Ramblings

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Tue 8 Feb 2005 10:10
Ramblings - J Bonington Jagworth
An item on the radio yesterday prefaced an report on speeding with the notion that it was responsible for "one third of fatal accidents". This is undoubtedly someone's opinion, but to hear it presented as undisputed fact was a bit unsettling. Does anyone know if it comes from a more reliable source than Government Spin HQ?

Incidentally, I just read HJ's piece on the new Audi A6 estate, which read well until he got to the bit about the cable-operated gearchange. What, like the Maxi? Tell me it isn't true...
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 10:16
Ramblings - Stuartli
An official Police report on the cause of accidents about 12-18 months ago blamed speed in only seven per cent of road incidents.

However, the New Labour spin machine went into action and contrived to prove that speed was a factor in approximately 30 per cent of accidents (as you have observed).

Only a true cynic would claim this was to keep the speed cameras' revenue in full flow...:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 10:38
Ramblings - teabelly
The one third lie started with the DFT putting together categories in TRL reports into accident causation. The dft have since abandoned the 1/3 accidents caused by speeding as they have realised no one believes it anymore and it is making them look stupid.
teabelly
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 15:15
Ramblings - NowWheels
An official Police report on the cause of accidents about 12-18
months ago blamed speed in only seven per cent of road
incidents.


Actually, I think that the report you are thinking of was not designed to measure accident causation, but rather to test accident recording methodologies.

The argument about the figures mostly comes in the grey area where speed was a contributory factor. Some of those who dislike restrictions on speed only want to consider accidents where it was the sole cause ... but since most accidents (in any context) are muti-factorial, that's a very dodgy approach.
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 10:18
Ramblings - Altea Ego
A lot of cars have cable operated gearchange linkages and have for a number of years.


However unlike BL they are properly engineered and work.
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 10:34
Ramblings - Stuartli
>>However unlike BL they are properly engineered and work.>>

Certainly will be with an Audi (or any other VAG product); my Bora's gearchange is smooth enough for me.

Now awaiting the backlash...:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 10:41
Ramblings - BazzaBear {P}
By 'backlash' do you mean someone pointing out that your one Bora does not necessarily mean that every VW ever made has a faultless gearchange?
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 10:44
Ramblings - Stuartli
>>By 'backlash' do you mean...>>

No, "properly engineered and work"...:)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 15:38
Ramblings - mfarrow
A lot of cars have cable operated gearchange linkages and have
for a number of years.


Indeed, as I discovered on the old Focus, though for some reason the 2.0 litre and diesel versions were rod change still. Maybe to do with engine vibration? The young sales guy at Fords hadn't even heard of a rod-change gearbox when I asked there.
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 17:59
Ramblings - Adam {P}
The 1.8 has a rod change too.
--
Adam
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 23:36
Ramblings - mfarrow
The 1.8 has a rod change too.


Adam,

that's interesting, my mate has the 1.6 and it's cable operated. I wonder what marks the cut-off point between using a cable and using a rod? I presume they're the same gearbox bar the linkage.

The only experience I've has of a cable gearchange is in the new Fiesta. I can say I notice the difference but can't see the benefits. What would be really good is a heated gear stick and steering wheel for these frosty mornings.

As for the Maxi, I'm sure had it been a sucess then every car since would have had cable gearchange. As one of my lectures commented: too far ahead of their time?
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Wed 9 Feb 2005 06:40
Ramblings - Adam {P}
Mike,

I could well be wrong as I got told this. However, are we on about what the gear lever moves to change gear (not very mechanical as you may have guessed) because if so, it is rod as I've seen it but if not, ignore me!
--
Adam
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 10:24
Ramblings - Clanger
The old Citroen DS had cable-operated gearchange and was adequately precise for a column shift, but the cable inner was as fat as your little finger.
Hawkeye
-----------------------------
Stranger in a strange land
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 12:14
Ramblings - artful dodger {P}
My Fiat Marea Weekend which is 6 yeras old has a wonderful cable linkage. It is as light and smooth to use as a direct old escort gearbox. So you should have no worries at all on an Audi A6 estate. Why not arrange a test drive to see for yourself?
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Tue 8 Feb 2005 15:48
Ramblings - THe Growler
Ah, JBJ, you are back after a noticeable absence. May we have an update on the bike front please?
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Fri 11 Feb 2005 12:36
Ramblings - J Bonington Jagworth
Thank you for noticing, G! Thanks to everyone else too, for their thoughts - I hadn't realised that cable changes were so common, but I still don't want one...

WRT bikes, I have been using Suzy through the winter (to my own surprise) but looking forward to the warmer days. Our crowded island (Wight, not Britain) is ideal territory for bikes, especially as there's never anywhere to park in the towns. I love this little bike - she's just the right size and weight, and I can still get nearly 200 miles from ten quid's worth of petrol...
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Fri 11 Feb 2005 13:26
Ramblings - GrahamF1
I think this claimed 30% stems from accident reports completed by Police Officers, and the cause of it is a fairly badly designed report form.

The person completing it has to select one major causal factor and two contributory factors. The options for contributory factors include things like excessive speed, mechanical defect, being under the influence of alcohol, etc.

Having decided on the major causal factor and perhaps one contributory factor, they tend to be at a loss in terms of what to put for the second contributory factor (or perhaps both). They tend to plump for excessive speed if none of the options apply - you can always justify choosing excessive speed on the grounds of "well if they were doing 5mph it probably wouldn't have happened".

The form doesn't really take account that they may be one major causal factor and no other contributory factors, or perhaps just one.

If anyone knows better, let us know.
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