Security on the train

In my last blog I spoke about travelling by train from London to Valencia. While I had some problems with ticketing, the journey itself was very pleasent. When I boarded in St. Pancras, London I went through tight security as though I was flying, but when I boarded at Gare du Lyon, Paris there was absolutely no security at all. I could have dragged anything at all on board. Later in the trip we started making stops in the country, where, again people coming on board could have brought God-knows-what with them.

You have a lot of time to think as the train speeds along and you look out at the changing scenery. I did reflect on the difference in security, and I marvelled that given the odd things that people are doing these days, I thought it amazing nothing of a serious nature had happened on a train that I was aware of. I didn't mention this in my blog because I did not want to possibly bring the lack of security to the attention of the wrong person.

What a difference a week can make. This week a very serious attempt was made to kill a train full of people by a man loaded down with weapons. Thankfully, he was brought down by people near to him who were prepared to act quickly and decisively. Without their actions we would be dealing with a very grave tragedy.

Now it is clear for all to see that probably most trains of Europe lack security. We take our lives in our own hands, in most cases when boarding a train. However, having said that perhaps we should pause and count the ways that our lives can end in violence, and ask the question: Why is this so?

In the Western Hemisphere, for which I include Europe, people have been killed at work. A number have been killed in restaurants while simply having a meal. People have been killed on buses and the metro. While sunning themselves on the beach half naked, 38 people were attacked for doing nothing at all. Others were attacked just because they were curious about culture in a musuem. Still others were killed while attending church or bible study.  Others have been killed by simply going about their business, including in the cinema, and sometimes by the police who are supposed to serve and to protect.

I have probably not included every type of incidence that may end your life, but of course we have to add the old standby of travelling by plane, and now train to get from one place to another.

What is really happening?

The only thng I can think of, especially when we factor in all the regional conflicts that end so many lives, is that we may be seeing Mother Nature at work in culling of the human species. Seven billion people on the planet is too many to be sustained. By 2050 it has been said that earth's population will reach ten billion. That cannot happen. Such numbers cannot sustain themselves and earth's resources will be well over stretched. So, we are seeing strange happenings that fall short of the nuclear option, but it is not too strange to believe that that solution will not be used.

No-one is happy about this, but reality can be harsh.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael 

Long Distance Train Journeys

Every once in a while I get the feeling I would like to take a long, uninterrupted train ride. I flew to England to attend a wedding, which is worthy of a blog on its own, but I chose to return by train, leaving St. Pancras, London, for a run down to Paris through the Euro Tunnel. From there the journey would take me to Barcelona, and from Barcelona to Valencia. I reasoned that much time on trains should get the obsession out of my system for a while.

"The best laid plans of men and mice often go astray." A very wise man said that, and all too often it turns out to be true. On April 1st I bought my train tickets for travel on August 9th. That gave me very useful discounts. (Or, so I thought!) On August 8th I presented myself at the EuroStar machine and punched in my six digit code and out should have come my ticket. Machine had no information about me, so I spoke to a person who looked and said she could see where a reservation had been made for me, but as no money had been received they had no ticket for me.

This is absolutely the worst thing that can happen to a traveller at the end of his holiday when, supposedly you have spent all your budget. I originally paid 161 euros for this leg of the journey, now it cost 222 euros.  I set off the next day, very early after having spent a totally restless night in the world's worst hotel. Leaving St. Pancras is boring. There is nothing worth looking at, so I decided to close my eyes at that point so as to be awake for the run through the countryside. I awoke and I was in the country, but the countryside of France. Ah well!

My arrival in Paris was at La Gare du Nord. I needed to get to La Gare du Lyon fast, as for all I knew I had no ticket for the onward journey. I approached a taxi and the driver said he would be pleased to drive me, but the fare would be 75 euros. Sweet Jesus! O.K. I didn't have time to argue the point, or so I thought.

Gare du Lyon was the most confusing station I have ever encountered. There was no ticket waiting for me there, and it was thought that I might not get space on any of the trains to Barcelona that day. Even I was amazed how calm I was, but when I finally got to the ticket seller there was space, but not until the 4 pm train. I could have walked over from Gare du Nord, I had so much time to wait. For this leg of the journey I had previously paid 100 euros, which was heavily discounted, but now it cost 232 euros.  At least I would arrive in Barcelona that night where my pre-paid hotel room was waiting for me.

This was a fast train, travelling at up to 300 kmph, but nevertheless it took six hours. It was comfortable and the scenery quite interesting. I didn't acquire a seat companion for a long time, so I was alone with my thoughts and a constantly changing picture from my window. When I finally did get a companion, he turned out to be Benjamin, a Frenchman who spoke fluent English. His second love is sailing, (he will marry his first love next month) which is something I know a little about. We got to talking about the evolution of sailing and much of our conversation centered around the world of the America's Cup class of futuristic competition.

There is one part of that journey in Perpignan where the train crosses the marsh flats. As you look out the windows on both sides the train appears to be a boat because there is water all around. I have to assume there is a bridge network, but if so it is very low to the water.

To make a long story shorter, the rest of my trip went well. A good night's rest was had in Barcelona at a hotel that more than made up for the night before, and the next morning I caught my train for the run down to Valencia, and home at last.

I told people in England that they were having much more comfortable weather than was Spain. England had 27 degrees, dry, and sunny weather. Amazing! Spain had been having high 30's, and mid 40's, together with thunderstorms. England was pretty pleased to realise that for once they were the winners.

If I had it to do again I would not rely solely on a six digit code to produce my tickets. At least I would insist on confirmation through the agency that my payment had been received and properly credited.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

CAR HACKED !!!!!

If this doesn't give you a very bad case of the Heebie Jeebies, then nothing will!

Readers may recall that I wrote of a couple experiences I have had with my cars where the engine simply stopped running while on the highway, without any apparent cause. It happened in a Chrysler, and again in my Volvo. In both cars the engine would simply quit, but after waiting about a minute or two, the engine would again fire up and off I would go.

Mechanics were totally flabbergasted. They had no idea what the problem was. I suggested what turned out to be the cure for the Chrysler, a change of the motherboard in the car's computer system. In the case of the Volvo, the factory suggested a change of the main fuses.

Neither of these problems were due to a third person, sitting in the comfort of their home, hacking into my car's running system and taking control, but alarmingly, it has been demonstrated that in the case of new high tech vehicles, which are in effect computers-on-wheels, hackers can do some real damage. When someone with mal intent takes over this computer it will crash. When they take over a car and it does a crash the implications are shocking to even think about.

This places into question so many new developments. It appears that hackers can find their way into the operating system through the entertainment option. When that happens they have demonstrated the ability to take away all control from the driver, including control of the wheel, brakes, accelerator, clutch, musical sound and volume, to mention a few.

If your car is an automatic and you experience a problem where  the accelerator gets stuck and you can't slow down, you should move the gear selector into neutral. The engine will rev and scream, but you will maintain control with your steering and brakes. Once you have stopped you can then turn the engine off. Do not turn the engine off before as you will lose all control!

