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SUVs. Four wheel drives for people who have no use for them, and would DIE if they tried going off road with them. They are a very american style of car, and have NO FETHING PLACE on Australian roads. The WORST of these (Discounting Hummers, because NOTHING is an uglier, WANKIER, bigger waste of materials than a non military Hummer) is the Ford Territory.

It isn't that their headlights goes DIRECTLY into the eyes of any driver in a decent automobile, it isn't that they are obese wastes of space driven mostly by Soccer mums with no need for anything more excessive than a Commodore, Falcon, Camry or Magna, and it isn't that they pretend they have ANY use other than making people look like they are important, it's the fact they turn about 99% of the drivers into absolute CLOWNS on the road.

I don't know if they can't see out of them or what, but they have a VERY annoying habit of COMPLETELY ignoring/not seeing any other road users when they merge, turn or JAM on the brakes at lights when they go orange, AND THEN DECIDE they can go, leaving you stranded.

SUV's are, to me, THE SINGLE mst hated things clogging up our traffic system. I hate them EVEN MORE than I hate Cyclists.

I have nothing against people riding their bikes to work/school/for fun, put the people in the brightly coloured lycra riding $3000+ bikes who think they deserve equal rights on the road I truly hate. In a Hilly 80Kph area, anyone not motorised riding 3 ABREAST in the middle of the fething road when the is a Cycle path 3 fething METRES away is BEGGING to be Run Over/abused/honked at.

"But we should have equal ruights on the road! We're on wheels too!"

You should have equal rights when you have EQUAL PERFORMANCE.

These are my thougts, being new to the driving Business (Had my Provisional licence for about 2 months).

Discuss:

I have nothing against people riding their bikes to work/school/for fun, put the people in the brightly coloured lycra riding $3000+ bikes who think they deserve equal rights on the road I truly hate. In a Hilly 80Kph area, anyone not motorised riding 3 ABREAST in the middle of the fething road when the is a Cycle path 3 fething METRES away is BEGGING to be Run Over/abused/honked at.

You're driving a metric ton of death and destruction. They're riding something that they can hold in one hand. Suck it up and realise how dangerous you are on the road compared to them.

Do you drive a car rather then a motorbike?

If so punch yourself in the face.

I've nearly died so many times.

Regards Doom rider.

Your hatred has only just begun, young Nemesis. You will soon see that there are morons of every type and description trolling the roads, just waiting for their chance to foul up your day.

I don't like to get stuck behind Winnebagos ( or any other self propelled brand of house). It's like driving behind a wall, impossible to see around. I have yet to see one that is not going at least 15mph below the speed limit, no matter how crowded the road.
One time I saw one that had rolled over on to it's side. I cheered as I drove by.

I like motorbikes a lot but I have to wonder why some of their riders refuse to wear helmets. Talk to any rider and they will tell you how many near death experiences they have had, but don't ask them to wear........

@ snurl..

When I used to ride a bike, I don't after my crash. Very rarely I would ride without a helmet.. Tis Illegal in Australia but, the sensation is rather fantastic although without sunglasses or something you can't go very fast because of the wind/bugs smashing into your eyes. The thing is though, if you ride a bike, you obvious aren't to concerned about safety. I always used to think if I'd crash Id die, so wasn't to fussed about the helmet and only wore it because of the laws. I was told by my instructor that someone dies every week on a bike in Aus, dunno if its true.

But when I crashed it was because of a car crossing my lane into a side street and not seeing me and I crashed into the side of their boot and supermanned over it. Luckily I had braked first and slowed down enough so that I didn't brake my hip or elbow (the things I landed on) and just couldn't walk for a week and crutches for about a month. Doctor was impressed with my superhuman bones lol.

So any complaints OP has are nothing.. Also bicycles deserve to be on the road.. Its not their fault they aren't allotted some asphalt like they are on some roads.

I drive a car now.. I have punched my self in the face lol.

