YouTube Driving

Sometimes, when I'm bored I go surfing the web for driving stories. Sometimes friends send me sites. Dave, a good friend of mine, who evidently spends far more time on the internet than I do, sent me a series of videos with the title, "Why Russians install DashCams in their cars." More specifically follow this adress:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/5RAaW_1FzYq?autoplay=1&modestbranding=!&rel=O&=

I must warn you that this series of videos will have your mouth hanging open with disbelief at the crashes and near misses that are caught on video. I watched them over and over again, each time catching some other detail.

It's carzy, but enjoy, but give yourself lots of time.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

We will all know where the Radars are waiting for us!

In the interest of transparency the authorities have decided to abandon the practise of hiding radars to surprise drivers. Now we will be advised exactly whereever the mobile radars will be operated and when, as well as the fixed stations.

Why would they do this? I think because it's sort of a joke. Large signs exists to tell us that our speed is being monitored, and still people drive through the catchment zones well over the limit. So, in a way this will be a further experiement to see how many more people will be caught in spite of being told to slow down.

Seemingly, in countries around the world the accepted practise is to flash one's lights to warn oncoming traffic that the police are up ahead; and still people don't slown down to the legal limit.

What is wrong with us?

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael 

Whatever happened to good old healthy Competition?

The cost of petrol for the car and truck in Spain is by no means the most costly in Europe, but it is expensive. In the time that I have been living here the cost has risen steadily from under a euro a litre to as much as 1.40 something. That has been a reflection of the underlying cost of Brent crude per barrel, so we have simply grinned and bore the cost. Perhaps we curtailed our trips by making certain that we got to do several things in one journey.

We didn't have much in the way of choice, but wherever and whenever we heard of a fuel station selling at a discount we all headed there. Then, things changed. Someone opened a fuel station where there were no staff in attendance, and the price per litre reflected the savings. Then, to top that, another chain opened with staff but at rock bottom prices at the pump. I have not looked back since.

The latest news is that those stations that are not matching the low prices are suing the owners for selling cut-rate fuel, and some communities are banning the selling of low cost fuel altogether. What kind of foolishness is that?

If the group of operators selling low cost fuel can do it, and they number several different companies, why not the others who insist on selling at the higher prices? I cannot understand the logic. I save about ten cents a litre, which I estimate will result in about 300 euros a year saved to be spent on car maintenance. Why would I not take that savings?

 I'm shocked by the action to restrict the competitive spirit, and also to be so blatant about goughing us motorists. I think it's time to grow up and act like businessmen and everybody lower your prices to a level that is finally fair for the consumer.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

2015: New driving rules for Spain

The driving class of citizen seems to be a soft target in many ways. We are easy to impose new taxes upon, and it seems that we are constantly having to get accustomed to new rules. However, what I can't say it that all those rules are not necessary. There are those among us who by their stupidity bring ever more stringent rules upon us. When I see the things that some drivers get up to I don't automatically think we need a new rule for that, I think let's shoot the bastard.

Spain has been promising some reform for some time and it appears that these changes will go into effect soon. One of the most surprising changes is that where speed is checked by radar, whatever the limit posted is, should we pass that radar one point over the machine will flag us. Really? Didn't you think that was always the case?

It appears that in the past there has always been a discretionary allowance of about 10 kilometres to allow for the possibility that the system might not have been accurate. Well, they must have fixed that problem, so the limit posted must be obeyed. My problem is that the posting of signs is irrational and a setup to dump the driver in the soup. Some speed changes are so sudden you would have to stand on your brakes to slow down to the new limit. Bastards!

Another change I find interesting, because it allows members of the European Automobile Association to represent drivers who are engaged in disputes with the DGT. I have been wondering what uses a membership in such clubs had, as  the modern motoring policy seems to provide the services formerly provided, such as breakdown. Even providing directions via motoring maps is now available on GPS systems. I admit my knowledge of the full services provided by motoring  membership is limited, but at least we now know that your auto club is standing by to bail you out should you get into trouble with the law.

Speaking of trouble while on the road: It would perhaps be a good idea to repeat for your handy reference the following list of emergency numbers:

The general emergency number anywhere within Europe is      112

For Ambulance Service in Spain call              061

National Police of Spain  091

Local (Municipal) police in Spain  092

La Guardia Civil    062

Fire Service (Bomberos)  080

Medical Emergencies on the Costa Blanca 085

As you can see getting help is not an uncomplicated matter. Different numbers to call, depending on your need. I suggest posting this page in your car.

One other thing you might like to know is what happens when you get a motoring fine: if you suffer a fine of up to 299 euros it appears that you might not also lose points. A fine of between 300 -399 will also lose two points. Between 400-499 loses 4 points. Between 500-600 loses 6 points. However, if these are correct to begin with, remember things change constantly, so don't take these numbers as gospel. Try not to lose any points at all because getting them back would be like winning the lottery jackpot deliberately.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael                            

To be lost in a storm

The last week of January, 2015 has been one when Spain has been knocked about by very high winds, some of hurricane strength, and terrible flooding. This is a country unacustomed to dealing with such high winds, so we were not really ready for the damage that can be suffered at the mercy of this aspect of Nature.

Flooding is often the cause of the total loss of your car, and that's so sad. So many homes have a garage under the house, leading to the possibility of waking up one day and finding that the garage is now a swimming pool with your car under water. That's the sort of thing to reduce the most hardened man to tears.

I returned home on Thrusday the 29th January, after a day out and parked in my usual spot, which is to say under a tent surrounded by trees. The weather was temperate and the winds calm. However, as the evening wore on the winds began to rise, which caused me, out of an abundance of caution to move the car to a clearing. This is a routine precaution that I take, and I would do so even if I had to get out of bed.

That night the wind howled as I had never known it, with some gusts so strong that they were like giant hammer blows.  The night passed and I lost no sleep, but in the morning when I was leaving home I opened my eyes to a scene of total destruction. Had I left the car in place two and a half trees would have fallen upon it, as they fell upon the tent. My lovely car, upon which I depend so much, would have been a write-off.  I can't say that I was lucky because I deliberately moved the car away from harm, but it does underscore the point that it pays to be careful.

However, up and down the country so many other car owners were not so fortunate. Cars parked along the street were a common casualty as trees and power poles fell, crushing them like matchsticks. Just as I felt complete relief and joy to know my car is safe for another day, the opposite would have been those owners reaction. So, I have all those people in mind and I feel your pain. If there was nothing a person could have done to move to a safer place, and if you are in the city, you don't have a lot of options, except moving to underground paid parking perhaps, then you are at the mercy of the elements.

Life, is not fair, it's simply Life, and we take what comes our way.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael