Responsibly or lack of it – Police Chases – do we or don’t we?

I am so sick of people looking for more ways to stop people doing things that previously common sense dictated were stupid and life-threatening.

In the 10 days of the year 2012, several things spring to mind. The first being the incidents on New Years Eve, one resulting in death, another possible blindness in one eye and another resulting in broken ribs. These fireworks were illegal. Fireworks in the state of Victoria have been illegal (note the word illegal) since 1985. 2003 - Fireworks Every year, people are warned to avoid ILLEGAL fireworks, they are dangerous and they cause noise pollution, which in turn frightens animals nearby.

Add to this the risk of scrub/bushfires in the vicinity of the illegal fireworks and you have a mixed bag that when shaken can cause death. At about 6minutes after midnight on the 1^st January 2012, the CFA website listed approx 12 fires that were thought to have occurred after fireworks were lit. 30 minutes later exactly the same thing happened in South Australia o the CFS site.

Now, the most recent event, which will involve more laws aimed at curtailing the power of the authorities and giving more power to the hoodlums of Australia are police car chases, which most of the time involve stolen vehicles, mostly male occupants, mostly under the age of 25, and often affected by drugs or alcohol or both.

QLD
2011 - Editorial - Qld police lose faith in car chase laws
“Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the average penalty was inadequate.”
“Nineteen people have been killed and 737 injured during police pursuits since 2000,”

2011 - LNP (Political) CMC highlights Police Upset with Car Chase Penalties
“criminals had a green light to evade police on our roads under this Labor Government and its anti-pursuits stand”

NSW

2011- 2 Car Chases, One Car, 100's KM Apart
“RTA checks found the vehicle had a cancelled registration and was not fitted with number plates.”

2010 - Horror Car Crash Sparks Call for Police Chase Ban
"It almost invites people to flee and to avoid the police after potentially having committed very serious crimes,"

2010 - Police Want Tough Law on Car Chases
"Highway patrol officers have called on the State Government to introduce a mandatory three-year sentence for people who force the police to pursue them."

VIC
2011 - 19yo Dies in Tree Car Crash After Cobram Police Chase
"It is a concern as to why young people don't want to pull over,'' Commander De Santo said.

2011- Spikes Fail to Stop High Speed Driver
“but called off the pursuit after the driver turned off the headlights and the chase was deemed too dangerous.”

2012 - Man Dies adter Police Chase in Stud Road, Dandenong
“Police said they started a pursuit after trying to stop the allegedly stolen and speeding car in Stud Rd about 3.50am.”

Add to the above with blatant speeding and alcohol and drug impaired driving, again (often but no always) involving the same gender, age and stereotyped driver. There seem to be few penalties if ‘Little Johnny’ screws up and kills a couple of mates. There is little consequence if ‘Little Johnny’ is 23 years and hasn’t held a full license, since the day he sat his driving test.

Some posts I’ve written about personal experience/exposure to the youth of today and why I’m scared for them and why I’m scared for you the road user, the public.
2010 - Why Hasn't he lost his licence yet?

2010 - Flashing Lights and Drink Drivers

2009 - Road Rules and Laws

2011 - 1 Weekend and 8 Dead on Victorian Roads

2010 - Youth and Alcohol, are we Killing our Kids

Please add your thoughts.

Mississippi River Tugboat - Now this is UNBELIEVABLE

Look at each picture slowly and completely - in order to the end.
If not for the photos no one would believe this!!!

The towboat is approaching the bridge with barges loaded with coal.


This frame gives you an idea of how fast the river is running,obviously at or near flood stage.


Oh CRAP!! The bridge didn't open and the boat can't stop. Notice the tug has released the barges.
He is backing as hard as possible to try and avoid a collision with the bridge.



Can't back down enough against the current. LOOK at the NUTTY people standing on the BRIDGE!


Uh Oh! ! The current has swung the boat around sideways.




The cook thinks maybe something isn't quite right.




The boss is going to be REAL mad!



Uh... Boss? Do we have flood insurance on this boat? The Tug is going under the bridge!!



Uh.... Boss? You ain't gonna believe what we just did! Tug came out other side!!



She's low, but the flag is still flying.







The wheelhouse door and the door in the second deck are now open.
Look close at the bottom right hand side of the picture and you will see that the bridge guardrail is underwater.






Look at the water pouring out of the second deck doorway.

