Dangerous Driver of the Week
This week's award is shared between the drivers of the green Peugeot convertible and the silver car tailgating him, who passed me on Kindley Field Road, heading towards St. David's, at around 6.50pm this evening. These two morons must have been travelling in the region of 80 kph as they sped past the line of five cars that I was in.
Where's a speed camera when you need one?
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There are no camera's or cops because it seems all the police do these days are speed around being dangerous themselves, and claiming its "training".
Posted by ap on 27.03.06 at 20:47
Sorry....the lunatic that I saw on the way home takes the prize.
Budding Darwin Award finalist in the making without a doubt:
Waiting at the bottom of Burnt House Hill and about to turn west along Middle Road, I witnessed a motorcyclist travelling at something over a tonne assume a racing line through what is only a slight bend either side of this junction.
He had his head ducked below the handle bars to improve aerodynamics, lights off (it was 8pm!), and swung from one side of the road to the other so that in essence he maintained a straight line through the bend.
Had he tried to navigate the bend on only the left lane he'd have not made it around the bend at all!
Barking mad and quite clearly bored of living.
Just hope he doesn't take out anybody else with him that enjoying life rather more!!!
Posted by NoVote on 27.03.06 at 23:46
Yep.
Every day I say:
Dear Dejon,
On behalf of the rest of humanity, I'd like to apologize to you. You did a very brave thing, speaking out like you did. I'm sorry nobody seemed to listen.
Posted by His Excellency, Uncle Elvis II on 28.03.06 at 00:13
They'll never learn. It's that invincible feeling,the feeling that "People die when they're 70-80-90 years old" attitude, I just don't understand. Well, I take that back - I do understand as I (at the young age of 16) did similar stupid things, I really don't think there is an answer - hate to say that, but....
Posted by Amin Swan on 28.03.06 at 01:13
It isn't just bike riders. I was missed by inches half way over the Crow Lane crossing by a young woman concentrating so hard on her cell phone that she didn't see me or the red light she jumped. Any politition going to have the nerve to ban the use of those things whilst driving? I don't think so!
Posted by gingerd on 28.03.06 at 08:31
Yes - there is an answer and it all revolves around the fact that driving on a public road is a privilege, not a right.
Just in case the authorities are reading this - the cost of adding 20+ police officers to the roads HAS to be less expensive than the number of emergency cases treated at KEMH on a daily/monthly/yearly basis. Put your brains in gear and do the math.
In the interim, I think we should start a name & shame campaign. Is it possible for the public to look up license plates?
Posted by Somers on 28.03.06 at 08:37
Great idea Somers, but not sure public has that acccess - what we need is a friendly copper on the blog who would do it - anyone out there?
Posted by Simon on 28.03.06 at 08:42
Another for the Darwin Awards:
Harbour Road this morning 8:30 am, guy travelling west on a bike overtaking on a corner.
When will they learn???
Posted by Fly Girl on 28.03.06 at 09:17
AP - congrats on the narrow minded viewpoint. You'll be happy to have those speeding cops coming to your rescue when you need them.
Posted by TeryCloth on 28.03.06 at 09:38
"When will they learn???"
Usually in the back of an ambulance.
Or in intensive care.
Posted by Adjustah on 28.03.06 at 09:44
Forgot to add: And even then, it's never their fault...
Posted by Adjustah on 28.03.06 at 09:49
Here's the thing, though. It's not just kids!
I mean, back in the day, we all drove like assholes.That's a given. One of the problems is that people never stopped driving like that! 40 year old guys on mopeds, nipping between cars... and beaming and preening like they're cool, y'know?
I could take it if it were just the kids.
Posted by His Excellency, Uncle Elvis II on 28.03.06 at 09:57
Yeah, back in the day we did our thing. But it seems that somehow things have become more dangerous. Could it be because there is more traffic on the roads.
Remember when......pack racing used to be held on Palmetto Road late nights and everyone just sat on the sidewalk to watch.
Posted by Fly Girl on 28.03.06 at 10:21
Personal fave? F***tards with their cell phones jammed in their helmets.
"No, no, excuse, me...I have to take this...it's the President..."
Posted by Adjustah on 28.03.06 at 10:52
Fly Girl - very true.
More and bigger: Cars, vans, trucks, buses, garbage trucks, motorbikes, mopeds etc and everything that goes with it. Faster speeds, less skilled drivers/riders (not everyone grew up with a moped between their legs), more hidden driveways, more congestion, pollution, aggravation, aggravation, did I say aggravation?
And yet how many new roads have we built or can we build: 0
Posted by SmokingGun on 28.03.06 at 11:04
I always like to read the paper as I travel into Hamilton, and when I’m not doing that I’ll be on the phone or constantly changing the radio station.
On the way home I often like a few beers before heading off.
And I’ve never had an accident!
