Torque Back – Feb e-zine
After finishing my weekly shopping, and travelling home, I heard a little warning beep being emitted from my Toyota.
I was starting to get concerned when I noticed that the light indicating the passenger seat was also lit up and I realised that the 9kg watermelon I had bought was confusing my car!
After stopping and belting up my passenger, all was well.
J. Campbell, Erksine Park
Of the many proposals to reduce fuel consumption, and hence greenhouse emissions, the hybrid car with a combination of electric and internal combustion drive appears to be clumsy engineering. My preference would be for all-electric drive with a small diesel engine to top up the batteries when required.
Such an electric car with low fuel consumption looks impressive. But how much additional emission from a coal-fired power station is required to deliver 50kwh to a car battery, allowing for losses in transmission over perhaps 100km, transformation to a lower voltage rectification DC? I suspect that the performance of a 2.0-litre diesel is comparable to that of an electric car.
I’ve made a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption by switching to a diesel vehicle.
The federal government is proposing a reduction in petrol price to compensate for increased costs due to the introduction of the emission-trading scheme in 2010. I urge NRMA to vigorously lobby the Government to bring down diesel prices to parity with petrol now and thus encourage others to reduce their consumption and greenhouse emissions before 2010.
D. Hancock, Winmalee
If GM’s Volt is anything to judge by (see Open Road Nov/Dec), emission reductions for electric over diesel could be considerable.
We are supposed to be living in a democratic country, but more and more of our choices are being eroded. I am absolutely against the Harbour Bridge being made totally cashless. I am a pensioner and only travel to Sydney to see a show once or twice a year. I don’t see why I have to buy an e-tag to the tune of $70.
NSW has been mismanaged for a decade and this is just another example of an inept Labor government.
G. Hankinson, Kincumber
A story on TV recently told of a motorist who, on seeing an ambulance approaching, slowly moved out of the way. He was at a red light with very little traffic, and his move was considered safe. He was subsequently fined, having been captured on camera. The fine was refunded, however the demerit points remained.
Let’s hope your article (‘What to do if you see an emergency vehicle’, Nov/Dec Open Road) is sent to the revenue-raising, inflexible, incompetent RTA.
P. Dolden, Wagga Wagga
See page 65 of Jan/Feb Open Road for a full explanation of this situation.
I am 65 years old and hold a truck, car and bike licence and I have to agree with the young P-plate driver (Torque back, Nov/Dec Open Road). I have even seen L-plater’s being tailgated and given the finger. I know there are a lot of bad P-platers, but there are just as many bad so-called experienced drivers too. So come on, give the young ones a break and don’t forget that we all had to learn.
D. Watson, Tweed Heads South
Recently I travelled on the M7. The speed is 100km/h at most times, so when variable speed limit signs are flashing 80km/h, any driver should be aware there is something going on up ahead. But very few people slowed down. Then the signs started flashing 60km/h, a sure indication of a problem coming up. Still, most vehicles, cars, vans and even trucks only slowed down slightly, and most still were flying past me. This went on with warnings still flashing for several kilometres, giving us plenty of notice.
Doesn’t anybody have any respect for speed warnings anymore? It was, after all, quite unusual on this road to be slowed down.
Sure enough, road workers were putting their life in danger, as they tried to duck and weave between the speeding traffic. The workers were trying to clear dangerous debris from the motorway, which had obviously fallen off an uncovered load. As I approached, a female worker ran quickly to the side of the road as a speeding truck almost ran her down.
Motorists, please take more care – the warning signs were blinking for long enough! Have some consideration as to what may be ahead, and do not continue speeding.
J. Tyler, Liverpool
Throughout my life I have always looked upon Christmas as the most enjoyable time of the year, and approaching my 88th birthday, I was looking forward to what I believe to be one of the highlights of the festive season: the receiving of presents.
Well, Santa came early this year to thousands of ‘older drivers’ like myself with the welcome, albeit overdue, news that we would not be required to undergo the driving test ritual until 2009.
It has taken a lot of time and effort from many individuals and organisations to achieve this break, though I know I speak for all the affected drivers in thanking, most sincerely, NRMA for its constant campaigning on our behalf.