The working deck is still underwater, but rising..

This company that built the Tug should get the government contract to build our battle ships.
(And cruisers like the Titanic)





Notice anything unusual? Look at the smoke coming from the exhausts. It's still running!!!


Notice the prop wash at the rear of the tug. The boat is upright and back under power.
Just another day on the river.
Do you suppose the captain had to change his pants after all that?

As per Snopes.com this story is 100% true, occured in 1979, and captured by a photographer for the Linden Democrat-Reporter.

Why hasn’t he lost his drivers license yet?

21yo male, has interlock fitted due to prior drink-driving offences. Caught speeding 100kph OVER the posted signed speed limit and yet drives away with vehicle and given 1 month to have the interlock device removed before the license is cancelled.

This is not the first time, this ‘kid’ has been caught hooning, it’s not the first time he will have lost his license. He’s 21yo. I thought ANYONE caught speeding in a dangerous manner, (45kph over the speed limit) instantly lost their vehicle for a prescribed amount of time.

Something seems wrong here.

Does this ‘child’ have to die before something is done. Noting that the area in which he was caught was within 500m of where 5 young adults died due to speeding.

Where I Live - Oakleigh/Monash
Car Advice - Vic State Government to Crush Hoons Cars at 3rd Offence
Car Advice - Vic Man Loses car under Anti-Hoon Laws
car Advice - Mid-Life Crisis Worse Than P-Platers
News.com.au - Lamborghini Impounded Under Hoon Laws

If a mechanic, driving his clients car in a dangerous manner can get the car impounded for dangerous driving, then why is this car still on the street and why does the 21yo driver still have his license for 30 days?

Youth and Alcohol – Are We Killing Our Kids?

Today I hear the news that a 21yo male has been fired from his job, not because he couldn’t do the job, not because he couldn’t follow workplace rules but because he couldn’t get out of bed to attend work, not because he was sick with the flu, but because he had alcohol poisoning.

This is not the first time this has occurred, nor the second, nor the third. It happens EVERY Monday and often Tuesday as well.

This child (because he acts likes one) can not function without alcohol. He has had his license suspended, he has an interlock fitted on his car. He has been in for a review to get the interlock device removed and has failed. He was setting if off almost every day in the morning, which shows he drank every night and possibly to excess to set the interlock off every morning.

This kid effectively worked only 3 days a week, although meant to be working 5-6 days with on-call work every 4 weeks. The on call work was never attended – he would just turn his phone off.

He is one case in 1000’s just in Melbourne alone. I’m not sure what causes children to run off the rails and hit the bottle (Because that is what’s happening) but here are some theories, bought to you by the links provided.

From:- Youth Central Vic Government
Mr Munro says 80% of Australians drink, and as a general rule of thumb 10% of drinkers are alcohol dependent. However, he points to research reported by Professor Jake Najman at the 2008 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference, from the University of Queensland, who argues that of the 80% of Australians who drink, 30% are impaired in one way or another from drinking.
Impairment may range from not being able to fulfil social responsibilities like going to work or family events. The problem is a lot more widespread than previously thought. "Because drinking is so widespread and common in Australia, many people don't see it as a sign of alcohol dependency," Mr Munro says. "But dependency on alcohol can lead to work problems, drink driving, financial stress, accidents and conflict within the family which could even trigger the breakup of a family."

Salvation Army
Statistics now show alcohol accounts for 13% of all deaths of 14-17 year olds in Australia with one teenager dying each week of alcohol related causes and another 60 teenagers hospitalised.
The new (2009) Roy Morgan research also shows:
1.7 million Australians believe it’s safe to give someone 12 or under an occasional sip of alcohol.
5 million Australians believe it is safe for someone 15 years or under to be given occasional sips of alcohol.
7 million Australians had their first alcoholic sip or drink in their home.
8.8 million Australians had their first alcoholic sip or drink when they were with their family.
7.8 million Australians suggested they should have their first drink or sip of alcohol themselves; 2.9 million said parents suggested it.

