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Thread ID: 86952 2008-02-03 00:38:00 to swerve or not to swerve ? drcspy (146) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
636658 2008-02-05 01:19:00 A few years a go I was driving north from Wellington. Just as we were entering a passing lane the car in front slammed on its brakes. I was accelerating to pass so had to swerve to miss the car.

The moron had stopped in a 100km/h zone, on SH1, because a duck was taking its ducklings for a walk across the road.

Ok, lets view this a couple of different ways.

WHAT IF:

A) The driver of the car that stopped, didn't stop, but instead swerved into oncoming traffic? What if you were the oncoming traffic?

B) The driver of the car that stopped, didn't stop, but instead hit the ducks, causing him to lose control and either spin out into oncoming traffic, which again could've been you, or ended up sideways and you (from behind) went straight into the drivers door, killing the driver.

Think about that. 		--Wolf-- (128)
636659 2008-02-05 01:20:00 Meh, think about your face.

It would have to be a pretty large duck, and a very incompetent driver to cause any such issues. 		wratterus (105)
636660 2008-02-05 02:36:00 I probably was a bit closer than normal as I was accelerating to pass the car in front, I didn't hear or feel any thumps so I probably missed the ducks. I'd left my ACME Roadside IQ test in my other jacket so I couldn't administer a roadside IQ test

So you feel qualified to call the driver of the vehicle that stopped a moron without knowing the facts.

Next time I stop for the ducks I hope you are right behind me.

For the record I often drive Truck and trailer combinations that are often 30 tonnes and have sometimes been around 40 tonnes. 		Sweep (90)
636661 2008-02-05 03:07:00 and.............all these stories are great and I admit to having run over a few animals in the hundreds of thousands of kms i've done on the road.....however my ORIGINAL question was:

does anyone know what the roadcode says about this ?..... 		drcspy (146)
636662 2008-02-05 03:09:00 There isnt a law for everything some things are common sense.
This will cause problems for some people.

C1 		chicken one (6501)
636663 2008-02-05 03:15:00 www.landtransport.govt.nz


Nowhere does it say you must run over animals.
In fact you are required to notify the owner if you kill a pet. 		pctek (84)
636664 2008-02-05 03:19:00 The road code probably says what it says about everything else, slow down and stop if you can do so safely. --Wolf-- (128)
636665 2008-02-05 19:44:00 www.landtransport.govt.nz


Nowhere does it say you must run over animals.
In fact you are required to notify the owner if you kill a pet.
Right, that covers pet animals, even if a bit vaguely.
However, what are the rules for taggers? Presumably the driver must assess the possile vehicle damage against the benefits to the wider community. If squashing taggers with sufficient skill and flair, would the driver be awarded ear(s) (www.andalucia.com) on a show of handkerchiefs ? :horrified 		R2x1 (4628)
636666 2008-02-05 21:30:00 Kahu, the harrier hawk
www.nzbirds.com


I swerve. If possible.

I have killed a kitten, a sparrow, and a hedgehog.

And it bothers me for ages and ages after.

Swerving towards them is an a******* thing to do.

Likewise I would swerve if possible. But I drive a car, not a 2 ton tank with a high center of gravity :o 		dolby digital (5073)
636667 2008-02-05 23:59:00 The road code probably says what it says about everything else, slow down and stop if you can do so safely.

I really like the word "probably".

Do you actually know or are you taking a wild guess?

www.landtransport.govt.nz

Do you know that the road code is a simplified document that does not cover all the laws as to driving in New Zealand.

The road code gives advice to prevent yourself and others from having a dent in the vehicle or having a dent in yourself or others. It is not law as laid down by the government. 		Sweep (90)
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