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#1 | |||
Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 49,028
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Thought this could be an interesting thing to talk about, not sure if this is isolated to just Melbourne but anyone else noticed how nuts people are behind the wheel these days? Seems to have kicked off 'post pandemic' with a **** tonne of road rage and various accidents happening on an increased scale.
I don't think I've ever seen the attitudes on the road this bad in my 12 years on the road, I'm not exactly known for abiding by all the road rules but I don't bring the intimidation or nasty attitude to other commuters as I go about my commute and I generally be courteous. Tends to be by people in high vis clothing tailgating and driving like knobs, and I suspect a bit of the 'concreters breakfast' of 2x iced coffees and the glass BBQ, but they're not the only culprits. I'm a regular on Sydney Rd, Campbellfield these days and some of the stuff you see is wild and its not just the typical northern suburbs drivers. Quote:
Have we got any people here who tend to walk or cycle? Have you noticed increased aggression from people on the roads directed towards you or is this isolated to Melbourne? |
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#2 | ||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2018
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 419
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I believe society as a whole is tending to reduced empathy levels and this reflects badly in driving - this trend (if true) is not going to be good for our society as a whole either.
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Ford Territory 2016 SZII TX diesel 17" rims Escape 2022 ST-Line AWD (wife's car) Mercedes SLK280 (toy car) |
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#3 | |||
Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 49,028
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Quote:
The effect on the roads is probably a symptom of something deeper in society, its just playing out behind the wheel. |
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#4 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,847
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My take on it, is fear lies at the root. Australians are big on embracing rather shapeless fears.
Push people to really articulate what they’re afraid of, and watch them lash out. |
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#5 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,465
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Good point on the empathy
Here on the Gc many of our crashes are juveniles in stolen cars or drug affected people I try to imagine that each person that chops me in traffic is on ice/ meth and just let it go When I m driving a higher vehicle I can virtually predict the choppers and changers I think internet use on phones is seriously changing our personalities Lol including mine |
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#6 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,618
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I notice the roads around G-Town in non peak hours are really nice with lower traffic volumes in non-peak hours compared to the crazy squish that was 2017,18,19. Quite enjoy that.
You see erratic driving often, I can't differentiate between before pandemic and post pandemic for that. Young one is in pre-peak tradey hour and he reckon's it's busy, with the roadworks on the town's southern side being most frustration. Empathy: you are spot on with this, it has reduced measurably. This has happened within myself as well, as a consequence of how the pandemic played out for vulnerable people. I also realised with the disobedience shown in the pandemic, rules were optional. Having trouble with this one as I always respected them, but this might explain some of the driving behaviour shown. Eg https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-...oyed/101196302 See? No one gives a sht. If I give the Sprint an extra squirt on a quiet country road, who cares? People are getting squeezed and angry - seen it before in WA minerals boom 1 - everyone was under the pump so much that other tradies would want to go you for the right to be next at the fuel bowser. 5 cars going through on the red arrow. This current squeeze, especially in Eastern Australia, is greater than I've ever seen: 500,000+ extra people pa to compete for and suppress wages, to buy housing; just as locals - particularly young locals - are impoverished by interest rates, energy costs, rent costs and a recovery in house prices to insane levels relative to income. It's surprising the young Aussies (any racial group) are not banding together and (edit: don't want to incite anything...), let alone doing some risky driving. Rising homelessness among Australians, wtf: this should never happen in this country. But I suspect we're not "in this country," anymore - it's something else now.
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I6 + AWD Last edited by Sprintey; 07-11-2023 at 01:06 PM. |
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#7 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,045
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Have observed same. Ute drivers always seem so impatient, angry, and looking for confrontation.
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#8 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ballarat
Posts: 2,123
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I think everyones just really angry in general.
We all know the reasons. Started in late 2019. And it'll get worse. And so it should. I just hope it becomes directed at the right people and not amongst society. But alas, people are dumb. |
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#9 | ||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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Ive certainly noticed it but not sure it stems from post pandemic as such but more in line with interest rate rises/cost of living increases over the past 12-18 months, people just arent happy being unable to enjoy life as they had in the past.