It is unnerving to think that a person, perhaps sitting at his computer in another country, has the potential power to take over your car while you are underway and to tamper with it in any way his perverted mind may choose. It seems to me that manufacturers have an obligation to design  out the possibility of security hacks even before they build the car. It is a shame that the human mind can be so sick that progress can be halted because of the deadly potential, but that is the reality.

Consider what that can mean for the new generation of cars that drive themselves, and for travel by air!

Brave New World Indeed!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

The Capital of the Road Rage World

This past week, starting July 12th, in the U.K. a West Sussex man became so enraged by the driving of a 79 year old man who ran up his backside, that he laid into him stabbing him multiple times to death.

What causes us to undergo such a drastic change when we get behind the steering wheel of our vehicle? In our other activities we can be perfectly normal individuals, but we turn into potential killers once we get into our cars, either through irresponsible driving habits, or when someone does something to irritate us.

Firstly, I think it is a natural reaction to be annoyed and impatient by the actions of others on the road. What makes us think we are the perfect ones?  Personally, I have my good days and my bad days on the road. Sometimes things happen that make me feel like smashing the other driver's brains to a pulp, but the feeling passes quickly. More to the point, I think I would never actually act on such an impulse.

Probably the worst countries for road rage are the United States, Russia, and the U.K. In certain States of America, a country where everybody and his brother insists on the right to own a gun, shootings take place between drivers leading to bystanders becoming collateral damage. What makes so many drivers on British roads actually get out of their cars and act up?

In my opinion it's all a part of the British DNA. The English make things their business. If they see that their neighbour is doing something on their own property they will inquire whether the neighbour has the relevant permission. Long ago, while driving in the U.K. I was hugging the middle lane along a stretch of quiet road when another motorist came up behind me, and he stayed there flashing his lights, insisting that I move over.

Should you take any action that does not conform, someone will inevitably have a word with you. I suppose it's no surprise that this will include driving, and statistics as reported by The Dail Mail are not out of the ordinary. Apparently nine out of ten say they have been victims at least once. Presumably this encourages the practise, leading to the U.K. earning the title of Road Rage Capital of the World.

Twenty percent of those interviewed said they had experienced road rage more than ten times; and 70% of those said they were the instigators. Most of those said they felt just fine about unloading on their victims who they felt deserved it.

I tried to find out what country was least affected by road rage. I'm still not sure, but when I first came to Spain the thing I noticed was that drivers on Spain's roads are generally passive about some very shitty things that people do here. In the U.K. there is general respect for road courtesy, which seems incredible, but here in Spain we have never heard of the concept. I found myself wondering what would it take to cause an act of road rage. In all my years of driving here I can only think of one time when one driver went after another.

Drivers in this country are perfectly capable of doing horricly stupid things. Many have killed themselves through being so stupid, but the public remain amazingly calm in the face of bizarre behavior. Frankly, I have no idea what would drive a Spanaird to react badly, and I never want to know.

I can only tell you how I remain cool behind the wheel. First I use a silent mantra everytime I get in the car. "I will not let anyone spoil my day!" Secondly, I drive with constant anticipation as to what the other driver will do. It is amazing how well I read others actions and take defensive steps to avoid the crash.

My approach works very well for me, and driving is a reasonably pleasent experience, although I no longer actually like it. I am waiting for the day when I win the lottery. Then I will hire four female drivers and I will just sit back and enjoy life.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

TAKE CARE TO REST ADEQUATELY ON LONG JOURNEYS. ONCE YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES BEHIND THE WHEEL DON'T EXPECT TO EVER OPEN THEM AGAIN.   

The greatest concentration of motoring offenses are committed.......

It came to me quite by accident, because I was not doing some kind of research. I was simply sitting and having a coffee while waiting for my friend who had business at the offices of Trafico. This is a place where all drivers must visit at least once. Consequently it is a place where there is always a concentration of vehicles and riders/drivers.

You might think that in such an environment people might be on their best behaviour. You would be wrong.

At Trafico in Valencia there are a number of surrounding oficinas de medicos where you take your physical exam and renew your driving license without actually going into Trafico. That simply adds to the choas. If you have business that takes you into Trafico, the feeling is that of going into a building with no idea of when, or even if you will ever come back out.

In front of the building there is a Taxi rank for six taxis. Why? Trafico is where you come because you have your own vehicle. The reserved taxi parking is therefore usually full of driving school cars. When I got there two policemen had parked their scooters in the taxi rank which gave car drivers a real problem. When the policemen left they rode the wrong way before riding up on the sidewalk so as to take a shortcut across to the street they wanted. But they were the police, so who was going to complain.

People double park while staying close to their cars, but that adds to the confusion. There was one disabled person reserved car bay. A woman drove into the bay and immediately put her disabled decal on her dashboard. That joined a parking ticket that you would get from the machine. Hers appeared to be about ten years old, judging by its crumpled state. It certainly was not freshly printed.

Motorcycles are parked along the sidewalk. This is apparently because there is no actual parking bays for motos. However, you have to park them along the side next to the road, rather than along the side of the buildings. This is because of the need to avoid them becoming hazards to the blind.

There is a constant fight to get a parking space anywhere within reasonable walking distance of trafico. People put themselves through such a hassle when there is also a Metro stop directly in front of the building. You have to wonder why people don't simply leave their cars at home and take the Metro. (I was wondering why my friend and I didn't do so.) Well, perhaps it might be because that particular stop is the one at which there was a horrific metro crash in which 43 people died, and another 44 were injured.

In the midst of such continuing behaviour there is usually only one traffic warden who is only concerned that you should correctly pay and display. 

So it goes. Who am I to complain, and to whom would I complain?

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael  

They are waiting for us!

Motoring holidays are now in full swing. The phenomenon happens every year all across the world. We pack the family in the car and we get away from the familar sights. In doing so we raise the risk level that we will survive our fun. It takes a highly motivated driver to keep his or her eyes on the road, not allowing ourselves to be distracted by anything. The discipline required is so high as to be beyond the capability of most ordinary humans. Therefore, it is really no surprise that so many highway deaths occur in this manner.

For those who do survive the ultimate sanction of driving on holiday, there are other penalties especially when driving throughout Europe. Because the police have to make a living too, a foreign-plated car is fair game. If we confront them with this fact of life they will, no doubt be prepared to swear on a stack on bibles that it is not correct to say that they pounce on every error of the foreign driver, but the truth is that drivers, as a class, are soft targets.

Hire cars and foreign-plated ones are a magnet. Thieves are waiting for you, as are the police. One illegally takes your possessions and the other has the cover of the law. One way or the other you will give up your valuables. In this, not much has changed over the years. The highwayman still awaits.

Now, to ensure that drivers pay the fines against them, Europe has made it possible that whereever you live, when you pick up a fine in one country and return home, the fine follows you and is enforced by the police in your own country. No longer can you simply ignore that parking fine, or the fine for speeding.

It seems that there is only one sensible thing to do. When planning your trip, perhaps you should add another line to your budget called: "Fines."  A generous figure should go here, but then try your very best to avoid spending any part of it.

Happy and safe motoring!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael  

REMEMBER TO REST FREQUENTLY. SHOULD YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE YOU ARE TIRED YOU WILL LIKELY NEVER OPEN THEM AGAIN!!!!!!