J. O’Neill, Kingsgrove
Pacific Highway upgrade, “for the good of the nation”? BAH HUMBUG. Just ask any driver who was caught up in the traffic on December 27.
Four hours from Hexham to Bulladella, stop-go speed between 1km/h and 10km/h for 40km. Port-a-Loos and wheelie bins with water on the side of the road for overheated cars and drivers. What a shamble, and all could have been avoided if the RTA had the foresight to open more roads before the holidays. I have been travelling this road for 20 years and have never seen anything like this. It was a mess. The RTA should pay for any damage done to cars that did overheat and also pay for the petrol wasted crawling at a snail’s pace.
If this is what we have to look forward to on this mighty road in the future, I for one will be flying.
L. Hall, Coffs Harbour
The roadworks that caused this chaos should be complete before next Christmas.
After reading ‘Bright idea for school zones’ (Nov/Dec Open Road), I felt it was time to comment on the flawed and dangerous system of ‘school zones’ which “new fluorescent yellow-green” signs will not address.
I am a shift worker, which sees me work different days and nights seven days a week. I also do not have children. Yet when I’m approaching a school zone, apart from everything else I need to concentrate on, I now need to know:
The answer is that drivers cannot answer all of these questions, and consequently we do not know what to do.
Someone may respond by saying just slow down to 40km/h to be safe. Well I can tell you from experience that slowing down from 70km/h to 40km/h when apparently it is not a school day has had me in three near accidents since this ridiculous system has been put into place (not to mention the abuse), and it’s only a matter of time before I’m in an accident or booked for speeding.
Something needs to be done about this nonsense and a new “bright” sign is definitely not the answer.
B. McIntosh, Gladesville
I use 95 octane premium fuel in my vehicle, as recommended by my mechanic. 12 months ago the price difference between 91 and 95 octane fuel was between six and eight cents. But as recent scrutiny of petrol prices has only focused on standard 91 octane, the cost of 95 octane has now blown out to 11 cents per litre more expensive.
With more manufacturers specifying the use of premium fuel in their vehicles it appears oil companies have found a covert way of maximising profits at the expense of consumers.
S. Burton, Bowral
With the recent changes in road rules, was one of them that the M5 is now an Autobahn?
Recently I was travelling along the M5 during peak time (6pm) and could not believe the speed at which motorists were travelling. I mean really fast! And not one police car in sight. Is speeding 30km/h above the limit now accepted by the NSW Police?
Mr Rees recently punished innocent motorists by increasing tolls and green slips to get some much-needed cash back into the state. How about getting serious about catching and fining those who are actually breaking the law and endangering lives? Unmarked police bikes would be a good start.
S. Kelly, via email
An experienced driver with an untarnished driving record should not lose his or her licence for an out of character mistake made on a double demerit weekend. One solution would be to give drivers a merit point for every two or three years of demerit-free driving.
The maximum number of merit points could be capped at a sensible point and further years of safe driving rewarded with a discount on the cost of registration.
R. Tippett, via email
As a pedestrian, motorists sometimes verbally and aurally (by car horn) abuse me as I cross the road at traffic lights.
When the lights change from red to green, the pedestrian lights also change. There are very few intersections where it is possible to reach the other end of the intersection while the little green man is still showing and while walking at a natural pace. I do not believe that I dawdle while walking across the road. Motorists just assume that pedestrians commence their crossing while the ‘don’t walk’ is flashing.
Can the RTA please re-program the pedestrian signals to remain green for at least the length of time that a pedestrian takes to cross a road of any width at a normal pace.
A. Lopes, via email
Try as I might to find a safe parking spot at our local supermarket, I usually return to find a monster-sized 4WD or slab-sided van parked up close and personal alongside my small car. Sometimes I get the "daily double" and have them on both sides. When this happens, vision to left and right is completely restricted and reversing out slowly and hopefully into the traffic stream can result in a lot of horn blowing and abuse from other drivers and the risk of a collision.
