Travelling north between Parkes and Peak Hill today I was overtaken on a few separate occasions by an over-exuberant middle-aged male driving a fairly new 7 metre Mercedes motorhome travelling at quite high speeds ..
On the last occasion he was closely followed by a large semi-trailer who in turn was obviously also in a hurry ..
I then saw up the road, a large kangaroo hop out from the left hand side .. I then also saw a lot of plastic schrapnel thrown about from the impact and the two vehicles came to a stand-still on the side .. The semi was fine and untouched .. the motorhome not good ..
When I asked why he (the MH driver)was travelling so fast, he stated he couldn't slow down because the truck was up his "clacker" ..
I only felt sorrow for the the injured kangaroo that was put down by Police .. that driver was a pure idiot ..
This was at 11.00 am .. so some kangaroos do get about at any time .. travel with care folks !
Jon
-- Edited by biggles on Friday 19th of April 2013 05:39:07 PM
herbie said
08:50 PM Apr 19, 2013
Makes one wonder, what his next excuse will be ,when he has another accident...This type of driver is knowen as NO Brainer...Goes to show you do not have to be on P plates to be one of these type.I cannot even feel sorrry for someone that has a flat chat or bust attitude .No respect for any body else on the road (Animial or Human ).Probably to boot did not know the road conditions either. Just must get to the next destination Like Yesterday.
-- Edited by herbie on Saturday 20th of April 2013 11:30:34 AM
Beth54 said
01:11 AM Apr 20, 2013
The title had my mind boggling biggles!
Your story reminds me of a day out I had with my youngest brother a while ago. He was always over the speed limit and said he kept missing them. So I said...as big sis I feel I'm allowed...'you should be taking more care to look for them'. Him: 'I'm too busy looking for the coppers!' Me: 'Have you ever thought that if you looked for the speed signs you wouldn't have to look for the coppers?!'
This from the supposedly most intelligent one of the four of us!
People like that bloke don't deserve to own a beautiful motorhome. Give it to me! After it's fixed.
biggles said
01:36 AM Apr 20, 2013
Hah ! .. family .. its so nice eh ! ..
"blood is thicker than water" .. so make out he was adopted .. then .. POW !
bye .. Jon
vk6tnc said
01:40 AM Apr 20, 2013
biggles wrote:
When I asked why he (the MH driver)was travelling so fast, he stated he couldn't slow down because the truck was up his "clacker" ..
The word "pullover" comes to mind........
Simple really.
kandagal said
02:09 AM Apr 20, 2013
The best way to actually travel & 'see' our great country is to slow down & amble. Not only is the journey more pleasant but fuel consumption is less. And of course it makes it easier to share the road safely with our wildlife
GaryKelly said
02:31 AM Apr 20, 2013
"Because the truck was up my clacker" is a lame excuse. Pull over is right, Chris. Let the truckies go and take it easy. Hopefully, the Merc driver has learned his lesson, albeit the hard way.
biggles said
02:47 AM Apr 20, 2013
.. and I agree with you all .. earlier in the day he braked suddenly when leaving the Parkes area, turned right to get some fuel (I'm presuming) .. he nearly tipped it over then and I'm sure he didn'tknow much about driving the vehicle ..
oh well .. yes .. was the kangaroo that lost out today .. !
Jon
Beth54 said
06:20 AM Apr 20, 2013
Was he a 'grey' Jon? As in old enough to have more sense?
vk6tnc said
06:29 AM Apr 20, 2013
Beth54 wrote:
Was he a 'grey' Jon? As in old enough to have more sense?
Probably a sales rep or journo......
biggles said
01:06 PM Apr 20, 2013
My impression was that he was about my age (62) .. was not follickly challenged as am I and wore a flatop type crewcut ..
Before I departed a (after about 30 mins) he still hadn't phoned anyone about the incident .. I find that strange .. but he was still quite adamant that he had no alternative to his actions ..
Conveniently, a Police 4wd was travelling by and so stopped .. I also mentioned to them of what I'd seen earlier .. the guy never even helped me earlier to clear the debris that littered the road, so I was happy to depart when I did.
I will still always stop to help another in trouble, regardless of the attitude of some .. I'm lucky to have the life-style I enjoy and a circle of friends that make me that way ..
Jon
Rip and Rosie said
03:49 PM Apr 20, 2013
Not everyone knows how to drive a larger vehicle, and they jump in and treat it like a car.
Now, not everyone is good at driving cars, they jump in and treat it like a toy.
Now, not every kid took care of his toys..................
Beth54 said
04:59 PM Apr 20, 2013
I will still always stop to help another in trouble, regardless of the attitude of some .. I'm lucky to have the life-style I enjoy and a circle of friends that make me that way ..
