Driver Blamed for Hitting Cows on Road at Night - Page 3

99AUXR · 25-11-2015, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

I appreciate a black cow is harder to see but those cams only pick them up with about 15-20 meters. if I only had that sort of vision I wouldn't be very comfortable driving at night on country roads.

I also appreciate in a truck you may not be able to pull up in time, and swerving would be a poor option.
but In a car it shouldn't be a problem.

If the cow is 60 meters off you still have no chance of stopping.

Vesper Martini · 25-11-2015, 04:52 PM

Yes that sounds typical, I wouldn't be comfortable driving on a country road unless I could see the length of a rugby pitch.
my point is those cheap cameras cant do that without night vision.

**GasoLane** · 25-11-2015, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

I appreciate a black cow is harder to see but those cams only pick them up with about 15-20 meters. if I only had that sort of vision I wouldn't be very comfortable driving at night on country roads.

I also appreciate in a truck you may not be able to pull up in time, and swerving would be a poor option.
but In a car it shouldn't be a problem.

Oh, I probably could have pulled up, had I seen them!

The car and caravan that was not far behind us was only doing about 80kmh (as they do ) and he managed to get one.

When you come across a non reflective black Cow an night you'll see what I mean.
Herefords are a little easier to see, the white bits stand out

XB GS 351 Coupe · 25-11-2015, 06:21 PM

I think what most people are missing is that the driver was not driving to the prevailing conditions, these conditions include his capability, visibility, vehicle stopping ability, weather, road conditions, road surface, etc etc.

I live not far from where this took place and have travelled that road many times, I do a lot of night driving, and consequently I have decent Light Force driving lights, that allow me plenty of visibility, when I need to dip my driving lights, I also use quality Narva Bulbs in my head lights (Narva Intense) I generally slow right down when there is oncoming cars as my visibility is reduced.

Driving to conditions involves a lot of factors.

Who knows why the cows were there and who is at fault for them being there. blaming the poor farmer is jumping the gun IMO, as he would not want his cows hit by cars, who is to say the gate was left open, may be someone opened it, may be someone drove through the farmers fence allowing them to escape, who knows. Proving in a Court of law the farmer is at fault would not be an easy task.

malazn mafia · 25-11-2015, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

I appreciate a black cow is harder to see but those cams only pick them up with about 15-20 meters. if I only had that sort of vision I wouldn't be very comfortable driving at night on country roads.

I also appreciate in a truck you may not be able to pull up in time, and swerving would be a poor option.
but In a car it shouldn't be a problem.

Actually despite what the "professional" road safety experts say about "never swerve.. You must brake and brace for impact of wildlife ahead", I actually owe my life to swerving and accelerating instead. Picked up a new GT 335 from far North Queensland and had to return to work by Monday in Sydney. Was doing some ungodly pace down a remote dead straight, past midnight, and a big black wombat the size of one lane was on the road. Being it coloured black, did not see it until 100 metres , high beams on. Split second decision to gamble with fate rather than take the expert advice, swung the steering hard to the right, then left, around Mr Wombat, tyres screaming. Everything went slow motion and saw both fence lines while looking straight ahead from the driver's seat a few times as car went sideways in both directions. Fought and worked that steering as best I could, pinned the accelerator a few times to regain forward momentum and somehow managed to stay on the tarmac, exit speed was still above 100kph. Completely missed the wombat, and continued down that road in one piece and grateful to be alive. Thinking back, perhaps the Bosch DSC system had a lot to do with my survival, as I could feel the rears automatically braking individually as I worked that steering left and right about 12 times to regain control. Maybe it was due to my learned experience in younger years of pushing the limits of my old EL down dirt roads, practicing losing control and regaining it through steering and accelerator modulation. Another possibility is divine intervention, or if your time is not up, it's not up. That night still leaves a lot of confusion in my mind.

Smoke Pursuit · 25-11-2015, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Yes that sounds typical, I wouldn't be comfortable driving on a country road unless I could see the length of a rugby pitch.
my point is those cheap cameras cant do that without night vision.

You sound like you have never driven a country road at night.

