Are we getting soft, or paranoid, or over regulated?

[BigJules]

I've been watching the news this afternoon and seen terrible footage of the floods in QLD and northern NSW.

Every so often they go to a clip of vehicles driving through water over the road. It's not even reaching the sills of the sedans but the drivers are being heavily criticised.

I feel some of this is over the top, but I'm wondering if my moral compass is still pointing north?

I certainly agree that one should be wary of flood water and especially fast moving water or deep water, but if these cars weren't driving the water wouldn't reach the wheel centres.

[alnjan]

Have to agree but there are a lot of Darwin candidates out there that will try the stupid crossings

[GUEY]

I guess it depends on where they are driving.
If it is in a residential area and the bow wave pushes water to a higher level yes that is really inconsiderate. That extra  50mm of water can mean the difference of water getting in to someone's home or not.
Out in the middle of nowhere and the height your talking about, go for your life.

[achjimmy]

I've been watching the news this afternoon and seen terrible footage of the floods in QLD and northern NSW.

Every so often they go to a clip of vehicles driving through water over the road. It's not even reaching the sills of the sedans but the drivers are being heavily criticised.

I feel some of this is over the top, but I'm wondering if my moral compass is still pointing north?

I certainly agree that one should be wary of flood water and especially fast moving water or deep water, but if these cars weren't driving the water wouldn't reach the wheel centres.

Mate we are totally pampered $&@#ed up pack of softc0cks no doubt about it IMO.  That's why they get away with he ridiculous laws they do.

[Patr80l]

The emergency services have been busy rescuing people who had driven though flood waters and one motorcyclist died.
I can understand them being overcautious.   On days like this I think you have to restrict 99% to protect one aspiring Darwinian.

[Patr80l]

Out in the middle of nowhere and the height your talking about, go for your life.

Might be famous last words.   You never know what is under that 300mm of water.

[GUEY]

Might be famous last words.

Exactly.

[BigJules]

So, if one cannot/should not drive through flood water, how about a trip to the Cape? Or Arhnem Land?

[baldheadedgit]

wow,, can of worms big fella.!


BHG

[evolution]

I guess it all depends mate, Different circumstances for different people. But in answer to your question BLOODY OATH, I mean comon! They are now talking about putting a tax on soft drink, as it's not healthy for you. With everything else that they do I feel like I live in a Nanny state! It really does drive me nuts!

ok rant over before it gets bad....

Cheers
Evo

[MarkGU]

Might be famous last words.   You never know what is under that 300mm of water.

OH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE DONT TELL ME THIS IS ANYWHERE NEAR ROCKHAMPTON !!!!!!!!!

[xcvator]

No problem there, it'll  buff out 

[McGirr]

My thoughts are yes be over cautious as at what stage do you say don't cross flooded roads. If it reaches half way up your wheels , 2/3rds up etc. Rather be safe than sorry.

Regarding the Cape. Completely different story. You walk the crossings , have the appropriate gear and have support ready. You are driving a 4wd.

Most people who have never driven a 4wd and only drive around town would be unsure and not have the experience attempting water crossings.

I then feel sorry for the ses,  rescuers that then have to save them if it goes pear shaped.

Just my opinion.

Mark

[GUEY]

So, if one cannot/should not drive through flood water, how about a trip to the Cape? Or Arhnem Land?

That is a completely different scenario.
Do you drive a sedan up the Tele track.
Do you do the cape without recovery gear.
Do you know what you are doing.
Is what you are doing up the cape going to put others lives at risk.

But your question relates to the current floods in urban areas.

[BigJules]

wow,, can of worms big fella.!


BHG

For sure. And please, don't anyone think I don't understand what the emergency services VOLUNTEERS go through or that things can go wrong with water crossings, I started this to gauge whether it was just me thinking that perhaps the nanny state was going too far.

