Tree 1 GT-Rs 0

Another day, another accident. What is special about this one is that it involved 2 very fast cars of the same make and model but different generation. The Nissan GT-R (R35) and its predecessor Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34). However, both lost and the eventual winner is the tree by mother nature.

The aftermath

One thing to note is that the driver of the R34 was only 20 years old and had only gotten the car for 2 weeks. He could have lived longer if he or someone else didn't buy this car. A 20 year old driver is not capable of handling a car of this power. It is known as the beast, the R34. The worse thing is that not only he has lost his life, but others as well. No one will know who is at fault but having both cars on the same road with young drivers behind the wheel is seeking big trouble. Big trouble it was with 4 fatalities and 2 seriously injured.

The R34 in its full glory

With many rich kids being born, they need to be taught a sense of responsibility on the roads. Laws should be placed that will limit the vehicles that they can purchase and drive based on their experience. Just like a professional race driver, he/she doesn't race an F1 car immediately. They start from scratch like the go-kart and then slowly move up the vehicle power band into Formula 3 then Formula 2 and finally Formula 1.

The almighty Nissan GT-R (R35)

With normal drivers, the power band limit can apply too. New drivers should be limited to cars with 100bhp and then maybe move up 50bhp with every 5 years of driving experience. Provided they don't die beforehand.

Another U-Turn Casualty

With all stupid accidents happening, there are still drivers who doesn't think straight while on the road. Why can't they just use their brains and not do illegal u-turns. They will just get themselves killed and might kill others as well. This is the latest case as reported in The Star today (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/8/18/nation/20110818144304&sec=nation). Luckily the driver behind the car who u-turned illegally was not critically hurt.

Be smart. Never do u-turns at illegal locations. Do yourself and others a favour.

Big vs Small

It is with sadness that I have to read news of a tragic accident which happened yesterday (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/18/nation/7449148&sec=nation) in which 4 family members were killed by a reckless trailer driver. This is another case of a big vehicle bullying a small vehicle.

Why can't the government take action on these stupid and reckless bus, lorry and trailer drivers? When I was overseas in Europe or just nearby Singapore, no large vehicles speed nor drive recklessly. They are governed by law and strictly enforced. Why can't Malaysia do the same? Is it that difficult to do? I guess the only way for this matter to be seriously taken is when a bus, lorry or trailer crash into a politician's vehicle.

In the end, big triumphs over small...

Car vs Trailer

Read the online news today (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/8/nation/7382637&sec=nation) about this accident which claimed 4 lives. What shocked me is that is happened on a down slope while the stupid driver of the car is doing an overtaking maneuver on a double line under rainy conditions. Is gaining some time worth the risk of all the passengers on board? This is just plain stupidity...

Express Coffin

Shocking! Just shocking! Or is it already stale news? Heard over the radio last night about an express bus crashing through the expressway's center guard rail and into a few oncoming cars. I was shocked at first but isn't this has been happening in Malaysia for so long?

I got more information when I read the news this morning (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/11/nation/7201269&sec=nation). 12 people were killed as of press time. 4 vehicles were collateral damage. What is the express bus doing in the fast lane? Why was it speeding? Why can't those bus companies hire proper bus drivers? Profits more important than human lives?

I have been taking these express coffins at least once a month when I worked in Singapore, making the commute to and fro KL. My life was in the hands of the bus driver. At least once a month, I was at death's door. Speeding express buses are the norm, be it during the day time or the night time. Some could even go as fast as 130km/h when the speed limit for them is 90km/h on the expressways.

The Government has been all talk on putting in more enforcements on these express bus' companies. Black boxes, undercover officers as passengers, speed limiters, etc. What happened to all these "enforcements" for this ill-fated express bus? Is there a black box? Is an undercover officer one of the casualties? Why didn't the speed limiter activated?

How many should be lost until the day when the express buses are as safe as those found in US or Europe? Thousands of civilians? Or just one politician or cabinet member? News coverage has been quite low-profiled compared to the case of a dead millionaire or the launching of a politician's Facebook page.

Ever since I moved back to Malaysia to work, I have not taken any express bus if  I could drive to the destination. The last express bus I took was a trip from KL to Kuala Terengganu en route to Pulau Redang. Even though the bus was speeding once in awhile, I was more agitated by the coldness of the air conditioning than the speed. I was not worried too much on the speed as the journey was mostly on the trunk road and the express bus couldn't possibly speed too much.

With the emergence of budget airlines, I think it is much safer to fly than to take the express bus. However, I still hope that express buses in Malaysia could be safer, much safer, if not at least to be of the same standard as those found in developed countries. Bus ticket prices keep rising, yet the safety standard remains or went backwards. Even though the express buses used now are quite new and hi-tech, but with a stupid driver at the wheel, the lives of the passengers are definitely not guaranteed. The moment a passenger steps up into the bus, they are at death's door.

Penang Bridge Railing vs Nissan Grand Livina

Read in the newspaper today regarding a fatal accident on the Penang Bridge (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/9/21/nation/7073160&sec=nation) which happened two nights ago.

It is sad to see loss of lives in an accident. Particularly of those so young. What the hell was the driver thinking? Driving at stupid speeds and like an F1 driver on the Penang Bridge. I would understand if he was driving alone but having good friends and the wife on board is enough reason to be courteous on the road.

When a vehicle is loaded with people and luggage, the handling and performance of the vehicle changes. Momentum is increased thereby requiring a different driving style. Braking distance is increased. Braking time is increased. There is more tension and pressure asserted to the tires, suspensions and brakes. In a nutshell, you need to adapt to these changes.

Having a very young driver at the wheel with very little experience, I guess, is the main reason this accident happened. Coupled with the intention of having a good night out with close friends.

In the end, who will suffer? The little baby of the dead couple will suffer. Having to lose her parents without even the chance of getting to know them. Next time when you drive, do think of your love ones.

The railing won hands down...