Journalism Australia
A 2003 alcohol awareness survey by the Salvation Army found the age at which people start drinking is getting younger with 58% of 14-17 year olds drinking before 14, compared to their parents of which 25 per cent started before they were 14.
The survey found 22% of 14-17-year-old girls regularly drink between 13 and 30 drinks a session, compared with 19% of 14-17-year-old boys. The main reason both groups drank was to fit in at social activities.
Former information manager at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Paul Dillion told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2002 many school children drank “to get out of it, to get wasted”, with Australia being one of the few countries where binge drinking was viewed as acceptable.
“Parents see alcohol use as a protective factor against other drug use,” Mr Dillon said.
“But in reality the only drug problem most will experience with their child will be alcohol.”
This problem also spans to other countries. A study in the UK has been following over 11,000 people since birth. The study found those who participated in binge drinking at 16 were more likely to have had an alcohol dependence, criminal conviction, left school early, have limited qualifications, earn less and had mental health problems at the age of 30, than those 16yo who did not binge drink

The Natural Health Expert
From a somewhat different viewpoint, since both parents in quite a few families work full or part-time, the lack of parental guidance unquestionably has to play a primary role in the expansion of teenage alcohol abuse. And as a final point, diverse alcohol addiction experts emphasize the point that the proliferation of youth alcohol abuse is due, to some extent, to our “anything goes” society.

I don’t pretend to be an expert – hell I’ve got an 18yo girl and keeping track of her and on the straight and narrow is hard enough, without adding alcohol to the mix.

I suppose as a family we are lucky – we eat together, often play together and our children see that we don’t drink very often, only on special occasions, we don’t drink as a habit, occasionally we might drink with friends, but no more than 1-2 glasses in one sitting, we don’t need to drink to have a good time, to be able to socialize. We’ve always been that way.

I watch some adults, 30yo plus and they quantity of alcohol they do consume in one sitting and cringe, not just because of the health implications, but if they really need THAT much alcohol to socialise and be nice, there HAS to be a problem.

I watch pregnant women, drink champagne with ice-cubes in it, because they aren’t meant to be drinking, but a little bit won’t hurt, will it?

I watched grown men complain because the wine isn’t to their liking and there’s nothing else to drink. Ummmm there is tap right over there, Melbourne has the best drinking water in the world. Besides that I’m drinking coke, would you like some? And there is orange juice in the fridge.

I’ve seen grown men and women go out for dinner and get blotto, without thought for how they are getting home, and then count the drinks to figure out who drank less and who will be better off driving!

There is something wrong, if the children see this behavior of course they are going to think that drinking copious amounts of alcohol on a daily basis, is normal and they too can do it. Mum and dad won’t notice a bottle missing, it’s cool to be like an adult.

WRONG – children under the age of 21, should NOT be drinking, it can damage their brains, their development and social skills. It has been proven that children <15yo>21yo or older. The more alcohol is consumes the greater chance of alcohol-related problems in later life, including alcohol addiction. Different parts of the brain develop at different ages for different genders. The part of the brain that controls rational thinking matures at different ages in men and women. In women this may not fully mature until 21yo or older. In males it does not fully mature until 28years of age. This can affect memory, personality and behavior. In other words PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE can result in drinking ANYTHING before the age of 21 in either sex.

Do not be fooled into thinking one drink is okay. One dose of illegal drugs is not okay, one cigarette is not okay – why should alcohol be any different?

And from a paramedics point of view:- "We see children or young people who are basically unconscious," he said. We've seen people that can basically vomit left laying on their back and consequently have issues with choking, brain damage”

Is this what you wish for your children? I don’t think so – I certainly hope not. Remember alcohol might make you feel better and confident, but is your sense of bravado killing your children?

Think about it before you pick up that drink tonight, or tomorrow night or the night after. Talk to your children about the dangers of alcohol, it’s not the schools job not the governments job to raise your children IT’S YOUR job. It takes two to tango.

L is for learning, P is for Practice

Well that’s what I thought this meant when displayed on a vehicles front and rear windows. Until now. Last week, I saw a bronze Mazda, travelling south on Merriang Road, tailgating, speeding, applying make-up AND talking on the mobile, all whilst displaying P plates!

Alright, multi-tasking to the extreme, but let’s look at this closely.

P Plater – needs all their concentration just to drive the vehicle

Tailgating – did not pull back when the vehicle in front applied the brakes, nearly up their clacker

Speeding – the speed limit has just been reduced, yet maintained the old speed of 100kph

Make-up – as soon as the traffic slowed down to 10kpm, the mascara comes out

Mobile Phone – the mascara brush goes down and the phone goes up

FFS – no wonder our kids are being killed left right and centre on Australian Roads, either they don’t care or their parents haven’t drummed into them the importance of driving and single concentration.

