Yet another fatal rollover at fraser

[PADDLES]

This time it wasn't in an overloaded troopy but in a hired 100 series cruiser. There are now calls for a 4wd license, i simply can't see how this would make a difference.

Interestingly it has been reported in fairfax press that in a qld transport blitz last week, of 50 hire vehicles inspected at the barge, 17 were turned around for faulty brakes/tyres/seatbelts, 9 were overloaded and 9 more were defected. obviously the hire companies don't give a sh!t. this fatal accident has happened only days after the bligh government had deferred the new 4wd hire requirements (after the last fatality) for another 6 months at the request of the 4wd hire companies.

[FNQCairns]

I think it all been made up, after all the speed limit was lowered....that mock 4wd didn't have a roof rack that I could see let alone an overloaded one......there was simply no possibility of this happening after all those top blokes and Shellas in the state governments quality regulated intervention to keep us all extra tickady boo safe.

cheers fnq

[SeaHunt]

I know this is a nanny State run by Nanna Bligh, but you can't go around making up a new law every time someone finds a new way to kill themselves.
People have to take responsibility for their own actions.

But personally I would be happy if the Govt. stop letting people drive in Queensland with a lisence they got overseas.

Our own kids have to get a million lessons, keep a log, know the rules backwards and sit a test before they can drive.
Yet some backpacker from a third world country where there are few rules can bribe the local cop for a lisence and then jump in a hire car or 4wd when they get here and drive all over the country, often logging up thousands in parking and speeding fines which they never pay before leaving.

[Blackened]

G'day

Funny that about overseas drivers. Not in relation to 4x4's but more so general trivia.

A very good friend of mine is Hungarian, about to become an Aussie citizen Next year. She cannot transfer her license to a QLD one because they don't list Hungary as a country that they will accept. However, the licensing requirements in Hungary are stricter over there than here, she had paid in excess of $1000 to obtain her license over there.

If you're a pom, german or from many other countries, no worries. Instant transfer. Work that out?

Dave

[BenDover]

My Austrian friends. Have only just now got pictures on their licences. They came over and showed me their licience. I had to laugh hey. A peace of paper with their name on it. THATS IT.

Plus if you didnt read german you wouldnt have a clue hat the other 7 words ment.

[jimbamb]

fnq,
do i detect a little sarcasm there??? very subtle!!!
Jim

[jimbamb]

facts.
8 people in 7 seat vehicle
Noone had seat belt on
driver swerved to miss wave????????
WTF???
Prosecute 4 wd hire operator He;s as silly as the backpackers..
Jim

[Mr__Bean]

Landcruiser wagon is an 8 seat vehicle.

- Darren

[sleepygreg]

They were from Japan...I would hardly call that a third world country. Though they would have had no experience in driving on sand. They were not wearing seat belts...no amount of legislation will stop people who want to ignore the law doing so. Do you have a copper standing at the barge and making sure they have their seatbelts on....then whats to stop them taking them off once they get out of sight of the copper. You cant legislate against STUPIDITY......just try to minimise the consequences. Maybe we should just ban the driving of 4WD's on fraser Island...that should make sure there are no more fatalities.

Greg

[TimiBoy]

I've driven trucks for a few years, and of course translated that knowledge and experience to the operation of the fourby. I also took care to train my wife to drive the Patrol like a truck, and she's followed through with that training in the 'Cruiser. As a truck driver, I can also say that I have observed a high proportion of fourby drivers who think they are driving a car.

Mumsy is a good driver, but it took a while to get the idea out of her that they handle more like trucks than cars, and she's always been a conservative driver.

While I am no fan of regulation, I must admit I am leaning towards some kind of additional licensing requirement for the driving of 4WD's. If we had such regulation, it would be increasingly difficult to hire one as an overseas tourist. (But Anna would waive it for tourists...)

Having spent some time in Europe (Germany/France), I can state categorically that not only do Europeans not generally know how to drive a 4WD, they've often not even seen them! Fuel is more than twice the price over there, and there are few places to use one, let alone having space to park them. When I was there, my car (VX 200 series 'Cruiser) was listed at 80,000 Euros ($165,000 - under $100,000 here) so most can't afford them either. Seriously, in many villages you have to drive on the footpath in those go-carts with doors they call cars, just to get through! Stick a Cruiser there and you just can't get some places. I saw 1 Patrol and 0 Land Cruisers in a month. 4 or 5 Merc fourbys. No Prados, no Tritons, no Hi-Lux's. Nothin'.

I can only imagine a similar situation in Asia, including Japan of course.

So they not only don't have experience driving on beaches, they have no experience with vehicles that size, and they have NEVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT a vehicle with a 4 litre plus turbo charged engine!

*runs for cover*

Tim

[BREAMBOSS01]

Dodging a wave? must of been driving through the wash in the first place.

anyone who has the slightest idea of driving a 4wd would not swerve and certainly not on a beach with low tyre pressures,

knowing how to handle a 4wd is one thing but a 4wd on a beach is a complete different story...

[BenDover]

Even though we have been over this subject a million times before.. 80% of crash's or roller overs on fraser are oversea's tourists (backpackers). The other 20% are interstate holiday makers or just d$ckheads and w@nkers (me being included in there at some stage). We HAVE to take care of and look after the oversea's travellers. As they seriously dont have a clue.... Its not 4x4's on fraser thats the problem. Its the guy behind the wheel. Hire out a driver who comes with the car for fraser (BY LAW)!!! He can be soley incharge of the entire 4x4, mechanically aswell. Sure he can teach them and let them take turns driving some cuttings and tracks under his supervision. But he will do most of the driving. Best tour guide for the island aswell.

Lets face it... If you have to hire a 4x4 to go to fraser, then chances are you dont have 1 yourself or any experience driving in sand.

Most aussies just go slow and at our own pace, accidents happen. But backpackers seriously drive it like its a highway completely un aware of any dangers.

[jimbamb]

darren.
official report said 7 seats ,Thats what i understood to be true..
Jim

[FNQCairns]

Anyone else think that 60km/h is fast enough? after all it's holiday destination, smell the roses even if forced to by doodling along, then they wouldn't feel the need to dumb down our do no harm free choice to their level with poor regulation that target the nuts and bolts and choice of how long to stay of the many competent individuals who is able to pack sensibly for a trip away. IMHO the regulators fiddle with stuff they may have the power over but they seriously lack any competent comprehension over.

After all I would assume the average Fraser is camper wouldn't have a clue which international cheese goes best with which cracker and wouldn't consider pretending they do in the face of regulator types so why do the regulators feel they can muck (knee jerk) in stuff they have no culture, competence, interest or competence within.

cheers fnq

[Mr__Bean]

I think 60Kmh is more than enough for 4WD newcomers.

I do think it penalises the experineced people on the island though that run supplies up and down all day, it also penalises the experienced 4wd drivers.

Maybe it should be 50Kmh unless you hold a competancy approval, issued by who though?

- Darren