Because it feels Right!

I have been a critic of the people who are in charge of placing speed limit signs throughout the country because they often do silly things.  Keep in mind that we must be travelling at no more than the posted limit when we pass the sign, all too often no real thought has been put into whether the driver can actually comply without standing on the brake.

We are constantly confronted by speed reduction signs that take us down from 120 to 90 to 70 to 40 over a breathtakingly short strip. Then there are those strips of road that allow us to go from 50 upon exiting the town to 70, and then, just when you don't expect, back to 50 again. We should have simply held it at 50 in the first place.

There are some very long strips of road where no one can be sure of what the limit is because there are no postings. I have seen the police take full advantage of the confusion by regularly conducting radar checks in that area. Needless to say many poor sods are pulled over and relieved of money that was intended for the mortgage.

There is one area in which the authorities do get it right, and so I must be a supporter. It occcurred to me that for some considerable time I have driven at what feels like a comfortable and safe speed, in ideal conditions. Then I see the posted speed limit and a glance at my speedometer reveals I am cruising at exactly that speed. This has happened so many times that I have come to feel that in this instance they have got it right. Naturally, when conditions change so should we adjust our speed.

The condition of our tyres are crucial, and the state of the road surface does matter. In a recent television documentary that looked at stopping distances, it is amazing how we can go from stopping efficiently within a short predictable distance, to sliding right out of the frame and presumably into the vehicle ahead of us. The fault for that will absolutely be the driver coming from behind.

The point of this is to highlight the fact that too much speed is normally present in every crash.. Even speed that is not outrageously fast can still be too fast for the siuation. For instance, when driving among a lot of people who are walking 20kph would be way too fast. I suggest  we take our lead from the speed limit signs under ideal conditions. In this they seem to have got it right.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

REST FREQUENTLY WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES. TIREDNESS IS A KILLER.

S-T-O-P

Four little letters that, when put together are the cause of so much confusion and trouble. Here in Spain many of the elderly drivers were granted their permits before it became necessary to sit the complicated present day exams, and before the introduction of the international road signage.

The Spanish word commanding a driver to stop is Alto! Suddenly in place of Alto signs, Stop signs appeared. You wouldn't have to be a rocket scientist to work out what it meant, but if they ignored an Alto sign they certainly would ignore a Stop  sign.

The maximum speed limit in my country (Bermuda) is 35 kph. People slide past Stop signs here cruising at 35 k and consider that they have effectively stopped. It's as though when they see a stop sign they respond by saying, "Who? Me?"

Often, while driving along secondary roads, an estate road will connect, but at an angle, so that the driver on the main road can actually see the stop sign. Fortunately I was driving in the opposite direction, but I saw a person who was on that side of the road actually stop for the sign, with a bewildered look on their face. That look would have been worse had there been traffic behind him.

I was at a red light when traffic coming from the opposite direction started to move. There was the light signals, and also a stop sign. The first car started to move, then it stopped at the junction where the stop sign was, and once feeling secure that no other traffic was crossing with him,  he moved off. The following three cars all did the same thing, not realising that the stop sign is only there in case the lights are not working. The hierachy of authority in road signs are; policeman, traffic lights, standing road sign, painted sign on asphalt.

The most contentious issue with stop signs here is, how much stop is necessary? I know that sounds peculiar, but I will give an example. I was waiting for someone just off a junction that had six entrances, and consequently six stop signs. As I had nothing else to do I idly noticed that during the twenty minutes I was there not one vehicle came to a dead stop. It was constantly busy but not once did a vehicle stand absolutely still for even a fraction of a minute, unless I missed it. I think even Hollywood might have trouble choreographing that. Each of those drivers evidently felt that no actual standstill was necessary. 

i don't know why we have such trouble in obeying such a simple directive, but we do. The other side of that is if a policeman is standing and watching he will likely not be satisfied with the length of time a driver considers that he has stopped moving. I heard about an argument between an Indian national and a policeman, whereby the Indian gentleman was heard to say: " The sign says Stop, it doesn't say Stay!"

Enough said!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

Spoilt for Choice

There was a time when a car was a relatively simple mechanism that gave basic information, and got it's driver and passengers from A to Z. Now, they are over-engineered computers, some of which drive themselves more efficiently than we humans. If you think like me and are impressed by gadgets and gizmos, your work is cut out for you when trying to choose the next car to buy.

There is a lot of one's personality present in the model and make of car that we spend our time in getting around in with pride. It's a shame that budget has to come into it. Otherwise, it would be a case of show me the car you drive and I will tell you who you are.

I have a wish list that will come into play the day I win the Euro Millions jackpot. At the very top of my list is the Maserati. I will order two, one in black and the other in British Racing Green. If I am asked for an explanation as to why, I shall reply, it's a Maserati, no explanation neccessary.

Second on my list is my beloved Jaguar. When I lived in England, many moons ago, I owned an XK 120, British Racing Green and convertible. It was while driving that car to the Queen Elizabeth Hall, dressed in my tux to attend a concert conducted by Colin Davis, under the patronage of the Queen Mother, that I stopped at a red light and was immediately mistaken for Lenny Henry by three young girls. (I signed your autographs for you, and I gracefully accepted their kisses for you as well. Hope that's O.K. with you, Len.) 

That was the beginning of a very long love affair between me and Jaguar. I now drive an XJ6 Sovereign, which for me is the classic design for Jaguars. The newest XF model is taking some time to grow on me. I know that the engineering is there, but I'm still only lukewarm to the design.

I know that the Mercedes S-type model has always led the way in new innovations, and it truly is a wonder in new everything. The S-type gets all the new advances first, so really, if I do win some big money I should really get myself around to Mercedes right away, but I am not really the Mercedes type. That can also be said about me and various other quality cars, such as a Rolls, and the Land Rover. I always think of the people who own them as tweedy types with patches on the elbows of their jackets. I must admit I do stop and look as a Range Rover goes by. There is sex appeal in that car.

Everybody's friend, Jay Leno, who must be a Libra, gave up trying to make a choice of which car to have and simply has one of everything. What a lucky man.

The buying public is faced with a bewildering range of  brands and makes and models. Perhaps it is price that needs to narrow the range, but one thing we notice is that the same chassis can be found across a number of brands. My present everyday car is a Volvo 850, a very old car, admittedly, but a fine piece of machinery that is so reliable it is hard to find a reason to part company with it. You know what it is like to have an old pair of very comfortable slippers. That's the feeling I have for my Volvo. However, the day is coming when I will move on, and for all my talk about Maserati and Mercedes I will most probably choose a Volvo XC60. For my 30,000 euros I will get safety, comfort, styling, and gizmos as usual, and life will continue to be good.

Volvo, brought to us by the Swedish folks who will host the next EuroVision song contest.  We can be sure it will be a stylish and safe show.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael  

A Most Curious Trend

In my day, I would often be seen to just sit in my car at the end of my journey without moving. It may have seemed strage to observers,  but what I was doing was simply listening to something on my eight track, or cassetteplayer, or later my CD player, finish the track that was giving me such pleasure.

