Who thought up this stupid idea?

andygb

Strider590 wrote: »

So any car that's had new tyre's has been modified?

Manufacturers tend to recommend replacing with exact brand/model, so effectively by manufacturers specs we're all driving modified cars.... And where do we stop? manufacturers also recommend their own replacement brake pads/discs, how many people do that?

Interestingly we're pretty much ALL driving on inferior quality brakes and inferior quality tyre's (according to the manufacturer specs) and the insurance company is "ok" with that... But as soon as you put a sports exhaust on your motor, they jump on you. Doesn't seem right somehow when you look at it that way...

It's all subjective isn't it?

Well in the examples which you mentioned you are quite correct, but I was replying to someone who chose to drive a car, which was not shod with the correct size of tyre, something quite different to simply choosing a different make. The manufacturers set up their vehicles to run on an optimum size/speed rating of tyre, and they sometimes recommend a certain manufacturer. If however, you are running different profiles front and rear (yes, I know that racing cars do this:D), or even different sizes to those recommended, then you stand the chance of invalidating your insurance.
An example would be to use a 195/45/16 instead of a 195/55/16, the difference may seem negligible, but would make a difference to the speedometer/odometer.

andygb

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

The important word being recommended.


Are you saying that if you were approaching a crossing and it was perfectly obvious that there was no one on, or close to the crossing, then you would still slow down?
This is not what the highway code states, and is confirmed by the UK driving test report sheet.



http://marcsdrivingschool.com/Documents/DL2504.07version.pdf

You have underlined the wrong part to try to make yourself look correct. You should have underlined the next part referring to Zebra crossings, where it specifically tells you to slow down and be prepared to stop if there is anyone waiting to cross.

24 Pedestrian Crossings
You should be able to recognise the different types of pedestrian
crossing and show courtesy and consideration towards pedestrians.
At all crossings you should slow down and stop if there is anyone on
the crossing. At zebra crossings you should slow down and be
prepared to stop if there is anyone waiting to cross. Give way to any
pedestrians on a pelican crossing when the amber lights are
flashing. You should give way to cyclists as well as pedestrians on
a toucan crossing and act correctly at puffin crossings.

You provided this piece of information, despite the fact that I had virtually quoted it word for word in a previous post - cheers, you have merely confirmed that I was correct :beer:

shaun_from_Africa

It all depends on how you interpret the relevant sentence.

Simply changing the way that you read it can give a totally different meaning

At zebra crossings you should slow down and be
prepared to stop if there is anyone waiting to cross.

ie, no one waiting to cross, no need to slow down.

This interpretation is backed up by the highway code.

195
Zebra crossings.
As you approach a zebra crossing look out for pedestrians waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop to let them cross

Note that it doesn't state that you should always slow down, simply that you should be ready to do so if the need arises.

vikingaero

Amazing how the topic has diverted from speed cameras at pedestrian crossings to tyre discussions to semantics about zebra crossings!

FWIW, I happily force drivers to stop when using some zebra crossings. Of course I'm not going to risk my life over forcing you to stop, but if you have to brake hard because I want to cross then tough, you should have slowed down and used anticipation.

andygb

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

It all depends on how you interpret the relevant sentence.

Simply changing the way that you read it can give a totally different meaning

ie, no one waiting to cross, no need to slow down.

This interpretation is backed up by the highway code.

Note that it doesn't state that you should always slow down, simply that you should be ready to do so if the need arises.

Shaun, I do not think that you "get it", and I think you are arguing simply to try to make your point seem correct.
You slow down, in order that you can prepare to stop. If you go up to the zebra crossing at 30MPH and do an emergency stop, then you will probably go over the crossing.

shaun_from_Africa

Shaun, I do not think that you "get it", and I think you are arguing simply to try to make your point seem correct

I do "get it", it's just that I have a different opinion to you.

If you go up to the zebra crossing at 30MPH and do an emergency stop, then you will probably go over the crossing.

But if I was approaching a crossing and there was someone on or near to the crossing then I would slow down in anticipation of them stepping out.
What I wouldn't do is to slow down if the pavement was totally deserted and there wasn't anyone nearby.

I was responding to your earlier comment in which you stated quite plainly that "When approaching a zebra crossing you should always slow down slightly", which I still think is totally wrong.
Why would you slow down if there was absolutely no need or requirement to do so?

jaqui59

vikingaero wrote: »

Amazing how the topic has diverted from speed cameras at pedestrian crossings to tyre discussions to semantics about zebra crossings!

FWIW, I happily force drivers to stop when using some zebra crossings. Of course I'm not going to risk my life over forcing you to stop, but if you have to brake hard because I want to cross then tough, you should have slowed down and used anticipation.

A very dangerous practice indeed ... I don't think somehow you are aware of the different classes of drivers on the road.

Drivers under the influence of alcohol whilst driving
Drivers under the influence of drugs whilst driving
Elderley drivers with reduced response times
Drivers talking on their mobile phones whilst driving
Drivers texting on their mobile phones whilst driving
Drivers accessing social network sites on their phone whilst driving
Drivers driving whilst they are sleep deprived
Drivers driving too fast in general because thats what they always do

The list goes on and on and on .. ANYONE ELSE CARE TO CONTRIBUTE???

Good luck mate, I do hope you make retirement!!!

George_Michael

ANYONE ELSE CARE TO CONTRIBUTE???

Emergency vehicles that may be travelling without their siren going, or unmarked police cars following a suspect and trying to do so without being seen by them.

Drivers having to contend with screaming kids in the back of their cars, and who may well have their attention elsewhere than on the road.

vikingaero

jaqui59 wrote: »

A very dangerous practice indeed ... I don't think somehow you are aware of the different classes of drivers on the road.

Drivers under the influence of alcohol whilst driving
Drivers under the influence of drugs whilst driving
Elderley drivers with reduced response times
Drivers talking on their mobile phones whilst driving
Drivers texting on their mobile phones whilst driving
Drivers accessing social network sites on their phone whilst driving
Drivers driving whilst they are sleep deprived
Drivers driving too fast in general because thats what they always do

The list goes on and on and on .. ANYONE ELSE CARE TO CONTRIBUTE???

Good luck mate, I do hope you make retirement!!!

Hmm, obviously you haven't read my post properly....

George_Michael

Hmm, obviously you haven't read my post properly...

Which bit?
Possibly the line that stated

but if you have to brake hard because I want to cross then tough

Braking hard could well lead to loss of control or a panicking driver, either of which could put you or another pedestrian or driver at risk.

"Forcing" drivers to stop isn't exactly the safest or most mature way to behave is it?