WARBOSS TZOO wrote:You're driving a metric ton of death and destruction. They're riding something that they can hold in one hand. Suck it up and realise how dangerous you are on the road compared to them.

I'm sure he realises this, it's not a hard fact to grasp. The point he was trying to make is that these cyclists have traffic laws which guide them when using roads optimised for cars, and I'm not quite sure about over there, but over here they're supposed to be ~60cm from the pavement. It also doesn't help when these people lord it over car users because they believe they're travelling more safely: who cares? Because my tiny, engine-less glider causes less destruction than a Boeing 747, does that mean that I have right of way? (Academic example)

sA

sA said: It also doesn't help when these people lord it over car users because they believe they're travelling more safely:

Who does that? Cyclist just don't wanna die in my experience.

smiling Assassin wrote:

WARBOSS TZOO wrote:You're driving a metric ton of death and destruction. They're riding something that they can hold in one hand. Suck it up and realise how dangerous you are on the road compared to them.

I'm sure he realises this, it's not a hard fact to grasp. The point he was trying to make is that these cyclists have traffic laws which guide them when using roads optimised for cars, and I'm not quite sure about over there, but over here they're supposed to be ~60cm from the pavement. It also doesn't help when these people lord it over car users because they believe they're travelling more safely: who cares? Because my tiny, engine-less glider causes less destruction than a Boeing 747, does that mean that I have right of way? (Academic example)

sA

I don't know about in the air, but sailing ships have right of way over powered vessels.

Cyclists aren't supposed to be ~60cm from the pavement. They have the same right to drive in the carriageway as any other road user.

Car drivers are required to give cyclists extra consideration due to their need to avoid hazards such as uneven road surface or manhole covers. Cars are also required to give cyclists the same clearance when overtaking as they should give to a car.

You should review the highway code -- it is available free online -- if you are misunderstanding these points.

Kilkrazy wrote:

smiling Assassin wrote:

WARBOSS TZOO wrote:You're driving a metric ton of death and destruction. They're riding something that they can hold in one hand. Suck it up and realise how dangerous you are on the road compared to them.

I'm sure he realises this, it's not a hard fact to grasp. The point he was trying to make is that these cyclists have traffic laws which guide them when using roads optimised for cars, and I'm not quite sure about over there, but over here they're supposed to be ~60cm from the pavement. It also doesn't help when these people lord it over car users because they believe they're travelling more safely: who cares? Because my tiny, engine-less glider causes less destruction than a Boeing 747, does that mean that I have right of way? (Academic example)

sA

I don't know about in the air, but sailing ships have right of way over powered vessels.

Cyclists aren't supposed to be ~60cm from the pavement. They have the same right to drive in the carriageway as any other road user.

Car drivers are required to give cyclists extra consideration due to their need to avoid hazards such as uneven road surface or manhole covers. Cars are also required to give cyclists the same clearance when overtaking as they should give to a car.

You should review the highway code -- it is available free online -- if you are misunderstanding these points.

Even in my community bikes are treated as other vehicles on roads unless there is a bike lane or an interstate highway ( non motorized traffic not allowed), and where I live is hardly bike friendly. That doesn't mean special privileges for bikers, they have to follow vehicle laws, like not going against traffic.

Everyone is entitled to a rant now and then, and I'll admit that I've occasionally felt your SUV rage, especially now that I drive a small car. The fact is, however, you can't know and make assumptions about other drivers. You really don't know what they're using that SUV for. I drove SUVs up until a got my new car a couple years ago, and I got quite a bit of use out of them. I was never a "serious" off road enthusiast, but I did use them for that, and I can vouch for the qualities of the Nissan Xterra for light trail use. Even on the road, when I lived out west I used my 4x4 quite a bit during the winter months.

Do you have any evidence that SUVs clog up the traffic system more than cars? A traffic jam is a traffic jam, no matter what vehicles are in it. Some of the habits you're complaining about are just mistakes or simple bad driving, and the individuals would probably do the same in a car.