It was two weeks ago – that a major newspaper showed that 75% of drivers failed to see the clown on a unicycle whilst talking on a mobile phone and they are experienced drivers!

I keep coming back to the same thing – and that is that my daughter has already been threatened with loss of vehicle either permanently or temporarily depending on what punishment is dished out by the law. We figure license suspension – lose vehicle; demerit point loss – 1 month per point. To disable the car is as simple as applying a steering wheel lock and or removing 1-2 tyres and placing on blocks. Something I am quite capable of doing by myself.

The reason for this is that we own ½ of the car, in that we are paying for 50% of said vehicle, she pays the other 50% and registration AND insurance – so we have the power to disable/sell the car if we choose to due to a poor driving record and don’t think I won’t.

I would rather her walking and alive then driving and dead and if that means a sullen attitude for next couple of months/years then so be it – she can’t afford to buy a car without our funding assistance.

A Story about getting on in life

In 1998 I was involved in a rather serious car accident, one that the only thing which stopped the car from exploding was the spare tyre that was punctured rather than the gas tank exploding.

I had been on the way to work – a reasonably new job of 3 months, I took 1 day off work to sort all the insurance out and report the accident to the police and go see the doctor.

For 8 years, I fought to keep a job, (where I was working forced me out - I should have sued, but it was all too much), I fought to keep my family together, my sanity and my house. We weren’t entitled to any government assistance due to issues with a failing business, TAC refused to pay any income support because my husband should have been able to help me home, not someone from the TAC. I told them time and time again, that he couldn’t leave apprentices in the factory – due to workcover regulations that could see him locked up in jail if the apprentices did something stupid – he would automatically get the blame.

So we struggled, we struggled to keep food on the table, we struggled to stay sane. We lived in a pigsty, because my back was too sore and I was too tired to do any housework, when I got home from paid work. I couldn’t lift my children. I had to work to pay the child care fees, because TAC wouldn’t pay the fees, and I couldn’t stay home AND afford to send the children to childcare. I barely had enough money to put food on the table. Work was the lesser of two evils.

I remember once asking the CES for $5-$10 so I could buy some potatoes (It’s amazing what you can do with potatoes) and they turned me away – I’ve never begged in my life – I didn’t know where to turn. We went hungry that night.

Things eased slightly when my youngest went to school. Still no permanent work – but at least no child care fees and people looked after me – loaned me money for work yet to be done, found me work. ‘Real’ employers didn’t want someone who couldn’t use their right arm sometimes, or walked with a limp.

Until recently, I didn’t have a permanent job – and I believe that was because of my disabilities.

Some 6 years later, just when I was starting to get my life back on track, another near fatal accident, which broke and crushed my leg. To this day the fibula is still broken.

Finally things started looking up – the bills get paid on time – the mortgage is paid up and beyond, finally we no longer need to scrimp and save just to have clothes and shoes to wear.

With perseverance I’ve come to realise that life is for living – I’ve had too many close calls not to realise this

You can move on – it takes time – it takes patience and most of all strength of character to succeed where others often fail.

Life is precious, family even more so and if you take one thing away from reading this – it is “Life continues with or without you, so make sure you are included, not excluded.”

The day I killed my horse

My horse, my friend of 20 years. She was a big girl, 18hh for those who understand that. She was crop high and had no neck. She was a registered appaloosa. Everyone who had ever seen her, always remembered her. She was a striking girl. No neck, almost steel grey in summer and speckled grey in winter.

I received a call from the owners of the property that she was staying on for grass control to advise me she had been rolling and was sweating. I raced home, suspecting that she had colic.

I called the vet and organized for them to meet me at home (500m from the property) I walked her home with the Old Man, her life-time mate following, no halter, no bridle.

The vet gave her some pain killers and then the waiting began. I walked and walked and walked her. For 5 hours. There is little else that can be done. An operation can be done, but the cost and the age of the horse, pre-determined that this was not a viable option.

The Old Man, walked beside me almost the entire time, encouraging her, encouraging me to try and fix the pain. It was a constant battle to keep her on her feet. She constantly wanted to roll to stop the pain. This is the worst thing you can let them do.

The vet came back and advised there was nothing else could be done. A decision had to made and the sooner the better.

