Cars and their acceptance

Ray Palmer · 25-10-2019 09:45AM #1

This morning I was out very early and as a result I could hear the traffic as I was walking through the park. Normally the traffic is stuck so not as loud but this morning it was really noticable.
So it got me thinking about how much we put up with from cars and just ignore.
There are a number of issues.
1 noise pollution
2 air pollution
3 space dedicated to parking and storing cars
4 deaths
5 space for roads

Why they are not restricted on speed always strikes me as strange. Why even sell cars that 50% more than the top speed limit?

They are such incredibly wasteful use of resources

Trigger Happy · 25-10-2019 09:46AM

Fierce handy for getting around though.

Wanderer78 · 25-10-2019 09:48AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

This morning I was out very early and as a result I could hear the traffic as I was walking through the park. Normally the traffic is stuck so not as loud but this morning it was really noticable.
So it got me thinking about how much we put up with from cars and just ignore.
There are a number of issues.
1 noise pollution
2 air pollution
3 space dedicated to parking and storing cars
4 deaths
5 space for roads

Why they are not restricted on speed always strikes me as strange. Why even sell cars that 50% more than the top speed limit?

They are such incredibly wasteful use of resources

ban them, and see what happens!

corner of hells · 25-10-2019 09:50AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

This morning I was out very early and as a result I could hear the traffic as I was walking through the park. Normally the traffic is stuck so not as loud but this morning it was really noticable.
So it got me thinking about how much we put up with from cars and just ignore.
There are a number of issues.
1 noise pollution
2 air pollution
3 space dedicated to parking and storing cars
4 deaths
5 space for roads

Why they are not restricted on speed always strikes me as strange. Why even sell cars that 50% more than the top speed limit?

They are such incredibly wasteful use of resources

Just stay in bed, you'll be grand.

PGE1970 · 25-10-2019 09:51AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Why they are not restricted on speed always strikes me as strange. Why even sell cars that 50% more than the top speed limit?

Drive a Golf Gti around the Ring of Kerry and see if you will still maintain that stance.

Ray Palmer · 25-10-2019 09:52AM

Wanderer78 wrote: »

ban them, and see what happens!

Not talking about banning them but the reality of how much is ignored it shocking. Most journeys in rush hour are single occupancy.

Ray Palmer · 25-10-2019 09:54AM

PGE1970 wrote: »

Drive a Golf Gti around the Ring of Kerry and see if you will still maintain that stance.

Why would that change anything? Is the idea I would get angry and then speed to go around somebody going slow?

PGE1970 · 25-10-2019 09:55AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Why would that change anything? Is the idea I would get angry and then speed to go around somebody going slow?

No. The pleasure of the driving experience.

Tacitus Kilgore · 25-10-2019 09:56AM

PGE1970 wrote: »

Drive a Golf Gti around the Ring of Kerry and see if you will still maintain that stance.

Eww.

what's your alternative to cars OP?

LirW · 25-10-2019 09:57AM

Was thinking of getting a good old horse carriage. At least I won't be paying rip off insurance prices and can sell the sh*te as fertilizer.

Downside: I really really don't like horses.

Hector Savage · 25-10-2019 10:05AM

I hate cars, I'm 41 and never owned one, I have a licence and we sometimes rent a car when we need it on holidays.
I'm lucky to live in a city where public transport is excellent.

But it really pisses me off that so much people if they changed their attitude and weren't so F'UCKING LAZY , traffic could be decimated and the world would be such a better place to live.

Can't wait for the 100% automatic driving, no spaces wasted on parking, an efficient system of much much less cars on the road...
out of my lifetime tho...

mickdw · 25-10-2019 10:06AM

Ya cars are terrible. We should ban them. Public transport is the answer but it should be improved so that individual people can get from their home to where they need to go.
Maybe if we had something like a bus but smaller - that people could navigate themselves, maybe even take 3 or 4 passengers. This small bus could be taken home each evening and stored at a person's house. The small bus could then be used daily on differing routes and different times by the home owner. It would take them right to their destination too so a big advantage there over trains and the current bus system.
We could introduce a licencing system to ensure people were qualified to navigate these vehicles and no doubt insurance would have to be in place. We would also likely have a roadworthiness testing system in place.
It might catch on. It would get a lot of the big awkward dirty diesel buses off the roads. The only issue I see is that the short sighted government would probably see fit to start to tax this method of public transport as if it were a luxury.

Ray Palmer · 25-10-2019 10:07AM

PGE1970 wrote: »

No. The pleasure of the driving experience.

Why would you need to go over the speed limit? Would cycling not be nicer what with not having a roaring engine sound?

Tacitus Kilgore · 25-10-2019 10:11AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Why would you need to go over the speed limit? Would cycling not be nicer what with not having a roaring engine sound?

