Elderly couple caught up in a drag race.

digitalpunk · 30-07-2007, 08:00 AM

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599...6-1702,00.html

Cars drag racing before fatal crash
July 30, 2007 07:04am

THREE cars were drag racing when two of them hit another car in Sydney's west, killing an elderly couple, police said.

Two Holden Commodore sedans travelling west on the Great Western Highway hit a Toyota Camry as it was turning into Charles Hackett Drive, St Marys, at about 7pm (AEST) yesterday, police said.

A third vehicle was racing with the Commodores and failed to stop after the crash, a police spokesman said.

"Crash investigation officers examined the scene and will allege that the three vehicles travelling west on the highway were racing at the time of the collision," the spokesman said.

The couple, a 70-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man, died at the scene.

Reports indicate that the third vehicle was possibly a blue Mazda with partial registration number 323, police said.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Hunter · 30-07-2007, 08:10 AM

Ok I don't want to start a flamewar but seriously both primary cars were Commodores and the elderly couple were in a Camry... couldn't get more stereotypical.

Bloody twits, who knows what speed they were doing.

**Bluepower** · 30-07-2007, 08:19 AM

This makes us very sad - something than can and should have been avoided.

We spend approx 1-3K per years on tyres that are lent at no cost to our clients who wish to engage in official off-road sanctioned motorsport.

I would like to acknowledge all the people and staff on this forum who organise such events - im proud to be a part of something that is more of a "cure" rather than the "disease".

Also, lets stay away from bagging holden drivers here, its a hoon problem, not a holden problem. The hoon laws were brought in for this reason.

Its a shame they didn't take each other out. One more family gutted by the road toll.

MAGPIE · 30-07-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter

Ok I don't want to start a flamewar but seriously both primary cars were Commodores and the elderly couple were in a Camry... couldn't get more stereotypical.

Bloody twits, who knows what speed they were doing.

you are a fool

:

Ringo · 30-07-2007, 08:22 AM

*Ringo shakes his head...

Goes without saying that there is a time and a place for this type of thing and the public street is not it...

Hunter · 30-07-2007, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

you are a fool

:

You don't think its a relevant fact? Without taking this thread of course I'd like to point out I've cataloged a large number of news articles/reports from other sources and I'm going to compile some stats about what kind of vehicle is driven in a suspected 'hoon-related incident'. Quite interesting but if you don't think its relevant so be it.

Anyway, Bluepower is right, its an attitude problem and you can't fix it short of not giving licenses to people who don't pass a psych test (which isn't a bad idea actually, would weed out the aggressive terry toughnuts).

HLC · 30-07-2007, 08:46 AM

that happened 5 minutes from where i live.

they should rename the Great Western Highway to the Great Western Raceway.

there are more drags on that than at WSID. from everything, fords, holdens, hatchbacks, skylines, the lot.

its terrible that this has happened. it was only a matter of time though.

Hunter · 30-07-2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLC

there are more drags on that than at WSID. from everything, fords, holdens, hatchbacks, skylines, the lot.

I don't think that will solve the problem - I agree with the thoughts that there should be a place for this to be done but there will _always_ be an element of society who just don't give a flying proverbial about rules and laws and will do things like this. You could give them free admission to a track or strip and they will still have a go at the lights if the opportunity presents itself.

There's no excuse for this, they killed two people and at the very least it will remain on their conscience for the rest of their lives and with luck they'll do jail time too and not be able to drive ever again.

HLC · 30-07-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter

I don't think that will solve the problem - I agree with the thoughts that there should be a place for this to be done but there will _always_ be an element of society who just don't give a flying proverbial about rules and laws and will do things like this. You could give them free admission to a track or strip and they will still have a go at the lights if the opportunity presents itself.

There's no excuse for this, they killed two people and at the very least it will remain on their conscience for the rest of their lives and with luck they'll do jail time too and not be able to drive ever again.

i never said that would solve the problem. i stated a fact. re-read what i wrote.

i said there are more drag races on the great western highway than at WSID.

