Trams, Cars and Speed

Within the past month there have been 3 tram collisions (2 trams colliding into each other). The latest happening this morning, with 6 people injured. The reasons Yarra Trams chief executive gave were pressure on drivers. Drivers driving 22.5 million kilometres a year in mixed traffic.

Since 2004 there have been 63 tram collisions with a high of 23 in 2004/2005. In all my years of living in Toronto I have not heard about streetcars colliding into each other. I have seen many accidents with cars/bikes running into streetcars or the other way around. It really boggles my mind why 2 trams would collide into each other.

I can understand the first tram braking or stoping to not hit a car or interfere with traffic. But how close is the 2^nd tram to the first ?

I really believe it comes down to speed. There have been numerous times I have been on a tram and been flung about when a tram brakes suddenly.

I believe that road speed is a real issue here in Australia and it concerns me. I see cars speeding in the 60 – 80KM range in a 40-50 speed zone area. In my local neighbourhood there is a shopping strip filled with parked cars and people. Many times I have seen cars pulling out of a parking spot and flooring the gas pedal.

In my time here I heard of many accidents and deaths because of speeding and alcohol issues.

What is it about speed that is so ingrained into the Aussie culture? I believe it is only limited to the younger generation, 16 – 35 year olds. This is a nation that loves sport and since I have been here I have seen more car racing sporting programs than I ever did in Canada.

Is it because they are so far away and have lots of open spaces? Is it the bloky nature of Aussie boys who love their toys – cars. Tweaking it, customizing it and racing it.

I don’t know. But it seems compared to Canada they haven’t gotten the notion that speed and alcohol kills.

I remember going to a work party back in Toronto and everybody knew they were going to drink that night. Everybody decided to take a taxi or have designated drivers when leaving at the end of the night to go home.

What will it take for a society to change their habits? More accidents and deaths.