BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Will Fly
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 05:43 PM

Ah well, you know what they say, Doug - everyone thinks they're:

the perfect lover
the perfect manager
the perfect driver



...


and the cheque's in the post!

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 05:31 PM

Having read through the whole thread, I am struck by the number of polite, thoughtful, considerate, careful drivers we have here on Mudcat. Perhaps there is a correlation between folk music and good driving. I wonder why we have such nasty, aggressive arguments on so many other subjects.

The older I get, the more I try be polite, thoughtful etc. but, even though I don't drive an Audi, I have to admit to not always getting it right. I will try harder in the future and keep my eyes open for those Audi and BMW driving, non-Mudcatters who cause all the trouble.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 06:38 PM

Love it, Raewulf! Yes, should have done that!

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Raedwulf
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 05:57 PM

I wouldn't have. I'd have switched the car off, got out, walked up, pointed to said passing place, told her how far behind me the next one was & then politely (well, less than politely, probably) invited her to either reverse or to sit there all day...

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 04:53 PM

Well since this thread has drifted to include just about all drivers of just about all vehicles, a few observations from the last 2 days spent driving around the beautiful island of Mull, where many of the roads are "single track with passing places". Nothing vehicle-specific as far as I could see, unless you count the wee white Fiats and Minis who seem to think they should be able to slip through anywhere. So who stops? Who backs up? Who looks far enough ahead to anticipate passing issues? Most people were well-behaved, with the exception of one woman in a "Chelsea tractor" who stood her ground and would not back up about 20 yds into a passing place, whereas my husband had to reluctantly go back several hundred yards to let this belligerent woman through, who then did give a leery smile!

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Raedwulf
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 02:16 PM

"Volvo estates - why has no-one mentioned THEM!"

"Cheers, Raedwulf. I know you'd take me to pieces without demur were I to get beyond meself, and that's exactly how it should be."

Oh dear, Mr Shaw, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Apart from a brief, less than happy, dalliance with a 440 (bloody stupid Bendix gearbox!), I've been driving Volvo estates for a quarter of a century...

{evil grin}

;-)

Subject: Should all Drivers be banned?
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 07:48 PM

In a couple years we will blame AI

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 01:32 PM

Grand.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 01:23 PM

I slow down because at a slow speed a collision is less serious, and the stopping distance is less. And it also makes it easier for the driver to overtake. If there's a layby handy I'll likely stop and let any impatient drivers move on.

I agree trying to punish bad driving by the way you drive is bad driving in itself, and stupis. So is using a horn to tell people off, rather than for it's proper purpose, which is solely to ensure another driver knows you are there in case they've failed to notice. One of the bad consequences of driving badly is that it is in fact likely to provoke others to drive badly.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 11:13 AM

If you're experiencing problems with an Audi driver, just go to the Audi website and see if there's an updated version of the driver you can download. It works for Epsons.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 09:26 AM

"If someone is too close on my tail I am more likely to slow down than speed up."

Hmm. If you do that in order to teach him a lesson, you are indulging in behaviour no less dangerous than his. The best policy is to let him pass at the first opportunity. If that isn't possible for a while, you're justified in slowing down only in order to leave more stopping space in front of you so that, in an emergency in front, you can stop more gradually in order to lessen the chance of the eejit behind ploughing into you.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 09:26 AM

Number one on my list of arrogant drivers are already stopped at a red light but manage to pull into your lane and stop again, limiting your braking distance by a car length. When two or three do the same, a collision can be imminent.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 09:17 AM

It was about people who nip in from the left (from the right in the US I guess) into the safe space you've left between you and the car in front. I was coming home from London along the M4 and M5 yesterday and this was happening a lot. This is rarely bad driving. You just have to take your chance, and you should be judged on whether you signalled your intent in good time, avoided wing-mirror blind spots and promptly let the gaps open again once in the new lane. The road is shared space and does not belong solely to you. Several times yesterday I got stuck behind some moron hogging the middle lane and had to do a quick dive to the right to get past. A timely signal that the outside lane driver could see and a moment to allow him to drop back a bit is all it takes. I do suspect that some people who whinge about that kind of situation are being either arrogantly territorial or are simply too nervous to be on the road. More dangerous behaviour by far on fast roads are tailgating, lane-hogging, weaving undertaking and dawdling.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 08:23 AM

But they are in charge of cars. That is the reality and it always will be. Unfortunately, aggressive drivers are often skilful drivers and know how to avoid trouble. Only when something disastrous happens will they be removed, and, 99% of the time, nothing disastrous does happen. You can fume all you like about these monsters of the road but unless you can live with them you should be considering your position. Nervous or slow drivers on crowded roads are a menace too.

