Opinion

Newcastle drivers

Julian Wilcox arrived in Newcastle from Sydney a couple of years ago and in terms of driving it has not been a good move. Every day since Mr Wilcox, who's 38 and works in inner Newcastle, is forced to deal with the incompetent and inconsiderate driving that seems peculiar to Newcastle and the Lower Hunter. Hey, you're shouting, me too! Well, certainly I'm with Mr Wilcox, because it is a rare day on my short drive to and from work that I don't encounter the most infuriatingly inconsiderate drivers you're likely to find anywhere.

In a letter in The Herald Mr Wilcox has listed six typical examples of Lower Hunter stupidity or thoughtlessness on the road: taking so long to move off on a green light that others in the queue are deprived of their turn to proceed through the intersection; leaving unnecessary gaps when waiting at lights; driving significantly below the speed limit; incorrect signalling at roundabouts; being clueless at four-way Stop intersections; and refusing to allow other drivers to merge.

He suggests this bad driving is due to a lack of urgency and technique, and I agree that many Newcastle drivers don't seem to care that others have somewhere to go within a limited time. It is nothing more than inconsideration, and I see the most exasperating instance of this as driving below the speed limit.

Mr Wilcox prefers to use the horn in retaliation while I prefer the finger, even if it is imaginary! Both of us, by the way, are kindly and patient towards aged drivers because we accept that they have an excuse. And both of us dream of installing a high-powered klaxon in the car. NSW Road Rules stipulate that a horn must be used only to warn of a vehicle's approach or position, which, of course, is what we have in mind.

Give us your list of driver inconsiderations that seem to set the Lower Hunter apart. And if you are one of the driving dills, tell us why.

Posted By: Jeff Corbett on 29/06/2010 5:00:00 AM | Comments (140)

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Those 4 STOP sign intersections are completely baffling, especially when 2 or 3 cars arrive at the same time. I have only ever come across them in the backstreet slums of Newcastle and they must be a wartime relic designed to confuse invaders. Help please! Yes locals should learn the lane merging manner that Sydney drivers practice politely when going over the Harbour Bridge. Newcastle needs more regulations because the population and the traffic is more dense.

Posted by Gazza, 29/06/2010 5:33:23 AM, on The Herald

Did you know the RTA blackmailed LMCC into abandoning its trial of 50km/h zones with the threat of withdrawing $300,000 for the cost of all the signs? The whole scheme was based on UK data! Rainy London weather is slippery. There was no evidence whatsoever that the local speed zones prevent any accidents. The 50km/h zone was extended past a bridge on Racecourse Road Teralba, and when the police sitting there catch you, they point out the 80km/h sign a few metres ahead.

Posted by Greg, 29/06/2010 5:49:35 AM, on The Herald

You strike me as a queue jumper Jeff,you know the ones that scream down the flanks right to the end of the merge lane and squeeze in to the detriment of all the braking cars who have politely merged earlier.I despise these ignoramouses.

Posted by horse, 29/06/2010 7:41:27 AM, on The Herald

No, I'm not a queue jumper.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 29/06/2010 9:58:24 AM

there are crap drivers everywhere, its not just a newcastle peculiarity. BUT.... maybe if you left home five minutes early (instead of five minutes late), played some nice calming music (instead of death metal), drank some green tea (instead of coffee) and took up some yoga (instead of kickboxing) you might enjoy a nice leisurely drive to work...... problem solved.

Posted by judgedredd, 29/06/2010 9:15:20 AM, on The Herald

I do have a leisurely drive to work, preferably at or near the speed limit rather than at a speed dictated by a driver intent on killing his own and everyone else's time.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 29/06/2010 9:59:58 AM

Given that driving a motor vehicle is the most dangerous task 99% of the population do on a regular basis, isn't a little more patience warranted? With 1.4 million people are killed globally in automobiles annually, that equates to about 7 jumbo jets of passengers dying a day. Imagine how reluctant we'd be to fly if that;s how those 1.4 million people died? Yet people are more than happy to get in there car and sit on the F3at 10 km/h over the speed limit, in the rain, less than a car length from the person in front of them. That 'unnecessary' gap at that lights is fostered by safe driving programs such as Streets Ahead or Smith System as it gives you an out if the car approaching from behind can't or doesn't stop or if the car in front doesn't start you can move away. Also promoted is moving slowly into an intersection at the light change as it's the most likely time someone will run a red light from the other direction. Yeah Yeah... it all sounds over the top until someone you love is one of those 1.4 million people. And all that rushing, honking and one finger signalling will only save you less than 2 minutes on a 30 minute trip. Is it really worth it? Top of my list: Relax!

