Driving lesson - Defensive Maneuver

You know how you are casually driving on the right hand side of the road, about to overtake a slower vehicle on left while listening to the radio or chatting away with your passengers or worrying that you are going to be late for an appointment, etc... 

And then....... 

You look at your side mirror, you see a car swerving right and left at a distance so close that it seems like he is trying to kiss the butt your car with his.

I'm pretty sure most if not all has driven in Malaysia, and especially on roads in KL, Penang, and Johor, would have encounter a situation as above. Its not only irritating to have someone following so close to you, it is downright dangerous and its intimidating! It spoil your mood of driving, chatting or listening to a good song and adds totally unnecessary stress to an already stressful drive in the city. Its at the top of most hated drivers' list.

But there is a way to counter this kind of driver. Since they have made your drive unpleasant, there is no reason why you should make theirs a pleasant one. This is what your can do, step by step instructions;

1. Remain calm. Do NOT panic, especially if you are a new driver.
2. Keep on driving at your current speed.
3. With you right leg at the accelerator pedal, use your left leg to very lightly (I repeat, very lightly, just enough to trigger your brake lights) tap on the brake pedal for about half a second to a second, the longer the better.
4. Look at the rear view mirror. Check if he is keeping his distance away from your car.

Executing this maneuver should be able to make him keep his distance away from you. If he doesn't, repeat steps 1-4 a few times. If he does not give up, then you can either ignore him or move to the left to let him overtake. 

Or if you are really really really angry with him, then just slam on your brakes. Let him knock into your car and you can claim from his insurance.

Having said that, it should be warned that maneuver of this kind should only be performed if you meet the following requirements;

i. You have more than 5 years of driving experience. 

ii. You are travelling at speed of less than 100kph. 

iii. This maneuver is performed in a controlled situation where no innocent lives of other road users are endangered. 

*If you are traveling at a faster speed or where there are other cars nearby, please do NOT do it. The idiot behind may not have the skill to control his car at such speed. He might ended up spinning his car and endanger the lives of other innocent road users.

Also, this does not mean that I would agree with driver who drive on fast lane at low speed. Please remember that if you are not overtaking, use the slower lane. Fast lane is only to be use if you are overtaking a slower vehicle. Even if you are driving at the speed limit allowable, it does not give you the right to keep to the fast lane if you are not overtaking. There are cars who will travel at speed above the limit. Though it is illegal, but sometimes there could be an emergency.

Bottom line is, remember that if you are not overtaking, always use the slower lane. If you are overtaking, and you come across a tailgater, then perform this defensive maneuver above in a controlled environment.

GPS system man would never, ever want in their car

The current gadget that many people are looking forward to have in their car these days are the in-car GPS system. However, do be very careful in choosing a system that suits you. Else you might regret parting with your hard earned money for it. Just like the one shown in the video below

Credit crisis for dummies

The world is now in economic crisis. It all started with the sub-prime crisis in the US, which in course caused the credit crunch which eventually brings us to where we are today. So what is sub-prime crisis and how did it happened? Belows are videos for financial dummies like many of us. Explained in such simple way, every Tom, Dick & Harry can understand how the financial world get themselves into this shit. 

And this is a very long video which explain how the monetary system works. Also a very simple to understand video made for those not from the financial world. It supported the theory of a new world order, a theory which our dear shadowfox very much believe in. Watch it and judge for yourself.

*I got to know about the videos from this blog

Don't let banks cheat you of your hard earned money

The Association of Banks in Malaysia has announced that all banks will reduce loan installment payment. For many people who have no idea how the loan works, it sounds like a good news for them. For they will be paying less to the bank every month. And according to the association they are heeding the government request to help borrowers facing difficult economy times.

Sounds good right? Government wants to help its rakyat, banks want to help reduce the burdens of their customers, and the borrowers can save some money every month. Everyone is happy. The banks are so nice to help their customers in this difficult time.

Bullshit! Banks will never implement any move that will not benefit them. They only know how to milk the most money out of its customers. This latest move only serve one purpose. That is for banks to earn more money from the interests borrowers pay for their loans.

As we all know, Bank Negara Malaysia(BNM) has announced the reduction in Overnight Policy Rate a number of times since late last years. In total, they have dropped a total of 150basis points. From a high of 3.5%, it has now dropped to 2.0%. Following BNM move, the commercial banks has to reduce their Base Lending Rates (BLR) which will in turn reduces the interest earn from loans to borrowers.

In order to offset the lower interest earned, what they can do is to prolong the loan tenure. Which is exactly what they are doing now. Borrowers pay lower installments but over a longer term. Some may argue that its just a small difference, its insignificant. Fact is, it is NOT a small difference. You might be surprise to know that the difference can easily run up to 5 figures.

So for those who has outstanding loan with banks, please go inform your bank that you want to maintain your installment amount. Unless if you are getting laid off or getting a pay cut, you should be able to afford the same amount that you are currently paying. Inform the bank as soon as possible. This is because the banks are implementing this to ALL housing loan, just like how EPF is inplementing the contributions cut to everyone.

It is very unethical for banks to implement this to every loan but I guess ethics are a non existing word to the bankers. And the bad news is, not only is BNM doing nothing to stop them but they are backing them most of the time. BNM is supposed to regulate these banks and protect the people but they are doing opposites most of the time. Just like how the banks are charging for every single thing possible at outrageous rates, BNM just sit down and do nothing about it. Banks are after all blood sucking leech who only knows how to suck the most blood out of its victim.

Btw, if your never notice yet. When BNM announce reduction in Overnight Policy Rate, overnight, banks will instantly reduce their rates of fix deposit. However the BLR will take forever to be reduced and of course, at a rate lower than the reduction in OPR.