NZ replaced the ability of a person to sue for personal injury, instead we have the Accident Compensation Corporation. This means that my visit to the doctor was subsidised by ACC as would be any subsequent medical treatment. (Originally it would have meant free replacement glasses too, but this entitlement was lost some years ago).
If I were still employed and my injury left me unable to work after the first week's incapacity, I would be entitled to weekly compensation equivalent to 80% of my wages. If assessed as needing home help that too would be subsidised, as could alterations to my house if I needed a wheelchair.
Some years ago if a person sustained on ongoing life changing injury they were entitled to a lump sum payment up to $10,000, but this has been changed to an ongoing Independence Allowance, payable quarterly until death.
The advantage of this to me is that I don't have to hire a lawyer and wait for a court case, the money is available as soon as the GP fills in the forms to register a claim - I got a acceptance of my claim texted to me before I got home from the Doctor's.
I know there are drawbacks to this scheme, and entitlements have been whittled away by successive National (Tory) governments.
Just to clarify my viewpoint - I worked for ACC as a Rehabilitation Co-ordinator for a number of years before I was raped. I struggled to continue working, but I tendered my resignation after I realised I couldn't continue to do so as the office where I worked was a toxic environment.
Hospital car parks.
I stayed many hours so I expected to pay £8. You put your car reg into the machine on exit and pay by card. Ok. Then at the barrier, a further £2 was demanded!
At least I am not scrabbling for change.
Today I stayed under four hours, so £5.50 due, but the machine charged me £8, and still demanded a further £2 to raise the barrier. I rang the help line and they let me out without further charge.
Enough stress visiting family in hospital but awful for people struggling financially too.
You should be able to get your parking tickets cancelled off if you need to visit daily. If you have the energy try talking to the hospital's Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) - their details will be on the trust website - and see if they can sort it for you.
Good advice - you really don't need the hassle, but with any luck PALS will link you to a Sympathetic Human Being...
Hospital car park charges are an unpopular feature of modern life, but in the case of our local general hospital they are a necessary feature - the hospital is close enough to the town centre, and a main-line railway station, to attract casual *visitors* who have nothing to do with doctors, clinics, or patients...let the reader understand...
They would be lucky to find a space! No problem at weekends and early morning, but I hope to find alternatives in the week eg drive to park n ride and use medilink buses.
Yes, PALs are good, when I can find them!
Fortunately I am not struggling financially, but can do without the stress of being messed about.
PALS not answering. Found an extension no for parking- dead. Waited ages for main switchboard to answer, got another number. Response: write tothe Trust with your receipt and they will sort it out. No receipts were issued so i will have to print a statement, sigh, hoping for better luck today
The idiots who insist on using their fog lights when there is NO ****** fog 😡 every week when we are driving home from a day with Little Beaky there are some of them to contend with....
Um, I found out why from someone, and I'm in a quandary what to tell him. He does it because he's getting cataracts, is not yet at the point of surgery, but cannot drive safely at night without the extra help of foglights--and has a job that require some night driving. Not sure what to say to him.
Um, I found out why from someone, and I'm in a quandary what to tell him. He does it because he's getting cataracts, is not yet at the point of surgery, but cannot drive safely at night without the extra help of foglights--and has a job that require some night driving. Not sure what to say to him.
We're talking about the foglights at the back of the car.
Um, I found out why from someone, and I'm in a quandary what to tell him. He does it because he's getting cataracts, is not yet at the point of surgery, but cannot drive safely at night without the extra help of foglights--and has a job that require some night driving. Not sure what to say to him.
We're talking about the foglights at the back of the car.
I find both front and rear fog lights difficult to contend with when there is no fog. Apparently in the UK it's against the Highway code to use them when there'sno fog- who knew?! @Lamb Chopped I have every sympathy with someone wanting to feel safer when driving, my problem is other people's use of fog lights can make me feel less safe as the rear fog lights make it harder to see their brake lights and the front fog lights on some vehicles can dazzle me.