Now, people sit there in their cars and respond to their wassup messages for ages although they are home.

Wives have complained of husbands who never listen to what they say. The frustration that that causes have led many couples to the divorce court. Now, neither husband or wife pays the slightest attention to one another. You see it when a party of people enter a restaurant and sit down. Out come the smartphones and all goes quiet. Nobody says a word to each other at the table. They all speak to people who aren't there.

A young woman has been killed because she was looking at her smartphone instead of where she was going. She walked in front of a tram and was run over. That is so sad, and a prime example of how serious this trend can be.

I noticed a car come to stop at a red light, and a second car drew up behind. Both drivers had their head buried in their phones, so they didn't notice that the light had changed to green. It changed back to red and they were still immersed. Finally, they realised they should be checking for green. There was a time when the second car would have honked if the lead car did not move instantly they got the green. .

I no longer go to see movies in the cinema because if the person next to me loses interest in the movie, out comes the phone and I have to put up with this bright light that distracts me. Whatever happened to the usual pest who simply talked all the way through because he had seen the movie before?

I am a person who, from time to time has done public speaking. If someone in the audience didn't like the speaker, traditionally you could expect heckling. These days they simply record your speech and send it worldwide with the question: Do you think this is the most boring person on earth, or what?

The alcholic who sits in the street talking to himself has always been a feature of society. A comic said that perhaps we should not make fun of such people because as far as we knew, he might have been having a conversation with a friend across town. The alcholic is still there doing his thing, but now he is joined by all of us drivers with bluetooth who drive along talking up a storm to nobody we can see. But, they do hear voices in their heads as they use their handsfree devices, and those disembodied voices are coming from across town, or the country, and even some are from other countries.

I truly do want to live to celebrate at least my 100th birthday, just so that I can see where this world will be at that point. By then our cars will be driving themselves which will leave us free to think of other things to do enroute.

Any thoughts?

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

Put on your Summer driving shoes and drive, drive, drive.

Many years ago I saw a lady work colleague take off her sneakers in her car and change into her high heels before heading into the office. I asked her why, and she replied that her high heels were inappropriate for driving as they can cause her to make mistakes. We men don't think we evere have to worry about such things, but the truth is that we do. From the Highway code, Article 3.1 of Reglamento General de Circulación states that you have to drive properly avoiding damage to people/things. It is forbidden to drive in a negligent or reckless manner. From this roughly translated wording many things can be interpreted.

Firstly, let's look at footwear. Under formal circumstances we would normally wear shoes that were good for walking which will fit snugly with backing so that they don't fall off. However, during the Summer months we tend to let our guard down and slip into flip flops or sandals that are comfortable for the beach.Using such footwear to drive carries the risk, especially when reacting to an emergency, that they will become twisted or will simply fall off when braking. Law officers take a very dim view of driving with footwear that is without backing. You run the risk of attracting a fine, but worse than that, you may suffer an unnecessary crash.

Under this same section an officer will probably stop the vehicle if you are seen driving with the back hatch open. He will find several things wrong with this, but the most serious is that if the car's back is open the car is drawing into it spent exhaust that is dangerous to your health, and will probably cause the driver to lose focus. This will also result in a fine, but again, worse is that they are right. The exhaust from your vehicle is really bad, both for the environment and living creatures in general, who are out in the open, but especially bad for those people in the car.

This section of the driving code essentially requires us as drivers to drive with due care and attention, avoiding at all costs damage to persons and property. To do this we must be fully focused on the road ahead, as well as on pedestrians walking alongside us, and we must anticipate what other drivers and pedestrians will do next.

We take driving so much for granted, but it really is a heavy responsability. Once behind the wheel we are no longer in our living rooms at home. As the popular saying goes, "A little care will get you there...and back."

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

BEWARE OF DRIVER EXHAUSTION ON LONG JOURNEYS!  

The Middle Lane Hugger

It seems that everybody hates the Middle Lane Hugger, even though we all have done it at one time or another. The rules of the road mandate that when not overtaking we should return to the right lane, (or left lane where driving is on the left.) We have no argument with that, so why do we constantly find ourselves drifting into the middle lane?

The right lane is where we find the slow pokes, drivers who stick to half the speed limit. That prompts traffic from behind to have to move out into the middle lane, but who find themselves locked behind the slow poke by the mid lane huggers. Then there are all those emerging vehicles that do not want to have to stop. They will force the crowd already in the right lane into the mid lane, which is full of mid lane huggers.

To insist on defaulting to the righthand lane requires a lot of in the lane and out again. If you take up a position in the mid lane and just stay there you are in a stable position. However, faster moving traffic find that you are a hazard and a bloody nuisance. To correctly overtake you, assuming that they are in the righthand lane requires that they move two lanes to the left, which can create a danger in itself. Many drivers will overtake you to your right, which is of course incorrect and also dangerous.

Now, the law has been stiffened against Mid Lane Huggers to discourage the practise. However, no-one has defined what is the maximum time period and length of travel that defines mid lane hugging. Clearly, if there are only two cars moving along, you and one other, once you have overtaken him you should promptly return to the righthand lane. But when it's busy time, with trucks, buses, and lots of private vehicles, that would require constant into and out of the righthand lane, and it seems to me that increases the danger rather than improving the flow.

If I am ever a Mid Lane hugger, I promise to do better.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael  

Preparing for Summer Driving

Summer is just around the corner, a time when we pack up the car with family and head to either the hills or the coast. For those of us who might still be home, what a joy it is to be able to drive in downtown Valencia and find parking spaces on the street.

For those of you who will take a road trip to visit friends and family, it is my wish that you all get there in one piece, and that you return home with everyone having had a wonderful time. Unfortunately, I probably am not going to realise my wish, but my wish could come true if only a few commonsense ideas were followed.

This Summer, at least two people should take the responsibility for the driving. For these designated drivers nothing should be allowed to impair your judgement. Not alcohol, not prescribed drugs, not recreational drugs, not overeating before driving, and especially not the real killer: Driver Fatigue. I'm convinced that fatigue is a central player where long distance driving is concerned. The problem is that often you do not realise you have lost control, because you never wake up. You just nod off, your foot goes down on the accelerator and you drive head-on into the car coming towards you.

I can say no more.

Don't ever leave home without the essential documents for you car. They are; The Permiso de Circulation, and the ITV document. You should also have your insurance documents, including a summary of what you are covered for, and especially the number of the breakdown service. The police can tell whether you have insurance, but you need to have the details of this information to hand. When you need the information you need it there and then. Also check to see if you have the folder for recording a collision. It will also be handy to know something about your health provisions.

Your Road Tax should also be paid up when it is due, and if you are driving into one of the countries adjacent to Spain be sure you have your Green Card. Foreign drivers seem like such an easy target for local police forces looking to bring in some extra money for the treasury. They are just human beings like the rest of us so we can expect them to give in to temptation and try and get what they can. So, it will help to have all your documents in order, and expect tp pick up at least one or two tickets along the way.

Happy Summer Motoring, and remember, the objective is to come back safely!

Copyright (c) 2015   Eugene Carmichael

A Yellow one and a Red one.