By the way, irrevocable was not the word I typed - it was more like irreducible, something like that. The autowotsit changed it for me. Also, l lost a longer post on this that I haven't got time to do again now.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 07:26 AM

Good grief Charmion, what a dreadful thing to do - punch someone in the face, when the driver was in the wrong being on a pedestrian crossing in the first place!
I don't agree Steve that aggression is an irrevocable part of human nature. We're civilised human beings not wild animals, and if someone is incapable of controlling their aggression they certainly shouldn't be in charge of a car (or even at liberty at all!).

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 04:32 AM

It's very annoying but it's a fact of driving life. If it makes you nervous then perhaps you should give up driving. Aggression, unfortunately, is an irrevocable part of human nature. In any case, on our congested roads you sometimes have to take what very limited chances you can to change lanes.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Mr Red
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 04:04 AM

Keep your distance. Make space around you.
Yea, Yea. For the idiot who thinks that space is for taking, and he does. The meek shall inherit the earth! but THEY DON'T WANT IT!"

Stopping on a pedestrian crossing. Take a photograph - see how they react. The last time this happened to me I pointed to the traffic lights as he moved. I watched as he crawled forward, it was not total oblivion to anyone else but the car in front. "Can't see the red light mate"! He stopped for me but I doubt he thought he was in the wrong, just unlucky.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 08:16 PM

Well in the last two weeks, just over, I've driven over 1500 miles on UK motorways (and, for a week of that, I was in Sicily!). I have just three rules: first, keep your distance. Second, the middle and outside lanes are for overtaking only. My default lane is the inside lane. Third, if you're being tailgated, just pull over. These people are dangerous.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 07:25 PM

You're right to be careful, Eliza.

About a year ago, I witnessed a road rage incident in which a pair of lads walking home from work were attacked by the driver of a bright red sports car. He had blocked the pedestrian crossing, the better to make his right turn as speedy as possible, and one of the young fellas -- the tall, skinny one with the unicycle -- knocked gently on the offending fender as he walked around the nose of the car. The driver leapt out, grabbed the lad, and punched him in the face, yelling, "I'll f***ing kill you!"

It happened at the foot of my street, less than 100 metres from my front door, just as I stepped out on my way to a meeting. I took the lads to our house, gave them tea and called the cops, who came and took statements -- including mine.

Months later, I was summoned to the cop shop for a "photo line-up". For this procedure, a meticulously conducted double-blind affair, I was shown photographs of 12 amazingly similar men. Alas, I was no help, having seen the assailant only from the side, in low light and at a distance of about 50 metres.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 05:53 PM

It's true that owners of Audis, Beamers and Mercs are always on the alert for anyone scratching or marking their pride-and-joy. Us plebs in our pitiful Vauxhall Meriva for example.
If we're parked next to one of these gems, I always slide out of my car door like an eel, trying not to even touch their bodywork with my coat.
I can always read their thought bubbles though:-
"Hey! You toucha my car, I slappa your fice!"

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 12:54 PM

Absolutely McGrath, nothing annoys an Audi/BMW maniac more than having to keep to the speed limit!!

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 12:49 PM

If someone is too close on my tail I am more likely to slow down than speed up.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 11:18 AM

Well the answer is, "yes I should be concerned that you are obviously such an awful driver you might back your heap of crap into my van when you leave"

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 11:03 AM

Reference was made above to drivers of expensive cars like BMWs...etc... who seem to graft the value of their car to their personality. They are problem enough trying to dodge ( no pun intended) them in traffic, but one seldom actually meets one. I had that dubious pleasure in a parking lot.