Yesterday evening we had icy roads to contend with too, so all the extra lights were not helpful at all!
The idiots who insist on using their fog lights when there is NO ****** fog 😡 every week when we are driving home from a day with Little Beaky there are some of them to contend with....
Just as annoying are the pillocks who don’t have any lights on at all when there is thick fog
The idiots who insist on using their fog lights when there is NO ****** fog 😡 every week when we are driving home from a day with Little Beaky there are some of them to contend with....
Just as annoying are the pillocks who don’t have any lights on at all when there is thick fog
Or no lights at all simply when it is dark because apparently they can see ok from the street lighting......
The main problem is that since 2011, all cars in the UK have been fitted with daylight running lights. A lot of people now don’t bother switching their headlights on in the mistaken belief that the DRL are sufficient. The problem with that is twofold. First, they are totally useless after dark. Second, the rear lights don’t come on.
Yes indeed.. At night I obviously use the headlights; the problem arises when it's not really dark but I feel I need the rear lights on but don't want proper headlights, as the "side lights" are very puny, much less bright than the running lights.
If you see what I mean ...
PS TICTH though people who don't have their headlights properly aligned and dazzle one.
Long before DRLs were common in England, I was occasionally hailed by a pedestrian or someone to tell me that I had my headlights on in full daylight...
I was the proud owner (this was in 1988-89) of a rather nice light silver-blue SAAB 900, and I think DRLs were standard on cars made in Sweden at that time.
Okay, now I'm feeling like an idiot. WHAT lights at the back of the car? In the U.S. we have brake lights there. They are red and on all the time, and when they brighten significantly, that means the driver has hit the brakes and you'd better slow down if you're following. We have no other lights back there that I'm aware of.
In the front of the car, we have ordinary headlights and we have "brights" which are intended for situations where you just need more light AND nobody else is going to get blinded. Lonely country roads, for instance. Most new cars have automatic settings that will give you the daylight running lights that some states require, switch to normal headlights at dusk, and (some) switch to brights when the car detects no others within blinding distance--and automatically switch back to normal night headlight strength when an oncoming car is detected. Important: These front lights can be handled or mishandled manually as well, and plenty of people do--some accidentally, some not.
We have the additional problem of a lot of new cars having LED headlights which are ... what shall I say, improperly calibrated? improperly regulated? not sure, but while the drivers are (in my state, at least) doing nothing strictly illegal, nevertheless the freaking lights blind people like me who have certain common eye problems, and also cause migraines. Because they are LED they are noticeably brighter even on normal non-bright settings than non LEDs. And that sucks, but nobody's apparently figured out and legislated a fix for it yet. At least around here.
Putting on very bright headlights in thick fog makes it harder to see in front of you, you end up staring a a bright wall of white - you are advised to dip your lights rather than put them on full beam in fog.
Putting on very bright headlights in thick fog makes it harder to see in front of you, you end up staring a a bright wall of white - you are advised to dip your lights rather than put them on full beam in fog.
US fog lights—at least those on my car—are not particularly bright, are closer to the ground than the headlights are, and are aimed more toward the road than straight ahead.
I remember being quite surprised that Canadian cars didn't have fog lights as standard, especially as we were living in a place affectionately called Fog City!
Much depends on where you are in such huge countries. We had fog regularly in coastal Southern California, but ours came mainly in the early mornings. Here in St. Louis it lingers, and sometimes comes at night.
On the topic of headlights, is it only in north America that the daytime headlights go off if you pull on the hand brake (if you have a manual transmission)? Being from another age when hand brakes were a necessity and eschewing automatics, I thought it was a design glitch until I asked the VW dealer, and got back the usual, "They're all like that. Sir". So I now drive with the lights switched on, as I don't wish to be known as a flasher.
Slightly confused. The thing we in the US call the handbrake is the emergency brake,* the thing you only engage when you are thoroughly committed to not moving (as in, you've already parked and have turned the car off). Some people use them all the time (me), others mainly when parking on a hill or something as insurance against the car rolling. And yes, I drive a manual.