In 2013 a fire broke out that was to burn its way through five counties, including my own of Pedralba. It would take 800 firefighters on the ground and 47 aircraft over four days to finally put it out. We knew something had started because the fire chief showed up in his helicopter, flying low while he assessed the situation.

The fire moved over and around our house, burning our hedges but not touching our house. The same thing happened to a lot of people, but we left only minutes ahead of the fire at 3:30 in the morning, convinced our home and everything in it was gone. That it survived intact we consider a miracle, for which we remain eternally grateful.

With that in mind, anytime we hear a helicopter flying low overhead everybody in the area stops what they are doing to concentrate on what the helicopter is doing.

This past Thursday,  May 7th, two helicopters, a yellow one and a red one,  moved into the area and started flying low, wide circles around my house. The yellow one then picked out a spot away from wires and landed, while the red one continued to circle before flying behind a hill, out of my sight and sound. I presumed he had landed as well. What the hell was going on?

I took my dog, Mini-Max, and drove over to the opposite side where I had a clear view of both craft.

The red one had not landed, but rather it was doing a steady hover over the river. After about five minutes it rose straight up with two figures hanging on a line, and it moved off to the east as it winched its cargo into the cabin. Then it made a wide circle from East back to West and returned to near its original hover spot.

After a short while the yellow one lifted off and circled left and took up a steady hover  on top of a small hill that was behind where it had previously landed. Nothing happened for what seemed like about five minutes, but then a person was winched up to it, followed by a second person. They then moved off to the East in the direction of Manises airport.

Had we watched a dramatic river rescue or a training exercise? I accept that training is crucial, and I suppose it must be carried out somewhere, but I can tell you that whatever it was that we had seen, it had a maximum audience.

We had a period of very heavy and sustained rain recently that has resulted in the whole mountain range having broken out into wonderful bloom. It will be a long time before our trees come back but we have heavy ground growth.

We are still in Spring and temperatures are seriously higher than normal. That means an elevated risk of fire danger throughout the country; so a note of caution to everybody: Beware! Only You and I can prevent Forest Fires!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael 

New technology to assist driving.

We are all probably aware that self-driving cars are in full development with test cars driving themselves very long distances. The latest that I have become aware of is self-drive racing cars. That is impressive because not only do they cope with the basics of moving a car from A to  Z, but they have to  cope with high speed. The age of stepping into our cars and programming our destination, and relaxing is likely something that will be realized in my lifetime. Interestingly, on my fiftieth birthday I reviewed the past fifty years, and I made some predictions for the next fifty. I was deliberately outrageos, but among my predictons was self driving cars to answer the problems of driving by humans.

Now it has been announced that new cars will have crash sensors installed. The problem this answers is where a crash occurs resulting in the incapacitation of anyone from either vehicle to call it in. If the crash occurs in a lonely place  your car will summon help which could be the difference between life and death. If we are very lucky we get a golden hour after an impact within which to receive life saving treatment. The article I read suggests that this new technology might save as much as 2,500 lives a year. That's significant!

The system cannot report how serious the crash has been, nor how many people are involved or the nature of their injuries, but if both vehicles have the system installed some deductions may be made. In the main the probability of help being dispatched sooner will most likely be met.

On the same page of The Post from which I read this article was a story about a drunken driver who caused absolute chaos along the highway. Bring on the self-driving cars as noted above, and the sooner the better. We need to solve the problem we have with this type of driver who has been responsible for so many premature deaths over the years. If only he didn't have that first drink that convinced him it was alright to have a second, and a third.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael   

The Great American Touring Motor Show in Valencia

It is called Valencia American Fest, and the show is in progress on its second day at the Ricardo Tormo Racing Circuit in Cheste, Valencia, as I write this. I attended yesterday, April 25th and thoroughly enjoyed the day. However, considering the program on offer there should have been thirty or forty times the number of people in attendance. The publicity machine completely failed because people living in the town of Cheste were unaware that anything was going on. I became aware by accident because the story was picked up from a newspaper article. What a shame because it was mega expensive to put on this show with a lot of participants working their hearts out.

There was absolutely something for everyone, in spades. Fabulous cars, bikes and trucks on display! One truck was so big it needs three windscreen wipers. Someone had his VW Transporter wagon on show which is simply an Uber Sound system on wheels. This is a private individual who has spent so much money on his sound on wheels one has to wonder how he found money for food.

The layout of the terrain was as follows: The main racing circuit was the A- ring, of course, and the B-ring was the centre of attention in the paddock area. There was continuous entertainment in the B-ring by stunt riders and drivers who did things that none of us should try at home,or anywhere. When I first got there a driver was running doughnuts in a Seat Leon. My wife owns a Seat Leon and I'm fairly certain she did not know the car was capable of such things.

There were lots of eating and drinking places in between the many static displays.  There were two super sports cars, one an orange coloured Lamborghini superleggora, and the other was a white Spano GTA, both cars looking like they were ready for space travel.

In my opinion the car of the show was number 122, Ford's 2015 Black Mustang. I couldn't resist running  my hand along its lovely lines and curves as though to pet it. A look in the cab revealed lots of silver trim to set off its instrumentation and equipment. The problem for me is that once I got into the bucket seat I may never be able to move my bucket again.

The truck of the show was the Kenworth W900, an out of this world massive monster of a truck. It was fully kitted out with lots of lights and chrome and antennae, and a solar panel on top to add to the comfort of its roomy studio sleeper for two men, or one man and as many women that can stuff themselves inside; because they will want to There was even a boot brush on the step so that you need not step into the cab with dirty soles of your shoes.  When you sit in the cab the seat adjusts for your weight and height.

If you were driving along the highway at night and this truck came up behind you and he turned on only some of his lights you could be forgiven for thinking that a space ship had just landed behind you.

Meanwhile, over in the A-ring there was something continuously going on. When I arrived there the safety car was leading the way for a run around the circuit ahead of at least twelve NASCAR racers. NASCAR came to Valencia in a moderately exciting race, which I enjoyed, but I compared it to Formula 3 and Formula 1 races that I had seen in this same circuit. I should not have done that.

The next race would be one between trucks that we normally see towing trailers with freight. We regard them as slow moving lumbering work horses. After this race I will never see them in the same light again.

Sixteen of these guys lined up for the off, with number 2 quickly taking pole position which he never gave up. Number 35 was last of the pack and as the race  continued over the eleven laps, number 2 eventually caught up with number 35 and lapped him. Eventually the whole field lapped him and he fell back to being last again. Number 2 ran a brilliant race, extending his lead from six seconds to eight seconds, and eventually winning. What excitement as I really didn't expect such vigor from this  group.

Then came a parade of customized towing trucks with special lighting systems and art work. There was one truck, number 16, that was named Violeta. This was the name of my first wife, the mother of my two daughters, who died much too soon in 1982. A truck named Violeta had more significance for me than the owner had intended. I thank him for honouring that good lady.

It was not intended for me, but rather as some kind of honour to people sitting behind me, but the trucks pulled off the track and formed a semi-circle facing us, and they hooted their horns and flashed their lights, and Violeta did doughnuts. What an emotive moment for me, and they had no idea that this little celebration came only a few days later than would have been her birthday.

