Dangerous roads!

[Nobby Snide]

Spainish Shrimper and Javea Shrimper both have made their homes in Spain for several years and contribute to the Spanish economy.

quote]


But..I am returning to live permanantly in the UK in December

 

[Benfleet A1]

Which means nothing at all to the arguement. You said yourself you have been working legally in Spain on good wages which tells me you have been paying taxes and being a generally good boy. The topic of debate has been dangerous vehicles on the roads and I have been talking about dangerous commercial vehicles from the old eastern bloc. I also stated that there are plenty of dangerous British vehicles on the road. I have also explained how vehicles from abroad get around non contribution. Like it or not, it is happening all day every day and this country seems to turn a very blind eye.

 

[A Century United]

nope, link comes up as 404 error, dont matter..

This is the article in question

And to be fair to GB, I think it would be worth reading before he gets totally flamed - one can't always assume he is wrong because some of his views are unpopular.

 

[Perth Bambi]

Spainish Shrimper and Javea Shrimper both have made their homes in Spain for several years and contribute to the Spanish economy.

Libertine has emigrated not just strolled in because he can.

Einstein has made his home in Holland, works and contributes.

Chadded is a serving member of the Armed Forces and goes where he is told.

Vehicles coming in from abroad registered abroad contribute nothing at all in revenue to this country. They fuel up in France, have auxcillery tanks and also carry extra fuel illegally I might add so they have no need to re-fuel in this country. So apart from what they are delivering, just what are they contributing to this country?

You are very quick off the mark to make comment but perhaps you should try doing a little research before spouting off. You don't work in the industry so you have no knowledge of it at all which is painfully apparant.

I wasn't really being very serious to be honest.

 

[graysblue]

I wasn't really being very serious to be honest.

during 2006 foreign drivers were involved in 6000 crashes in the UK with proboble outcome many people being killed,the report states the goverment have failed to protect british road users.

sadly you dont think its serious.

 

[graysblue]

so, IF they live in Uk and IF they earn less than British counter parts and IF they are sending money back to thier 'home' countries AND still affording to live in the UK...where does your argument stand?

Surely thats market forces in action, which is only what this Govt. is continuing from previous Govts.

And, yes I do work here in Spain legally and I do earn more than my Spanish equivilent, again that is up to the employer. However, there are many Brits who live here, who dont contribute to the system by working illegally....SHOCK,HORROR!!!

The Sanish are quite pragmatic, though admittidly, it is changing..they understand that if they dont chase the tax dodgers too hard, they will stay in Spain and spend thier hard earned Euros on 'luxury goods'

Now, before you shout..'but the ex commies are sending thier money back to kzeviksoapotania', thats thier choice..they could spend it on luxury goods in UK,like food?

your arguement is at best weak.

every single british road user should expect driving standards which are reasonably safe.

yet the report states this goverment has failed in its duty to ensure reasonble safety to road users,no one can argue against the stats.

recently a portuguese driver through dangerous driving killed 6 british people,how many more have died simply because the driver or his vechile was not up to standard.

not only are they bringing carnage to our roads, just to rub salt into the wounds they are taking british jobs ,avoiding fuel duty and contributing nothing to the system.

 

[graysblue]

so, IF they live in Uk and IF they earn less than British counter parts and IF they are sending money back to thier 'home' countries AND still affording to live in the UK...where does your argument stand?

Surely thats market forces in action, which is only what this Govt. is continuing from previous Govts.

And, yes I do work here in Spain legally and I do earn more than my Spanish equivilent, again that is up to the employer. However, there are many Brits who live here, who dont contribute to the system by working illegally....SHOCK,HORROR!!!

The Sanish are quite pragmatic, though admittidly, it is changing..they understand that if they dont chase the tax dodgers too hard, they will stay in Spain and spend thier hard earned Euros on 'luxury goods'

Now, before you shout..'but the ex commies are sending thier money back to kzeviksoapotania', thats thier choice..they could spend it on luxury goods in UK,like food?

your arguement is at best weak.

every single british road user should expect driving standards which are reasonably safe.

yet the report states this goverment has failed in its duty to ensure reasonble safety to road users,no one can argue against the stats.

recently a portuguese driver through dangerous driving killed 6 british people,how many more have died simply because the driver or his vechile was not up to standard.

not only are they bringing carnage to our roads, just to rub salt into the wounds they are taking british jobs ,avoiding fuel duty and contributing nothing to the system.

the REPORTED 6000 crashes in 2006 must have cost the british taxpayer billions in emergency services ect ect yet the culprits have paid zilch.

they can obtain parking tickets and never pay them whilst us brits are stiffed at every turn.............................its madness.

 

[canveyshrimper]

your arguement is at best weak.

every single british road user should expect driving standards which are reasonably safe.

yet the report states this goverment has failed in its duty to ensure reasonble safety to road users,no one can argue against the stats.

recently a portuguese driver through dangerous driving killed 6 british people,how many more have died simply because the driver or his vechile was not up to standard.

not only are they bringing carnage to our roads, just to rub salt into the wounds they are taking british jobs ,avoiding fuel duty and contributing nothing to the system.

Alleged dangerous driving, innocent untill proven guilty is still the credo here. Although to be fair the evidence so far looks pretty damning.

 

[londonblue]

do we have the same stats for 'ethnic british' drivers over the same period?
where did you obtain these particular figures from?

Probably not, but I have a few stories.