Perhaps those who design supermarket parking lots could include a designated area for those kinds of vehicles. It could even have some lumps and bumps in it so that the urban cowboys can pretend they are off-roading. Imagine, their very own adventure playground and shopping experience, all in the one location.
J. Berthold, via email
Your article on hybrids (Hybrids – the switch is on, Nov/Dec Open Road) states that the Prius uses a petrol engine supplemented by an electric motor. The reverse is true: the electric motor powers the car and the petrol engine cuts in when additional torque is required, e.g. when accelerating or climbing hills. The battery is recharged when running downhill or braking. A friend of mine has operated a Prius for a couple of years and his consumption is 4.6 litres/100km in hilly country.
You don't describe the Honda Civic hybrid (which I own). The Honda runs primarily as a petrol car and the electric motor cuts in when extra power is required. The manufacturer claims 4.6 litres/100km but I have never achieved less than 5.9 litres/100km on an expressway and 6.8 litres/100km in hilly country. The car is pleasant to drive but is too low to the road.
G. Winston, Katoomba
The point made in the story is that GM’s Volt runs on electricity at all times – at least until the battery runs down – and that’s one of several things that sets it apart from the likes of the Prius.
After reading H. von Chrismar’s letter (Torque back, Nov/Dec Open Road) I couldn't help thinking about the unexplainable hike in the price of diesel.
As a former oil refinery worker and district manager for two oil companies, I know diesel is cheaper to refine than petrol. I can only conclude then that the increase in the price of diesel was designed to dissuade people from purchasing more economical diesel powered vehicles and therefore increase oil company profits. I am amazed that the Greens, NRMA and other organisations have said absolutely nothing about this consumer rip-off which costs not just motorists but also the environment.
T. Bellgard, via email
I sympathise with S. Barwick (Torque back, Nov/Dec Open Road) about road rage. I am a woman who has been driving umpteen years on a gold licence but I might as well be a P-Plater. I drive on the speed limit (on motorways) and usually in the left-hand lane because that’s where I am comfortable, yet some drivers regard me as a nuisance. Let them overtake or depart a bit earlier. Best not to give road rage back because it is their licence at risk not mine.
B. Kay, via email
I read in your Nov/Dec edition the email from S. Barwick entitled "Reward safe P-Platers". In 32 years of driving, much of which is on freeways like the M4, I have never encountered drivers high-beaming unless the driver in front is travelling slowly in the right hand lane and blocking passing traffic.
I strongly suspect S. Barwick is driving in the right lane while limited to a 90km/h speed limit as a red P-Plater, and is not aware it is an offence to stay in the right lane unless passing. If so, this driving behaviour is also inconsiderate and unsafe.
I am also surprised the editor did not make comment on this note, helping out a new driver who obviously thinks he is driving safely, but is probably not.
D. Levine, via email
In reply to Alan Evans’ invitation to Kevin Rudd to travel the Princes and Pacific highways (‘Travel our roads, Mr Rudd’, Open Road Nov/Dec): Kevin Rudd knows the state of the Pacific and Princes Highways. He has flown over them many times and felt the turbulence while in the plane.
J. Waite, via email
In 'Travel our roads, Mr Rudd', Alan Evans' omission of the east-west roads stuns me. The north-south roads are infinitely better than either the Bells Line of Road or the Great Western Highway, which are just as important for daily life and transport of goods to and from the east coast. Both roads are seriously restricted by speed limits, shopping centres, schools, and occasionally snow and ice.
I don't know accident figures for any of the roads, but I would be surprised if the percentage for western roads was not higher.
If a serious accident and a rock slide were to block both roads, the whole west would be shut off from the coast. This would be further compounded by the lack of rail services past Lithgow.
Please take the blinkers off Mr Evans – there is life over that big hill to the west. I think Mr Rudd should experience our western roads.
B. Upton, Rylstone
After I read letters from P. Seeger in the Sep/Oct issue and S. Jacobs in the Nov/Dec issue of Open Road, I thought I would write in.
We had a holiday in Tasmania some time ago and hired a car, which we picked up at Hobart airport. After signing all the paper work we were given the keys and told where the car was. No one came out with us to check and mark down any damage. We had a look around the car and couldn’t see any damage, so we left.