Later that afternoon a second truck race was scheduled. I had enjoyed the first so much I decided to stay for the second. The line up was the same but this time number 2 started in fifth position. Number 35 was in its usual last position. Number 2 moved up to third position which it held until moving into second place, but then disaster struck, as a water line on number 2 burst causing the trucks behind to have to use their wipers.

Number 23 was driven by a favourite Spanish driver who started in third place. To the sound of furious excitement he moved up to second place, and for a brief time he moved into first place. I thought the whole group of spectators would have a collective heart attack, they were so pumped up. Unfortunately he could not hold the position and gradually dropped back to sixth place, but he gave us something very special to cheer about.

Meanwhile, number 35 was again being lapped by the field to move back to last place, yet again. Alas, number 2 had to make a pit stop, which was quick but he re-entered in ninth place and stayed there. The field was now being led by number 1, with number 7 in second place, and that is how the race ended, with number 23 in sixth place and number 2 in ninth place.

Those races should have been witnessed by sold out spectators. What a pity they weren't!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael



Possibly my most important blog yet!

WHY DO PEOPLE DIE ON THE ROAD WHEN THEY SHOULD BE ENJOYING THEMSELVES???

We are all aware of the statistics that reflect how many people die over the Christmas/New Year holidays; the Easter holidays, the Summer holidays, etc. These are times throughout the year we we get a break from work, and we load up the car with family and friends, and then go out to enjoy ourselves, but some of them end up dead,  killed on the road.

If you are like me you may have assumed that an excess of speed was involved; and possibly alcohol or drugs, inattention, distraction by the kids, recklessness, or driving without due care and attention. I have no doubt that in many fatal crashes one or more of these elements were involved. The sad thing is that all of such causes are completely avoidable. This is why such crashes are not accidents. An accident is something that cannot be avoided, and that means they are very rare ocurrences. For instance, I have found myself merrily driving along when suddenly I break out into a fit of violent sneezing. I didn't have a cold or anything that may have indicated I might sneeze. Presumably dust entered my nose causing me to sneeze. When we sneeze we have to close our eyes, and that could cause us to lose control.

That would be an accident.

If a wild animal suddenly darts into the road and we collide with it, that could be classed as an accident, especially if the encounter happened away from an area where wild animals are not usually found and the animal was not the responsibility of anyone. Otherwise, a collision between vehicles generally will be judged the fault of one driver or the other.

THE MOST LIKELY CULPRIT OF FATAL CRASHES:

Driver fatigue!

Typically, when we are on the road during holiday time we take extended journeys. Every driver should stop and rest within two hours of being behind the wheel. Firstly, the designated driver will have abstained from anything that will impair his judgement, including a heavy meal and alcohol and drugs. If the journey is a long one it may be necessary to appoint at least two designated drivers because, especially when driving in heavy traffic, the effect is very tiring. Taking turns driving is much better than one person simply taking a few minutes rest.

You could be the most responsible person on earth, but when fatigue sets in you are simply overwhelmed and the next thing that happens is everyone in the car is dead. Most highways have a rumble strip alongside the righthand of the road. These are for waking the driver up. I have to admit I have been saved by that strip on more than one occasion.

When we are underway the situation in front of us changes so often and so rapidly that we must remain alert. However, the effort to do so can hypnotize us, and that is just as bad as dozing off. So, everyone else in the car may desire a nap, but they too should remain awake to ensure that the driver does not fall asleep.

It's everybody's responsibility to get home safely. Stay awake and stay alert. Your life, and possibly my own, is counting on it!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael 

It's all about Judgement!

We have been having heavy rain in Spain lately, which is something for which we are grateful. Our dams have been at historic lows and Summer is just around the corner, so we get to breath a sigh of relief.

When the rains come as hard as we have been experiencing they bring along with them certain problems, especially for drivers, that test our powers of good sense and judgement. Places where we normally simply drive through become flooded, or are likely to flood. At such places we must take extreme caution. To begin with, if we are aware of what is coming it would be prudent to stay off the road. However, should we get caught unawares, then we need to exercise prudent caution.

I live high up a mountain alongside a major pozo de agua. I think it's a strange place to have a major source of water, but there you are.  At the bottom of the mountain there is an outlet for the overflow of this water, which in normal times translates into a babbling brook. It had been raining for five days when on the Monday we suffered torrential downpours. On the Tuesday that turned the slowly running water into a full scale raging river. As a result that closed off the road to all traffic, but one person, who thought that she just had to pass over, launched her car into the river and was immediately swept off the low bridge. Fortunately, the car became stuck. She called home for help, and the call was relayed to the Guardia Civil. As good luck had it they were just next door and responded within a minute of taking the call.

One officer belted up without hesitation while his companion held the lifeline for him to reach the car. The rescuer dragged her out of the car and together they were pulled to dry land. At that point she turned to look at her car. It was gone, swept away into the main Turia river, never to be seen since. Her bad judgement brought her to within seconds of death.

This is one of those stories from which we can all learn. Prevention is best. During periods of such continuous disturbed weather we should be constantly monitoring what is happening, and we should take all reasonable action to protect our family and other precious possessions.

 No one else will do it for us!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael 

The Downside of Easter

On my sister blog, ForMensEyesOnly, I wrote about the joy of Springtime in Spain, including the fact that it's time for the Festival of Fallas. It is such a joyful time as Easter is just behind Fallas. Also, in the region of Castellon they celebrate the Festival of Magdelena, an equally wonderful event that I am yet to attend.

But, there is a dark side to all this joy and celebration, and that is so many people are so unecessarily killed on the roads.  Over the period of Easter celebrations it is estimated that some eight million journeys are undertaken. Nowhere is it written that anyone has to die just because so many vehicles are on the road. Many of the people killed have likely driven past the very spot where their lives ended many times before. What had to be so different this time?

I know that we can do better. We see it happening every year since the introduction of the points system. Fewer and fewer people are losing their lives to vehicle crashes. The reasons for that has to be greater care; driving with our judgement fully intact, and treating our cars like the potential killing machines that they are.

One person at a time must assume the responsibility for the safety of the family and passengers. That person is called the Designated Driver. He/She has only one thing to do, and only one thing that they can do: they must be sober and rested; they must keep their eyes on the road, including ignoring the scenic views; ignoring the mobile phone; and ignoring the children. When everybody arrives home safely I suggest to all passengers that they take a moment to thank their designated driver for bringing them through without incident. This includes all the professionals who get us from one place to another safely. That person is your Hero of the Day.

Please don't take that for granted!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael 

We drive on Trust.

We have had to come to terms with the fact that a young man would deliberately crash an airplane with 149 people on board because he wanted to end his own life. Why would he do that? Simply because he could!

It has happened several times in the recent past, resulting with over 500 people having lost their lives, and it will happen again in the future. That is just one of the many risks of life with which we must cope. Whether we get to live to celebrate our 100th birthday will require good health, a prudent lifestyle, and a really good measure of very good luck.

