Reply to: Automotive Carnage

[The Lone Gunman]

I daresay that, if there had been a speed limit, every single one of the people involved would have been explaining that "I only exceed the speed limit when I know it's safe to do so... it's those other idiots... I'm a good driver, I know how to deal with difficult conditions... it's those other idiots... I'm perfectly safe because I'm the best driver the world has ever seen... it's those other idiots..." in exactly the manner we see on here whenever anybody dares to suggest that enforcement of the legal restrictions on the speed you're allowed to drive at in this country might actually be sensible.

Generally Germans obey the speed limits in my experience.

[BrilloPad]

I daresay that, if there had been a speed limit, every single one of the people involved would have been explaining that "I only exceed the speed limit when I know it's safe to do so... it's those other idiots... I'm a good driver, I know how to deal with difficult conditions... it's those other idiots... I'm perfectly safe because I'm the best driver the world has ever seen... it's those other idiots..." in exactly the manner we see on here whenever anybody dares to suggest that enforcement of the legal restrictions on the speed you're allowed to drive at in this country might actually be sensible.

Enforcing the speed limits in urban areas is extremely important. I am not convinced about motorways though. In fact I believe speed limit could be raised to 100mph.

[NickFitz]

I daresay that, if there had been a speed limit, every single one of the people involved would have been explaining that "I only exceed the speed limit when I know it's safe to do so... it's those other idiots... I'm a good driver, I know how to deal with difficult conditions... it's those other idiots... I'm perfectly safe because I'm the best driver the world has ever seen... it's those other idiots..." in exactly the manner we see on here whenever anybody dares to suggest that enforcement of the legal restrictions on the speed you're allowed to drive at in this country might actually be sensible.

[darmstadt]

Except this was Germany so its Germans first and then by the type of car that you were driving

[RichardCranium]

OK, I give up.

I have spent 15 minutes trying to find the Rowan Atkinson sketch about driving statistics. I thought it was from The Secret Policemen's Ball.

He rants on about casualties and deaths in various European countries. Then a pause.

"This is simply. Not. Good. Enough. There are MILLIONS of these bloody Europeans and we'll never get through them at this rate. It is your duty as British citizens to do your bit. When driving on the continent, DRIVE ON THE LEFT."

Can anyone find us a link?

[DaveB]

how do you do triage in something like that ???

who decides who get taken to hospital and in what order ? who takes charge ?

it cant simply be first come, first served

The emergency services have major incident processes they work to for something like this and all three will have rehearsed them together.

Essentially the incident area is divided up with a local OIC for each section reporting back to the incident commander who prioritizes resources as they arrive. The OIC's for each area then direct them where they are needed.

Individuals are assessed as and when they are found and triaged as needed.

But yes, it's basically controlled chaos until they get a proper grasp of the situation and start being able to ship patients off to hospital.

[RichardCranium]

how do you do triage in something like that ???

who decides who get taken to hospital and in what order ? who takes charge ?

it cant simply be first come, first served

That's the point of triage, it is fast and easy and suitable for huge numbers of casualties.

0. Are they dead? Leave them.
1. Can they wait? Leave them.
2. Are they dying mess? Leave them.
3. Would immediate aid save their life / a limb? Go no further: treat them / send them for treatment.
Go to next casualty.

Any trained first aider can do this.

[EternalOptimist]

how do you do triage in something like that ???

who decides who get taken to hospital and in what order ? who takes charge ?

it cant simply be first come, first served

[gingerjedi]

German drivers are not best and in the wet they are a nightmare.

I don't know Schumacher was pretty much unstoppable in the wet.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

That ABD info is interesting, but the way they extrapolate it is of course skewed by their agenda. They say we're safest in Europe despite having the busiest roads - maybe it's because rather than despite - you can't do much damage in a 10mph jam which is where I seem to spend most time driving. Also IIRC Portugal is so dangerous because the penalty for drink driving is an on the spot fine of about ten pence.

[The Lone Gunman]

A quick google found this

http://www.abd.org.uk/safest_roads.htm

If the stats are to be trusted then my observations are born out.

[The Lone Gunman]

Any stats to back that up? I have seem some appaling UK driving in the wet.

Cant give you the stats, but have been driving on the mainland for 10 years now. I could relate any number of incidents and in my experience the UK has the better drivers, though not by much and getting worse. I have seen spectacular incompetence and arrogance in both places.

[BrilloPad]

German drivers are not best and in the wet they are a nightmare.

Any stats to back that up? I have seem some appaling UK driving in the wet.

[The Lone Gunman]

German drivers are not best and in the wet they are a nightmare.

[Cyberman]

259 cars involved, to be precise !! Crazy idiots.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8159290.stm