Are people getting more and more stupid?!

Mr Brooksy · 20-12-2011, 12:31 PM

On Sunday night I was driving back home from running audio at Christmas Carols. I was in Toronto (where I live) and travelling along a long flat straight at about 10pm. I looked in my rear vision mirror (as you do to check whats around) to see one set of headlights that had been following me for a while. Within less than 60sec a white VE... umm SS or SV6 (I didnt have time to see the badge) went past at break neck speed, AT LEAST 200km/h in a 60km/h zone.

I saw him for less than 5 sec as he barrelled over a blind crest and out of sight. I then looked in the mirror expecting to see a bunch of police cars in hot pursuit. But all I saw was the same set of headlights that had been about 1km back.

This morning I saw what 2011G6E posted and I cant help but ask (which I know has been asked millions of times), but WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?!

flappist · 20-12-2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

On Sunday night I was driving back home from running audio at Christmas Carols. I was in Toronto (where I live) and travelling along a long flat straight at about 10pm. I looked in my rear vision mirror (as you do to check whats around) to see one set of headlights that had been following me for a while. Within less than 60sec a white VE... umm SS or SV6 (I didnt have time to see the badge) went past at break neck speed, AT LEAST 200km/h in a 60km/h zone.

I saw him for less than 5 sec as he barrelled over a blind crest and out of sight. I then looked in the mirror expecting to see a bunch of police cars in hot pursuit. But all I saw was the same set of headlights that had been about 1km back.

This morning I saw what 2011G6E posted and I cant help but ask (which I know has been asked millions of times), but WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?!

Well one of the major contributing factors to the supercar scare 40 years ago was the number of high profile high speed crashes in the terrible trio (GTHO/GTS/6pack) so no.

Albert Einstein (or was it Sheldon Cooper) once said "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."

Road_Warrior · 20-12-2011, 12:50 PM

It's the silly season; one of the reasons I stay the hell off my motorbike this time of year is the level of stupid things stupid motorists do for some stupid reason.

Jim Goose · 20-12-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Are people getting more and more stupid?!

Short answer.... Yes.

I have seen cars barrel through stop signs here in suburbia well in excess of the 50kmh limit. Best one was an XU1 which i estimated was doing 80kmh, had I been there just 2 sec earlier...

Mr Brooksy · 20-12-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Well one of the major contributing factors to the supercar scare 40 years ago was the number of high profile high speed crashes in the terrible trio (GTHO/GTS/6pack) so no.

Albert Einstein (or was it Sheldon Cooper) once said "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."

Yeah Albert (or Sheldon) must be right. I thought about heading down to the police station, but what can you say? "Umm I saw a white VE... going very fast..."

Stefan · 20-12-2011, 01:10 PM

Agree with flappist, we've been killing ourselves on roads for years nothing new.

Probably seems worse as you get older as you are no longer the one being stupid on the road.

2011G6E · 20-12-2011, 01:22 PM

The road toll keeps dropping...last year was the lowest for sixty years. The problem is that nowadays even some floor sweeper just starting out from school can afford a ratty old V6 Commodore or 6 cylinder Falcon that puts out more power than the big V8's of our youth...you can get into trouble a lot faster than you used to be able to...

Linkachu · 20-12-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Short answer.... Yes.

I have seen cars barrel through stop signs here in suburbia well in excess of the 50kmh limit. Best one was an XU1 which i estimated was doing 80kmh, had I been there just 2 sec earlier...

Ive had the same thing happen to me except it was ( not meaning to be racist) an asian driver who didnt even look as he drove through a stop sign. If i had of left home seconds earlier i probably would have been t-boned.

TheSneakiness · 20-12-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linkachu

Ive had the same thing happen to me except it was ( not meaning to be racist) an asian driver who didnt even look as he drove through a stop sign. If i had of left home seconds earlier i probably would have been t-boned.

Replace asian with me and replace stop sign with red light and that was the best I can describe last Thursday night (1 am) as I was driving home from being at the hospital with my sick son. No excuse I know but just drove through it like nothing happened.

In hindsight I should've stayed in the car and slept in the hospital carpark.

Fev · 20-12-2011, 01:58 PM

Stupidity increases as the stupid keep breeding. Its Darwins theory balancing out the increased average lifespan.

duaned · 20-12-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?!

Mate, this is Newcastle, and yes most people are DUMB here! Spend a week dealing with people here in my line of work and you wonder how they even learned to turn on a tap!

flappist · 20-12-2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

The road toll keeps dropping...last year was the lowest for sixty years. The problem is that nowadays even some floor sweeper just starting out from school can afford a ratty old V6 Commodore or 6 cylinder Falcon that puts out more power than the big V8's of our youth...you can get into trouble a lot faster than you used to be able to...

Yes true but cars are much safer now and accidents that would once have been multiple fatalities are now change your undies and fill out the insurance forms.

Cespenar · 20-12-2011, 03:33 PM

Back in the sixties there wasn't as many stupids on the road, but there were just the same percentage of sleepers.
We (Me, Bro, and other cohorts) would only speed on the open roads.
The only people who were killed to my and friends knowledge were the sleepers.

Today, so many speeders are in the suburbs. Not Good!
And I've had my near misses but have never run into anyone. Been run into a bit, though.
Oh yes! Hit a 'roo once. Not bad considering the thousands I've missed.

BA-XT · 20-12-2011, 03:41 PM

Short answer, yes.

Since owning my Ford I've noticed that probably about 70% of hoons drive Holdens. It's not Holden bashing, it's just what I've noticed. Ford drivers tend to be more of the mature, family man type I have found.

I had a fatality just up from where I live on Power road, Doveton. The guy must have been barreling along because he has cleaned up the solid metal barrier on the road and plowed straight through it.

