Video Clip, what is it?

[Phase]

http://www.biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=515

I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but it's slightly funny.

Does anyone know why those certain cars can't get through and only the buses, etc can?

[Sheldonrs]

Originally Posted by Phase

http://www.biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=515

I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but it's slightly funny.

Does anyone know why those certain cars can't get through andf only the buses, etc can?

Maybe it's like an EZ Pay system toll road.

[barefoot serpent]

An attempt at urban traffic control? Only some vehicles have an RFID device that allows it to enter -- others don't. It would seem that a breakaway gate would cause less damage and then not leave the vehicle hanging and blocking traffic. But then you'd be using up lots of gates.

[footfootfoot]

I like the good old days of tire slicing bars preventing you form going in the out.

[Shawnee123]

Looks like the people behind the busses were trying to beat the system and hurry up behind the bus to get through.

Seems a bit harsh?

[Flint]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Seems a bit harsh?

It looks dangerous as hell. No safety mechanism, like garage doors have, for instance.

[Sundae]

It IS traffic control - the area the cars are trying to access is obviously pedestrianised. The van that gets through is Royal Mail (ie the Post Office)

Can't say where exactly but it's definitely Britain. Many city centres have similar devices, but they react more slowly - I think this particular city decided it had had enough of people trying to beat the system.

Serves them right I say - this area will be VERY clearly marked I assure you, you can tell by the way the cars have tried to tailgate that they know they are in the wrong.

[Shawnee123]

The guy in the black SUV looks like he may have sustained a concussion. They also rushed to get their child out of the back seat. The last guy's windshield is broken where his head may have hit.

How about heavy fines instead of bodily injury?

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

It IS traffic control - the area the cars are trying to access is obviously pedestrianised. The van that gets through is Royal Mail (ie the Post Office)

I don't think it's pedestrianised. I agree that it's controlled, but it's not pedestrianised. Look at the first several frames of the movie, showing the street in question. There is a passenger car double parked next to three or four other passenger cars that are apparently legally parked in street spots in the "pedestrian zone." If it was a pedestrian zone, those cars wouldn't be there.

[Sundae]

It looks like he hit his airbag to me.

I say - how about not driving through a prohibited area for not scaring the crap outta you?
Rather than the time & money it takes to process fines the Mercedes driver can well afford. He won't be trying that again in a hurry.

(I'm not very sympathetic when it comes to traffic violations I'm afraid)

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

It looks like he hit his airbag to me.

An airbag will crush your windshield like that?

I'm sure word will get around that you can't play that system and win...at least I hope so before someone's kid gets killed.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

An airbag will crush your windshield like that?

Yes. It also fills the car with dust, which you can see coming out when the door is opened.

I'm guessing the kid was in a carseat.

[Sundae]

That child should have been in a carseat. If she wasn't then the father is doubly to blame - first in endangering his family by irresponsible driving, second by not adhering to the law by securing his child properly.

I would rather not see children injured by their own parents' decisions, but it is better than allowing drivers with no regard for the law into pedestrianised areas where they will put other people's children in danger, surely?

[glatt]

If these drivers were trying to cheat the system, that would mean that they knew the system in the first place. If they knew the system in the first place, they would have known that you can't cheat it. It's just too damn fast. That's why I think it's confusion and not malice that leads to their actions, and I think these devices are far too violent in this situation.

The driver of the first car is the only one who deserves some real blame. He saw the barricades initially, backed up to let the bus by, and then tried a second time. The other drivers couldn't see the barricades, because they were hidden from view by the buses/vans in front of them. One foolishly tried to speed up to miss the barricade and failed, the other didn't see it at all until it was too late.

I've driven in foreign countries, and it can be confusing. When you are in an urban area, and there is a hustle and bustle, it's easy to get overwhelmed to the point that you don't see a round sign with a bar in it. In fact, I've been a passenger in cars on three occasions where the car entered a pedestrian only zone because the signs weren't clear. Luckily, it wasn't at this place. On two of the occasions, we left the zone without getting caught, and the third we got a ticket.

My point is that the drivers were obviously confused. Nobody would ever intentionally do this to themselves.

[Phase]

Originally Posted by glatt

My point is that the drivers were obviously confused. Nobody would ever intentionally do this to themselves.

You make some good points, but I do know drivers that would do this. My mother to name one, at least I think she would, there's always a chance she wouldn't.

Though I do know if she tried and failed one time, she wouldn't do it again. Even while intentionally knowing the possible consequences before trying. Yeah she is a bit of a bad driver I do believe.