Statistically, commercial air travel is still far safer than driving.There are far fewer journeys that end in a crash when flying than when driving. When we set out on a car journey we trust that we will return safely. We should be sober and alert, and we should obey the rules of the road to improve the odds of survival. In the end we rely on our fellow drivers to do the right thing at the right times, and they rely on us to do the same thing. Here in Spain the loss of life on the roads has been improving, in that far fewer people have been victims over the past several years. This is due to a growing sense of responsibility; more people choosing not to drink alcohol our drive under the influence of drugs that impair judgement.

We are proving to ourselves that we can pull together to make a success of driving safely.

The deliberate loss of Germanwings flight AU 9525 should be mourned and the actions of that young man should be condemned, but the best thing that we can do to honour the victims is to live our lives so that no other person loses their life just trying to get from one place to another.

We can do that! I am sure we can!

Copyright 2015  Eugene Carmichael

Jeremy!

First I have to admit that I am one of the 350 million fans of Jeremy. I read his columns and I have followed Top Gear. I think he has a wicked, irreverant, and very clever sense of humour. But, perhaps because of that, our Jeremy is also his very own worst enemy.

I try and walk in his shoes to get some sense of why he is in such trouble today. I try to imagine myself as an aging media star. He apparently has aboslute freedom to nitpick the work of thousands and thousands of people, or to praise them, and the BBC makes available massive amounts of money for him to express his art.

How much self-discipline and control does it take to keep all that affection and respect from so many people from all around the word in check? How do you keep from thinking that rules don't concern you? One million signatures were collected within a week in your support. Should you think you are invincible? You were clearly warned that rules had to be obeyed because your actions affect so many other people. Should you have cared about that?

No-one can really imagine Top Gear continuing without Jeremy, so I think we are looking at the end of the road in that regard. Jeremy will most probably blame it on everyone else but himself. That's so sad. I, for one will miss him although the BBC has many years worth of re-runs. I imagine everyone else will be gunshy about entering into new contracts with Mr. Clarkson, so what his future holds one can only guess.

When you grow to become as big as Jeremy, and you fall from grace you make a huge splash. We, the 350 million may make a big noise for Jeremy to be brought back. That could happen but he would have to agree to be so tightly bound up that it would not likely last long.

Perhaps it's time to simply acknowledge and recognise how the mighty have fallen, and to move on.

Simply put, it's over!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

The Coming Age of vehicles that drive Themselves!

My wife asked me how did I think I would adjust to being driven in a car that drove itself?

As a person who has driven for more that 55 years, legally, I think I might find it very difficult to accept. However, I may have to get used to it because it will probably happen in my lifetime. In fact, in various forms it is happening now. We step aboard airport trains that run without a human driver and think nothing of it. An elevator is the same thing but its just that it goes up and down. But getting into the family car and programming where we want to go, then sitting back as the car does all the work to get us to our destination will take some getting used to.

However, depending on the quality of engineering, let us assume an age where no human takes the controls. What will that mean?

In one step the roads will become free of idiots, drunk drivers, boy racers, showoffs, egotists, careless drivers, speeding drivers, confused drivers, tired drivers, drivers who think they are actually in their living rooms and not their cars, drivers distracted by their children, drivers who should not be behind the wheel because of sickness or other infirmness; drivers who are under the influence of drugs, both prescribed and recreational, and drivers who no longer have the capacity to control a vehicle because of age. These are only the ones I can think of at the moment, I'm sure you can think of other drivers who should have control taken away from them.

It will also mean the end of traffic fines as the car will respond to traffic signals. There will no longer be any need to construct a vehicle that can travel at 250 kilometres an  hour when the maximum speed limit will be 120. Cars will actually stop where required and only move off when the way is clear. Hopefully there will no longer exist death on the road, so when we leave home to go to the supermarket we can reasonably expect to come home with the groceries. And one more thing that is very important: cars will park themselves in sensible places. This is, of course already available in some model cars.

Presumably the practise of stealing cars will come to an end as only the person authorised will be able to move the car forward.

Will I need a license to drive? If so, why?

All of these considerations are real because Google, and others involved in the search for automated driving are making great strides forward. Automatic driving is a reality as we speak, but not for the general public. How soon will that happen? Probably within the next ten years.

So, I repeat my wife's question for each and every one of you: How do you think you might adjust to this brave new world?

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

A Bitter Disappointment!

I was so hoping that on this day, Sunday March 8th, 2015, the one year anniversary of the sudden disappearence of flight MH370, the Malaysia flight that so completely vanished, that the plane with all persons on board would magically re-appear. Why on earth would I think such a thing?

Flight MH 370 changed course from its pre-set flight pattern in a deliberate manner and its contact system was shut down to avoid detection because, presumably it was intended to take the plane to a specific unauthorized destination. My thinking was that this was a well thought out action on the part of Al Queada. I saw it as the follow-up action to their 9-11 show piece, an action that would have to be stunning. To do something in the United States, that was a country on high alert was probably impossible, but in the part of the world of Malaysia, where security was at a lower state of being, something could be possible.

The pilot was Muslim, and he had a simulator in his home. He also possibly had some difficulty in his family, if you believe reports, which would have been likely if he was practising how to land a large airplane in glider mode so as to avoid detection due to the sound of the motors. If the plane had landed deliberately in a pre-determined spot and then hidden, that would have taken a small army that was well chosen and trained. One thing that seems to be certain, judging by the movements of the plane that has been tracked, it appears to have been deliberately flown towards a definite destination.

Let me be clear: I am not saying that the pilot did anything of his own accord to have participated in the disappearence of the plane. We simply don't know what happened. However, I was hoping that in spite of how ludicrous my idea might sound, it would have been fantastic if all passengers and crew re-appeared on this first anniversary, but it wasn't to be.

There is another possibility: we may still be seeing an Al Queada PR action. To make an aircraft completely disappear as if by magic, and to create the world's greatest mystery. That is certainly what we are grappling with, but until they take credit and explain how they did it, and what happened, it has come to an abrupt end.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael 

On Standby awaiting explosive Breaking News on Sunday March 8th!

I anticipate that Sunday, March 8th will produce amazing news.

Please standby!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

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 

The Terror of the Boy Racer

To my eternal shame I admit to having been a boy racer in my youth. I believe at the time my whole structure was misaligned. My brain resided in my penis, and my head, where my brain was supposed to be collected fecal matter until it flowed out of my mouth. Inevitably I crashed and got banged up really good, but the net effect was to shake things into their proper places. Now I find it inconceivable when looking back on the total disaster that I was.

So, it was that I had some understanding for what was going through the mind of the boy racer I encountered this past week. There was nothing going through his mind. Firstly, it was raining, so instead of slowing down and having respect for the condition of the road, boy racer drove like the lunatic he is. He overtookd me on the crest of a hill with no idea of whether traffic was coming towards us. As good luck had it, nothing was coming so we all ducked that bullet.

I went into town and did my errand, but on the way back I came upon a crash, with police and ambulance in attendance. Who was involved was none other than boy racer. He had evidenly been into town and back, and was on his way back again into town. This time, driving fast on a notorious bend he spun out and crashed sideways into a truck that was an unmovable object, that left boy racer and his BMW in a very sorry state. He was being loaded into the ambulance when I drove by. Wonderful! His car looked like a total write off. I can only hope that he will be out of commission for a very long time so at least he remains away from behind the wheel.