Posted by Yet Another Limey on 28.03.06 at 11:11
Yeah, but have you ever checked in the rear-view mirror? ;)
Posted by SmokingGun on 28.03.06 at 11:16
Yeah, but have you ever checked in the rear-view mirror? ;)
Posted by SmokingGun on 28.03.06 at 11:16
I don't have a rear view mirror on the ferry ;)
Posted by Yet Another Limey on 28.03.06 at 11:24
He-He-He very funny. I like that one a lot. Thanks! :)
Posted by SmokingGun on 28.03.06 at 11:27
Last weekend I was driving along Kindley Field Rd heading west when a car that was 2 cars ahead of me pulled out and started passing 3 or 4 other cars in our line. He had a small car, obviously without much power and was overtaking painfully slowly when 3 cars approached around the bend from the other direction. At this point the idiot driver was trapped in the wrong lane, the opposing traffic was forced to swing over onto the grass verge to avoid him. What I do not understand is that if one pulls out and starts to pass and then find there is traffic coming, why the hell don't they slow down and fall back into their line of traffic. Why continue and play chicken with others who are in the correct lane? It is so simple to swallow your pride and just back off, but nooooo, these fools want to complete their dumb move and not admit defeat. I just don't get it.
Posted by RedOnion on 28.03.06 at 13:29
I go to Bermuda about 6 times a year and have done so for many years. Oleander calls me by name and I consider myself a smart bike driver. I have to say that in the last few years I have been the recipient of young kids and their aggressive driving. I truly believe they intend to fluster someone....especially if they have a rental bike or helmet. I have encountered times when they pass so close I think I could tell you what cologne they were wearing......passing on the LEFT.....times they cut back in so close after passing that I can hear them laughing......and so on. Let me tell you, I am more concerned about these young kids more than I am about tourists on a bike.
The tragedy is I still become upset when I read about these young guys (mostly) ending up having accidents.....oft times with deadly results. The bigger tragedy is for those they involve in their stupidity......and his poor grieving family!!!!
I beg of someone in Bermuda.......please find an answer!
Posted by Frequent visitor on 28.03.06 at 13:34
Maybe Bermuda's problem is not so bad...Apparently the Cayman Islands have recorded 13 road fatalities so far this year. With a population of around 40,000...now that's BAD!
What are our thoughts on raising the speed limit? Maybe to 30 MPH. When I return to Bermuda and am picked up at the Airport, the 25mph drive "up the country" drives me nutts! (Maybe its the getting use to the speed again/or the excitement of being home) I begin to see why bikes are constantly overtaking. If the speed was just a little faster, I would think that the level of patience people have would go up..? just a thought.
Posted by Amin Swan on 28.03.06 at 14:15
Not that this would fix the problem with the nut cases whose use the roads as their personal Daytona 500 course - that's another fix.
Posted by Amin Swan on 28.03.06 at 14:18
The element of danger is no different today than it was in yesteryears. The only thing today is there are many more possibilities of slipping up and meeting danger head on. We can’t take the need for speed away from kids. They’re youth after all. Not defending the behaviour but, its not like the need for speed isn’t glorified in the public media through games, sports and film. I’d think something that could help people see how the level of their self worth depletes with every mph added when over the limit of reason. I can understand going faster than the speed limit as it’s not a practical speed. On Bermuda roads though there is no reason to go 80mps n hour.
Maybe we could rent out one of the strips at the airport for people that wish to blow out their engines and let off steam. I can understand the buzz they’d get out of it, but on public roads it can be so goddamn dangerous.
What the hell I’ve had a change of heart maybe cameras sounds like a worthy idea after-all. It’s not like people are gonna stop on their own that’s for certain. Fudge um make the moves necessary to make this happen, and on the other hand beef up public transportation as a whole lot of people will be sure to lose their license.
Posted by Ethiops on 28.03.06 at 15:04
Amin,
I like this idea. I think another big problem is vehicles belching out sickening black diesel fumes (which seems to be each and every minibus on the island).
I'm a safe driver 99.9% of the time but even I can't abide that and sometimes pass when I shouldn't because dropping back doesn't solve the problem.
I will never understand hot TCD can fail a car's inspection for having a minor dent but allows cars to drive around with such poor emissions.
Posted by silencedogood on 28.03.06 at 15:41
Amin & Ethiops: The problem with raising a speed limit is that it suffers from speed creep. Once the new limit is established people will start pushing it up 5 or 10 more clicks. It's natural.
Although I think 30 mph is a reasonable speed for Bermuda the problem lies in that the roads are too narrow and twisted and have random pockets of intense congestion with no room for error. The majority of the time we are talking about exposed human flesh against steel or stone. The amount of bikes just adds such a degree of uncertainty. As much as it may be a pain and certainly unpopular I would propose going the other way, putting speed restrictors on vehicles. Especially those that put other peoples live in danger through selfish and obnoxious driving habits.
