Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[BazaJT]

It would seem these are now being targeted by safety campaigners for their lack of noise at low speeds[20mph was a figure I saw quoted]which pedestrians/cyclists have difficulty hearing especially when they're wearing headphones.The partially sighted/blind are also at risk here.So they're saying all new electric cars/hybrids must emit some kind of noise at low speeds and that such a device has to be retro fitted to all such vehicles already in use by 2021.Who's going to foot the bill for the retro fit?Will manufacturers be forced to do this for free or will they wash their hands of it and say the owners must pay?

[Bigron]

I've heard that ridiculous complaint before. We want less noise in our environment, not more.
Cyclists make very little noise and are a much bigger threat, especially when they ride, illegally, on the pavement. The blind won't here them, except for when the guide dogs yelps!

Ron.

[Nick W]

I've heard that ridiculous complaint before. We want less noise in our environment, not more.
Cyclists make very little noise and are a much bigger threat, especially when they ride, illegally, on the pavement. The blind won't here them, except for when the guide dogs yelps!

Ron.

Noise is a waste emission from I/C engines. It's also one of the easier ones to reduce. Whilst electric/hybrid cars have all sorts of problems, their reduced noise levels should be promoted.


Anyone run over by a quiet vehicle because they relied solely on their hearing is another offering to Darwinism. Who else remembers being taught to cross the road with the Stop, look and listen slogan?

[Bigron]

Agreed again, Nick, with the proviso that the blind cannot look. Their guide dogs won't let them cross, though, if it isn't safe to do so. My neighbour is blind, and what gives him and the dog most grief are the cyclists on the pavement, as I said earlier. That particular issue is also easy to solve if plod took the menace seriously.

Ron.

[Nick W]

Agreed again, Nick, with the proviso that the blind cannot look. Their guide dogs won't let them cross, though, if it isn't safe to do so. My neighbour is blind, and what gives him and the dog most grief are the cyclists on the pavement, as I said earlier. That particular issue is also easy to solve if plod took the menace seriously.

Ron.

I don't intend to be unempathetic, but a quick look at some figures shows that there are about 360,000 blind or partially sighted(NHS number) in the UK population of 65million. That's about 0.5%, which is statistically insignificant. I strongly suspect that most of them have bigger issues than whether they can hear a vehicle coming. Those that aren't a complete waste of skin will have ways of dealing with what is a real problem to them. The rest of us have more relevant and/or important issues to concentrate on.

[Bigron]

Those figures don't reflect life as it is for those affected. My blind neighbour has just retired from a job in the City (London, of course) when he travelled every day from Witham to Southend, including one change of train at Shenfield and I never heard him complain. - except about the aforementioned cyclist who, as a rule, showed no respect or consideration for his condition.
Compassion costs nothing, Nick.

Ron.

[Nick W]

Those figures don't reflect life as it is for those affected. My blind neighbour has just retired from a job in the City (London, of course) when he travelled every day from Witham to Southend, including one change of train at Shenfield and I never heard him complain. - except about the aforementioned cyclist who, as a rule, showed no respect or consideration for his condition.
Compassion costs nothing, Nick.

You're right, and I deliberated over writing unempathetic. But those figures mean that we should concentrate on specific cases, rather than a fudged 'solution' that is bad for everybody. An elected government is supposed to be a disinterested body that will make decisions in the majority's best interests.

I can't think of a better way of expressing any of this, so I'm going to quit digging.

[Bigron]

I understand, Nick, and perhaps I am too close to a specific aspect due to the fortitude with which my neighbour coped with his handicap; I've got a lot of time for him. He also has a handicapped wife, severe weight and mobility problems to the extent that last year she was in hospital for 4 months as they attempted, with intensive physiotherapy, to get her to stand up He visited her every weekday during that time. I took him and his dog on each occasion - he had no other way to get there on such a regular basis. With my Omega's drink problem, it wasn't cheap! Of course I didn't charge him, he has problems enough as it is and I am sure that I would not be able to cope with half of them..

Ron.