You don't mention pickup trucks. I could say the same thing there. Where I live, plenty of people use trucks for work or hobbies or what not, but there are also plenty of "air haulers" out there. Sure, many families with SUVs could probably choose a more efficient option, but there aren't a wide variety of station wagons available anymore, and some people just don't like minivans.

In Oz, Station wagons are everywhere, and the new Commodore Wagons are evengood looking cars next to the sedan.
http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/carsales/car/spec/HOLD3035.jpg

There also Camrys, Falcons, Magnas, Mazda 6s and the wierd Skoda things.

Also, in Oz, most "Pickups" are holden or ford Utes, with the occasional Triton or Isuzus. Most are Sedan sized.

On the small car thing, I drive a '94 Lancer. Very small...

Jimi Nemesis wrote:SUVs. Four wheel drives for people who have no use for them, and would DIE if they tried going off road with them. They are a very american style of car, and have NO FETHING PLACE on Australian roads. The WORST of these (Discounting Hummers, because NOTHING is an uglier, WANKIER, bigger waste of materials than a non military Hummer) is the Ford Territory.

It isn't that their headlights goes DIRECTLY into the eyes of any driver in a decent automobile, it isn't that they are obese wastes of space driven mostly by Soccer mums with no need for anything more excessive than a Commodore, Falcon, Camry or Magna, and it isn't that they pretend they have ANY use other than making people look like they are important, it's the fact they turn about 99% of the drivers into absolute CLOWNS on the road.

I don't know if they can't see out of them or what, but they have a VERY annoying habit of COMPLETELY ignoring/not seeing any other road users when they merge, turn or JAM on the brakes at lights when they go orange, AND THEN DECIDE they can go, leaving you stranded.

SUV's are, to me, THE SINGLE mst hated things clogging up our traffic system. I hate them EVEN MORE than I hate Cyclists.

I have nothing against people riding their bikes to work/school/for fun, put the people in the brightly coloured lycra riding $3000+ bikes who think they deserve equal rights on the road I truly hate. In a Hilly 80Kph area, anyone not motorised riding 3 ABREAST in the middle of the fething road when the is a Cycle path 3 fething METRES away is BEGGING to be Run Over/abused/honked at.

"But we should have equal ruights on the road! We're on wheels too!"

You should have equal rights when you have EQUAL PERFORMANCE.

These are my thougts, being new to the driving Business (Had my Provisional licence for about 2 months).

Discuss:

I see your rant and raise you....

Old people who drive 15 km/hr less than the limit.

People who park in the middle of the street on a busy street to have a chat with their friend who is standing on the side of the road.

People who hammer brakes and then signal.

Jimi Nemesis wrote:In Oz, Station wagons are everywhere, and the new Commodore Wagons are evengood looking cars next to the sedan.
http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/carsales/car/spec/HOLD3035.jpg

There also Camrys, Falcons, Magnas, Mazda 6s and the wierd Skoda things.

Also, in Oz, most "Pickups" are holden or ford Utes, with the occasional Triton or Isuzus. Most are Sedan sized.

On the small car thing, I drive a '94 Lancer. Very small...

I'll have to look those up, as I've never heard of some of those, though I imagine that often a manufacturer will rebrand an automobile for a foreign market. There aren't a lot of station wagons being sold in the US, relative to SUVs.

Another thing to consider is that I'm not sure SUVs are worse than large sedans, as far as fuel economy goes. While wind resistance and size will always make an SUV less efficient than small cars, there is no universal law that says you can't design a smaller, more space efficient, SUV type vehicle with sufficient power and good fuel economy. I think a lot could be achieved by going to diesel rather than gasoline for SUVs.

It seems to me that Australia would be a good place to have a 4x4 if you actually used it. I see your point that I'm sure most people probably don't use the 4x4. I think it depends on where you live too. In the mountains where I am, you can make a very good case for having a 4x4 if you live a ways away from the city.

Bah, you call a lancer small? Americans don't know what a small car is, I'm picking up my 92' Toyota Starlet today