A Very Scary Mix

[harvyk]

The problem is that whilst you talking about the exact type of person who is the cause of the majority of accidents they are usually only small, and there's very little in the list which is actually illegal. Besides it's the "ricer boy P plate street racing hoon in an turbo powered imported street machine" which the media has worked everyone up into a frenzy about because when there is an accident with one of those guys, it's almost always big, gory and perfect for frontpage news.

Theres a lovely expression called a moral crisis \ moral panic. It's usually only reserved for things which are the considered the young persons domain or things which are slightly out of the ordinary (eg Fast Cars). The media then bombards us with front page news and special reports on the subject until anyone who may have had something to do with the subject is painted in a bad light. This is when gov't as part of their standed dip response bring in things such as the hoon laws.

The media would never consider a moral panic about the 50, 60, 70 and 80 year olds who can't drive for as they are the main readers of the daily newspapers and are the ones who watch the TV news at night.

[RUS531]

hey I just saw this thread going.

I for one cant talk from experience for I am only nineteen, and being in the country I don't really know how the the driving behaviours are different. I know I am guilty as the next person of have a stab of my car, but speaking for myself I know the limits of my own car and I didn't find that out the hard way like some fellow young people unfortunatly do. I will not ever at this age call myself a experienced driver that takes more than a few years behind the wheel, many of us out here have been driving on farms since we could reach the pedals, in that respect I can see an advantage over being brought up in the city. If theres one thing that I know its to drive with your brain and not with your ego and this can affect all of us young and old, but I will admit, younger people I think are more prone to it.

I think all governments need to put young people through a defensive driving courses while still in school, for the pure fact that alot of us don't know how are car acts and how you should act in a emergency situation. I did one while on my 'L's mainly because it was free. but I came out with alot more than I went in with. Power restrictions on cars are a bit of a grey area for me... I agree but disagree. They need to teach us a few things, things the we wont learn in our ever so easy driving tests, things that for some of us wont ever get a chance to learn. if they are going to cut power they need to teach young people this as well, they are going to jump into a 300+ kw car or even less and will even be in more trouble.

but in the end it all comes down to the person.

my 2c

[Guest FatBAt]

Bugster, your point is very valid. XR6Typhoon makes a point that is also just as valid. Its like that cliche "guns don't kill people...people kill people...".

Over the last few months here in Newcastle, there has been a few very young drivers (and passengers) killed and they wern't driving performance cars. One was a VK Late model camira and the other was a small jap car. Both standard.

Young drivers need to be educated. I have a son 18y/o and I am proud to say he drives around like an old woman and his tyres prove that to me. Two of my friends have sons of similar age. One blew his gearbox up through hard driving and the other smashed his by doing donuts.

I guess what I'm trying to say Bugster is that although high power is a cause of many accidents, I feel there are a lot more contributing factors.

Cheers Mate

[shnaped_second]

Hmm what do bald tyres say about my driving then

[IEATU]

Hey all, Im 21 going on 22 id have to agree with this post. Most of the younger category are absolute idiots when behind the wheel of a underpowered car, let alone one with more power. Alot of my friends are in that exact situation.

Alot of people modify before they gain enough experience to handle those modifications. Let alone learning what the car can and cant do in a safe environment. Driver training as it has been mentioned in many pages back should be compulsory for people with performance cars. and perhaps when young people move onto there open license with a bit more experience behind the wheel knowing the driver training is to improve their driver skill for unexpected situations not there improve there on street hooning capabilities.

Not trying to give myself a big head but ive been driving serious performance cars since I was 17. I also attended weekly drag events and some driver training courses. I have built the car ive been waiting to make, a 10 second rx7. But I think, if I had it a couple of years ago. Im sure it wouldn't be in one piece, or perhaps me either. People hop into the car and say im crazy. And I just say the car is the crazy part, Its just like any other car if I want it to be. that's what the track is for.

I think the main point of this post is some people are alot more mature then others. I know older people that drive like nut cases that think cos they have experience they can actually drive. Any age group can have drivers that will kill there car or themselves the only sad part is most of them are young. And they create a bad name for all performance car enthusiasts.

Hope this made some sense to those who care

Reece

Edited 06/06/07 08:43 AM by IEATU

[Guest FatBAt]

Hey all, Im 21 going on 22 id have to agree with this post. Most of the younger category are absolute idiots when behind the wheel of a underpowered car, let alone one with more power.......................................................

Hope this made some sense to those who care

Reece

I think you've covered it all. Well said Reece.

Cheers

[AzMahoony]

MOST, and yes I totally agree most people my age are stupid on the road, and have no common sence for anything.

BUT there are some, that are actually responsible and know the limits.

[Dillz]

Well put Reece, I bought my xrt the second I got off my p's sure I give it a kick in the pants now and then but I believe then main problem with young people or anyone for that matter that has a performance cars is not knowing it's full ability. E.g "I'll make that gap" "I'll make that corner" "it'll pull up ok". A solid combination of good driving skill and knowing your car back to front in my opinion is the safest way to go. Anyway that's my 2c

[Kimberley Scott]

This type of hype is what killed the GTHO Phase IV, how many young XR6T, on this forum have written themselves off? Gotta give the younguns a go, oh to be young again.

Scotty

[Guest FatBAt]

................Gotta give the younguns a go, oh to be young again.

Scotty

Well I know I've been 23 years old before.......TWICE NOW