Nice People Thread Number 10 -the official residence of Nice People

zagubov

LydiaJ wrote: »

Does that mean that today's UK kids have better survival chances than today's kids from all other countries? Or just that the UK is one of a number of countries currently sharing the best ever survival rate? Either way, it's good news.

With retrospect, the way I travelled as a kid is quite scary. As an adult, I came to think of seatbelts as "what you do because it's the sensible thing" but they became something I'm passionate about when a policeman explained to me that my kids would be dead if they hadn't been wearing theirs that day 4 years ago. Apologies if I'm repeating myself, but any NP with influence over any kids, do make sure that some adult in their life has taught them they must always always keep them done up.

I suspect we're safer than many other European countries. Gemrany's lack of a motorway speed limit plus high car ownership has an effect on their death rates.

I remember in Amsterdam seeing all sorts of bike-meet-tram accidents happening and in France a sequence of prangs and accidents (particularly close to the Italian border).

michaels

zagubov wrote: »

I suspect we're safer than many other European countries. Gemrany's lack of a motorway speed limit plus high car ownership has an effect on their death rates.

I remember in Amsterdam seeing all sorts of bike-meet-tram accidents happening and in France a sequence of prangs and accidents (particularly close to the Italian border).

May be the British are also more risk averse/have a society where the state intervenes more in making sure we do not take any risks?

zagubov

michaels wrote: »

May be the British are also more risk averse/have a society where the state intervenes more in making sure we do not take any risks?

We did pass more legislation making roads safer. Barbara Castle's responsible for much of it. Helmets, safety belts, speed limits drink driving limits, we led the world in a lot of this stuff.

vivatifosi

michaels wrote: »

May be the British are also more risk averse/have a society where the state intervenes more in making sure we do not take any risks?

I think that we have changed, but also that it is right that we have changed. I did some ridiculous things when I was younger and that I am not proud of in retrospect... I once had 12 people in a 2Cv and regularly drove at over 100 MPH.

Why don't I do it anymore? A combination of factors.. 1 growing up, 2 seeing people around me injured or worse, lose their lives; 3 legislation. That's probably the order of influence too, but all three play a part.

These days my old self would probably consider me a boring fart, not driving above the speed limit, being shocked by standards of driving etc, especially the American habit of texting whilst driving an SUV the size of a small house. But that's what growing up is about. I still seek thrills, but these days it is through safe activities such as hanging upside down on a rollercoaster for a nanosecond.

Above anything else I am profoundly glad to have reached this point in my life when I know others have been both less reckless and less lucky. It is important to have the state introduce safety measures, but with the benefit of hindsight, I'd say it is more important to consider and take responsibility for our own actions.

Sorry for the essay, it is something I feel strongly about. A local road was closed recently due to five accidents in a few hours due to black ice. The state can do what it can for safety, but people still don't drive safely for conditions.

lostinrates

LydiaJ wrote: »

I travelled in the boot of a cortina estate too. Parents in the front, three teenage boys in the back, little girl and dog in the boot.

You're right that attitude to risk has changed as death rates have gone down. It's not just that risk is less accepted; it's also an increased desire to have somebody to blame when something goes wrong. So if a kid (or indeed an adult) dies in some kind of accident, it's assumed that someone or something was at fault for not having prevented it, and that leads to everyone trying harder and harder to eliminate all risks of any kind.

I have distinct memories of being collected for an after school club in a station wagon where some of us sat in the boot too. Like sardines:D

lostinrates

vivatifosi wrote: »

I think that we have changed, but also that it is right that we have changed. I did some ridiculous things when I was younger and that I am not proud of in retrospect... I once had 12 people in a 2Cv and regularly drove at over 100 MPH.

Why don't I do it anymore? A combination of factors.. 1 growing up, 2 seeing people around me injured or worse, lose their lives; 3 legislation. That's probably the order of influence too, but all three play a part.

These days my old self would probably consider me a boring fart, not driving above the speed limit, being shocked by standards of driving etc, especially the American habit of texting whilst driving an SUV the size of a small house. But that's what growing up is about. I still seek thrills, but these days it is through safe activities such as hanging upside down on a rollercoaster for a nanosecond.

Above anything else I am profoundly glad to have reached this point in my life when I know others have been both less reckless and less lucky. It is important to have the state introduce safety measures, but with the benefit of hindsight, I'd say it is more important to consider and take responsibility for our own actions.

Sorry for the essay, it is something I feel strongly about. A local road was closed recently due to five accidents in a few hours due to black ice. The state can do what it can for safety, but people still don't drive safely for conditions.

If I could type better I could almost have written this word for word. But for twelve in the 2cv. Mine used to get stuff with people on people's knees, but never twelve.


I have calmed down in the car tremendously and am as near as I get to 'mellow' driving.

I also appreciate how lucky I am to still have my licence. I don't abuse that priviledge, don't drive when I don't feel able ( which is never happening ATM :j:j) me getting out for what ever I think I need is NEVER as important as the safety of people on the road. While I am pretty confident I would not cause a problem by staying at home I can be absolutely sure of it.

Spirit_2

We regularly travelled home from visits to relatives or the catholic social club in a car driven by my father who was 'stocious'.
:eek:

Young men and rural roads are a terrible combination. Within a mile of my house 3 deaths since end of sept to Christmas.

two young men in dec and in sept a passenger in a car driven by a young man.

Trees are very unforgiving.

Generali

I used to drive like an idiot: as George W Bush said, "When I was young and irresponsible I was young and irresponsible".

I can remember more than once coming round a corner at 60mph on a single track road and being lucky enough to find both a car and a passing point in the same place. If not for the passing point we'd all be dead most likely.

I believe the most likely cause of death for teenage girls is ina teenaged boy's car.

On a lighter note it's NYE evening here an we've got 1,500,000 at the Harbour waiting for the fireworks to happen. We're watching on TV with a shoulder of lamb done in the slow cooker (to return to an earlier point!) and some nice chocolate fondant puds for afters.

lostinrates

I am going to go and do aquafit today.


Fir is coming with me just in case and the doctor said it was ok last month. I was exhausted after just swimming last week. Wish me luck....
fir, me and the pensioners of the county bobbing away to whatever

Edit.....DH doesn't want me to wear my new socks to the swimming baths. I love my new socks. .

When we we t last week DH took a wrong turn and went back into the glazed reception, and while he was waiting for the class to finish so we could swim started entertaining the whole place by doing pressups and squats and sit ups there. They are starved for talent in our local town and poor DH was almost mobbed. That he is fitter than the life guards ( who he is older than) is also a little depressing.

Nikkster

lostinrates wrote: »

I am going to go and do aquafit today.


Fir is coming with me just in case and the doctor said it was ok last month. I was exhausted after just swimming last week. Wish me luck....
fir, me and the pensioners of the county bobbing away to whatever

Aquafit is fun I used to go about 10 years ago. Even better to take someone else to giggle with. Hope you both enjoy it!