Speed is subjective, speed limits are a construct

Would it not be nicer to enjoy it with the roar of an engine and pain free legs?

Ray Palmer · 25-10-2019 10:11AM

Tacitus Kilgore wrote: »

Eww.

what's your alternative to cars OP?

There are plenty of alternatives for many people. The belief a car is the only way while ignoring all the issues with them is the part I find weird. Stop for a minute and really look at how much is done to cater for cars.

tabby aspreme · 25-10-2019 10:12AM

mickdw wrote: »

Ya cars are terrible. We should ban them. Public transport is the answer but it should be improved so that individual people can get from their home to where they need to go.
Maybe if we had something like a bus but smaller - that people could navigate themselves, maybe even take 3 or 4 passengers. This small bus could be taken home each evening and stored at a person's house. The small bus could then be used daily on differing routes and different times by the home owner. It would take them right to their destination too so a big advantage there over trains and the current bus system.
We could introduce a licencing system to ensure people were qualified to navigate these vehicles and no doubt insurance would have to be in place. We would also likely have a roadworthiness testing system in place.
It might catch on. It would get a lot of the big awkward dirty diesel buses off the roads. The only issue I see is that the short sighted government would probably see fit to start to tax this method of public transport as if it were a luxury.

This is a great idea, and these small busses could be called horseless carriages

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 25-10-2019 10:13AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

They are such incredibly wasteful use of resources

I'm guessing you live in a city, OP, so at least you have the option of public transportation. But what are the many people who live in rural Ireland supposed to do? How do they get their kids to school, get to work, etc.? In many places, "public transportation" may be a couple of buses per day if you're lucky.

Tacitus Kilgore · 25-10-2019 10:14AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

There are plenty of alternatives for many people. The belief a car is the only way while ignoring all the issues with them is the part I find weird. Stop for a minute and really look at how much is done to cater for cars.

I agree, but can you name one? I live and work in the country, as much as I'd love an alternative to my daily driven car - there are currently no workable ones for me, I can't afford an EV (not that they are the answer either - still a car)

You can say move to the city but this would be a deflection, not a solution..

Stark · 25-10-2019 10:14AM

Don't think we should ban them. There is incredible flexibility and freedom that comes from being able to drive. (Speaking as a car owner myself). But the entitlement attitude that means everyone in major cities has to suffer poorer qualify of life to appease the few who do drive needs to be tackled for sure imo. It's ridiculous that in many cases in Dublin for example, there are 4 lanes going one direction for car traffic but the motoring lobby are up in arms if you try to take away just one for public transport/cycling. Hopefully BusConnects will make a difference by balancing the space allocation a bit better.

Ray Palmer · 25-10-2019 10:15AM

Tacitus Kilgore wrote: »

Speed is subjective, speed limits are a construct

Would it not be nicer to enjoy it with the roar of an engine and pain free legs?

No speed is not subjective it is measurable. Cars are a construct, speed limits are from experience and danger.

No the roar of an engine is fine if you are the only one hearing it and you are not thrusting it on other. If you cycle regularly why would your legs hurt?

realdanbreen · 25-10-2019 10:15AM

A good Sulky is the way to go Boss.

Wibbs · 25-10-2019 10:17AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Why would you need to go over the speed limit?

Sometimes it's fun.

Would cycling not be nicer what with not having a roaring engine sound?

Aye, sweating like a pig, or turning blue with the cold, while being drenched, or all three in as many minutes. Fantastic. I'll take a "roaring engine sound" thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHgD0wJGcR0

(He's not actually going that quickly. Well 50 million quids worth of car so...)

Tacitus Kilgore · 25-10-2019 10:19AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

No speed is not subjective it is measurable. Cars are a construct, speed limits are from experience and danger.

No the roar of an engine is fine if you are the only one hearing it and you are not thrusting it on other. If you cycle regularly why would your legs hurt?

Tis measurable indeed, and speed limits are definitely a construct - tell me, what's the speed limit on the conor pass?

Wibbs · 25-10-2019 10:22AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

No speed is not subjective it is measurable. Cars are a construct, speed limits are from experience and danger.

What bollocks is this? "Cars are a construct"?

And yeah, speed is pretty "subjective". If you fly to France on holidays at 600 mph it doesn't subjectively feel as fast as 80mph in a car, or 40 on a bike.

No the roar of an engine is fine if you are the only one hearing it and you are not thrusting it on other.

Thrust it on me baaaabee.

If you cycle regularly why would your legs hurt?

Cycling's great for kids, or for sport, or pastime, largely a pain in the arse for transport beyond a couple of miles and beyond useless if you have to carry any equipment for work or pleasure(buses aren't much cop here either actually).