It's the old saying that it won't happen to them. Time and time again we see it. The crashes are horrifying. Losing control on an inner City street can be caristrophic. I've seen cars flying past at 100km plus in my estate. Don't they think? It's just scary that they drive like that.

I know that people say 100km is too slow, but one mistake and it ends in disaster. We don't have high quality roads like Europe, and 95% of us don't have the training to be able to drive at speed.

Back on topic, yes I have noticed a decrease in driver skill over the last 5-6 years. More aggressive driving as well as the inability to park. Not doing head checks and just drifting over, lack of indicating as well.

I don't want to stereotype, but young girls seem to becoming quite aggressive. They also talk to each other a lot and driving often becomes a secondary concern. I have a real fear of bing hit hard on the freeway when traffic banks up to a stop and someone not noticing.

Taxi drivers. Don't get me started.

XR6_661 · 20-12-2011, 03:44 PM

We've all done it.

EFFalcon · 20-12-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6_661

We've all done it.

I've never done those sort of speeds in a 60 zone?

BA-XT · 20-12-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6_661

We've all done it.

100km in a 50 or 60 zone? No I certainly have not! Losing control of a vehicle is scary. I rolled my Cruiser down a large hill and it's terrifying.

Rodp · 20-12-2011, 04:02 PM

Exhibit A.

XR6_661 · 20-12-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

I've never done those sort of speeds in a 60 zone?

I didn't mean specifically in a 60 zone...Just stupid vehicle behaviour in general.

I've done loads of dumb things. It's part of growing up. I'm 23 and drive like a grandpa now..

BA-XT · 20-12-2011, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodp

Exhibit A.

image

I feel..... so... so smart now! Good pic. Best laugh I've had all day!

Falcman0o7 · 20-12-2011, 04:20 PM

Ummm.....The other thread horrific car crash? White VE doing around 200 we presume. Sounds like the same deal???
Yeh i know it's been mentioned silly me

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11351908

Falc'man · 20-12-2011, 04:32 PM

Brooksy, I witnessed a similar thing happen about this time last year - a rental FG XR6 (QLD plates) heading east on Victoria Street, Wetherill Park, just passed Hassall Street.

I noticed him in the rear-view in the left lane (I was in the right) and about 70m ahead there was a parked car in his lane... so naturally I had to give him a wide berth.
The P-plater passed me at about 180km/h at the very least, without any exaggeration - I couldn't even get a read of the plates. He got held up at the lights about one km down the road - unfortunately all I could do was alert the cops.

RAPID_BA · 20-12-2011, 04:48 PM

I see mostly p-platers speeding, even over a crest when they cant see on the other side.

Reaper8 · 20-12-2011, 04:52 PM

i Have noticed that 95% of people trade in their brain when they buy a commodore must be a discount thing. had one last night overtake me in signed roadworks on a blind corner, if i hadnt braked and turned he would have taken out the car coming the other way and my front end aswell. The stuff i see driving all night is unbelievable.

XR6_661 · 20-12-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

I see mostly p-platers speeding, even over a crest when they cant see on the other side.

Hulk is fishing again haha. The amount of trolling you do is spectacular. I feel like a proud father.

RAPID_BA · 20-12-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6_661

Hulk is fishing again haha. The amount of trolling you do is spectacular. I feel like a proud father.

?? what you talking about willis?

The other day at the lights I saw a p-Plater in a lowered civic race a VP commodore. They were at it, flat chat up the road. You could see clearly up ahead there were traffic lights and plenty cars stopped. They basically had to jump on the brakes not to ram into them.. Just pathetic. I tried to pull out my phone camera to capture it as I just knew it was gonna happen but opended camera instead of video camera. When I pulled up alongside there was a fat bloke in the drivers seat, Big melon head and pimples.

P-Platers, just shake my head.

Hows this one... On a friday night last year while watching the footy..... It was drizzling rain and I hear a car lockup outside.. Walk outside and you guessed it a p-plater in a civic upsidedown on my front lawn (on council property actually)... 4 of them in the car, all dumber than the next one. This time I snapped some photos. When the father came and sent a size 11 boot up his ****, he didnt think he was cool then. My neighbour across the road came out, a loudmouth kept saying they were in shock. They looked like a few stunned mullets.

XR6_661 · 20-12-2011, 05:28 PM

As if to prove my point haha

duaned · 20-12-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

?? Hows this one... On a friday night last year while watching the footy..... It was drizzling rain and I hear a car lockup outside.. Walk outside and you guessed it a p-plater in a civic upsidedown on my front lawn (on council property actually)... 4 of them in the car, all dumber than the next one. This time I snapped some photos. When the father came and sent a size 11 boot up his ****, he didnt think he was cool then. My neighbour across the road came out, a loudmouth kept saying they were in shock. They looked like a few stunned mullets.

Pics or it didn't happen!

FPV0002 · 20-12-2011, 05:44 PM

Yes people are getting more stupid. I don't know if it's the time of year or what. Was Heading home through Edgeworth (Newcastle) one afternoon, I notice a nice looking XR turbs pulling out of a servo driveway. As the servo is just after a set of lights there is about 200m of clear road to pull into when the lights turn red. He waits for lights to stop traffic, pulls out and Proceeds to start spinning both wheels and drift his car side to side up the road across two lanes, I estimate upwards of 150 cars would of seen him do it. What a noob

Ben73 · 20-12-2011, 07:01 PM

There's a photography van getting around Newcastle and the driver is an utter tool. He thinks he owns the road and drives like ****. He probably shouldn't drive like a ******** when he has his phone number and business name printed all over his vehicle.

He cut me off then when crazy when I beeped at him. I also saw him doing hand gestures to some old guy who was doing 10 under the limit.