Another thing I notice is the correlation betwwen the price of fuel and driving speeds, when ULP hits $2/l people slow down to 10k under and when youre driving to a schedule it pushes stress levels even higher. I was asked to return to coach driving 3 weeks ago from a 5 week abscence due to the massive influx of work and even in that brief 5 week period it seems as though things are worse, not sure if thats a reflection of those around me, my work load or a bit of both. |
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#10 | ||
RS The Faster Fords
![]() Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Westralia
Posts: 1,691
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We notice it as soon as get into town from rural/ country trips. Theres even a landmark we comment on as we pass "Get ready for the knobs"
I don't know if its happening more but the vehicles doing it have changed. Its usually 4wd's now, jacked up, blow off valve and silver insulation half way up the windsceen. Drivers are wearing a Tapout T-shirt and apparently pretty dangerous after spending a week in Thailand and watching some underground kickboxing matches. I see it in the Mrs Corolla a fair bit, not so much my Falcon or classics. Maybe its our different driving styles. Enough said ![]()
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Escort RS2000 Restored factory a/c and alloys. TD Cortina Unrestored 35 000km 6cyl manual. Mk1 GT Cortina Project. FG XR50 Daily. |
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#11 | ||
Mopar! But Own F6's..
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: F6DELAIDE
Posts: 3,195
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We were made to drive into work (Health care professional) during the pandemic. They even gave us free city car parking! During this time the roads were relatively quiet here in Adelaide, and driving into the city a breeze. Now is a different story.
About 2 years ago i opted to ride my bike into work as the car commute was taking me approx 45 minutes to drive 6-7kms. I'm now riding my bike daily and enjoy it alot. I don't have to ride on any roads (a few back streets until I get onto a dedicated bike trail into the city here in Adelaide). I havn't looked back. I can get in and out of work in about 13-15minutes door to door from my work now! The GT and Typhoon are now garage queens.
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F6 TYPHOON FPV 335 GT |
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#12 | ||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,322
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I think its a combination of a lot of things. The fact that its post pandemic is just a marker we can probably agree on collectively to pin point in time where things started to go down hill.
I put it down to the following issues in no particular order: - Interest rates increasing putting mortgage stress on people - Work loads have increased with little to nothing in return for the extra efforts - Lack of housing availability to buy or rent - Living arrangements due to lack of housing. - Lifestyles that were more abundant now are no longer affordable in current financial climate - Health issues & deaths of individuals/family members have risen - Pressure to make sure a roof if kept over ones heads is higher than ever before - Seeing high profile people living a certain life not seeming to struggle while you are trying to make ends meet - Social Media - Trying to maintain a lifestyle to 'keep up' with other friends - Really disliking your job - Having to deal with delusional people on the roads while you are struggling to get to work - Disappointment with inept governments not assisting those in actual need - Apathy for fellow man - Family break downs (i.e. Divorce/separation) Now I know a lot of these can be argued for or against. But I have noticed there is a dark attitude creeping in based on the people around me and what I have read online. Not all of it is like this, but I have noticed a trend of it is more apparent than pre-pandemic.
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
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#13 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6,891
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Quote:
As for general driving, my experience has been the complete opposite. There is definitely a lot more bad driving, but people are more forgiving....sometimes too forgiving. Its like people just accept **** driving now. You get some numptie doing 80 on the right lane in a 100 zone, and cars will happily sit behind for kms. It seems I'm the only one getting ticked off sitting 5 cars behind. Or you see some idiot changing lanes without indicating, and people just accept it with no agro. Seeing that makes me angry. People need to be told **** driving is not acceptable. ![]()
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rides (past and present) Current: 2004 Ford Falcon 5.4L 3v Barra 220, Manual Past: Mitsubishi Sigma (m), Toyota Seca (m), Toyota Seca SX (m), Toyota Vienta V6 (m), Toyota Soarer 4L v8 (a), BA XR8 ute (m), T3 TE50 (m), BMW Z4 (m) AFF motto - If contrary views trigger, please use ignore button. ![]() |
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#14 | |||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Checking out soft furnishings....
Posts: 8,684
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Quote:
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Proud owner of the ugliest Ford ever made |
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#15 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,465
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#16 | ||||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,177
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Quote:
A very observant post and in general shows how screwed human society is. But isn't it great to be alive!? ![]() Quote:
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#17 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,618
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Actually one time we really did notice poor driving behaviour was most recent run back to Vic from the West, especially on the Western Hwy after dark - all of a sudden, no one knew how to use high beams properly! We were irradiated and some of the fools kept them on even after we had raised our beams (initally a flash) to tell them to stop. Never seen it as bad as that particular run. I'm getting nuclear spotties for next time.
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#18 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 545
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Wouldn't mind the contract to fix the armco rails and bumpers on the roads. I see newly damaged stuff daily. I also see alot of stupid driving nowadays.