[Keith ABS]

 Back to the origional subject, I was unloading at the local tip.
A Prius had drawn up to the back of my car, silently, and I nearly fell over the bonnet as I had not heard it and he was that close as well. Could not close my tailgate he was that close.
Words spoken to the pompas ar$e

Keith ABS

[Bigron]

Keith, it wasn't how quiet the Prius was, but how bloody close he came to you.
I imagine your words of wisdom sent him running to Marks & Spencer's, though! 

Ron.

[Kevin Wood]

Back to the origional subject, I was unloading at the local tip.
A Prius had drawn up to the back of my car, silently, and I nearly fell over the bonnet as I had not heard it and he was that close as well. Could not close my tailgate he was that close.
Words spoken to the pompas ar$e

Keith ABS

What a coincidence!

[Viral_Jim]

Having been out a time or two in one of my team’s i3, “sneaking up” behind d!ckhead pedestrians who walk down the middle of the roads in car parks and blasting the horn is most satisfying 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Having been out a time or two in one of my team’s i3, “sneaking up” behind d!ckhead pedestrians who walk down the middle of the roads in car parks and blasting the horn is most satisfying 

 

[Andy B]

The Metrolink in & around Manchester used to be silent in slow speed city mode. After a few incidents with pedestrians that had been injured due to not hearing the trams, the trams now make a noise.

[TheBoy]

The Metrolink in & around Manchester used to be silent in slow speed city mode. After a few incidents with pedestrians that had been injured due to not hearing the trams, the trams now make a noise.

I feel we shouldn't have to legislate in order to accommodate stupid people.  In fact, quite the opposite, in order to improve the gene pool.


Living where I do, in a quiet, sleepy town, I've got used to peace and quiet, and I think we should artificially increase noise levels unnecessarily.

[Bigron]

Having been out a time or two in one of my team’s i3, “sneaking up” behind d!ckhead pedestrians who walk down the middle of the roads in car parks and blasting the horn is most satisfying 

I once added some Maserati Sprint airhorns to my Car (not an Omega), which did not sound until the normal horn was deployed for more than 2 seconds, approx.
It was on a timing circuit which reset before that time was up, so I could beep politely as much as I wanted, but if granny didn't respond to the polite version, I held the button on until the LOUD horns kicked in! 

Ron.

[tigers_gonads]

Wouldn't it be easier to enforce the green cross code and put the onus on the pedestrian to open his friggin eyes and look both ways 

That way, if you get run over by some cock in a Prius, its your own stupid fault and the resulting deaths may improve the gene pool slightly 

Its would also mean a substantial saving on bullets for the cull when TB gets in power 

[BazaJT]

Must say I don't really stop,look,listen.When I'm about ready to cross a road I do listen and I look both ways-even on one way streets-if it's clear then I'll cross if not I'll continue on a bit further while looking/listening until it's safe to cross.Only time I'll actually stop is if I'm likely to pass the spot where I actually need to cross.At pedestrian crossing I always wait until the traffic actually stops before venturing onto the crossing.

[ronnyd]

Must say I don't really stop,look,listen.When I'm about ready to cross a road I do listen and I look both ways-even on one way streets-if it's clear then I'll cross if not I'll continue on a bit further while looking/listening until it's safe to cross.Only time I'll actually stop is if I'm likely to pass the spot where I actually need to cross.At pedestrian crossing I always wait until the traffic actually stops before venturing onto the crossing.

Just as well  Baza as at least two of ,em usually go through on the red.

[Kevin Wood]

Wouldn't it be easier to enforce the green cross code and put the onus on the pedestrian to open his friggin eyes and look both ways 

That way, if you get run over by some cock in a Prius, its your own stupid fault and the resulting deaths may improve the gene pool slightly 

Its would also mean a substantial saving on bullets for the cull when TB gets in power 

Indeed. Or, given that half the idiots are wearing headphones anyway, so why not just make them install an app on their gayphone that makes a noise whenever a Pious is nearby and let the rest of us get on with our lives in peace?

[tigers_gonads]

Wouldn't it be easier to enforce the green cross code and put the onus on the pedestrian to open his friggin eyes and look both ways 

That way, if you get run over by some cock in a Prius, its your own stupid fault and the resulting deaths may improve the gene pool slightly 

Its would also mean a substantial saving on bullets for the cull when TB gets in power 

Indeed. Or, given that half the idiots are wearing headphones anyway, so why not just make them install an app on their gayphone that makes a noise whenever a Pious is nearby and let the rest of us get on with our lives in peace?