Let me cite an example. A few weeks ago I took my wife and two girls down to Manly beach in Sydney. It was a picture perfect day, calm sea, small swell and surf and lots of people on the beach. We were at the south end of the beach near the surf club. The red and yellow flags were flying, but only about 35m apart! The surf was packed. You couldn't swim or boogie board without hitting people.

We sat just outside the flag area. The surf was calm. my wife and 9yo were on boogie boards and I was holding the 2yo in knee deep water. A surf club member came over and asked us to move. I declined, pointing out that we were safe and that the area between the flags was too crowded for the boards. He got stroppy and smart with me, asking me who knew the beach better. I was polite but resolute in return. He went for reinforcements, I  got the shirts and we left. Several minutes later the head life guard comes over the PA to the whole beach with a condescending lecture about beach safety. I was in knee deep water FFS.

Right next to us, members of the same surf club are swimming in and out, training etc. Once again, I am not having a go at SLSC, a brilliant organisation manned by dedicated volunteers, but the age of no-amount-of-risk-allowed-whatsoever is starting to p!ss me off. No personal responsibility leads to no personal accountability.

[McGirr]

Regretfully, the days of "she will be right"  are gone. Look at the bull Shite OHS etc. We all want to sue , submit a claim for injuries etc.

Mate we could all add our own scenarios regarding over zealous rules and people.

Any way back to the topic.

Mark

[ewwreckers]

I can see where you're coming from Jules.  All this 'nanny state' does it make it so people no longer need to use common sense, which is creating people who have no idea on how to stay safe/alive unless there is a big sign telling them what to do.  Now this is keeping alive all those people who would normally be lost due to 'natural selection'.  Take away natural selection and you are left with a whole lot of idiots.  Now and idiot is never going to find a smart person as a mate, they are going to attract another idiot.  What do you get then?  A race of uber idiots....you really have to wonder what is going to happen to the human race :/

[sandman]

I'm currently stuck at home due to flood waters. I know that I could get into work tomorrow by going through some water and would always walk the crossings before driving them. But if I do I also know that the plod could be on the other side waiting. Guess I will just have to go tidy up the shed ready to start working on the kitchen for the camper.

[Patr80l]

OH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE DONT TELL ME THIS IS ANYWHERE NEAR ROCKHAMPTON !!!!!!!!!

Neerkol creek Bridge (just past the Stanwell overpass) Westwood-Rockhampton

[achjimmy]

I'm currently stuck at home due to flood waters. I know that I could get into work tomorrow by going through some water and would always walk the crossings before driving them. But if I do I also know that the plod could be on the other side waiting. Guess I will just have to go tidy up the shed ready to start working on the kitchen for the camper.

Mate that's a no brainer, you don't want to go to work 

[MarkGU]

Neerkol creek Bridge (just past the Stanwell overpass) Westwood-Rockhampton

NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cruisindub]

Did anyone see that footage from earlier today of the car driving past the bus, a couple guys in high viz jackets jumping out the way, you couldn't even see the headlights,  but thê bow wave coming through.............

Cool footage!

[Sicilianmama]

My thoughts are yes be over cautious as at what stage do you say don't cross flooded roads. If it reaches half way up your wheels , 2/3rds up etc. Rather be safe than sorry.

Regarding the Cape. Completely different story. You walk the crossings , have the appropriate gear and have support ready. You are driving a 4wd.

Most people who have never driven a 4wd and only drive around town would be unsure and not have the experience attempting water crossings.

I then feel sorry for the ses,  rescuers that then have to save them if it goes pear shaped.

Just my opinion.

Mark

I agree. Some areas might be safe for someone who knows what their doing to cross through flood water in a 4wd, but how can police separate who can or who can't have a go and drive through? Is it really worth it? Today we saw a bloke in a captiva cross a flooded road near us, he got swept a bit but managed to get through. There are two other unflooded routes he could have taken, but chose to go the flooded way.

[sandman]

Mate that's a no brainer, you don't want to go to work 

Yeah - tough choice!

[dazzler]

No problem there, it'll  buff out 

Similar to the family that were killed nth of sydney with a similar washout.