Essential travel

[Steve (sdh2903)]

Just now, Rush Motorspurt said:

It shouldn’t be about FPNs, it’s about unknowingly passing on the virus. So, take responsibility for public health, do the right thing and set a good example. 

 

But how is it possible to pass it on If all the precautions are taken in this example? 

[Blatman]

Just now, Steve (sdh2903) said:

 

Blatters you change your tune more than the Scottish weather. 

 

No, I've always said that there is very little actual primary legislation with regards to Covid-19 restrictions and distance travelled has never featured in them.

It's a personal choice. It always has been. There are people who will want to abide by the guidelines and there will be people who don't and there will be people who want to not abide on select occasions. 

[DonPeffers]

6 minutes ago, Blatman said:

 

Same issue if you break down 2 miles from home...

The risk of RTA or breakdown must increase with increased mileage.

[DonPeffers]

Possibly the biggest risk might be if you had an RTA and needing hospitalisation not only are you putting extra burden on an overstretched NHS but might contract covid in hospital.

[Blatman]

1 minute ago, DonPeffers said:

The risk of RTA or breakdown must increase with increased mileage.

 

Time exposed to danger, yes of course. But the danger according to statistics (which I need to go and find) is much greater closer to home because we drive on autopilot.

 

And yes if precautions are followed then we like to believe (well, I like to believe) that the risk is somewhat mitigated. But it is mitigated better if we just hang on for a little while longer and avoid un-necessary contact.

 

[Blatman]

1 minute ago, DonPeffers said:

Possibly the biggest risk might be if you had an RTA and needing hospitalisation not only are you putting extra burden on an overstretched NHS but might contract covid in hospital.

 

Can still happen on the journey to the local shops though. I need to find those accident stats...

[Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO]

1 minute ago, Blatman said:

 

Can still happen on the journey to the local shops though. I need to find those accident stats...

Yep. You don't need to go far to find people with these skills! - https://mol.im/a/8945869#v-6528554701473297542

 

 

[Steve (sdh2903)]

7 minutes ago, DonPeffers said:

The risk of RTA or breakdown must increase with increased mileage.

 

And more fuel stops, more refreshment breaks (take your own), toilet stops etc are more important to me. If I can drive there and back with none of the above then I fail to understand any heightened risk. 

 

If your going to try and set a new course record on your favourite roads then yes the RTA risk is valid. Plodding sensibly to the tuners there's no more risk than driving to tescos to be amongst all those shoppers, of which there seems to be an increase of mask non compliance, but that's a different debate........ 

 

Its your choice at the end of the day Tony. You are only going to get a split view from others. 

[wizzer]

So it's ok for me to get the car out and go McDs keeping them in business, but it's not ok to go to the tuners keeping him in business, 

[Blatman]

1 minute ago, Steve (sdh2903) said:

And more fuel stops, more refreshment breaks (take your own), toilet stops etc are more important to me. If I can drive there and back with none of the above then I fail to understand any heightened risk

 

100% agree with that and it should form the part of any "personal risk assessment" for whatever journey is being planned. 

 

My point in all this is that there are, as ever, multiple competing pressures on us.

There is the basic pressure of being a good citizen which I believe all of us in the WSCC share as a basic principle.

There is the pressure of not wanting to be cooped up at home when not at work.

There can be the additional pressure of having paid in advance or booked in advance for XYZ that we want to follow through on that commitment, especially if money can be lost if we don't.

There is that simple desire to "keep going".

And there is pressure of consequences from those around us should we choose to go against their ideas of what behavior might be suitable or appropriate at the moment. It's an almost impossible square to circle and it takes a huge amount of discipline and fortitude to comply which brings it's own challenges. 

But if we go back to the original question.

Is taking the Westfield to a rolling road an essential journey according the guidelines we currently live under? Patently not. The ONLY reason we are equivocating is because we are all car guys. Ask anyone who doesn't have cars as a hobby and the answer will be different.

 

[Blatman]

2 minutes ago, wizzer said:

So it's ok for me to get the car out and go McDs keeping them in business, but it's not ok to go to the tuners keeping him in business, 

 

You can live without a rolling road session, but not without food...

[DonPeffers]

On 15/11/2020 at 13:05, Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO said:

Yep. You don't need to go far to find people with these skills! - https://mol.im/a/8945869#v-6528554701473297542

 

 

Story suggests man in his 70s may have had a medical issue.

[DonPeffers]

2 minutes ago, Blatman said:

 

You can live without a rolling road session, but not without food...

Shock latest scientific discovery reveals man can live without McDs.

[Steve (sdh2903)]

2 minutes ago, Blatman said:

Ask anyone who doesn't have cars as a hobby and the answer will be different.

 

Ask me is golf essential I say no as I can't even swing a golf bat . 

 

Ask a golfist they will say yes. 

 

Swings and roundabouts 

[Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO]

1 minute ago, DonPeffers said:

Story says man in his 70s had a medical issue.

 

Exactly, but he's not alone and I feel since lockdown, many numpties have got more than driving on their minds which is increasing the odds of us getting caught up in such an event! 

 

I was on my push bike at 8am, and I met a car doing a 3 point turn on top of a blind crest in our village on a 40mph road. 

 

Stay safe folks, get your eyes on main beam!