I have the solution ………..

With WIFI and Bluetooth becoming more and more apparent on modern cars and gayphones (other brands available), why not get these over specked milk floats to broadcast the sound of a engine 
Get the app companies to produce a app that lets you change the broadcasted sound for the upcoming vehicle 
That way, us normal people who know the green cross code can walk around the streets in relative silence (rumble of run flat / eco tyres excepted) while the youth of today can here the sound of those v8 powered Pius's 300metres away 

[Kevin Wood]

Wouldn't it be easier to enforce the green cross code and put the onus on the pedestrian to open his friggin eyes and look both ways 

That way, if you get run over by some cock in a Prius, its your own stupid fault and the resulting deaths may improve the gene pool slightly 

Its would also mean a substantial saving on bullets for the cull when TB gets in power 

Indeed. Or, given that half the idiots are wearing headphones anyway, so why not just make them install an app on their gayphone that makes a noise whenever a Pious is nearby and let the rest of us get on with our lives in peace?

I have the solution ………..

With WIFI and Bluetooth becoming more and more apparent on modern cars and gayphones (other brands available), why not get these over specked milk floats to broadcast the sound of a engine 
Get the app companies to produce a app that lets you change the broadcasted sound for the upcoming vehicle 
That way, us normal people who know the green cross code can walk around the streets in relative silence (rumble of run flat / eco tyres excepted) while the youth of today can here the sound of those v8 powered Pius's 300metres away 

That's a great idea. Do you think the app could recreate the smell of Castrol R as well?

[Bigron]

Aaah, Castrol R - can you still get it? Back in the day, the lads used to put a cupfull in the petrol tank, just for the smell. 

Ron.

[TheBoy]

I have the solution ………..

I bet mine is better, and more effective

[VXL V6]

I have the solution ………..

I bet mine is better, and more effective

Lowering the population count? A most splendid idea if I may say so... With the added bonus that the roads will slowly become less congested!

[tigers_gonads]

I have the solution ………..

I bet mine is better, and more effective

Lowering the population count? A most splendid idea if I may say so... With the added bonus that the roads will slowly become less congested!

Great idea 


Right lads, when we starting ?   

[terry paget]

I heard yesterday that Birmingham is considering holding a grand prix on its streets for electric cars. A milk float grand prix in my book; I think the drivers should dress as milk men, be required to drop off bottles every 2 laps.
More seriously, I wonder how many laps they would cover before their batteries went flat, and would they allow refuelling - battery pack changing - every 10 laps?

[Bigron]

Let's have REAL milkmen, horses and all - their exhaust was ecofriendly and good for the roses!

Ron.

[Gaffers]

Having driven a Leaf for 3 years I can tell you that it does change your driving style.  2 near-misses with pedestrians in the first fortnight made me change how I perceived the road ahead and altered my thought process and decisions.  It was no skin off my back to do either.  There were no issues with cyclists, with or without headphones, because if you give them enough room (as the highway code directs) then you wont have an issue

[Viral_Jim]

Having driven a Leaf for 3 years

Totally OT, but how have you found it? I keep toying with the idea of an ev solely for my commute (50miles each way, free charging at work) once we move and having something more fun for all the other times I want a car.

[STEMO]

I heard yesterday that Birmingham is considering holding a grand prix on its streets for electric cars. A milk float grand prix in my book; I think the drivers should dress as milk men, be required to drop off bottles every 2 laps.
More seriously, I wonder how many laps they would cover before their batteries went flat, and would they allow refuelling - battery pack changing - every 10 laps?

They change cars halfway through the 'race', Terry, jump out of one and straight into another. There are some very familiar names in the drivers list, mainly sons of former F1 drivers.

[chrisio]

Having driven a Leaf for 3 years

Totally OT, but how have you found it? I keep toying with the idea of an ev solely for my commute (50miles each way, free charging at work) once we move and having something more fun for all the other times I want a car.

