Bliss

Well I just can't believe it, on my way to and from Countdown I have just come across the best of New Zealand. No I am not delusional for once, No there is no trace of last nights alcohol, it is after all lunch time, there is a substantial amount of traffic on the roads, I have taken up my usual defensive driving position, both hands on the wheel, white knuckles showing, alert and coiled like a spring ready for evasive action, and what do I find New Zealand drivers, driving, with respect to each other.

Double check I think, yes courtesy, politeness, no blasting off horns for that mistake (anyone can make one) lots of people signaling, making correct maneuvers to the apex of the road, whats this an actual safe distance between cars, cars slowing down to accommodate pedestrians, thoughtfulness, and kindness, look over there, someone offering there parking spot to another motorist, people giving way, no amber gamblers at the traffic lights, no speeding, no drunk drivers or "P" heads. No taxis cutting you up or parking in the middle of the road, can I actually believe courteous bus drives signaling as they enter traffic................................ Drinnnnnnng Drinnnnnnng Drinnnnnng......... that damn alarm needs to be quieter, will awaken the whole street, Oh well another day another dollar.

Exhaust inspection

So why is it, almost every time I venture out, some idiot wants to get so close as to inspect my exhaust pipe? Yes the woman in the Red Mini Cooper, with the sad hair do, trying her utmost to push me off the road, these nano seconds that people save seem so important.
Don't get me wrong, I travel at the speed limit, I for one think speeding generally is for the track and not for Dominion Rd, the law seems to think so too.
What is amazing is by the time, we got to the K.Rd I was at the side of her, less frazzled and defiantly with a better hair do. now here's the rub, this will happen about 10 times in  a distance of around 5Kms, so whats the issue here? Is it our lives are so fast paced, that we don't know how to slow down? Is it, we have total disregard for the law? Is it that, we have a total disregard for the safety of other road users? Is it that, a fast car means I have to drive fast ALL the time? or is it that, many New Zealanders, just don't know any better? Answers on a postcard or better still, post them here.

Wilco taught to drive

Today's nonsense from the world of driving, sees a 5.5 year old ridgeback crossbreed, named as it would seem after an old WWII call sign, Wilco, well Wilco and out. Wilco decided that waiting for the regular driver was no longer an option, and so sat in the drivers seat,nudges the gear stick into drive and off he goes.

Fortunately, the vehicle only travels 15 metres or so, and is stopped by running into a cafe, if this incident is indicative of the poor driving behaviour of many New Zealanders I dont' know what is.

Consider the evidence, its a 2 ton Ute, it's unoccupied, the dog is not restrained in the vehicle a law breaking event as it is, what happend the the hand brake, why is the engine running? Yet another law breaking event.

I hope the dog gets 100 demerit points and the owner banned for ever, the reality is that, it will be shrugged off, .cos that's the NZ way, suggesting of course that such behaviour is acceptable. It's time NZ police started to wise up to the carnage thats is NZ roads, after all they are the ones that arrive first to an accident scene to view the sickening mayhem and this sort of behaviour needs to be punished so to send the correct messages to all and sundry. What's worse, Wilco probably got his driving skills from watching the owner.

Irresponsibility is irresponsible and drivers need to be held accountable. Here tiddles time for your first driving lesson.

Mobile Phones

So it's official, the use of mobile phones will be banned from use whilst driving, hooray! could it be the Government are actually concerned about Road Safety, Mmmm that would be a first ay?

Still it's a step in the right direction, the fact that you can still use hands free kits, somewhat defeats the process, but this is one to watch over the next year, will it impact on the accident rate? probably not, and why not? well it will be very difficult to police, unless you dob people in, but thats been tried before with drink drivers and doesn't really work either, so why have the law changed, well, I am sure you realise that ALL governments have to been seen to be doing something, irrespective if it works or not.

Give Way

And so I am proceeding towards the top of Queen St. in Auckland when I spot a handy parking space, signaling to turn right I make my maneuver to the center of the road, waiting for the all clear. Then the mayhem begins as the driver approaching me decides he to is going to get a handy parking space, lo and behold he now has to give way to let me go.

You can hear the screeching of tyres meters away, as all of a sudden 6 cars following all have to brake hard ( the fact that people tailgate as been discussed before and will be a constant source of contention) the good news on this occasion, no accident, but it as to be said, IT'S A DUMB LAW!! and needs changing NOW!