We spent a few days in Hobart then drove to Launceston and spent a few days there. When we returned the car to Launceston airport someone came out and got down on their hands and knees to check under the bumper bars and look at the sides of the vehicle. They found a very small dent on the left hand door, which was probably there before we took the car. We disputed the damage and told them that no one checked the car in Hobart and that it was probably there before. They said they would check into it.
After about two weeks we received our bank card statement and found the company had charged us $245 for damage on the vehicle. Again we spoke to them and tried to get a refund but they said that it stands. Lucky we always take out travel insurance. I wonder how many other people they have charged for the same damage?
Since then we have always made sure that when we hire a vehicle, someone always checks it before we take it.
L. Laws, via email
Just like other readers I have had a bad hire car experience.
On returning the vehicle the check-in staff tried to blame me for pre-existing damage to the bumper bar. Luckily I had taken digital images of the car when I signed and accepted the car, because the report sheet to mark pre-existing damages was not big enough to record all the scratches and dents. The photos were proof and saved me a lot of hassles.
I recommend readers take photos before accepting a rental car and to do the same on returning the car. The dates and times are recorded on your camera. It is the best insurance against unscrupulous rental car operators.
H. Rodach, via email
I agree with G. Dersch (Torque Back, Nov/Dec Open Road) but foliage is not just a danger on roundabouts.
Near the corner of George Street and Burdett Street in Hornsby foliage obscures approaching cars for motorists making a right-hand turn into Burdett Street. It’s safe to turn when there is the green arrow but when there is only the green light it can look safe to turn only for a car to suddenly appear from behind the ‘decorative’ 2m high grass.
I have seen many near misses and read of one accident.
In September I notified Hornsby Council of the danger and was told it was the RTA’s responsibility. The RTA told me it was the council's problem so I rang the council again. Nothing was done so I again rang the council in November.
The foliage is still there.
B. Fairbairn, via email
While the result of NRMA's research (‘Heavy Cost of a Lead Foot’, Nov/Dec Open Road) is a no-brainer, I found your necessary choice of the term ‘aggressive driving’ very alarming. Aggressive drivers have much more to save than mere petrol dollars by changing their driving habits – like the lives of their families, their friends, other innocent motorists, or indeed their own. Now that is the real no-brainer!
C. Taylor, New Lambton
Very true, although history shows us many people will only take notice when the threat is to their hip pocket.
I agree wholeheartedly with ‘Wagon Wail’ (Torque back, Sep/Oct Open Road).
We have been very pleased with our Commodore wagon over the years and the Sportwagon is no match at all.
Transporting wheelchairs, walking frames and elderly people necessitated the Holden station wagon. It is not high off the ground, and user-friendly in every respect. Now we are awaiting delivery of the Sportwagon, which will not be as functional.
The only station wagon near good enough would be the Ford Falcon – and I can't bear the thought!
E. Franks, Varroville
Your Nov/Dec article on Sydney tollways (‘The toll truth’) highlighted just how hostile Sydney is to the casual motoring visitor. At least in Melbourne I can hire a car and ask for the tolls to be added to my bill. The quicker a single casual user pass is introduced in Sydney, the better. Keep up the lobbying, NRMA.
M. Heinrich, Fadden, ACT
In response to ‘On the dilemma of horns’ (Torque Back, Nov/Dec Open Road), I would like to ask R. Foley how he or she can possibly know other cars are braking due to the sound effects on the radio? ("I often see brake lights come on as a response to these stupid sound effects.") Is there only one radio station and every car on the road is tuned into it? Or is your own radio so loud that other cars hear the offending sound effect and mistake it for a horn?
I suggest you pay more attention to driving and if the radio is distracting you, there is a very simple solution – turn it off!
M. Wilson, via email
HAVE YOUR SAY ON MOTORING at: mynrmacommunity.com/motoring.
SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
E-mail: open.road@mynrma.com.au
Mail:NRMA Publishing
Level 1, 9 George Street
North Strathfield NSW 2137
Fax: (02) 8741 6697