* we also have versions that are foot operated, it depends on the car where we keep the emergency brake. But none of them would lead to anybody being called a "flasher"--you're not using them when the car is running normally and therefore has lights, etc. And "flasher" in the U.S. means a dude who goes around naked in a trenchcoat or similar and exposes himself to people who would rather have their eyes clawed out.
I’m confused, too. I’ve had cars with manual transmission (and would love to still, but I’m the only one in the family who can drive manual), and I’ve never had a brake you’d pull on while driving.
On the topic of headlights, is it only in north America that the daytime headlights go off if you pull on the hand brake (if you have a manual transmission)? Being from another age when hand brakes were a necessity and eschewing automatics, I thought it was a design glitch until I asked the VW dealer, and got back the usual, "They're all like that. Sir". So I now drive with the lights switched on, as I don't wish to be known as a flasher.
Glad to hear your last wish - one meaning of flasher here denotes something I'me sure you'd rather not be known as. Along the lines of Lamb Chopped's comment but more extreme
A vital part of the UK driving test with a manual transmission is (was?) the much-feared hill start, where you hold the car with the hand brake while engaging the clutch, gently pressing the accelerator, then releasing the hand brake when the clutch begins to bite and pull you forward. Allowing the car to roll back the smallest amount on the hill start was instant failure. It made it a habit that's hard to break. I don't know why Americans call it an emergency brake, because it's no use whatsoever when the car is moving, especially on modern cars with rear disc brakes and tiny drums for the hand brake.
(I am approaching the 50th anniversary of passing my driving test. It's possible that things have changed since then).
I don't know why Americans call it an emergency brake, because it's no use whatsoever when the car is moving, especially on modern cars with rear disc brakes and tiny drums for the hand brake.
When I was taught to drive (mumble, mumble) we were advised that if we came to a halt at traffic lights or similar we should engage the parking brake.
AIUI the rationale was that if someone behind failed to stop in time and you were sitting just with the foot brake applied the impact of the collision might cause you to take your foot off the brake and the car to roll forward and strike the car ahead of you.
In fact, having had some one run into the back of me at lights, you are thrown forward and stamp on the break. (Assuming you have your foot on the brake and not the the clutch.)
I think they've been here before but the delivery company Evri (aka Hermes) have been annoying the hell out of me this week. I should have had some knitting wool delivered on Monday, it didn't turn up. Rescheduled for yesterday, no show. Then it was supposed to be today, but they haven't even bothered to tell me that they still have 'problems accessing the address' and will tell me more tomorrow. I don't need it right away so it is annoying rather than anything else. I'm also expecting a rose bush from a totally different company but also to be delivered by them that they also have problems getting it to me. I am somewhat concerned that if it is delayed too long the rose won't do as well as it should when I plant it. Oh and the last parcel from them that did arrive actually went to totally the wrong address and the courier didn't wait to find out he'd delivered it to the wrong place. He did helpfully send me a photo of the doorstep so I had to play match the picture to the door to find it.
Glad the LA fly-tipping team are on the case @TheOrganist
Comments
If I were still employed and my injury left me unable to work after the first week's incapacity, I would be entitled to weekly compensation equivalent to 80% of my wages. If assessed as needing home help that too would be subsidised, as could alterations to my house if I needed a wheelchair.
Some years ago if a person sustained on ongoing life changing injury they were entitled to a lump sum payment up to $10,000, but this has been changed to an ongoing Independence Allowance, payable quarterly until death.
The advantage of this to me is that I don't have to hire a lawyer and wait for a court case, the money is available as soon as the GP fills in the forms to register a claim - I got a acceptance of my claim texted to me before I got home from the Doctor's.
I know there are drawbacks to this scheme, and entitlements have been whittled away by successive National (Tory) governments.
Just to clarify my viewpoint - I worked for ACC as a Rehabilitation Co-ordinator for a number of years before I was raped. I struggled to continue working, but I tendered my resignation after I realised I couldn't continue to do so as the office where I worked was a toxic environment.