I had a leaf for 3 years as well and I never got over the range anxiety.  50miles each way is fine as long as you can charge at both ends and is the sort of range I think the cars were designed for.  Despite the claimed range of my leaf I never got ANY where near it and on occasion could empty the "tank" in as little as 45 - 50 miles (70-80 is more normal depending on the driving style and terrain)

We were sold on the range being in excess of 100 miles and that's what the dealer told us so we always thought we would drive over to Newcastle from Penrith and charge it at my parents before coming home again  - we never once attempted that because of the lack of charge points on the A69 (other than Hexham which never seems to work when checking).

Would I have one again - yes but only when the range get MUCH better because for knocking round the doors and local commutes etc its brilliant and there is nothing like sneaking up behind a workmate and blasting the horn.

Cheers

[Gaffers]

Having driven a Leaf for 3 years

Totally OT, but how have you found it? I keep toying with the idea of an ev solely for my commute (50miles each way, free charging at work) once we move and having something more fun for all the other times I want a car.

I had a leaf for 3 years as well and I never got over the range anxiety.  50miles each way is fine as long as you can charge at both ends and is the sort of range I think the cars were designed for.  Despite the claimed range of my leaf I never got ANY where near it and on occasion could empty the "tank" in as little as 45 - 50 miles (70-80 is more normal depending on the driving style and terrain)

We were sold on the range being in excess of 100 miles and that's what the dealer told us so we always thought we would drive over to Newcastle from Penrith and charge it at my parents before coming home again  - we never once attempted that because of the lack of charge points on the A69 (other than Hexham which never seems to work when checking).

Would I have one again - yes but only when the range get MUCH better because for knocking round the doors and local commutes etc its brilliant and there is nothing like sneaking up behind a workmate and blasting the horn.

Cheers

I had a different experience.  I got over the range anxiety by planning ahead for trips.  I ended up taking it on journeys from Farnborough to Sheffield or Tenby.  You had to plan your stops which often coincided with breaks to eat or water the roses/drop the kids off.

The range keeps getting better and once I move to the US a Tesla Model 3 or S is on the cards.

[chrisio]

I think that it comes down to where you live with the electric cars.  I live in Penrith so apart from my charge point on the drive there is a free one at the Nissan Garage in Penrith (normal house hold charger) or one on the m6 at southwaite services which is 10 miles (ish) out and reghead (5 miles out)  Every other charge point seems to be heading away from where we ever wanted to go.  Like I say to get over to Newcastle (well Whitley Bay) we would have to charge at Hexham which on checking was rarely working which then scuppered the whole plan.

It wasn't for the want of planning - there just wasn't the infrastructure available (in suitable locations) for our planned journey's as I say for the local stuff it was great.  The Tesla on the other hand has the range that means most of our problems wouldn't be problems however the price point is slightly more than I would like!

[aaronjb]

*looks up where Penrith is*

I didn't know you had electricity that far north!?

[chrisio]

*looks up where Penrith is*

I didn't know you had electricity that far north!?

it's only just been discovered to be fair - but it is strange how what is suitable in one location just doesn't work else where,  if we lived in a reasonable sized town/city there would be a charge point on every other lamp post etc and charging would be a non issue. 

[TheBoy]

Let's have REAL milkmen, horses and all - their exhaust was ecofriendly and good for the roses!

Ron.

Ernie would win, because he had the fastest milkcart in the West.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e1xvyTdBZI

[TheBoy]

*looks up where Penrith is*

I didn't know you had electricity that far north!?

it's only just been discovered to be fair - but it is strange how what is suitable in one location just doesn't work else where,  if we lived in a reasonable sized town/city there would be a charge point on every other lamp post etc and charging would be a non issue.

I work in MK, which must be one of the better places for plug-in EV, but leave the grid, and you'd have range problems again.  But not an issue for most Kilton Keynees, as the world ends if you go beyond V1...

[Omegatoy]

*looks up where Penrith is*

I didn't know you had electricity that far north!?

it's only just been discovered to be fair - but it is strange how what is suitable in one location just doesn't work else where,  if we lived in a reasonable sized town/city there would be a charge point on every other lamp post etc and charging would be a non issue.

I work in MK, which must be one of the better places for plug-in EV, but leave the grid, and you'd have range problems again.  But not an issue for most Kilton Keynees, as the world ends if you go beyond V1...