:

SpoolMan · 30-07-2007, 09:07 AM

This one will close very quickly, the brand of car has little to do with what has happened here.
Idiot drivers drive all types of cars, so we will leave the Holden banter out of this thread..

**ebxr8240** · 30-07-2007, 09:16 AM

Wsid isn't on the way home though ...
Having a go at the lights is one thing .. But these guys obviously kept going....
Thats where they didn't draw a line as far as safety goes...
The law is one thing but common sence and safety went out the window!!!
It's just around the corner from me too....I guess the Commodore drivers will "say" he turned in front of them???

Hunter · 30-07-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLC

i never said that would solve the problem. i stated a fact. re-read what i wrote.

i said there are more drag races on the great western highway than at WSID.

:

Fair enough, I think my eyes are getting less useful by the day.

But again, until they come up with a magic way of changing driver attitudes I don't think we will see a reduction in 'hoon-related deaths'. And even if there was, news.com.au and ACA/TT would probably invent some statistics.

Tote · 30-07-2007, 09:41 AM

I think its an interesting reflection on how thw current hoon laws arent working. I wonder , would the drivers have risked their actions if they knew that there was a very good chance that they would have encountered a marked police car and been booked?

Regards,
Tote

Hunter · 30-07-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tote

I think its an interesting reflection on how thw current hoon laws arent working. I wonder , would the drivers have risked their actions if they knew that there was a very good chance that they would have encountered a marked police car and been booked?

Regards,
Tote

Yep I reckon they would - even if their car got impounded and their license revoked they'd be out the door an in another car as soon as time or funds permitted. According to QLD Police driving without a license is rampant but I do believe having your car confiscated has helped a bit.

XCSEDAN · 30-07-2007, 09:59 AM

that's really sad news, :(
may the elderly couple rest in peace

my best wishes go out too the family,

bloody idiots just don't think about what they are doing!!!!

GTP534 · 30-07-2007, 10:50 AM

One Friday night in 2001 I was heading west on the Great Western Highway and 2 cars went racing past me just after the Colyton intersection. I was in the kerb lane but still they gave me a hell of a shock. In 2004, also on a Friday night, I was with my wife heading west on the M4 when just after the Mamre Road exit 3 cars went racing past us. Then they went 3 abreast and drove at about 60kmh blocking the following traffic.

I don't know if this happens regularly on these roads as I vary rarely travel this way late on Friday nights but it can be intimidating.

My parents are in their 70's, live at Glenmore Park and drive a Camry; my heart skipped a beat when I saw this thread as at present I am working overseas.

My heart goes out to the family and relatives of the elderly couple.

I firmly believe there should be a more visible police presence on our roads.

05MkIIFutura · 30-07-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLC

they should rename the Great Western Highway to the Great Western Raceway.

there are more drags on that than at WSID. from everything, fords, holdens, hatchbacks, skylines, the lot.

its terrible that this has happened. it was only a matter of time though.

If it is such a huge issue then where are the farkin cops?? Oh, they are too busy on the Hume catching people doing 115 in a 110 zone.

:

Any_V8 · 30-07-2007, 11:13 AM

May they rest in peace...

I used to live in Penrith and really, Great Western Highway is a drag strip and the police do need to do something about monitoring it closely.. Travelling home on a Wednesday night is usually the worst... Particularly around the 9-10pm time, just after WSID calls its last run... It is terribly sad to see innocent elderly people being killed due to lack of respect on the road... Ignorance, arrogance and showing off also plays a massive part in it also.. For me, its all about takin the weapon off the user... If he doesnt have it - he cant hurt... The police need to step up if they want to solve this problem - NO CHANCES - if your caught drag racing or speedin excessively - TAKE THEIR CAR!!! Its really quite simple...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter

Ok I don't want to start a flamewar but seriously both primary cars were Commodores and the elderly couple were in a Camry... couldn't get more stereotypical.

Bloody twits, who knows what speed they were doing.