I used to have a Dodge van... one of the very large 15 passenger type.

like this


Before that I had driven VW vans for years, and had become very good at parking vehicles with a snub nose. I pulled into a grocery store lot and found a parking space. As I entered, I noticed a woman standing beside the drivers door of the car opposite me. I eased up closer, as my van needed to be well into its space so as to not stick out in the rear. The lady waved her arms and looked agitated. When I got out (having parked 'about' 8 inches from her newish black sedan (it may have been a BMW...or a Cadillac...or a Lexus... I wasn't paying attention), she said "I thought you were going to hit me!"

I said mildly, "No I'm careful..."

She glared and replied, "Well it worried me... this car is worth $45,000! What's yours worth... about $8000?"

I'll swear that's almost an exact quote.... I couldn't think of a thing to say. I just shook my head and went into the store, wondering whether IF I'd had an expensive vehicle to match hers, it would have been OK to bump her a bit... Later I wondered whether she thought that ALL drivers of older 'cheap' vehicles thought that she was fair game....

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Raggytash
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 11:02 AM

One technique I use for tail-gaters is to (first check there is no-one behind the tail-gater) then briefly switch on my rear fog lights. No change in my speed but it make the tail-gater apply their brakes and back off a bit. ......................... repeat as necessary.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 10:36 AM

All I can say is.... I saw him coming, I was careful NOT to deny him space, and I didn't do anything sudden or impulsive. It has always been my practice NOT to tailgate other cars. That was the one time it was driven home how important that is.

My real point was just to recount how dangerous other drivers can be.


Oh... I once had an Audi (LS-100) for a couple of years. It wasn't a very good car, so my plans to get a personalized tag for it never happened. It would have said "DUDI"

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 10:33 AM

I've got a Mercedes Benz with MD plates I have no trouble finding dates
I've got a 1980 Subaru, one more semester then I'm through
A Slant-6 Dodge is no big thrill but it's a car no atom bomb can kill
I make a lot of dough in a high-tech job, yeah sure you bet I drive a turbo Saab
I'll bet you a ten, even a fiver, you find the car and I'll find the driver
It really ain't no big deal to know who's inside that automobile
Well I've just airbrushed my Econo-line, "A friend of the devil is a Friend of Mine"
I've got a 1962 Biscayne it won't start if it looks like rain
A four wheel drive with extra chrome I keep it on the paved roads close to home
Cadillac the size of an Amtrak train when I drive I take two lanes
Now my Honda civic is a real go-getter, I look great in it in my crew neck sweater
And my BMW draws applause, I am not bound by traffic laws
I got a Ranger truck, I'm for import quotas, I won't park next to no Toyotas
My Volvo wagon will seat six, it'll run on diesel or trail mix
I'll bet you a ten, even a fiver, you find the car and I'll find the driver
It really ain't no big deal to know who's the driver of that automobile.
In heavy traffic my Audi fits in, even if the space is only paper thin.

Bill D preserve your space no matter how many cars keep stealing it.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 09:59 AM

A disastrous outcome was avoided by Bill D doing as a do, and dropping back a bit. However, if Bill D hadn't of provided that space, how were the on-coming drivers expected to ensure their own safety? I have been an oncoming driver in a similar situation driving south of Kings Lynn as I originally mentioned in this thread - not so much a case of barreling down a line of slower moving traffic, but an idiot trying to overtaking another idiot, and both refusing to drop back. And instead of barrelling the other idiot Bill D refers to should only overtake when there is a sufficient space in front of the vehicle being overtaken and there is sufficient road visibly free of oncoming vehicles to complete the maneuver.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Will Fly
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 05:49 AM

Most of the drivers of large agricultural vehicles in our part of Sussex are pretty good about pulling in where they can temporarily to allow a build-up of other motorists to get past. Personally, I don't mind tractors, however slow they are, because they are, after all, just doing their job. If you live in the countryside, it's part of the deal...