XB GS 351 Coupe · 25-11-2015, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Actually despite what the "professional" road safety experts say about "never swerve.. You must brake and brace for impact of wildlife ahead", I actually owe my life to swerving and accelerating instead. Picked up a new GT 335 from far North Queensland and had to return to work by Monday in Sydney. Was doing some ungodly pace down a remote dead straight, past midnight, and a big black wombat the size of one lane was on the road. Being it coloured black, did not see it until 100 metres , high beams on. Split second decision to gamble with fate rather than take the expert advice, swung the steering hard to the right, then left, around Mr Wombat, tyres screaming. Everything went slow motion and saw both fence lines while looking straight ahead from the driver's seat a few times as car went sideways in both directions. Fought and worked that steering as best I could, pinned the accelerator a few times to regain forward momentum and somehow managed to stay on the tarmac, exit speed was still above 100kph. Completely missed the wombat, and continued down that road in one piece and grateful to be alive. Thinking back, perhaps the Bosch DSC system had a lot to do with my survival, as I could feel the rears automatically braking individually as I worked that steering left and right about 12 times to regain control. Maybe it was due to my learned experience in younger years of pushing the limits of my old EL down dirt roads, practicing losing control and regaining it through steering and accelerator modulation. Another possibility is divine intervention, or if your time is not up, it's not up. That night still leaves a lot of confusion in my mind.

Being in a modern GT, probably helped, as these cars handle really well for a big family bus.

By the way I do lots and lots of night time remote country road driving and swerve almost daily to avoid wildlife, and that is driving a HiLux 4x4, you just need to know the capabilities of your vehicle.

99AUXR · 25-11-2015, 08:22 PM

The above is pretty true in my car I have done some pretty aggressive swerves at times to miss rabbits and other small wildlife that would make a mess of my car. However in the ranger with a a lift kit over 2" and 33" tyres I wouldn't be so keen.

XB GS 351 Coupe · 25-11-2015, 08:38 PM

I don't swerve for small animals, sorry but cats, foxes, rabbits or similar do not get swerved for in my 4x4 (just not worth the risk to me), they don't cause any harm to my vehicle, kangaroos, emu's pigs is another story. Small Kangaroos generally don't get swerved for either, never had one cause damage yet.

**98TLS** · 25-11-2015, 08:42 PM

Some interesting posts here for sure...way i see it the cocky has an obligation to keep his stock behind a fence,if as someone suggested the guys cows are clever and removed the latch

then whilst i applaud there efforts in order to go for a wander joe public out driving cant be held responsible...be it out in the country or in town someones livestock/pets etc are there responsibility period.

**ebxr8240** · 25-11-2015, 08:55 PM

So who's responsible if you hit a roo ?
Who's. Responsible when Magpies attack ?
So if there's black ice on road ?
You looking for the local dealer ? Lol

99AUXR · 25-11-2015, 08:56 PM

......

b0son · 25-11-2015, 09:05 PM

I don't swerve full stop. Would rather pay for an excess than a funeral.

**98TLS** · 25-11-2015, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

So who's responsible if you hit a roo ?
Who's. Responsible when Magpies attack ?
So if there's black ice on road ?
You looking for the local dealer ? Lol

Never come across a farmer that has/owns roos or Magpies so just like black ice would put it down to **** happens eh...born n breed on a sheep station in Nth Canterbury NZ and can say without doubt if a motorist had the misfortune to hit stock off our property that were on a public road then the stupidity or not of the motorist wouldnt come into it fact is the livestock should be behind a fence.Long since moved away from the farm but the same applies in town ie if my Border Collie gets run over out in the street as ****ed of as i would be its a long shot to go blaming the guy driving the car.

malazn mafia · 25-11-2015, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0son

I don't swerve full stop. Would rather pay for an excess than a funeral.

If you are headed for a 300kg wombat, now what?

XB GS 351 Coupe · 25-11-2015, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98TLS

Never come across a farmer that has/owns roos or Magpies so just like black ice would put it down to **** happens eh...born n breed on a sheep station in Nth Canterbury NZ and can say without doubt if a motorist had the misfortune to hit stock off our property that were on a public road then the stupidity or not of the motorist wouldnt come into it fact is the livestock should be behind a fence.Long since moved away from the farm but the same applies in town ie if my Border Collie gets run over out in the street as ****ed of as i would be its a long shot to go blaming the guy driving the car.

It's an even longer shot to blame the owner of the animal when they have taken all precautions, so if some kids let your border collie out without your knowledge you would be happy to take the blame??

I certainly would not be.

Especially if the motorist was travelling at excess speed to the prevailing conditions at the time and ignored warnings given by other drivers??

sprintman1 · 25-11-2015, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

You sound like you have never driven a country road at night.

This.....