Jon
chicken said
05:51 PM Apr 20, 2013
Yes, I agree Kandagal, it is the best way to travel - take your time and enjoy this wonderful playground, but not always easy. We were travelling along one time at speed around 85/90 and over the two way radio we got an abusive mouthful from behind for going so "slow" and taking up road space. Can you believe it? We pulled over as soon as possible only to receive another blast of verbal abuse. Really makes you wonder what makes these people tick. Maybe they get there kicks out of this kind of behavior, but it certainly made us feel quite uncomfortable for a while after that. Actually, pulled in for a cuppa soon after. My husband is 74 and I 66 so we don't need this type of thing to contend with.
Cheers,
Chicken.
Ontos45 said
06:23 PM Apr 20, 2013
Chicken, it seems as though some people think, because the speed sign shows 100KPH you HAVE to travel at that speed. You can travel at any speed as long as you "do not impede traffic flow". I admit that sometimes is impossible to pull over because of wrecked tyres with steel belts strewn along the verge, but I take my time as its my life in my hands and if someones a few minutes late beause of my tardiness I'm sorry.
EllenajoeL said
08:22 PM Apr 20, 2013
It is a good point Jon (el al).... and I have been there too; with the crazy driver/mad speed according to vehicle or conditions etc...
Afterall, esp as it happens, its fairly easy to be 'put off'/confused/upset by other's driving habits. We do get LOTS of examples for sure.
I'm also sure its very hard to get 'them' to change....regardless of justice/fairness/commonsense.
So.....I just do what I can to minimise MY involvement in any such situation..... and that, quite often, means letting 'them' go, even if it means 5-10 minutes safely stationary somewhere.
I wonder, (commercial transport deadlines aside) who cares about this kind of incident AFTER the moment; and what is the point of harbouring such concern?
Personally, I'd rather be safe, let the madness pass and be able to further enjoy my travels.
-- Edited by EllenajoeL on Saturday 20th of April 2013 08:23:12 PM
Beth54 said
11:22 PM Apr 20, 2013
In my ordinary driving I generally do the speed limit, not under, not over. But when towing, I do anywhere between 80 and 90. I try to take care not to hold anyone up behind me, and move over where possible for them to pass.
It's easy for us to take our time and smell the roses, but professional drivers have schedules to keep. I hear all the stories from the few professional drivers in my extended family. A little courtesy goes a long way. Get on the UHF and say, I know you're there mate, I'll pull over when I can.
But I would certainly be very upset too if someone abused me over the UHF.
Sadly for the general public, the motorhome driver of Jons story will probably be the cause of a major accident before long.
dogbox said
12:08 AM Apr 21, 2013
you would be suprised at the number of people who drive at 85-90 kph an as soon as you get a passing lane they want to drive flat out so you can,t get past them then slow down at the end of the lane very fustrating
Beth54 said
12:19 AM Apr 21, 2013
dogbox wrote:
you would be suprised at the number of people who drive at 85-90 kph an as soon as you get a passing lane they want to drive flat out so you can,t get past them then slow down at the end of the lane very fustrating
Yeh, what is it with that? I don't understand why they do that.
vk6tnc said
12:28 AM Apr 21, 2013
Beth54 wrote:
dogbox wrote:
you would be suprised at the number of people who drive at 85-90 kph an as soon as you get a passing lane they want to drive flat out so you can,t get past them then slow down at the end of the lane very fustrating
Yeh, what is it with that? I don't understand why they do that.
Maybe they feel more confident with an extra lane next to them ???? Happens a lot...
I followed someone at 80 in a 110 zone, then struggled to pass him at 120. When the passing lane ended I dropped down to 70 to get him thinking, but he didn't seem to mind ????
milo said
12:39 AM Apr 21, 2013
we always traveled around the 90k mark, and always tried to pull over when we could some people just don't know how to drive at all let alone a big rig..
Travelling north between Parkes and Peak Hill today I was overtaken on a few separate occasions by an over-exuberant middle-aged male driving a fairly new 7 metre Mercedes motorhome travelling at quite high speeds ..
On the last occasion he was closely followed by a large semi-trailer who in turn was obviously also in a hurry ..
I then saw up the road, a large kangaroo hop out from the left hand side .. I then also saw a lot of plastic schrapnel thrown about from the impact and the two vehicles came to a stand-still on the side .. The semi was fine and untouched .. the motorhome not good ..
When I asked why he (the MH driver)was travelling so fast, he stated he couldn't slow down because the truck was up his "clacker" ..
I only felt sorrow for the the injured kangaroo that was put down by Police .. that driver was a pure idiot ..
This was at 11.00 am .. so some kangaroos do get about at any time .. travel with care folks !