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 05:23 AM

Our county is largely agricultural, and I have to say our tractor drivers are fairly good about pulling over. However, there aren't many lay-bys or pull-ins for them to do so. I always try to be patient as they have their work to do. At the moment it's maize silage. Tractors and trailers everywhere, heading for the bio-energy methane-production sites. Later it'll be sugar beet (massive heavy trucks heading for Cantley). We've finished, thank goodness, with the huge combines!

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Teribus
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 05:09 AM

I would suggest then Bill D that if you are recounting an event that actually happen then in your description just stick to the facts and detail what you did and leave "literary licence" to the writers of fiction.

In a close moving line of cars - you said 40-50mph - you would have been perfectly safe applying light pressure to the brake pedal (Your brake lights come on before your brake pads make contact with the discs). Doing that would have let the overtaking driver know that you were aware of the situation and that you were making room for him, just by easing off on the accelerator he would have no idea at all of any of that.

Back in the days before car radios became fancy down in the West Country we were taught a trick to prevent aggressive "tailgaters". You tuned your radio off station until you only had static, you then turned down the volume until the static was barely audible. Set up like this if you depressed the brake pedal you would hear an audible click when your brake lights came on. So if someone did come up behind you and pressed you from behind you pushed the button to this preselected "station" and put your foot on the brake pedal, your brake lights came on but the car continued at the same speed, the tailgater could be seen falling astern fast as he applied his brakes. At the next suitable section of road you then let the clown pass in safety - far better to have someone like that up ahead of you than behind.

Those who get my goat on the road are drivers of tractors, mobile homes and caravan towers who never bother to check what is happening behind them. In some parts of the world it is an offence to allow more than six or seven vehicles to pile up behind you. The driver of the tractor, mobile home or caravan is required to pull over and let traffic flow. It happens as a matter of course in Norway throughout the summer, in the UK it is so rare an occurrence that it is almost unheard of and all it is, is a complete and utter lack of consideration for other road users.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 03:03 AM

That's the trouble isn't it Bill? Having to assess in a split second the sudden dangers that present themselves. One needs instant reactions and constant vigilance. That's why I firmly believe that elderly folk should be assessed regularly for their capability to react swiftly when driving.
I'd be quite happy to undergo such a test, and to accept the findings. If it was felt I should surrender my licence, I would do so with good grace.

Every time we exit our village and enter the main road, we pass a very sad little wooden cross nailed to a tree, where a young motorcyclist met his death. A motorist pulled out without looking, his bike wasn't seen approaching and the resulting crash was horrific. His poor family put the cross there and lay flowers at the scene every year.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 12:04 AM

Ummm... Teribus... I did not actually yell "Oh no"... that was literary licence. Nor did I make ANY attempt to deny him a safe place to escape... and as far as I could tell, those oncoming cars were still perhaps 300 yards away... but the idiot could NOT have continued without hitting the lead car. My 3 car space was the ONLY thing that prevented some sort of sad incident... all this happened within about 10-15 seconds...5-6 seconds for him to be beside me, 4-5 seconds inside the safe zone, then a few more seconds as he sped on his merry way.

and BTW..."Bill D should have immediately started to brake... "

I am not stupid and I stay aware of my status on the road... there was another car directly behind me... far too close for any 'immediate braking'. If I had, *I* might have caused a collision. I 'may' have reduced my speed a wee bit by less pressure on the gas, but I simply did not process that bit of data in the few seconds I had....

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 06:24 PM

On a narrow road the trick for dealing with an aggressive Audi driver behind you is to wait until there is a line of cars coming in the opposite direction, then pull in. The driver will then have to wait until that line of cars has passed before he/she can overtake you !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 05:59 PM

"Here lies the body of Jonathan Day
Who died defending his right of way.
He was right, dead right, as he rode along,
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong."

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 03:42 PM

Oh Teribus, was that the one where the policeman always said "Ten-four!" when he received a message?

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 03:42 PM

Oh Teribus, was that the one where the policeman always said "Ten-four!" when he received a message?

