CLOSE CALL

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 12:35 pm

In Victoria, Australia it is illegal to use hand-held cell phones (we call them mobiles down here) whilst you're driving. You must pullover to use them otherwise it's $165 and 2 demerit points!!

Of course that doesn't stop a lot of people!!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 1:01 pm

Stan, you're right; it's no-fault. I just got a call from my agent. Having never had an accident, I wasn't aware. So the $500 and rentacar is on my tab unless I can get a posh body shop to give me a loaner...

Brian, I work at Van Ness and Washington. The accident happened at VN and Pacific; I was NB on VN, she was EB on Pacific.

Howard, it's illegal in most of the civilized world, but the telecom companies have too much influence here. In Brasil it's a pretty big fine too.

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:42 pm

Paul, so very sorry to hear about your wreck! I would never use the word "accident" in a case like this since it was obviously an idiot that "thought they could make it".....geeesh!! And her responses!!
I bet her tune would change if she would've been paralyzed or had some things broken....but she didn't and she'll never learn.....anyway, glad you're ok and able to play your Rics and post here on the forum still....!! Play 'em like there's no tomorrow!!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:48 pm

Thanks, Chris, and you bet I will!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:58 pm

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:59 pm

I am so glad to hear you are okay! As for the flower child... well, this is a family forum so ...

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 5:19 pm

If I recall correctly that would have been the Northern Station district. I worked at Central. Shes lucky she didn't kill anyone. Running a red light at Van Ness is not usually good for ones health.

I'm glad you are ok! Stay Well!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 5:40 pm

I came close to being a statistic, I'm afraid. Another three or four feet to stop and she would have hit my door--at 45MPH...

Flower child with a face like a roadmap and a brain like a sponge...

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:35 am

Paul, Glad to hear you are all right and the rics too. Unfortunate about your vehicle. We have no-fault here in MI. So if you have "broadened collision" coverage you don't pay the deductable if it is not your fault. I am sure laws in each state differ though. I haven't been to SF in about 5 or 6 years, but the last time I was there it seemed that driving was a full time job due to the heavy traffic. No time for cell phones. Most of the time we used a taxi. The natives seemed unforgiving to any newbees on the road, especially during rush hour.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:01 am

Paul, I'm glad you're okay.... You and your beautiful Ric! That airhead sounds like she doesn't deserve a driver's license.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:33 am

No broadened collision here, although I am insured pretty heavily, with a bridge policy, too, in case the car is totalled.

Sometimes I can be psychic.

Anyway, I get to choose the body shop, so I think I'll send it to the local Ferrari/Maserati guy, recommended by the SAAB dealer. Mebbe they'll give me a 360 or a new Quattroporte as a loaner!

Heavy traffic and moonbeam-gathering drivers of both genders, make driving here more dangerous than Brasil. Rio traffic is a snap compared to SF, believe me!

bluespckr · Post by **bluespckr** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 6:59 am

Hmmm ... more dangerous than Brazil? Have you checked into how many Brazilians are in the US illegally (as in entering here legally on a six-month visitor's visa, but without any intention of going back, and so then staying here illegally after the six months passes.)? I work for immigration so I know it's a lot. So much so that, well, depending on the neighborhood, you might as well be driving in Brazil!

But, thank Dod you are okay and, your Rics made it through, too.

bluespckr · Post by **bluespckr** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 7:00 am

Thank "Dod"? Oh well, typos are me. Thank whoever....

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 8:36 am

I don't know how my accident, off topic as it is, became fodder for a somewhat biased political rant, but since you bring it up, might as well address your concerns:

Yes, there are illegals. Yes, there are a lot of Brasilians living in SF and the rest of the USA, both legally and illegally. My wife is a Brasilian and is a legal resident with two passports, my 8-year-old daughter has dual citizenship and two passports, and I am an American citizen with Brazilian residency. I have visited Brasil numerous times and lived there, too. Most Brasilian young men think that they are Ayrton Senna, reincarnated, and it makes driving exciting to say the least.

I also sympathize with the task that immigration officers have in securing our borders, especially in these times of heightened paranoia, fear, and security concerns. You are to be commended.

The SUV that hit me was driven(?) by a well-cared for, wealthy, cellphone toting, space cadet American-born Marin County native.

If there are neighborhoods in SF that are primarily occupied by illegal Brasilians, I'm not aware of this...It would not matter much, as in general, San Franciscans are the most impatient, preoccupied and aggressive (bad combination) drivers I've ever encountered in 38 years behind the wheel.

bluespckr · Post by **bluespckr** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:35 am

Ahh, come to Boston. It is world reknown for its aggressive and bad drivers, combined with a narrow maze of streets that look like cattle trails going nowhere. Can't blame tha Brazilians here, either -- probably more Irish and Italian than anything. Regardless, my comments were not mean as a "somewhat biased political rant." And the Brazilians are not the only group here with a high percentage of illegals. In fact, the Brazilians I have encountered -- and they are many -- all seem to work hard, most at two jobs or more, to raise their families. In the end, most do eventually find a way to obtain permanent residency or citizenship through employment-based sponsorship, or through marriage to a United States citizen. And certainly bad driving is a universal affliction! Can we still be friends?