I stayed many hours so I expected to pay £8. You put your car reg into the machine on exit and pay by card. Ok. Then at the barrier, a further £2 was demanded!
At least I am not scrabbling for change.
Today I stayed under four hours, so £5.50 due, but the machine charged me £8, and still demanded a further £2 to raise the barrier. I rang the help line and they let me out without further charge.
Enough stress visiting family in hospital but awful for people struggling financially too.
Hospital car park charges are an unpopular feature of modern life, but in the case of our local general hospital they are a necessary feature - the hospital is close enough to the town centre, and a main-line railway station, to attract casual *visitors* who have nothing to do with doctors, clinics, or patients...let the reader understand...
Yes, PALs are good, when I can find them!
Fortunately I am not struggling financially, but can do without the stress of being messed about.
We're talking about the foglights at the back of the car.
I find both front and rear fog lights difficult to contend with when there is no fog. Apparently in the UK it's against the Highway code to use them when there'sno fog- who knew?!
@Lamb Chopped I have every sympathy with someone wanting to feel safer when driving, my problem is other people's use of fog lights can make me feel less safe as the rear fog lights make it harder to see their brake lights and the front fog lights on some vehicles can dazzle me.
Yesterday evening we had icy roads to contend with too, so all the extra lights were not helpful at all!
Just as annoying are the pillocks who don’t have any lights on at all when there is thick fog
Or no lights at all simply when it is dark because apparently they can see ok from the street lighting......
If you see what I mean ...
PS TICTH though people who don't have their headlights properly aligned and dazzle one.
I was the proud owner (this was in 1988-89) of a rather nice light silver-blue SAAB 900, and I think DRLs were standard on cars made in Sweden at that time.
In the front of the car, we have ordinary headlights and we have "brights" which are intended for situations where you just need more light AND nobody else is going to get blinded. Lonely country roads, for instance. Most new cars have automatic settings that will give you the daylight running lights that some states require, switch to normal headlights at dusk, and (some) switch to brights when the car detects no others within blinding distance--and automatically switch back to normal night headlight strength when an oncoming car is detected. Important: These front lights can be handled or mishandled manually as well, and plenty of people do--some accidentally, some not.
We have the additional problem of a lot of new cars having LED headlights which are ... what shall I say, improperly calibrated? improperly regulated? not sure, but while the drivers are (in my state, at least) doing nothing strictly illegal, nevertheless the freaking lights blind people like me who have certain common eye problems, and also cause migraines. Because they are LED they are noticeably brighter even on normal non-bright settings than non LEDs. And that sucks, but nobody's apparently figured out and legislated a fix for it yet. At least around here.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/winter-driving/safe-driving-in-fog/
Putting on very bright headlights in thick fog makes it harder to see in front of you, you end up staring a a bright wall of white - you are advised to dip your lights rather than put them on full beam in fog.
* we also have versions that are foot operated, it depends on the car where we keep the emergency brake. But none of them would lead to anybody being called a "flasher"--you're not using them when the car is running normally and therefore has lights, etc. And "flasher" in the U.S. means a dude who goes around naked in a trenchcoat or similar and exposes himself to people who would rather have their eyes clawed out.
Glad to hear your last wish - one meaning of flasher here denotes something I'me sure you'd rather not be known as. Along the lines of Lamb Chopped's comment but more extreme
(I am approaching the 50th anniversary of passing my driving test. It's possible that things have changed since then).
AIUI the rationale was that if someone behind failed to stop in time and you were sitting just with the foot brake applied the impact of the collision might cause you to take your foot off the brake and the car to roll forward and strike the car ahead of you.
IIRC, you've told us that this problem occurs in your neck of the woods from time to time - presumably, it's happened again?
Agreed that Hell is the appropriate place for them, with stinking ordure, builders' rubble, and rotting food, being heaped upon their heads...
Hopefully, there will be some evidence among the debris as to the identity of the criminals.
Glad the LA fly-tipping team are on the case @TheOrganist