Posted by crusty, 29/06/2010 9:24:02 AM, on The Herald

I fully agree with you Jeff! I just cannot fathom the inconsideration on a daily basis. My main gripes are: 1) tailgating (especially when I'm doing the speed limit or over! - not that I ever go over it....), 2) not signalling at roundabouts or signalling incorrectly, 3) blocking when merging particularly when a 2-lane turn becomes 1-lane, 4) not moving into the LH turning lane when there's 2 lanes at the lights, thereby making the RH lane so long it blocks the traffic further back - eg. Lookout Rd into McCaffrey Drv every afternoon - the traffic banks back up to the lights at JHH because idiots stick to the RH turning lane!, 5) Driver turning R at lights not giving way to the person turning L from opposite direction. These are my main gripes.

Posted by butterfly, 29/06/2010 10:15:40 AM, on The Herald

Jeff & I know there are crap drivers everywhere, we are talking about this town. The fact is I leave 15 minutes earlier just because of the idots pottering around doing their yoga! No one is suggesting we scream around like idiots - just drop this attitude of "I'll get through, who cares about the people behind me!' These selfish ,comatosed time wasters are probably the same people that leave their shopping trolleys in the middle of the aisle when deciding what cat food to buy - clueless & inconsiderate.

Posted by JW, 29/06/2010 10:29:56 AM, on The Herald

One I get on a daily basis between Williamtown and Fern Bay that infuriates me to no end are the drivers that sit on 85 or 90 in the 100 zone, speed up to 110 when they hit the overtaking lane so you can't overtake unless you want to really break the limit then go back to 85 at the end of the zone. WHY???

Posted by G, 29/06/2010 10:31:18 AM, on The Herald

Slow drivers speeding up when they reach the overtaking lane is so common that I wonder if it is a subconscious response to the road widening. As soon as the overtaking lane is past they slow again to their 85kmh, trapping another queue of vehicles behind them. Yes, more than irritating.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 29/06/2010 10:37:35 AM

It's mostly down to the type of vehicle. 4WD wagon drivers (particularly short men & women) swing out to the left or right before turning right or left - they have fantasies of being a semi-trailer driver. I recommend they trade the Prado in for a Tonka truck. Lexus IS (fancy Corolla), Hyundai and Subaru drivers enjoy turning their rear fog lamps on at the first sign of rain, blinding all following traffic - pity you can't just shoot them. I would. Any Toyota or Honda driven by a person aged 50+ will prove incapable of negotiating a 4-way stop sign. For this reason Evescourt Rd in New Lambton is best avoided during daylight hours. Hatchbacks of any make will turn left from the leftmost lane and instantly swing out into the rightmost lane - especially at the intersection of Union and King. Beware. I reserve particular scorn for the clueless twonks who park in the clearway outside Strachan's pharmacy near the New Lambton fire station. If you see somebody abusing these clowns through an open passenger window as they pass - it's me. P-platers with ricebox cars should be put to death - just a matter of basic decency.

Posted by Scott Hillard, 29/06/2010 10:42:56 AM, on The Herald

I am rather surprised by your statement that "drivers don't seem to care that others have somewhere to go within a limited time". Why is your journey any more important than mine? Last week travelling along the Jesmond bypass heading towards Sandgate traffic in the right hand lane, queuing for several hundred metres waiting to turn right, numerous drivers, whose journey was obviously more important than anyone else, sped up the left lane then forced their way in ahead of others. In one instance a P plater in a large vehicle with a trailer attached forced his way in leaving the trailer jutting in the left lane. Even this did not deter those "important drivers" who just used the soft edge so they could then force their way ahead of the queue further up. I believe in the zipper effect but this was blatant queue jumping.

Posted by frustrated, 29/06/2010 10:49:27 AM, on The Herald

Refusing to wait your turn is just plain old rude. I don't, btw, see my journey as more important than another driver's. We're both entitled to travel with unnecessary impediment, and drivers who drive unnecessarily slowly are such an impediment.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 29/06/2010 10:55:05 AM