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Teribus
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 02:05 PM

"I happened to glance in the outside rear view mirror, and to my horror saw a car WAY back at the end of the line pull out and come barreling down the line of cars! He must have been going 85-90 MPH! I glanced ahead and saw several cars coming the OTHER way appear in the distance." {At this point Bill D should have immediately started to brake to leave an obvious and bigger gap in front of him that the overtaking car could see} Before I could yell "Oh, NO!" {Yelling "Oh, NO! achieved exactly what Bill D?} "this idiot passed me, hit his brakes, slipped into the barely sufficient space in front of me just as the 3 cars (probably scared to death) passed going the other way! - Ehmm No Bill D the lead driver of the car in the oncoming traffic instead of pointlessly yelling anything probably started braking as soon as he saw the car coming towards him.

If someone is overtaking you, you should do everything in your power to let them do so as quickly and as safely as possible.

Very old US TV Series starring Broderick Crawford called Highway Patrol at the end of each episode there was a road safety tip - the only one I remember went something like this:

"Remember folks when driving it's not who's right but who's left".

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 01:42 PM

Good grief Bill, that's the sort of experience that gives one nightmares for evermore!
We've often 'saved the bacon' of various young motorcyclists stitching along behind us, overtaking, then urgently begging for a space to duck into when approaching traffic appears. I always try to drive 'defensively' and give way if pressed, so as to avoid collisions and accidents.
We so often meet with drivers who seem to have no indicators on their cars. Especially on roundabouts. If only folk would indicate, one could advance onto the roundabout. But one just has to wait until they turn off or continue round. Also there are the "Hahaha fooled you!" brigade, who indicate one way then turn the other.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 12:49 PM

Mr Red said: "Now what do you do with tailgaters and someone squeezing in - into the (un)safe margin you have manufactured."

Then leenia said: "
The two-lane highway, on the other hand, is known as the killer highway."

The scariest thing I ever saw was many years ago when a friend & I were driving across Montana, USA. We were crossing very wide valley where they had constructed a "cut & fill" 2 lane highway. It was maybe 3 miles of a very tall upside-down V with a road on top. There was a long string of cars going West..... I was in about the middle of the line, leaving about 2-3 car lengths behind the one ahead ..while 'most' of the cars were bunched up to just over one car length..(we were only going 45-50 MPH on that scary stretch- no guard rails and a LONG way down).
I happened to glance in the outside rear view mirror, and to my horror saw a car WAY back at the end of the line pull out and come barreling down the line of cars! He must have been going 85-90 MPH! I glanced ahead and saw several cars coming the OTHER way appear in the distance. Before I could yell "Oh, NO!" this idiot passed me, hit his brakes, slipped into the barely sufficient space in front of me just as the 3 cars (probably scared to death) passed going the other way! Then he pulled out again and accelerated back up to 80-90 again, passed a dozen more cars, and disappeared into the distance.
   If I had been as close to the car in front as most of the others were, something terrible would have happened. I'd like to think the idiot would have just driven off the edge... but he probably would have forced me or someone near me off instead...or just braked and hit the oncoming cars head-on.
   No, I didn't think to get a tag number.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Greg F.
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 12:00 PM

Part of the high U.S. numbers are down to peoples' addictions to monster, heavy-weight, 8-cylinder SUV's and "Sport Pickup Trucks" which can, and do, inflict more damage and mayhem than reasonablye-sized vehicles.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 11:37 AM

Yup. Fatalities per billion vehicle kilometres driven:

Sweden - 3.5
UK - 3.6
USA - 7.1
Canada - 6.2

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 10:29 AM

Will Fly, do you have stats broken down by number of miles driven?

Canada and the United States are similar in that road systems are built primarily for motor vehicles, and most communities sprawl; population density is typically low. Public transit is scanty and expensive, and walking to and from work is simply not an option for a hell of a lot of people.

Many accidents (incidents, really) around here arise from driving too fast in marginal weather conditions. Add a daily commute of 50 to 100 km each way and perhaps a beer after work, and bad things are bound to happen.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 06:29 AM

Back to the OP:

Little Audis, little Audis, little Audis on the motorway,
Little Audis in the car park, and they all look just the same.
There's a silver one, and a silver one, and a silver one...and a silver one,
And they all stay in the fast lane, and they all look just the same.