Ray Palmer · 25-10-2019 10:29AM

Tacitus Kilgore wrote: »

I agree, but can you name one? I live and work in the country, as much as I'd love an alternative to my daily driven car - there are currently no workable ones for me, I can't afford an EV (not that they are the answer either - still a car)

You can say move to the city but this would be a deflection, not a solution..

Cycling, walking and public transport are all options for many people. Ride sharing can reduce use as can a smaller car reduce impact. Not for everyone.

The fact is you chose to live rural and away from work. That is your choice but should there be a pile of allowances made for that choice put upon others? I live close to Dublin city but I have to put up with the people who decided they got better value for money by buying further away from work and drive.
People will argue they could only afford to buy or rent far away but that is not the full story. Most decided on a number of factors and decided they would use cars.
Congestion charges will come in it is just a matter of time

alchemist33 · 25-10-2019 10:34AM

Stark wrote: »

Don't think we should ban them. There is incredible flexibility and freedom that comes from being able to drive. (Speaking as a car owner myself). But the entitlement attitude that means everyone in major cities has to suffer poorer qualify of life to appease the few who do drive needs to be tackled for sure imo. It's ridiculous that in many cases in Dublin for example, there are 4 lanes going one direction for car traffic but the motoring lobby are up in arms if you try to take away just one for public transport/cycling. Hopefully BusConnects will make a difference by balancing the space allocation a bit better.

In my experience of getting out of Dublin after hospital appointments, it's one lane only for cars. I really hate driving there anymore and avoid the city if I can.

Wibbs · 25-10-2019 10:44AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

The fact is you chose to live rural and away from work. That is your choice but should there be a pile of allowances made for that choice put upon others? I live close to Dublin city but I have to put up with the people who decided they got better value for money by buying further away from work and drive.
People will argue they could only afford to buy or rent far away but that is not the full story. Most decided on a number of factors and decided they would use cars.
Congestion charges will come in it is just a matter of time

WTF? He said he lives and works in the country. And what's this nonsense about "choice". I dunno, here's a mad thought; maybe he was born and bred in a rural area and god forbid wants to stay there. What would you have him do, sell up and move to a small flat in Dublin or Cork and walk to his work cubicle?

And you "have to put up with people"? Ah you poor thing. :rolleyes: You must live an extremely sheltered life if you think people chose to live many miles away from work, sitting in rush hour traffic in car or bus(surrounded by the too often unwashed). I hate to break it to you, but 9 times outa 10 it's because that's the only bloody place they could afford to rent or buy.

tjhook · 25-10-2019 10:47AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

The fact is you chose to live rural and away from work.

Ray Palmer wrote: »

I live close to Dublin city but I have to put up with the people who decided they got better value for money by buying further away from work and drive.

Aren't you choosing to live close to Dublin city? You could equally choose to live and work further out, in a quieter area?

Or is your choice more important than somebody else's?

Tacitus Kilgore · 25-10-2019 10:49AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Cycling, walking and public transport are all options for many people. Ride sharing can reduce use as can a smaller car reduce impact. Not for everyone.

The fact is you chose to live rural and away from work. That is your choice but should there be a pile of allowances made for that choice put upon others? I live close to Dublin city but I have to put up with the people who decided they got better value for money by buying further away from work and drive.
People will argue they could only afford to buy or rent far away but that is not the full story. Most decided on a number of factors and decided they would use cars.
Congestion charges will come in it is just a matter of time

Like yourself I am sure, I did not chose to be born, nor where I was born into.

Without bothering to type any more, because your own reply has shown enough - your argument is a massive load of bollocks.

PGE1970 · 25-10-2019 10:50AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

The fact is you chose to live rural and away from work. That is your choice but should there be a pile of allowances made for that choice put upon others? I live close to Dublin city but I have to put up with the people who decided they got better value for money by buying further away from work and drive.
People will argue they could only afford to buy or rent far away but that is not the full story. Most decided on a number of factors and decided they would use cars.
Congestion charges will come in it is just a matter of time

Do you realise how ridiculous and sanctimonious this sounds?
I''m thinking that you are just on a wind-up. This is in AH and not motors thread after all.

Thelonious Monk · 25-10-2019 11:08AM

Tacitus Kilgore wrote: »

Eww.

what's your alternative to cars OP?

planning towns and cities so that we aren't reliant on cars? I was on Capel st last night and it's barely walkable/cycleable/driveable with the amount of parked cars on both sides of quite a narrow st. If they got rid of the parking they could have contra flow bike lanes and wider footpaths.
I don't know why priority is given to cars on streets. I'm nearly 40 and have never owned a car, so it isn't necessary always.

Cars and their acceptance

Comments