbn.googlegroups.com...
> Here's another; when you stop behind another vehicle in traffic,
Todd
side. Asshats.
photographyguy a ï¿œcrit :
Carter
> As far as I know, backhoes are not allowed on the highway unless they are on
> a trailer being towed to the jobsite.
I can find no such rule in either the Newfoundland HTA or the
Licensing and Equipment Regulations under the HTA. Can you point
us to the applicable regulations?
Section 45 of the LERs says that slow moving vehicles must be
equipped with a slow moving vehicle warning device.
The minimum speed on the highway is
> 70km/hr or you can receive a ticket for impeding traffic, I'm sure someone
> here knows the details/laws.
Likewise, I cannot find any such minimum speed limit in the HTA.
Can you direct us to the regulations you refer to?
Sections 110 and 111 of the HTA deal with speed limits but set no
minimums. Section 110 sets only maximum speed limits both
generally and in construction zones. Section 111 deals with slow
driving and says, in part;
111. (1) A driver shall not drive a vehicle at such a slow rate
of speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement
of traffic then existing on a highway, except where it is
necessary to do so for safe operation or to comply with this Part.
It does not set any minimum speed limit.
I would be interested to know where you got the information
concerning minimum speed limits and backhoes.
Carter
Carter
> I always see backhoes on the ORR. Some in the lane but most on the
> side. Asshats.
AFAIK, there is no law prohibiting them as long as they display a
slow moving vehicle warning device. From a safety perspective I
don't believe such vehicles should be allowed on a multi lane
controlled access highway.
It's just another example of how people will do whatever they
think they can get away with.
Carter
Uncle Mose
I have to agree with you Stan. A recent drive to Bay Bulls showed me
what kind of people are driving our roads today. On that drive there
was a small car being driven by a very young girl tailgating me most
of the way. She checked her looks in her rearview a few dozen times,
took off her jacket while driving, was drinking a coffee answered the
cell phone twice and was trying to retrieve something from either the
passenger floor or glove box, all the while riding my bumper until I
pulled over and waved her on. Now for you naysayers I was not watching
all this through my rearview but brought it up to my passengers who
watched her and was astounded by how she was driving. It was
unbelievable. No wonder there are so many accidents on our roads. This
young girl was more interested in looking at herself in the rearview
than she was driving. How vain can one be?
So this is what is barreling down the road at us every day. Just
watch Canada’s worse driver and you will soon see that anyone can get
a license to drive without having one bloody clue about driving
itself. How do these people get on the roads? According to this show
and what I have seen on our roads you could be almost brain dead and
get a license here in Canada. From not knowing how a 4 way stop works
to which lane to go into when turning left on a multi lane highway,
these are a few of the basic things people still don’t understand or
know. The requirements to attain a drivers license here in Canada
needs to be made more difficult and you should have to show every few
years you have the ability and knowledge to hold a license. Seems to
me they are giving away license's today to any bloody idiot who wants
one. Then we have to face these idiots on the road. Most of these
would fail a drivers test miserably in European Countries where the
rules are much more strict on getting a drivers license.
duende
wrote:
> next time don't tap the break. slow down to half the speed and get him to
> overtake you and get the license plate number and call it in. Not what I
> have done in the past but the right thing to do.
>
I don't really like that Idea either, that creates a dangerous
situation only going 25 in a 50 zone
Dave
>
> - Show quoted text
The standard for obtaining a drivers licence is very low.
Fred
years, IMO. I see so many idiots on the road who don't even realize what
bad drivers they are, or are even aware of the hazards they cause.
>> watch Canada�s worse driver and you will soon see that anyone can get
>> a license to drive without having one bloody clue about driving
>> itself. How do these people get on the roads? According to this show
>> and what I have seen on our roads you could be almost brain dead and
>> get a license here in Canada. From not knowing how a 4 way stop works
>> to which lane to go into when turning left on a multi lane highway,
>> these are a few of the basic things people still don�t understand or
Matt
> Re-doing one's driving exam and road test should be mandatory every 5
> years, IMO. I see so many idiots on the road who don't even realize what
> bad drivers they are, or are even aware of the hazards they cause.