Posted by SmokingGun on 28.03.06 at 15:49
Dear Dejon,
On behalf of the rest of humanity, I'd like to apologize to you. You did a very brave thing...
Posted by His Excellency, Uncle Elvis II on 28.03.06 at 00:13
You are so right!!! He STOLE a bike...and thought he would get away with it! Im sick and tired of everyone lableing him a hero when he is the problem in bermuda today. What happened to the kid whose bike it was? Ever wonder that he might have (and he actually did) spend hours taking care of his bike..it was his pride and joy. But becuase dejon got hurt the police refused to prosecute the matter and told him that 'dejon has paid his dues'! lol..what a joke. Lock him up..if everyone who thought they were better than the law was put away bermuda would be a MUCH better place. What a joke...
Posted by justice?! on 28.03.06 at 15:50
justice?!
And I suppose you've never fucked up once in your sorry ass life?
Sorry to swear everybody but someone who can take the time to post such a spiteful load of garbage get's my goat.
Posted by SmokingGun on 28.03.06 at 15:55
Justice,
U are a sad pathetic individual. The bike Dejon had was stolen, but no one has said that he is the one that stole the bike.
Nevertheless, whether he did or not is irrelevant. I suppose you have never done anything wrong ever in your life...
Posted by ken on 28.03.06 at 16:03
justice, the point is that Dejon's story was told, but it has had little effect on the actions of motorists in Bermuda. Many of us still treat the roadways like they're our own personal freestyle Gran Turismo courses.
So for people to hear and see what happened to him, and yet continue to break every traffic law without any care, it's unthinkable.
Posted by Triforce on 28.03.06 at 16:46
Dejon's not a hero for screwing up his life. But he is a young man who's been through hell and back and has shown the courage to put his face out there for all to see and learn that "Yes, it can happen to you".
I have people that I spend time with who don't even have the ability to do what Dejon has done. People who have a hard enough time trying to figure out how to put a box together let alone get out and tell the world their story. The story of how some drunk driver crossed into their lane and left them pretty much brain dead destroying their family and lives.
I've got enough scars on my knuckles from growing up riding bikes in Bermuda to know it's just dumb luck that I can even type these words. So when I see someone like Dejon doing what he's doing I for one thank my lucky stars and try a little harder to be more careful around others on the road.
Posted by SmokingGun on 28.03.06 at 17:10
Justice.?
Lock him up? If I had a choice of spending five years in Jail or having to walk around for the rest of my life disfugured as he is, you can put me up west gate for Five years, I'll even stay an extra year for free. His lesson has been learnt - let the boy be.
As for the raising of the speed limit to 30 mph, I tell you, Anyone out here (Atlanta) doing the 55mph speedlimit would get killed or arrested. Although it's "the Law" it's the most irritating thing you can imagine (unless there in the fast lane -they they are really looking for trouble)
Smoking Gun - 5 or 10 clicks?? They are already doing 10 or 20 clicks above Bermuda's official speed limit.
The solution is to raise the speed limit to 30mph then have a news flash that you only have very little wiggle room above this, then the tickets start flying. Make that the norm and enfore it like MADD until it sticks in everyones mind. Even if it means that there is a line of speeders for blocks around Magistrates Court. They'll get the point.
Posted by Amin Swan on 28.03.06 at 17:42
Now watch me get a ticket doing my usual 75-80mph heading down I-20 back into Atlanta, me and my bright ideas huh : )
Posted by Amin Swan on 28.03.06 at 17:45
I agree about the need for rigid enforcement of speed limits. I've read that some towns are actually monitoring "natural" speeds on their roads, and then adjusting their speed limits to what speed people actually drive, if within reason (this does not include the crazies, obviously)--sometimes up, sometimes down--and then, as Amin says, "let the tickets fly" for going even 5 mph over the limit. Apparently, traffic flows smoother too.
Posted by Raptor on 28.03.06 at 18:30
If I had a choice of spending five years in Jail or having to walk around for the rest of my life disfugured as he is, you can put me up west gate for Five years, I'll even stay an extra year for free. His lesson has been learnt - let the boy be.
Posted by Amin Swan on 28.03.06 at 17:42
Is it my fault he got himself hurt? How can the police expect to get taken seriously when they blatantly do what they 'feel' is right. You claim to 'let him be' but what about the people who ride stolen bikes and get caught? Can they claim to have 'learned their lesson' by simply crashing the bike and getting hurt? I dont think so...he broke the law, he knew the bike was stolen and he chose to continue riding it. Just because someone is hurt does not mean they should avoid the punishment the law states they should get. Heck, ill just rob a bank and shoot myself in the foot and claim to have learned my lesson...lol! Have a nice night...and to everyone of you who asked have i ever done anything wrong?! NOPE.. :) im perfect
Posted by justice?! on 28.03.06 at 18:51
Well if you shoot yourself in the foot with a rocket launcher I might be willing to let you off doing prison time. But don't forget you still have to give the money back. Dejon didn't exactly get to keep the bike.