I suppose that as young people we all go through various forms of self-destruction. If it is a part of our DNA to do such things there will not be a lot that we can do,except to survive, if we're lucky. It's probably some form of a culling of the species, but for those of us who survive our own experience we can only shake our heads and make tut tut noises. The other thing that we have to do is hope that when one of these kamikaze nut cases are coming our way that it simply ends up as an argument between that person and a tree, in which case the tree will win.

Life's funny that way!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

Parking can be worse than Driving!

Unfortunately, due to a technical problem I can't share with you a picture that speaks more than a thousand words.

I chose to write about some drivers who are even worse at parking than they are at driving. This was because during the week I parked in an authorised parking area that does not have parking bays outlined. Somehow, four other drivers found it made sense to them to hem in myself and two other cars. I was looking for some sort of logic to try and understand how and why they would do that while I waited for one of the damned fools to come back.

I thought about a common practise that went on for years in Valencia City. In the city. you might have parralled parked your car along the curb, only to come back to find that another row of cars have parralled parked alongside your line. The idea was to leave their cars in neutral with the handbrake in the off position so that you could push all the cars that was necessary in order to get out. No one seemed to get angry. I guess they felt that next time it would the other person's turn to push.

I went looking for examples of really bad parking, especially that which showed a complete lack of care or concern on the part of the offending drivers. The picture I wanted to show you was of three cars that were hemmed into the disabled parking bays by two drivers who had deliberately parked so that it was clear they were causing great inconvenience. One of those cars was an Audi that was evidently driven by a person who had fecal matter where the brain would normally be.

Shame! Shame! Shame!

One thing I do not understand is, that when taking the picture of such a disgraceful thing, the number plate is digitallyy obscured. May I suggest that newspapers regularly run such pictures, leaving the plates unobscured and naming and shaming the car owners. It seems to me that in order to get people to be responsible for their actions the school of public opinion could be very effective. Obviously, if that person is allowed to simply drive away without any condemnation, they will repeat their thuggish actions.

I will finish by relating my favourite story: I was having a coffe at a cafeteria at a table alongside the roadway. A little farther along a man started honking his horn because someone had parked hemming him in. He honked his horn for about five minutes. A lady at a table two along from me got up, casually said goodbye to her companion, and to my astonishment she walked along to drive away in her car; the one that was blocking the man in. He noticed as well and got out of his car and they got into it. Yelling and screaming very foul words back and forth. Finally, he got back in his car, but she had something more to say to him, so she threw open her door just as another car came along and ripped the door off.

I hope she learned a lesson that day, but most probably that was asking too much.

Copyrigt (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

A very bad start to the New Year

The period between January first and the seventh, covering the aftermath of New Year celebrations and the sixth, being the Reyes festival when the Three Kings visit the homes to give the children their gifts, was a time when things went horribly bad for many families. Fifty people lost their lives on the roads at a time when no-one should have ended their lives.

The formula for surviving such disasters is simple. Do not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs. You really do need your full sense of concentration because things change so suddenly. I do not even take my eyes off the road to operate my CD player, and I don't respond when my phone rings. No one ever needs to contact me instantly, although they may think so.

I feel saddened for the families that were afftected, especially the children. The worst death was that of a man who was playing the role of one of the Three Kings. His throne was caught by an overhead cable and he was toppled backwards and landed on his head. For the children, and their parents, watching this happen it was a calamity of the greatest proportions. That will be stamped on the minds of the children for the rest of their lives.

I hope we accept the warnings and that we conduct ourselves with care, caution, sobriety, common sense, and concern for ourselves and our fellow drivers. Nowhere is it written that we have to die while going about our normal daily business just because we are behind the wheel of our car.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

Unlucky Nineteen: An Unwelcome upturn in the number of those fallen on the road!

This image suggests a better year for driving experience then the past year.

We have been given the figure of 1, 131 lives lost due to road crashes during 2014. For the very first time since the introduction of the points system, when there has been a steady decline in losses, this year saw a jump in the number from 1, 112 during 2013 to 1, 131 during 2014. Any which way we look at this situation it's a sad story. Many of the people who lost their lives prematurely were young people. Far too many of the lives were lost due to someone's total stupidity.  But somehow, seeing that the figure actually rose rather than another decline is particularly depressing.

There will be those who say, but yes, but remember there was a time when annual losses used to be 5,191. That was a time when the whole country found that number just totally unacceptable and undigestable.

There are reasons we return in the evening after a day of travel. The reasons are that everyone we encountered during the day were alert and focused, as were we. Everyone took care to be courteous and drove with due care and attention. Probably, we all decided that we would not drink then get in our car and drive. At the end of the day we all returned to our loved ones.

I am fond of pointing out that in my homeland of Bermuda, as pat of the New Year Eve celebrations, the government makes taxis available for revellers to leave their own cars and to ride home, without cost, just so that we don't have people trying to drive home drunk. There are also a lot of policemen around at parking lots, etc to "suggest" very strongly in some cases that you need to take a taxi sir, and here's one now. Get In!

Result: Not one single accident after midnight December 31/ January 1.

What a lovely way to begin the New Year.

Drive safely and carefully. 2015 could be a really great year for you, but only if you're alive to see it through.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael  

Driving with Rewards

Its encouraging to be recognised for good driving habits.


I'm sure that other people share the same experiences as I do. When you find yourself thinking in a certain direction, and then you discover that someone else was on the same wavelength, but they actually did something about it.

For some time I have been thinking that perhaps there is nothing so fraught with rules as driving, and people just lying in wait for me to commit some kind of infracton. The relation between the police and the public seems to be completely adversarial. However, they police us with our consent, so I'm fairly certain we did not contemplate having them splitting our skulls, shooting us to death, or pulling us out of our cars to dump us in jail.

I do agree that we need to conduct ourselves with commonsense and courtesy toward our fellow drivers, so rules are important to guide us. But, it is all about rules and infringements.

Now comes along a television program through National Geographic called, "Under Control." I have to say that I am enjoying this program as they have tried some ideas that actually reward drivers respecting the speed limit, and other safe practices. In the test town the police are  noticing when people are naturally considerate and safe drivers, and they are issuing these people with Thank You certificates.

Imagine you are moving along at your customary pace and taking care of cyclists and pedestrians, when you hear a short burst from the police cruiser behind you. The first thing out of our mouths will likely be: "Now what the hell does he want?" The officer comes up to your window and says, "Good day, Ma'am, or Sir. I just wanted to thank you for driving with care and courtesy, and for being such a fine example to others. I present you with this certificate on behalf of the Commissioner of Police and all my fellow officers. Have a good day and keep it up!"

I think if that happened to me it would take me a litle while for it to sink in, and then you would see the biggest smile on my face. I would definately be encouraged to continue in the manner that got me recognised.

I think it might also go some ways to recognize the police as human beings and our fellow residents. Some times we, and they forget that their remit is to protect and serve us, their fellow law abiding citizens.

Copyright (c) 2014    Eugene Carmichael