Redoing the test wont help anything, because it's the tests that are
the problem.
Like UM said, if you watch Canada's Worst Driver, you can see that
people who know NOTHING about driving can still pass a road test.
Now, I'm sure I'll get some flak for this, but I'm going to say it
anyway. Perhaps there are a lot of bad drivers in St. John's, because
of where many of the drivers came from?
The Metro area has boomed over the last number of years, and most of
the new residents are from rural communities. Now, make no mistake,
the driving test/education in "Town" isn't exactly the most
comprehensive, however, they are certainly more comprehensive than
someplace like Stephenville.
I have friends who learned how to drive/acquired their license in
towns with a couple of intersection and maybe one set of lights. If
you could drive in a straight line, you pretty much got your license.
Now many of those people, who are used to driving in such small
places, are living in town. Could it be that many of these people have
no idea how to drive in a city? I'm not saying it's necessarily the
case... just a thought.
And if you're going to play the townie vs. baymen card, save it. I'm
not trying to be derogatory here... simply stating facts.
Matt
Matt
doubt it's a problem, however, I for one am sick of SLOW drivers.
I've lost count of how many times I've BLOWN by people on the outer
ring while doing the speed limit (yes 100kph). It could be a perfectly
sunny, dry, nice day, and you got people driving on a highway at
70kph. Like, if you can't handle doing 100kph on the outer ring on a
PERFECT day, perhaps you should stay off the highway.
And it wouldn't be so bad, only for all the douche bags hanging out in
the passing lane. If you're not passing (or at LEAST doing 100kph),
STAY OUT of the passing lane!
Never fails, I'll be heading home from work on the outer ring, and
I'll have someone if front of me in the right lane doing 80kph, and
someone right next to them, in the passing lane, doing 80 as well.
Blocking me from even doing the speed limit.
In fact, the other day, while on the TCH, I found myself doin 40kph in
the PASSING LANE! That's right; 40! Was there an accident? No. Were
conditions bad? No, they were perfect. Was there ANY reason why the
cars in front of me should be doing 40? NO!
Personally, at least during rush hour, I hardly see anyone speeding on
the outer ring... they couldn't even if they wanted to, because
there's too many people driving like a bunch of half blind 90 year
olds.
Matt
Todd
free. As the sign states...100km/hr is the max...the min is 70km/hr
after that you must have hazards on.
Matt a ï¿œcrit :
> There's always people on here bitching about fast drivers.. and no
> doubt it's a problem, however, I for one am sick of SLOW drivers.
>
> I've lost count of how many times I've BLOWN by people on the outer
> ring while doing the speed limit (yes 100kph). It could be a perfectly
> sunny, dry, nice day, and you got people driving on a highway at
> 70kph. Like, if you can't handle doing 100kph on the outer ring on a
> PERFECT day, perhaps you should stay off the highway.
>
> And it wouldn't be so bad, only for all the douche bags hanging out in
> the passing lane. If you're not passing (or at LEAST doing 100kph),
> STAY OUT of the passing lane!
>
> Never fails, I'll be heading home from work on the outer ring, and
> I'll have someone if front of me in the right lane doing 80kph, and
> someone right next to them, in the passing lane, doing 80 as well.
> Blocking me from even doing the speed limit.
>
> In fact, the other day, while on the TCH, I found myself doin 40kph in
> the PASSING LANE! That's right; 40! Was there an accident? No. Were
> conditions bad? No, they were perfect. Was there ANY reason why the
> cars in front of me should be doing 40? NO!
>
> Personally, at least during rush hour, I hardly see anyone speeding on
> the outer ring... they couldn't even if they wanted to, because
> there's too many people driving like a bunch of half blind 90 year
> olds.
>
> Matt
>
>
Snipe
> There's always people on here bitching about fast drivers.. and no
> doubt it's a problem, however, I for one am sick of SLOW drivers.