Had to o to MK last week,first time in ten years,it has certainly grown, used to know me way round quite well,but must admit i had a few wtf moments in there!

[TheBoy]

*looks up where Penrith is*

I didn't know you had electricity that far north!?

it's only just been discovered to be fair - but it is strange how what is suitable in one location just doesn't work else where,  if we lived in a reasonable sized town/city there would be a charge point on every other lamp post etc and charging would be a non issue.

I work in MK, which must be one of the better places for plug-in EV, but leave the grid, and you'd have range problems again.  But not an issue for most Kilton Keynees, as the world ends if you go beyond V1...

Had to o to MK last week,first time in ten years,it has certainly grown, used to know me way round quite well,but must admit i had a few wtf moments in there!

Hasn't changed that much TBH, but has grown out East towards M1 and West towards Buckingham. It can't expand North as that's a different country, and Fenny/Water Eaton is the defined South border.

The centre changed 10-15yrs ago, with the extension to the shopping centre, blocking some of the roads.

The mongs are still the same though.

[Doctor Gollum]

We have three Leafs (Leaves?) at work. Typically getting 85-95 miles from them.

Love or loathe, they serve a purpose 

[BazaJT]

I don't think the Leaf[Mk1]is a bad car to drive.Trouble for me if I were tempted would be nowhere to charge it up!Range could certainly be a bit "hit and miss" as to how far any given driver could get from it.Are the new ones better on range?As far as I can remember according to the "rules" you can stop at any Nissan dealership at any time and charge it up for free,the local dealership to me[now no longer a Nissan dealership]had to have 2 charging points on the outside wall of the showroom for this very purpose.

[ronnyd]

The guy across the road from me took delivery of his new Leaf today. When i asked him about the range before it needs a charge he reckons it,s good for 150+. Is he deluded or has the local dealer been telling him porkies?

[Doctor Gollum]

Ask him on Friday 

[chrisio]

The guy across the road from me took delivery of his new Leaf today. When i asked him about the range before it needs a charge he reckons it,s good for 150+. Is he deluded or has the local dealer been telling him porkies?

Nope.  The new leaf is claimed to have a range of 150 miles which in real life will translate to around 120 miles or so if it's anything like our old one.

[BazaJT]

A couple a few streets away from me have just got one of the new ones having traded[I assume]their Mk1 in.Must say it doesn't look too bad at all.As for a Grand Prix isn't that what Formula E is?[I've never watched it so don't know if their pure electric or some kind of hybrid]but they've been racing electric bikes at the Isle of Man TT for some years now-Michael Rutter was the first rider to hit a 100mph lap on one.

[henryd]

A couple a few streets away from me have just got one of the new ones having traded[I assume]their Mk1 in.Must say it doesn't look too bad at all.As for a Grand Prix isn't that what Formula E is?[I've never watched it so don't know if their pure electric or some kind of hybrid]but they've been racing electric bikes at the Isle of Man TT for some years now-Michael Rutter was the first rider to hit a 100mph lap on one.

Formula E is quite a good watch tbh,close racing but not much soundtrack

[STEMO]

A couple a few streets away from me have just got one of the new ones having traded[I assume]their Mk1 in.Must say it doesn't look too bad at all.As for a Grand Prix isn't that what Formula E is?[I've never watched it so don't know if their pure electric or some kind of hybrid]but they've been racing electric bikes at the Isle of Man TT for some years now-Michael Rutter was the first rider to hit a 100mph lap on one.

Formula E is quite a good watch tbh,close racing but not much soundtrack

Scalextrics on steroids.

[Rods2]

A couple a few streets away from me have just got one of the new ones having traded[I assume]their Mk1 in.Must say it doesn't look too bad at all.As for a Grand Prix isn't that what Formula E is?[I've never watched it so don't know if their pure electric or some kind of hybrid]but they've been racing electric bikes at the Isle of Man TT for some years now-Michael Rutter was the first rider to hit a 100mph lap on one.

Formula E is quite a good watch tbh,close racing but not much soundtrack

Sounds like the sort of thing Steve Parrish would race in against Ernie (the late Bennie Hill).