I sent the children down to the property that the horses had come from to advise them that needed to come and say good-bye. Hubby was yet to come home. I was alone. She went to roll again. The pain killers must have been wearing off. I ended up underneath her. I heard my leg ‘pop’ the pain was unbearable.

I remember her getting up and off me, the pain was agonizing. I rolled under a raised water tank, thinking that would give me some protection if she came down again.

The Old Man was trying to help her. She was trying to figure out why I was hiding from her.

Hubby came home, called out apparently, I don’t remember hearing him. The kids came back with the friends to say goodbye to her. All these people and no-one could see me!

Finally I was spotted under the tank, passed out. Many hands tried to get me out and walking. I couldn’t weight bear.

Ambulance was called, I refused to leave until she had been “dropped” In other words killed.

All was organized. All was done, I could leave, knowing that I had done the best thing I could in the circumstances. I could not leave her to suffer and I refused to leave my friend of 20 years in agony whilst I was tended.

RIP – Garrisson Three Bells (Char) – I knew you and loved you for 20 years.

See tomorrows post for the continuing story........................

How to stop drink drivers

Courtesy of Ms18 who has acquired P plates and can’t understand why people are so stupid and insist on consuming alcohol and then drink driving, without a thought for other road users.

Her idea is civilian manned booze buses with 1 or 2 sworn in officers – running 24/7, in shifts of 6 hours. Switching locations every 6 hours (at change of shift) Perhaps 10 vehicles – working 7 days a week and being on the roads constantly.

This would create more employment for civilians AND reduce the manpower required by the police force to maintain the drink/driving campaign presence on the roads.

This could be backed up with uniformed officers, running drug and road worthy checks, along with the camera operated licence plate checks, which new technology allows for.

This would:-
1. Reduce the number of drink drivers
2. Reduce the number of police required to man such operations
3. Increase civilian employment
4. Reduce the number of drug affected drivers
5. Reduce the number of unlicenced drivers on the roads
6. Reduce the number of unregistered vehicles on the road
7. Reduce the number of unroadworthy vehicles on the roads

I can’t see anything against it – The only thing missing is someone taking the bull by the horns and actually implementing it.

Your thoughts and ideas?

I think it is a BRILLIANT idea and coming from an 18yo, makes it even shinier, brighter and smarter than any idea your average politician could think up.

Goanna on the road

Sounds like science fiction. Well it wasn’t! – Driving on a dirt track – coming around a corner, there sits a 1.5m goanna, happily sunbaking himself on the shoulder of the road. From the drivers point of view – he looks like a crow that has met an untimely end. That was until he scrabbles for the embankment and the driver emits a squeal!



Said Goanna heads for a nearby tree, camera phones at the ready.

Photos acquired, he is left in peace, was excellent to actually see a goanna in an area that is not that remote. It’s good to be able to see wildlife, still surviving amongst the human population.

I know they are good swimmers and they are partial to hen eggs. So keep the hens locked up and good luck. I wouldn’t like to meet him travelling at 100kph, he was lucky, the road only allowed for about 40kpm.

Please do NOT copy any of the photos on this blog - if you would like to use any photos, please leave a comment with contact details, Photos will be supplied without watermark and at full size. All comments are moderated and won't be shown to the public. Thank-you

Please note that no photo has been photoshopped on this blog, cropped yes, photoshopped NO!

Enjoy all of natures beauty!

Please visit Redbubble, perhaps there is something there you would like to purchase. Refer the photos below!

Hot Roast and Hot Heads on the day............

Which we call Christmas. It is the day we celebrate the birth of Christ, they day we celebrate new life. Well……. We used to, now it is the celebration of the biggest gift, the most expensive gift. The meaning of Christmas is being lost in the retail madness. Once upon a time, it was privilege to have a roast, it was a symbol of well being and wealth. Today if you cook at home, it seems to symbolize being poor and not being able to afford to eat out.

Christmas is about family, about celebrating life. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it doesn’t have to be at the best restaurant in town. It is about enjoying each others company, about celebrating your life and theirs, everyone’s well-being. The last 12 months have been hard on many families, with many families missing a link.

Remember those we lost, through accidents, natural causes, bushfires or illness. We miss them all.

Another hazard of Christmas is the overloaded circuit board from the air-conditioner or the Christmas lights. Otherwise known as Merry Frymas. Don’t plug double adaptor on double adaptor. Your house is old and may not be able to cope with the pressure. If in doubt call an electrician and save the pain of a house fire.