>
> I've lost count of how many times I've BLOWN by people on the outer
> ring while doing the speed limit (yes 100kph). It could be a perfectly
> sunny, dry, nice day, and you got people driving on a highway at
> 70kph. Like, if you can't handle doing 100kph on the outer ring on a
> PERFECT day, perhaps you should stay off the highway.
>
> And it wouldn't be so bad, only for all the douche bags hanging out in
> the passing lane. If you're not passing (or at LEAST doing 100kph),
> STAY OUT of the passing lane!
>
> Never fails, I'll be heading home from work on the outer ring, and
> I'll have someone if front of me in the right lane doing 80kph, and
> someone right next to them, in the passing lane, doing 80 as well.
> Blocking me from even doing the speed limit.
>
> In fact, the other day, while on the TCH, I found myself doin 40kph in
> the PASSING LANE! That's right; 40! Was there an accident? No. Were
> conditions bad? No, they were perfect. Was there ANY reason why the
> cars in front of me should be doing 40? NO!
>
> Personally, at least during rush hour, I hardly see anyone speeding on
> the outer ring... they couldn't even if they wanted to, because
> there's too many people driving like a bunch of half blind 90 year
> olds.
>
> Matt
AMEN! Oh, and put down the gawd damn cell phone...I almost got killed a
few weeks ago by a female arsehole with a phone to her ear. She zoomed
right through the stop sign at about 60 km/hr and never touched her
brakes. Totally fucking oblivious that she even ran the stop sign and
almost broad sided me....This douche bag will probably hit and kill
someone else while being an arsehole and totally fuck up someone's
else's life.
snipe
Steve
license plate number and called the cops to have them issue a ticket?
They will issue the ticket as long as you are willing to show up for the
court date and present your case. The same rules apply to the cops when
they issue you a ticket. If the receiver of the ticket simply sends in a
payment or skips the court date, that is an admission of guilt, but the
ticket receiver has the option to plead not guilty to the offense simply by
showing up for the court date and standing up and saying "not guilty." If
the issuer (cop or citizen) is not present for the court date the case is
thrown out and the receiver does not have to pay the fine. If the issuer is
present he/she has the opportunity to stand up in frnt of the court and tell
everyone what was witnessed for the ticket to be issued. Obviously, then
the judge will decide if guilty or not.
I have personally taken note of some licene plates with every intention of
calling the police, but always calmed down by the time I got home and
decided to let it go. To be honest sheepish as this makes me feel, if i
knew more people were doing this I would also be more inclined.
"Snipe" <compu...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4b0c13eb$0$5327$9a56...@news.aliant.net...
Snipe
> Everyone has lots of stories to tell but has anyone ever written down a
> license plate number and called the cops to have them issue a ticket?
Probably not...and for good reason
> They will issue the ticket as long as you are willing to show up for the
> court date and present your case. The same rules apply to the cops when
> they issue you a ticket. If the receiver of the ticket simply sends in a
> payment or skips the court date, that is an admission of guilt, but the
> ticket receiver has the option to plead not guilty to the offense simply by
> showing up for the court date and standing up and saying "not guilty." If
> the issuer (cop or citizen) is not present for the court date the case is
> thrown out and the receiver does not have to pay the fine. If the issuer is
> present he/she has the opportunity to stand up in frnt of the court and tell
> everyone what was witnessed for the ticket to be issued. Obviously, then
> the judge will decide if guilty or not.
That might be fine if your retired or unemployed. I'd be damed if I'm
going to go to court and wait around for 3 or 4 hours and loose more
money then the idiot will get fined...not to mention loosing four hours
annual leave spent on some arsehole, instead of a beach in Florida.
> I have personally taken note of some licene plates with every intention of
> calling the police, but always calmed down by the time I got home and
> decided to let it go. To be honest sheepish as this makes me feel, if i
> knew more people were doing this I would also be more inclined.
If the arsehole was made to pay the cost of me going to court I might
consider it. Besides it's only your word against their's. No guarantee
that you will win the case.
The only way to resolve this is camera's and heavy fines.
snipe
>
photographyguy
"Steve" <none#home.com> wrote in message
news:4b0c1f9c$0$5360$9a56...@news.aliant.net...