Posted by SmokingGun on 28.03.06 at 18:56
The only reason I'm not going to call you an asshole (well I guess I just did) is because you are free to have your opinion - good night to you too.
Posted by Amin Swan on 28.03.06 at 19:01
The above posting from me is for Mr/Ms Justice.....
PS - I hope you catch Poison Ivy, with your mean self.. : )
Posted by Amin Swan on 28.03.06 at 19:04
Proposed Solution:
Suppose legislation was enacted that encompassed all of the following:
a) Raised the official speed limit to something like 50 km/h
b) Instituted a point system on licenses
c) Allowed for standardized fines to be paid outside of court.
I agree with Amin that the limit should be raised to reflect a reasonable and modern speed. Police should then enforce the new speed. Speeds over the limit could be blocked off into certain points with fixed fines attached. Police would be able to check the license and existing points on the spot, and assess a fine as necessary. Anyone speeding excessively could be referred to court. This would allow for officers to spend more time on the road because they would need to spend less time in court. It would also free up room in the courts for other offences.
It is indicative of Bermuda that the majority of drivers drive 10-15 km/h over the limit. A new, enforceable limit would provide the means necessary to ensure that the majority of people obey the law. I am not suggesting that the limit be changed just so that people drive the same speed and are not breaking the law anymore, but rather that this change be grouped with other much-needed reforms to the traffic system. It would seriously streamline the whole process.
I know these ideas are not new at all, but if new legislation needs to be drafted, why not kill three birds with one stone?
Posted by Andrew on 28.03.06 at 19:23
As I said in the thread about the young man:
I have no sympathy for the punk-ass little prick that stole the bike, or was riding a stolen bike. None whatsoever.
Hell, I don't even have sympathy for the idiot that crashed said bike and had it explode around him.
However, I DO have the utmost of respect for the young man... no, the MAN... who took his mistake, took his pain (and excrutiating, insane, intense, constant fucking agony, every second of every day) and tried to make amends. The man who tried to show just how stupid he was and tried to send a message to his peers. The man who tried to help stop all of this idiocy.
He's not a hero for stealing the bike.
He's a hero for having the balls to come out and set himself up as a life lesson for other kids.
I know that if that had happened to me, I wouldn't be able to have to courage to do what he did. Hell, I'm not sure I'd have the courage to want to live any more.
More power to him.
If you're reading this, Dejon, I want you to know that there ARE people out there that admire you and are grateful for your courage. Don't let the turkeys who can't see past your original sin get you down.
Posted by His Excellency, Uncle Elvis II on 28.03.06 at 21:01
What's dangerous in more ways than one is being behind one of those giant container trucks such as the one licences XT308 that spewed enormous clouds of thick black exhaust directly in the path of the traffic flow behind it. Not even my faceshield could block it off.
Who licences these monstrosities?
Posted by Triforce on 30.03.06 at 11:05
The reality on the roads of Bermuda are that MOST people drive at 50k I personally do not have a problem with this.
Too many people talk on thier cell and drive not only cars but on bikes it is STUPID.
I cannot count the amount of times some ahole has sat on my bumper within 6 inch then overtaken me and then cut me off in the process my favourite is when a fool zings me on my moped thats when the smart driver on the moped behind comes along at speed within three to four inches of my right side needlees to say this is very dangerous the fact that I have two little kids at home that rely on me something I doubt the ass that just passed me thinks about by the way I am usually driving 45k when this happens in the daytime just more examples of
stupidty on our roads.
Then one day one of these so called good boys ends up wrappred around a pole and becomes a fatality or worse cause someone else to die in the process. Most accidents in Bermuda are not "accidents" they are events that happen often to people who drive on the edge every day until one day..... its a shame the rest of us have to suffer for them.
1. No driving and talking on cell phones
2. Raise the limit on driving bikes to 18
3. At 18 mandatory drivers courses on motorcycles and a learner permit till you pass the course.
4. HOWS MY DAMN DRIVING STICKER ON ANY CAR DRIVEN BY SOMEONE UNDER 25.
5. No performance enhancing parts for motorcycles to be brought into island nor sold on the island.
6. Put traffic cameras in all over de place and raise the speed limit to 50k but enforce it with technology.
It should not be so easy to get a license it is not a pair of shoes but a responsibility to yourself and everyone around you IF you cannot
drive with respect for ALL people on the road take the bus.
As for the bus they drive way too fast given the size of the vehicle and the ability to stop.
Posted by myhome on 27.07.06 at 13:47