Merry drinkfeast I think we all know the dangers of this crime. It is the day that the nicest people turn into alcohol filled demons with words that would cut a block of concrete.

Other hazards to look out for are, dreaded Aunty Dot, who smells as though she has crawled from the local landfill. It is the day that you have to be nice to everyone, even if you haven’t spoken to them for the past 12 months.

Let bygones be bygones and remember Christmas Day is the day to celebrate family, regardless of the fact you may hate them. When they are gone, you will miss them, and no I don’t believe you are sitting there disagreeing with me, just sort-of agreeing.

If you are alone, visit someone else who maybe alone. It doesn’t have to involve money, even sitting down over a glass of water, costs nothing but means the earth. It’s never too late to call on someone unexpectedly. I am sure they would appreciate it.

Enjoy the day, money doesn’t make the family, nor does it make for a happy day. Any gift regardless of size, means that someone thought of you, and that thought cannot be bought with money.

Stay safe, drive safe and please don’t drink and drive. It’s not worth it

XXOO

Death in A Can.

We all know the names, Black Stallion, Buzz Monkey, Cocaine, Hero, Lift Plus, Lucozade, Mother, Red Bull, Red Eye, Rock, Rockstar, V – We ALL know someone who has tasted one of these products at least once in their life, perhaps they have had more than a ‘taste’.

I am targeting one brand at the moment that appears to breaking all sorts of moral rules and regulations.

I am currently looking at a can of Rockstar energy drink, no big deal you say, this can is 710ml in volume, 22cm tall and 7cm in diameter and it looks HUGE. I mean a can of coke is just over ½ the size of this can.

The can itself, other than looking HUGE looks harmless UNTIL you roll the can over and read:- Usage: Consume no more than 500ml per day. Yet this can is packaged at 710ml – so who in their right mind would measure half the can, then re-seal it, so that it may be consumed the day after?

Why is this company that admits there are health concerns (Product contains caffeine. This product is not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, or individuals sensitive to caffeine. Consume responsibly) package their money earning products in such volumes which they openly admit is over the daily limit?

(please click to enlarge)


*All figures are above the RDI (Recommended Daily Intake)

These drinks are advertised as giving you a pick-me-up when you are a little tired, giving you more energy and get up and go than any other product on the market.

Some of the health concerns raised are:- severe tooth decay, heart problems, tooth staining, liver damage, kidney damage, diabetes, Nausea, vomiting.

Deaths have occurred when mixing Vodka and Energy Drinks. Some countries have banned the product from being retailed in the country due to health concerns.

Some confirmed health issues are whole mouth tooth decay, reduction in bone density, which leads to fractures and breaks, aggression, heart palpitations, kidney failure, liver failure, headaches, heart failure, dehydration.

These are just some of the concerns, along with the manufacturers OWN Admission that the product is not recommended for children or individuals sensitive to caffeine.

At what age are you considered no longer a child and who is monitoring the purchase of these products? If a milkbar owner sells one of these cans to a child of 14-15yo – who is monitoring the milkbar owner?

Is it his responsibility or should these products be removed from sale and only be allowed sold on/in licensed premises?

Your thoughts and ideas appreciated - perhaps the voices of the public need to be heard above the voices of the conusmers?

Let your thoughts be known!

Are we there yet? - The Season to be Silly

It’s Christmas, the time we go away on holiday, the time we go visit relatives in far flung places, the time we spend far too much of confined in a metal box on wheels, with too many kids screaming “Are we there yet?”

It’s the silly season. The time we make silly decisions and decide that the 1000km drive to Aunty Flo’s place is a great idea. We forget that it would be 40’C in the shade and that the air-conditioning in the car is not what it used to be.

We are silly to assume that the kids would behave. We forgot last year, when we left little Johnny at the rest stop with his big sister. We forgot that the everyone else has the same silly ideas, about going to visit their Aunty Jo.

Are we there yet? – what else can I say?