Jon
-- Edited by biggles on Friday 19th of April 2013 05:39:07 PM
Makes one wonder, what his next excuse will be ,when he has another accident...This type of driver is knowen as NO Brainer...Goes to show you do not have to be on P plates to be one of these type.I cannot even feel sorrry for someone that has a flat chat or bust attitude .No respect for any body else on the road (Animial or Human ).Probably to boot did not know the road conditions either. Just must get to the next destination Like Yesterday.
-- Edited by herbie on Saturday 20th of April 2013 11:30:34 AM
The title had my mind boggling biggles!
Your story reminds me of a day out I had with my youngest brother a while ago. He was always over the speed limit and said he kept missing them. So I said...as big sis I feel I'm allowed
...'you should be taking more care to look for them'. Him: 'I'm too busy looking for the coppers!' Me: 'Have you ever thought that if you looked for the speed signs you wouldn't have to look for the coppers?!'
This from the supposedly most intelligent one of the four of us!
People like that bloke don't deserve to own a beautiful motorhome. Give it to me!
After it's fixed. 
Hah ! .. family .. its so nice eh ! ..
"blood is thicker than water" .. so make out he was adopted .. then .. POW !
bye .. Jon
The word "pullover" comes to mind........
Simple really.
.. and I agree with you all .. earlier in the day he braked suddenly when leaving the Parkes area, turned right to get some fuel (I'm presuming) .. he nearly tipped it over then and I'm sure he didn'tknow much about driving the vehicle ..
oh well .. yes .. was the kangaroo that lost out today .. !
Jon
Was he a 'grey' Jon? As in old enough to have more sense?
Probably a sales rep or journo......
My impression was that he was about my age (62) .. was not follickly challenged as am I and wore a flatop type crewcut ..
Before I departed a (after about 30 mins) he still hadn't phoned anyone about the incident .. I find that strange .. but he was still quite adamant that he had no alternative to his actions ..
Conveniently, a Police 4wd was travelling by and so stopped .. I also mentioned to them of what I'd seen earlier .. the guy never even helped me earlier to clear the debris that littered the road, so I was happy to depart when I did.
I will still always stop to help another in trouble, regardless of the attitude of some .. I'm lucky to have the life-style I enjoy and a circle of friends that make me that way ..
Jon
Now, not everyone is good at driving cars, they jump in and treat it like a toy.
Now, not every kid took care of his toys..................
Yes, I agree Kandagal, it is the best way to travel - take your time and enjoy this wonderful playground, but not always easy. We were travelling along one time at speed around 85/90 and over the two way radio we got an abusive mouthful from behind for going so "slow" and taking up road space. Can you believe it? We pulled over as soon as possible only to receive another blast of verbal abuse. Really makes you wonder what makes these people tick. Maybe they get there kicks out of this kind of behavior, but it certainly made us feel quite uncomfortable for a while after that.
Actually, pulled in for a cuppa soon after. My husband is 74 and I 66 so we don't need this type of thing to contend with.
Cheers,
Chicken.
I admit that sometimes is impossible to pull over because of wrecked tyres with steel belts strewn along the verge, but I take my time as its my life in my hands and if someones a few minutes late beause of my tardiness I'm sorry.
It is a good point Jon (el al).... and I have been there too; with the crazy driver/mad speed according to vehicle or conditions etc...
Afterall, esp as it happens, its fairly easy to be 'put off'/confused/upset by other's driving habits. We do get LOTS of examples for sure.
I'm also sure its very hard to get 'them' to change....regardless of justice/fairness/commonsense.
So.....I just do what I can to minimise MY involvement in any such situation..... and that, quite often, means letting 'them' go, even if it means 5-10 minutes safely stationary somewhere.
I wonder, (commercial transport deadlines aside) who cares about this kind of incident AFTER the moment; and what is the point of harbouring such concern?
Personally, I'd rather be safe, let the madness pass and be able to further enjoy my travels.
-- Edited by EllenajoeL on Saturday 20th of April 2013 08:23:12 PM
In my ordinary driving I generally do the speed limit, not under, not over. But when towing, I do anywhere between 80 and 90. I try to take care not to hold anyone up behind me, and move over where possible for them to pass.
It's easy for us to take our time and smell the roses, but professional drivers have schedules to keep. I hear all the stories from the few professional drivers in my extended family. A little courtesy goes a long way. Get on the UHF and say, I know you're there mate, I'll pull over when I can.
But I would certainly be very upset too if someone abused me over the UHF.
Sadly for the general public, the motorhome driver of Jons story will probably be the cause of a major accident before long.
Yeh, what is it with that? I don't understand why they do that.
Maybe they feel more confident with an extra lane next to them ???? Happens a lot...
I followed someone at 80 in a 110 zone, then struggled to pass him at 120. When the passing lane ended I dropped down to 70 to get him thinking, but he didn't seem to mind ????
some people just don't know how to drive at all let alone a big rig..
dibs