BFGasUte · 25-11-2015, 11:02 PM

Hello,

Cars go through fences and break them. I remember some years ago there was a fatal when someone opened a gate and a Horse got out and was hit by a Car. Killed the passenger. As a driver you have to look for hazards, and when stock is grazing on the verge or being moved there normally are signs out to warn drivers. There are always other factors involved compared to what is reported, and if you travel at night there is a greater chance to hit animals.

b0son · 25-11-2015, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

If you are headed for a 300kg wombat, now what?

More likely to hit a unicorn.

Express · 26-11-2015, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0son

More likely to hit a unicorn.

Take a midnight drive around Armidale NSW.

Wild dogs and collisions with cars are the biggest killer of Wombats.

b0son · 26-11-2015, 01:42 AM

Considering the largest wombat in captivity is 38kg, I'm more than a little skeptical of the existence of one that's 300kg.

Express · 26-11-2015, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0son

Considering the largest wombat in captivity is 38kg, I'm more than a little skeptical of the existence of one that's 300kg.

10 wombats out for a midnight stroll.

BFGasUte · 26-11-2015, 06:27 AM

Hello,

I thought it may have been one of these he meant. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diprotodon

XBROO · 26-11-2015, 06:55 AM

This is always going to be a tough one, if you're from the country you'll blame the car. If you're from the city you'll blame farmer. Me I don't drive out in the country at night if I can help it. Leave it for the trucks and travel in daylight hours.

BFGasUte · 26-11-2015, 07:34 AM

Hello,

You have to Sus out what is around. I am always cautious driving at night. One of the roads I often travel I go between 40 and 60. Yes that slow. My trip takes an hour longer, but I know I will make it home with an undamaged Car. No traffic so I dont hold anyone up. A hot summer day is about the only time there is little risk of hitting stock or wildlife.

new2ford · 26-11-2015, 08:24 AM

Our neighbour is a policeman. He told me one night they were doing 110 down a country road in a Landcruiser with lights and siren going to an emergency and a wombat appears in front of them. They could do anything but he said it was like hitting a large boulder but they stayed on the road!

Isn't there a thread here somewhere about buying second hand police vehicles?

XB GS 351 Coupe · 26-11-2015, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XBROO

This is always going to be a tough one, if you're from the country you'll blame the car. If you're from the city you'll blame farmer. Me I don't drive out in the country at night if I can help it. Leave it for the trucks and travel in daylight hours.

This is 100% correct as most people living in the city have no idea on the hazards involved in country driving especially at night, it's a completely different ball game.

Most accidents out here are caused by city drivers or back packers, and it's usually stuff where country folk will say WTF, how did they manage to ignore all the warning signs etc and end up having this accident. Pretty much like the footage posted in the OP, where there was an obvious hazard ahead and plenty of warning was given and old moron just kept on motoring along without slowing up.

If that car was flashing it's lights like that at me at night I would be down to 40-50km/hr in a flash till I worked out what the problem was.

But I have done over 5500km since the first of this months (yes I run a vehicle dairy for tax purposes), all country roads in the same area where this happened and about 3000km would have been night time driving.

**GasoLane** · 26-11-2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

(yes I run a vehicle dairy for tax purposes)

Do you get much milk from the vehicle

XBROO · 26-11-2015, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

This is 100% correct as most people living in the city have no idea on the hazards involved in country driving especially at night, it's a completely different ball game.

Most accidents out here are caused by city drivers or back packers, and it's usually stuff where country folk will say WTF, how did they manage to ignore all the warning signs etc and end up having this accident. Pretty much like the footage posted in the OP, where there was an obvious hazard ahead and plenty of warning was given and old moron just kept on motoring along without slowing up.

If that car was flashing it's lights like that at me at night I would be down to 40-50km/hr in a flash till I worked out what the problem was.

But I have done over 5500km since the first of this months (yes I run a vehicle dairy for tax purposes), all country roads in the same area where this happened and about 3000km would have been night time driving.

Yes that's because you are an experience country/rural driver, same can be said about country folk driving into the big smoke. I guess it comes down to what you're use to and the hazards that naturally come where you live. Me I live semi rural so I do a bit of both, but mostly city as that's where my job takes me.

blackf6 · 26-11-2015, 09:37 AM

Headlights on trucks are crap. Fully loaded, full tilt at night. You would have no chance to stop. Seen a cow about one hundred meters out. Was right at the start of a single lane bridge. With 2 meter batters on the side of the road. 50 tonne gross, had no chance. The cow stepped off just before impact. Phew. I have missed a few big reds though. My trick is, if you spot one roo on the side, slow down as they usually cross in packs. We have cameras. And I have actually scored awards for great night time animal avoidance!