Some hints and safety tips to ensure you stay on the road and get there in one piece.
1. Make sure the driver is well rested and if possible, both adults should take turns in driving, switching every 2 hours at a rest stop where everyone can stretch their legs.
2. Each person the vehicle must by law have their own seatbelt. DO NOT share seatbelts, that could kill someone, even in a minor accident
3. Each child under the age of 7yo must be in an approved child restraint, the safest position in the car is the centre back seat
4. No children under the age of 12 to ride in the front seat, there is scientific evidence that a child under the age of 12yo, may be grievously harmed by the airbag, which is designed for adults.
5. There is a 35% increase in safety when passengers ride in the backseat!
6. Do not overcrowded the passenger space with luggage, it might be inconvenient, but take a trailer, it doesn't use much more fuel and makes life so much more comfortable(and sane).
7. Allow the children to take 1-2 toys with them, that can be used to amuse them whilst in the car
8. If using portable DVD players etc., make sure you have comfortable ear phones for the children, so you can still have an adult conversation with the driver/passenger
9. Don’t be afraid to stop if you see something interesting. It breaks the journey and doesn’t take that long.
10. Take some food and drink with you, saves money AND time and let’s everyone have something they like and tastes good. Just make sure it is chilled with iceblocks etc.

It’s dangerous out there, take care and remember no-one died being late. Speed kills.

XXOO

Taiwan and air conditioning temperatures

With the onset of the Australian summer and Victoria in particular being subjected to a very early heat wave, once again the topic of air conditioners and the temperature they should be set at raises its’ ugly head.

I’ve owned property for 20 plus years, it wasn’t until 2007 that we had our first and only air conditioner installed. Not because of cost, not because of a change of location, not because of climate changes, simply because I am finding that with the circulation problems I now have due to injury, life is just a little more comfortable.

Over the weekend – Radio Asia was publicising the fact that Taipei 101 (which is the tallest building in Taiwan) will be encouraging all tenants to raise the A/C temperature to 26’c. This is part of a raft of measures being put into place to make the building more environmentally friendly and allow them to claim an award that says as much.

When the announcement was made, I thought that 26’c was little too high, perhaps 22-24’c but certainly not 18’c as many people here in Australia seem to think is an acceptable temperature.

There is nothing more frustrating that walking into a building and it’s cold on a day that outside is 30-40’c. I believe there is nothing that will make you sick better than walking into a building hot/cold cold/hot. Your body’s thermostat is unable to keep up with the changes.

I suppose you could compare it to a cars speed, just because the dial says you can do 210kph, doesn’t mean it can actually do that. The same goes for air conditioning, just because the lowest temperature you can get on the dial is 18’c doesn’t mean you have to push it down that low.

Set the thermostat at 20-22’c and let the air conditioner do its job. Turn it on a little earlier and not when the room reaches 40’c.

The power saving is HUGE if you follow the above suggestions and other savings may even result in less doctors visits and days off!

Consider it – not just for the dollar value, but for your childrens’ sake and the power grid!

Don’t get too hot under the collar this year and remember – it may be hot outside, but stay in contact with the outside world – it could just save your life.

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

I don’t like liars, I don’t like people who lie for personal advancement, I don’t like people who lie to get something over someone else, or lie for money.

I have experienced all the above and it is rare for these people not to get caught out in the long run.

Some people call it justice, some people call it truth. I call it karma.

I have come to believe in karma in a big way.

I believe in a life that let’s me lie straight in bed. If the decision you make is from the heart – then you have made the right decision.

I’ve seen people cornered by their lies and I have no sympathy. Perhaps I am too hard on them – but they lied they can deal with the consequences.

I’ve seen people who try to buy their way into the good books, by involving themselves in charity donations and similar – but this doesn’t satisfy karma.

Karma demands honesty, karma demands clarity, karma demands a clean heart and conscience.

If you lie and think it is okay. Think again. You have to live your life and the older you get, the harder it gets.

Although Karma is central to the Buddhism and Hinduism religions, that doesn’t make it exclusive to those religions. It is something that can be followed by anyone, without participating in religion itself.

Stay true to yourself and you will be surprised at the peace of mind that follows.

Children, Roos, Seatbelts and Windscreens

Setting the scene

8.00am, dropping teenage daughter off at bus-stop because I am passing. I’m not normally so nice. It’s only 800m!

There is a ‘dog-leg’ in the road, and often as you approach or come out of the ‘dog-leg’ there can be roos, jumping over the fences, generally getting in the way – It doesn’t matter what speed you do – It ALWAYS happens.

As we approach the corner – I notice that my daughter is not wearing her seatbelt – I thought I had drummed into my children, get into car, close door, put seatbelt on; in that order. They are now old enough that I shouldn’t have to check. I commented to her “Are you comfortable?” – She replies “Yeah”

I touch the brakes, a light tap, she head-butts the windscreen. The abuse starts. By this time we are at the bus stop. I stop car, she gets out and then the REAL conversation starts via SMS.