Bentley trying to overtake me whilst I was turning left out of a side road. He pulled out to my right and also tried to turn left, round my outside. We were both side by side on the main (single lane) road, so he was now on the other side. I drifted nearer the middle of the road that left him face to face with a parked car!

Believe it or not, another Bentley (different number plate) overtook me on the same road about 100 metres from the end where I was again trying to turn left. I had to slam on the brakes to make sure I didn't go into the back of him. Next time I won't bother, he'll be more ****ed off than me!

People taking the left hand lane to turn right at a roundabout because the queue is always shorter, and then having the cheek to have a go at me for cutting them up, when I am in the correct lane! This happens about once a week on the way to work.

All of these people are white. I suspect it comes down to the ethnic mix of where you live. If you have more people from more ethnic backgrounds then you'll have more bad drivers from those backgrounds. I suspect the percentages of bad drivers doesn't change though.

 

[londonblue]

stats were from "timesonline" furnished by the british insurance beruea(sp)

the stats are accidents on british roads caused by foreign drivers.

So it doesn't include stats of accidents on British roads caused by local drivers?

 

[londonblue]

haha looks like me as well.

good old alf....................he knows the score

Whoosh!!!!

 

[graysblue]

Probably not, but I have a few stories.

Bentley trying to overtake me whilst I was turning left out of a side road. He pulled out to my right and also tried to turn left, round my outside. We were both side by side on the main (single lane) road, so he was now on the other side. I drifted nearer the middle of the road that left him face to face with a parked car!

Believe it or not, another Bentley (different number plate) overtook me on the same road about 100 metres from the end where I was again trying to turn left. I had to slam on the brakes to make sure I didn't go into the back of him. Next time I won't bother, he'll be more ****ed off than me!

People taking the left hand lane to turn right at a roundabout because the queue is always shorter, and then having the cheek to have a go at me for cutting them up, when I am in the correct lane! The happens about once a week on the way to work.

All of these people are white. I suspect it comes down to the ethnic mix of where you live. If you have more people from more ethnic backgrounds then you'll have more of bad drivers from those backgrounds. I suspect the percentages of bad drivers don't change though.

just because they are white means what exactly?

they could be russian polish ect ect?

surely the truth is that the average british driver who has passed their british driving test is deemed to be capable of driving to a reasonable standard,yes i know you have boy racers blah blah blah.

however i personally have witnessed in thurrock such poor driving it needs to be seen to be believed,i pay my way to use british roads and expect other drivers to be of a certain standard,which sadly many have little idea of driving safely.

 

[graysblue]

So it doesn't include stats of accidents on British roads caused by local drivers?

the debate is not about law abiding british drivers

 

[canveyshrimper]

the debate is not about law abiding british drivers

Is there such an animal? Who on here has never broken the speed limit, double parked, driven while speaking on a mobile or under the affluence of incohol, had a parking ticket etc?

 

[londonblue]

because they still live in their own country.

the guys who live next door to me are from slovakia and they have informed me the average wage in that country is £200 per month hence why they are here...

I love the consistency!

 

[londonblue]

the debate is not about law abiding british drivers

Or, as in my cases above non law abiding British Drivers.

 

[steveo]

People taking the left hand lane to turn right at a roundabout because the queue is always shorter, and then having the cheek to have a go at me for cutting them up, when I am in the correct lane! This happens about once a week on the way to work

This is so annoying but I dont agree that they are all trying to save time, I genuinely think some people just dont know any better or are incapable of working out how they are in the wrong.

 

[graysblue]

I love the consistency!

suggest you reread the thread.

 

[graysblue]

Is there such an animal? Who on here has never broken the speed limit, double parked, driven while speaking on a mobile or under the affluence of incohol, had a parking ticket etc?

very true,yet when/if they are caught they have to face the music.

couple of weeks ago westminster council stated that over 3 million quid has not been paid in parking fines by foreign drivers,if you or i parked illegally we would have to cough up.

why should certain road users be ommited from paying?

 

[Nobby Snide]

having read the article, I can see where GB is coming from, but there are still questions that havnt been answered.
as MKShrimper pointed out..stats can be usd to prove anything.
Earlier question was answered..the accidents did involve commercial vehicles. and it has also stated that there was only 5000 accidents involving British drivers overseas, by this, are we talking 'Eastern Bloc' as they are highlighting the problems with thier drivers or the whole world?
But as always, editorials can also throw up more questions.

1) the article was written by the Association of British Insurers. Why?
2) What is thier answer? To stop all incomming traffic at the ports and transfer to UK registered lorries?
3) Would that stop UK companies hiring cheaper Labour from overseas? to do so would then break European laws as well as close any trade channels that are now open to a nation that relies on imports.
4) Slovakia as indicated in the report has a stringiant testing system equivilent to the UK, yet still is highlighted as a 'problem' country. A contradiction?
5) Why is it only Eastern European countries highlighted as problems, when you are also stating that a Portugese caused an accident.
6) Where is the stat showing accidents caused by British drivers.
7) How many of these accidents were caused by uninsured drivers? If they were employed by British companies, isnt that the Companies who are also liable?
8) What right do an association have in telling the rest of Europe how to behave. If the Association of European Insurance Agencies told the British govt that it must do more in teaching British drivers to drive on the right, and be 'legal' for European travel, what would your reaction be?

It indicates that the Spanish test only lasts 20 minuites, this is correct, but what it doesnt state is that before the test, there is a much tougher theory test which follows almost a year in a classroom and does the extra sixteen minuites really make a lot of difference?