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#19 | |||
Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 49,028
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Quote:
Correct in that I'm using 'pandemic' as a point in time to pick where there was a shift in attitudes, I'm not pointing the finger at how it was handled but more about the big shift thats happened with things going down hill in attitudes/experiences/living standards. Not sure the last time anyone was in Melbourne CBD but its gone to ruin as well, I've been a regular in the seedy parts with all the violence over the years and it hasn't phased me but just walking around the normal parts during the day like Elizabeth/Flinders intersection is basically a no-go zone, you've got bulk junkies and hobos controlling the area. Its an extension of what you're talking about, it hasn't recovered to what it was prior to the pandemic. Last edited by Franco Cozzo; 07-11-2023 at 08:50 PM. |
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#20 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,618
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Yes, knowing peeps high up in the CBD/office space/hotels/accom area things are not quite the same in tenancy as well. Maybe this contributes?
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I6 + AWD |
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#21 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,601
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What started with the pandemic and has continued since is cars won’t line up side by side at the line at red lights. Some are hanging back 1 or 2 car lengths meaning they aren’t activating the sensor.
But in general it’s slow, timid plodders or the methed up agro tradies at double the speed limit, nothing in between.
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____________________ 2019 LDV G10 2009 Mitsubishi Express-GONE 2011 Honda Jazz ____________________ |
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#22 | |||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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Quote:
Rates go up, mortgage/rent goes up, people have to work harder to service it whilst trying to retain the 'keeping up' lifestyle they've had for too long. So they work harder and become slaves to the job, the job becomes the enemy, they become run down from the stress and their health suffers, they hardly see the family and when they do its all negativity and worry and eventually it leads to relationship breakdowns. We've had it too good for too long, some people have never lived through tough times and dont know how to or refuse to adapt. |
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#23 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 371
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People have become more selfish and don't care about doing the right thing on the road and consider others. Workplaces are becoming like the roads more and more. It's a product the government's are pushing for.
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#24 | ||
Experienced Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Australasia
Posts: 7,537
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I put it down to all the road works and delays, everyone is fed up with them.
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#25 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6,891
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Quote:
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__________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rides (past and present) Current: 2004 Ford Falcon 5.4L 3v Barra 220, Manual Past: Mitsubishi Sigma (m), Toyota Seca (m), Toyota Seca SX (m), Toyota Vienta V6 (m), Toyota Soarer 4L v8 (a), BA XR8 ute (m), T3 TE50 (m), BMW Z4 (m) AFF motto - If contrary views trigger, please use ignore button. ![]() |
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#26 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,806
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my wife sees it in the schools too now. Schoolkids have always been little ****s, but the level of disrespect, selfishness, and the ability to sit down and shut the **** up, has reached a new level post-covid :(
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#27 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,618
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I can imagine. Was talking to a recent ex-teacher in a surf carpark not long into covid - for him it was the last straw, he was within 5yrs of retirement, could afford to go, he had seen it all in the classroom, and it was his moment to just go 'yep, that's me done'. He was now in a better place
![]() Just out of interest, heres a doco "the age of easy money" which describes the era we've just left: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjwFWz5AqVw
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I6 + AWD |
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#28 | |||
Bolt Nerd
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ojochal, Costa Rica (Pura Vida!)
Posts: 14,616
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Quote:
Governments (of both persuasions) have completely sold us down the sh itter!.. The old “fair go” mentality that Australia was built on, has long disappeared.. The annihilation of small businesses with excessive taxes/mandates/red tape’s whilst kowtowing to foreign owned multinationals that pay minimal tax and take all profits offshore… And like the sheep we are, we’ve naively let it happen! We “should’ve” been the envy of the world! It’s no bloody wonder that Australian society has evolved into a dog eat dog mentality… And God help the generations that follow us!
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Current vehicles.. Yamaha Rhino UTV, SWB 4L TJ Jeep, and boring Lhd RAV4 Bionic BF F6... UPDATE: Replaced by Shiro White 370z 7A Roadster. SOLD Workhack: FG Silhouette XR50 Turbo ute (11.63@127.44mph) SOLD 2 wheels.. 2015 103ci HD Wideglide.. SOLD SOLD THE LOT, Voted with our feet and relocated to COSTA RICA for some Pura Vida! (Ex Blood Orange #023 FPV Pursuit owner ![]() |
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#29 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,847
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Even if it began at a glacial pace, this all progressed by majority vote; if a majority of people were too daft/lazy/greedy then they have got what - ultimately - they voted for. Experiencing hardship should not be a prerequisite for developing insight or empathy.
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#30 | ||||
Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 49,028
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Quote:
If anyone here reads books - this was published in 1964: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-luc...143202813.html Quote:
Last edited by Franco Cozzo; 08-11-2023 at 11:21 AM. |
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