And they're driven by accountants and surveyors and solicitors,
Who wear Raybans and Rolexes and they all look just the same,
And they park them at the golf club or the yacht club or Masonic hall,
In a neat line of Audis, and they all look just the same.

They've got MP3's and cruise control and an infotainment facility
Because that's what the neighbours have and they want just the same,
And a screen in the dashboard that helps them to navigate
Just as far as the outside lane, and they all do just the same.

And they sneer at Hyundais and Nissans and Citroens
But the sight of an HGV seems to drive them insane.
If they can't get past they drive too close and they flash their lights and they beep their horn,
But it does them no good and they're held up just the same.

Little Audis, little Audis, little Audis on the motorway,
Little Audis in the car park, and they all look just the same.
There's a silver one, and a silver one, and a silver one...and a silver one,
And they all stay in the fast lane *, and they all look just the same.

* I know it should be called the overtaking lane, but it doesn't scan....

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Sep 16 - 06:37 PM

Two pieces of advice I once heard being given by a Superintendent (Traffic) in Leicestershire:

1: Never call in the police to attend any no injury accident in the belief that they will ensure you get the other drivers insurance to pay all as it was "his/her" fault - In such a case the police will almost invariably charge both drivers {One with dangerous/careless driving, the other with driving without due care and attention)

2: Covers the situation described in the quote above - If someone is overtaking you, as the driver of the car being overtaken it is simple common sense in the interests of safety to let the overtaking driver complete the manoeuver as quickly and safely as possible.

That's consistent with my comment that in most accidents both parties have some responsibility.   A good way of helping identify how that should be shared, and also those cases where one party is enrirely blameless, is the introduction of dashboard front and rear video cameras.

The most recent accident involving my car was the exception - the car was parked in a car park while I was at a choir practice. Came out to find it shunted forward with the rear smashed, and a note on the windscreen saying "Sorry - my door flew open and I hit your car. Please phone my Mum." (Car got written off, with the quoted price from the insurers for repairs £3,500, so they paid me £2,000 - and I bought it back for £400, and got it repaired perfectly for £650. It isn't only drivers who jack up the cost of insurance by phony claims, garages do their own bit to inflate costs. But that's another story.)

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Penny S.
Date: 30 Sep 16 - 06:13 PM

Round here is a road, originally designed by the idiots who thought it was a good idea to have three lanes - eastwards, westwards, and overtaking in the middle. Not for nothing was it known, until the locals wanted its old name back, as Death Hill, for it showed up on the police accident map as a dense mass of black pins.
Now, Gorse Hill, it has two lanes, eastwards, westwards, and a hatched section down the middle, which as anyone who has read their Highway Code knows, means no one is supposed to enter it.
But there are some, and I don't usually get to see which make they are, who carry on as if we were back in the days of the three lanes, and steam up the centre because the traffic doing 60 (the local limit) is much too slow.

BTW, when I was in Norway, an idiot did something stupid in front of the coach we were in, on the packed ice, and without thinking, I said, "what do you expect from a BMW", and it turns out the Norwegians feel the same about BMW drivers.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Teribus
Date: 30 Sep 16 - 12:33 PM

Thanks for the information Will.

So it would appear that UK's roads are not as lethal as those in Canada or those in the USA.

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Sep 16 - 03:41 AM

Oh, and equivalent data for Canada:

6.0
9.5
2114

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Sep 16 - 03:37 AM

The WHO data for 2015 - compiled in 2013 - gives the road accident fatalities per 100,000 head of populations as follows:

Sweden - 2.8 (lowest)
United Kingdom - 2.9 (second lowest)
USA - 10.6

For accidents per 100,000 motor vehicles, the associated figures are:

Sweden - 4.7
United Kingdom - 5.1
USA - 12.9

Total fatalities were:

Sweden - 272
United Kingdom - 1,827
USA - 34,064

Subject: RE: BS: Should all Audi Drivers be banned?
From: Teribus
Date: 30 Sep 16 - 02:06 AM

The US has a population roughly five times that of the UK. For every person killed on British roads roughly sixteen are killed on roads in the USA.