The Idiot Driver Alert

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the purpose of this site?
  2. Who is the webmaster?
  3. When was this site created?
  4. Why was it started?
  5. What does the site consist of?
  6. Who can take part?
  7. If it's supposed to be for all of Canada, why isn't there a French language version?
  8. Has it received much attention?
  9. This is a fairly basic web site. Why?
  10. Why do I have to provide my Email address and will you put me on a mailing list?
  11. What do you mean by "obvious anti-spam measures"?
  12. I think this is a great site and would love to sponsor it.  Are you interested?
  13. I work for a media organisation and want to interview someone about this site.  How do I go about it?
    1. What is the purpose of this site?
        • This site was created as a forum for road users -- everyone from pedestrians to professional drivers -- to vent frustration caused by inconsiderate, careless and otherwise idiotic drivers each and every day.  You can nominate idiot drivers or tell stories about stupid pedestrians or cyclists you have seen in your daily travels.  Have fun and enjoy taking part, as either active or passive participants.

          That said, it should be made clear that this is not a site for people to publicly embarrass their neighbours, ex-girlfriends or pesky co-workers by posting fabricated or vindictive stories.  "Idiot Drivers"are never to be named. Though you may think your comments are anonymous, you can be traced.  People who misuse this site will receive no protection from legal or civil action instigated as a result of your comments.
           

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    2. Who is the webmaster?
        • The webmaster and creator of the Idiot Driver Alert is Vancouver area resident Trevor Wilson. After having moved to Canada from Australia in 1994, he is currrently is employed as a manager with a large Canadian entertainment company.

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    3. When was this site created?
        • The Idiot Driver Alert started as a personal venting forum in June of 1996 and was opened to British Columbia specific public contributions later that year.  In February of 1999, after almost 150,000 visits from people all around the world, the site was put in "suspended animation" after the webmaster found it becoming a little too much work on a site host with limited flexibility.  In December of 2000, work on the bigger and better site began and the domain name was registered.

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    4. Why was it started?
        • The Idiot Driver Alert was created out of the frustration of helplessness when the webmaster saw a horrifying example of bad driving. Rather than chasing down this driver, Trevor chose a more passive way -- and the Idiot Driver Alert was born.

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    5. What does the site consist of?
        • The original Idiot Driver Alert had several main areas. The monthly reports, the report archives, stories of 'non-driving' idiots, and the Killer Drivers disHonour Roll, where drivers who have been responsible for fatalities are listed.  The new version will initially be limited in its features until everything is running smoothly.  The elements are: monthly reports, report archves, "non-driving" idiots and the "Road Rage" forum, where users can voice their opinion on topics related to bad driving.

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    6. Who can take part?
        • Before, everyone could read the reports but only people from BC could nominate idiot drivers.  Now, though changes in features provided by the host -- free web space provider oocities.com, everyone can nominate idiot drivers in their area.  In time, it is hoped that the site can expand further to permit more specific nomination zones.

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    7. If it's supposed to be for all of Canada, why isn't there a French language version?
        • Because I don't speak French and it would be impossible to monitor the site.  If anyone is prepared to put in the time and effort to prepare and maintain a version of this site en francais, I would welcome their offer of assistance.  All they have to do is Email me.

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    8. Has it received much attention?
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    9. This is a fairly basic web site. Why?
        • My original plan for the re-designed version was to include a frames, Java and other "high tech" web site features.  I decided mid way through however, that my original belief that people should be able to view web sites without needing a super-fast computer or the most recent versions of their web-browser, should still stand.  While this site may not be as flashy as others on the web, you've got to admit that it is nice to fully experience a site without waiting hours for it to download.  I support the  "Viewable By Any Browser" campaign.

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    10. Why do I have to provide my Email address and will you put me on a mailing list?
        • Accountability. I don't want this site turning into a place where people list their annoying neighbour, ex-boss or former girlfriend. By providing a valid Email address, you are showing you're serious about the whole thing. Those posts without a valid Email address are removed immediately. As outlined in this site's privacy statement you don't have to worry about being put on a mailing list. I only use the Email addresses to verify nominations and do not keep a record of them in any way. If you're concerned about using your primary (main ISP) Email address, you may want to consider signing up for a free Email account from providers such as hotmail.com, canada.com or netaddress.com (usa.net).

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    11. What do you mean by "obvious anti-spam measures"?
        • Anti-spam measures are basically modifications to your Email address that will 'trick' Email catchers...programs that gather Email addresses from the internet for the purposes of sending junk (unsolicited) Email, also known as SPAM. Obvious measures are those that stand out. The most common ones are simply the insertion of uppercase letters or words, such as "NOSPAM", "XXXX", "FAKE" or "REMOVETHIS", or even blank spaces into your Email address that would create an invalid address to a computer program but could be seen and removed by me when I'm sending out the verification Email. As an example, if your Email address is yourname@yourisp.com, it could become yourname @ yourisp.com, yourname@yourNOSPAMisp.com or yourname@yourispFAKE.com. It's enough to fool an Email gathering program, but it's easy for me to take out so your nomination stays on the site.

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    12. I think this is a great site and would love to sponsor it.  Are you interested?
        • Yes. While I cannot have sponsors at my present location, I am hoping to find an internet company that can host the site, assist with the technical side of things and maintain the domain name. Once on a different host, I will then be able to accept offers of sponsorship from other interested businesses. Please, feel free to contact me via Email and let me know what you had planned.

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    13. I work for a media organisation and want to interview someone about this site.  How do I go about it?
        14. Return to list of questions
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    Important Notice: This site is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is intended to be a forum for road users to safely -- and with some level of humour -- vent some of the frustration and stressed caused by unsafe or inconsiderate behaviour witnessed on streets and highways. As a result, and based on the fact that this site accepts essentially anonymous reports from the public, the accuracy of information on this site is not guaranteed. Although this site attempts to discourage users from making fraudulent, offensive or insulting reports or comments, reports or comments submitted to this site are accepted as the opinions of those making the reports or comments.  Comments and submissions contained herein are not necessarily the opinions of the Idiot Driver Alert web site or its creator and webmaster.

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    Feel free to make links to this site, but please be polite and notify the webmaster.
    http://www.idiotdriveralert.com