Daughter – Thanks a lot now my head I pounding n I feel really dizzy I hope your happy with yourself

Reply – Failure 2 wear ur seatbelt is $180 fine and points off your license. Even as passenger. Besides that I thought I’d always taught you – get in car put seatbelt on

Daughter – wells that’s a great reason to attempt to put my head through the windscreen

Reply – No. That’s the whole point. I want you alive

Daughter – So u smash my head against the wind shield and have no thought that it will actually hurt

Reply – Personal Responsibility! What’s difference between my car and yours? You drive yours. Wear your belt 100% of the time or prepare to die. Who will you blame then?

No further reference has ever been made to this conversation – but I notice now that she always puts her seatbelt on.

So a Win? A Life Lesson?

I can only hope it is enough of lesson to teach her – no matter how short the distance, you can die 400m from home.

**All names have been changed to protect the guilty

**All texts are presented as sent

**Any spelling mistakes are the fault of modern day TXT speech!

Road Rules/Law

Australia has road rules for a reason, many people choose not to abide by these rules, which are in fact law. They complain when they are fined, they complain when they lose their license and then continue to drive whilst unlicensed, justifying this action with “But I NEED to drive to get to work” This doesn’t wash. You should have thought of that before you committed the offence(s).

I am sure many of you reading this are nodding your head, but at the same time think that the police are too hard. You can’t have it both ways, either you have a license or you don’t. A license is a privilege not a right of passage when you turn 18.

My biggest bug-bear and the reason for writing this article is that I can travel upwards of 600-700km per week. I am not a sales rep, I am not a professional driver, this is just normal driving hours as far as I am concerned. I get extremely upset and frustrated when people on a dual lane highway think it is their god given right to travel in the right hand lane and then cut across lanes of traffic to access the off ramp. The most upsetting thing about this is that on the two occasions it has occurred this week both of the drivers were ‘P’ platers. It wasn’t that long ago that they sat for the driving test and managed to pass, what has happened in the intervening 12-18 months? Have they decided to adjust the rules to suit themselves?

It’s not just the young drivers that are at fault – I know of a case where a driver was pulled over for driving too slow in a 100km zone. The drivers response was “it’s safer for me to drive at 50kpm than to speed.” The sergeant that had pulled him up said “you had 7 cars behind you, they were unable to pass because of the road conditions, you may have caused an accident if they attempted to pass you”

This is a true story – now the fact at hand which the above did not convey. The driver had not secured the load properly, the trailer was slightly overloaded, the driver needs glasses, and refuses to get them because he is too vain to get them.

The sergeant in this instance let the male driver off with a warning. This is not the first time that this driver has been pulled over for driving too slow and yet the police haven’t acted. I am aware I sound harsh, but imagine this scenario – you are driving behind said driver and you go to pass, the road ahead is clear, until a ‘P’ plater pulls out of a driveway in front of you and you have nowhere to go.

Who is at fault? – The slow driver?, You? Or the ‘P’ plater?

I can tell you right now – it is not the slow driver, even though he ‘caused’ the accident, it will not be the ‘P’ plater because no matter which direction he was travelling, he has done nothing more than pull onto a road fit for public use, possibly he mis-judged the distance, but that is not the problem.

The problem is YOU – YOU failed to assess the situation correctly, YOU failed to pass safely, YOU were probably on the wrong side of the road.

For this you will probably lose your license, have to attend a court session and possibly be seriously injured in the process and that is JUST YOU, what about the P-Plater? What about the slow driver? All because of YOU, these people may also be injured, they may also be dead.

The same scenario can be adjusted to fit the not staying in the left lane scenario unless overtaking, the same theory can be applied to drink driving, it may not be your actions that are wrong, but because of choices you made – you are made to be the culprit.

Road rules/laws are there to protect everyone and yet everyone complains when they are applied and then people expect the police to be everywhere and enforce the law.

You have to be responsible for your own actions – failure to do this whilst driving and in every other aspect of your life may result in death. Plain and simple.

In some instances - Rules are NOT made for breaking, there are there to protect everyone.

Please follow the laws of the road, the laws of life and even the laws of common decency and the roads might just be a little safer.