I worked for NRMA in claims for close to 7 years and you would all be suprised as to which car on the road is most common for accidents... Back in 2003 stats, Ford actually topped the list of minor/major accidents... But this isnt about the car - its ALL about the driver, ALL cars have the potential to put others in massive dangers, whether its a 1.3l Festiva or a 5.7l Monaro...

Its like skin colours... You cant say that ONLY black people kill... Coz we all know thats just not right!!!!!!!

merlin · 30-07-2007, 11:46 AM

Very sad news - many attitudes on this very website are highly hypocritical. Who here can honestly say they havn't had a go off a set of lights to the speed limit? I have the balls to admit that I have numerous times (is this dangerous up to the speed limit? debatable). It is a something that has happened since the invention of the motor car, and I'm sure they used to do it on horseback to. The only way to stop it is with a more visible police presence. There is no way in hell, I would "drag race' (if you want to use that term) someone on the Great Western Hwy - there generally is a high police presence there (both marked and unmarked). This presence needs to continue and be more visible - stop hiding behind lasers and patrol up and down the Hwy.

Also how do we know the Camry didn't make a mistake and turn in front of these obviously oncoming cars? I'm not excusing these clowns, but we dont know all the facts.

**Full Noise** · 30-07-2007, 11:57 AM

Here’s a link.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/re...EwMDE1JmFsbD0x

King Nothing · 30-07-2007, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlin

.... It is a something that has happened since the invention of the motor car, and I'm sure they used to do it on horseback to....

at image of 2 horses at a set of traffic lights neighing. Ricer boy rocks up on his donkey with 20" chrome shoes and blue neons shining out his nose!

Any_V8 · 30-07-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Nothing

at image of 2 horses at a set of traffic lights neighing. Ricer boy rocks up on his donkey with 20" chrome shoes and blue neons shining out his nose!

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

merlin · 30-07-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Nothing

at image of 2 horses at a set of traffic lights neighing. Ricer boy rocks up on his donkey with 20" chrome shoes and blue neons shining out his nose!

lol love it! "I live my life a quarter mile at a time, for those 45 seconds or less I'm free"

Hunter · 30-07-2007, 12:27 PM

Hehe Amish Roadrage (Micallef):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWFG4oEn87E

SPK-250 · 30-07-2007, 12:39 PM

Street Racing caused the accident not Drag Racing!!

sly_ba · 30-07-2007, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPK-383

Street Racing caused the accident not Drag Racing!!

I completely agree!! A public road is never the right place and street racing should not be confused with grag racing. It is people like this who give any one with a modified car a bad name. Stupid people put lives at risk by sreet racing and next thing you know, as a result of a collision or the like, you are getting harassed by the cops for having a modified car. I can not begin to express enough sympethy for the victims and thier families. This is clearly a case of lives that could have been saved if common sence prevailed.

merlin · 30-07-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sly_ba

I completely agree!! A public road is never the right place and street racing should not be confused with grag racing. .

I really hate it when people confuse street racing with grag racing!

Ridin-High · 30-07-2007, 07:18 PM

i know the people affected :( very sad

**TUF_302** · 30-07-2007, 07:27 PM

Idiots driving cars caused the crash, i dont call it an accident casue that implies theres no one to blame when there is!

:

XTGTinterceptor · 30-07-2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter

You don't think its a relevant fact? Without taking this thread of course I'd like to point out I've cataloged a large number of news articles/reports from other sources and I'm going to compile some stats about what kind of vehicle is driven in a suspected 'hoon-related incident'. Quite interesting but if you don't think its relevant so be it.

Anyway, Bluepower is right, its an attitude problem and you can't fix it short of not giving licenses to people who don't pass a psych test (which isn't a bad idea actually, would weed out the aggressive terry toughnuts).

short of not giving licenses to people who don't pass a psych test (which isn't a bad idea actually, would weed out the aggressive terry toughnuts).[/QUOTE]

LOL this should be a pre requisite for child birth.