| Re: Speed Doesn't Kill. | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: LarryT (l02turner comcast.net)
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| Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2007 05:15:57 -0800 (PST) | |
All very true Ken - with one small addition to a Amtrak highlight - the run
from Chicago to Seattle is a thing of beauty. Crossing through some of the
most beautiful scenery on the N American continent with Yellowstone, the
Great Rockies, the Badlands and a host of other notables. The price is
incredibly low considering the value recieved - at least it was about 4
years ago.
Your points about the poor condition of the USA's roadways are correct - money is spent where it will guanantee re-election rather than improving the publics access to this country's beauty. I suspect drivers training (or lack of) is the biggest reason for the terrible drivers we have. Plus, there's a lack of driving disciplene - not that I'm perfect, but during my early driving years I idolized F1 drivers and their machines so I tried to mimic them - hands ad 10 & 2, seat belts on before the key is turned, and most of all - concentrate on what is happening around you and what the road is doing - it served me well - had an accident at 16 and no more in the following 50 years. Always having a way out is critical I believe and when I taught my wife how to drive I tried to make her see the value of situational awareness -- that's what it's called now - back then it was simply knowing what was happening around you -- I learned how much had stuck when see told me of driving to work on a rainy, foggy morning when, at 55 she saw a cinder block in front of her. Some people would jerk the wheel to avoid it but she knew there was traffic next to her on the left and a guardrail on the right so she tried to hit it with the tires - she did and the block was shattered with no damage to the car or anything else.
Sorry for the ramble - but I feel this is an important problem in the US costing untold millions (billions?) in damaged cars, hurt/killed people, higher insurance, etc. Recently The History Channel had a excellent program about the Autobahn - they told of the stringent licensing requirements - costing $2000 or more and requiring 18 years old. I think allowing 15 & 16 year old to drive unsupervised is madness - especially when they fill the car with buddies, talk on cell phone & drive, speed, drink & drive, etc. I know people use the excuse of saying the 15/16 year old have jobs or need to drive to school - I don't buy it. I know the ids will do and say anything to start driving - I know I did - but driving before 18 is too dangerous - kids seems to me more immature pre18 than ever before.
Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D)
www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts
Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil
PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net
Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs
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.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ken Rentiers" <rentiers [at] mac.com>
To: "Larry Turner" <l02turner [at] comcast.net>
Cc: "The FerrariList" <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 6:52 AM
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Speed Doesn't Kill.
Your points about the poor condition of the USA's roadways are correct - money is spent where it will guanantee re-election rather than improving the publics access to this country's beauty. I suspect drivers training (or lack of) is the biggest reason for the terrible drivers we have. Plus, there's a lack of driving disciplene - not that I'm perfect, but during my early driving years I idolized F1 drivers and their machines so I tried to mimic them - hands ad 10 & 2, seat belts on before the key is turned, and most of all - concentrate on what is happening around you and what the road is doing - it served me well - had an accident at 16 and no more in the following 50 years. Always having a way out is critical I believe and when I taught my wife how to drive I tried to make her see the value of situational awareness -- that's what it's called now - back then it was simply knowing what was happening around you -- I learned how much had stuck when see told me of driving to work on a rainy, foggy morning when, at 55 she saw a cinder block in front of her. Some people would jerk the wheel to avoid it but she knew there was traffic next to her on the left and a guardrail on the right so she tried to hit it with the tires - she did and the block was shattered with no damage to the car or anything else.
Sorry for the ramble - but I feel this is an important problem in the US costing untold millions (billions?) in damaged cars, hurt/killed people, higher insurance, etc. Recently The History Channel had a excellent program about the Autobahn - they told of the stringent licensing requirements - costing $2000 or more and requiring 18 years old. I think allowing 15 & 16 year old to drive unsupervised is madness - especially when they fill the car with buddies, talk on cell phone & drive, speed, drink & drive, etc. I know people use the excuse of saying the 15/16 year old have jobs or need to drive to school - I don't buy it. I know the ids will do and say anything to start driving - I know I did - but driving before 18 is too dangerous - kids seems to me more immature pre18 than ever before.
OK, I'm done. ;-)
Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D)
www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts
Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil
PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net
Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs
Porsche Road Test http://members.rennlist.com/roadtest/
.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ken Rentiers" <rentiers [at] mac.com>
To: "Larry Turner" <l02turner [at] comcast.net>
Cc: "The FerrariList" <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 6:52 AM
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Speed Doesn't Kill.
John:
Poorly designed ramps. Roadways built to minimum standards, broken pavement in disrepair with deep ruts that grab front wheels, potholes that can break suspensions, red light cameras that increase rear end collisions, especially when the yellow light interval is deliberately shortened. Abject lack of driver training and a nation of 'drivers' weaned on 55 MPH limits and so bored by the snail's pace on modern roadways that when young men ask "what does she have under there?" they are talking about the subwoofer, not the engine.
Artificially low speed limits, an insatiable demand for more tax money by power mad politicians who must buy the next election by inventing new forms of public largesse and an insurance industry that profits greedily as points accumulate and premiums rise, aided and abetted by the advanced radar devices GEICO and others supply local cops.( pant pant pant... gasps for breath....)
Meanwhile fatalities per 100,000 miles have fallen steadily since the 1940s, despite the NMSL, imposed in 1972, rescinded in 1995. Despite heavy increases in traffic unaccompanied by any significant new highway construction for decades as dollars are poured in to mass transit boondoggles no one rides and roadways are so poorly designed concrete blocks fall from above to crush hapless Boston motorists.
Public roads are analogous to public restrooms - dirty, broken and dangerous.
Flying is no solution unless you fly in Gulfstreams. Standing in a line of 200 people with you shoes in one hand while holding up your belt-free pants with the other, waiting to be interrogated and then crushed between two seats like a tin of albacore tuna holds little appeal. The great trains are all gone, Amtrak is an abject joke beyond the northeast corridor.
In the Dark Ages, after Rome fell, travel became difficult, trade impossible and people isolated. Near the end Rome had 48 Emperors in 50 years, all of whom were murdered by their successors or the public at large. We seem to be bereft of statesmen once again, judging by the recent Parade of Clowns in DC. I hope my deep sense of foreboding is a false one. Perhaps we will elect another Clinton, that will make two Bushes and two Clintons; could a new American Monarchy be our sorry fate?
On with the Circuses! Circus Bernicus begins in Melbourne March 18 - Forza ! Forza !
ken
On Mar 4, 2007, at 11:56 AM, John Allison wrote:
Hey Ken,
So now I am living in Minnesota and I have discovered something rather silly. They have a goal to reach 0 traffic fatalities. I don't see this as a realistic goal, but by God they will funnel my money into that goal.
One of their methods of attack includes an increase in speeding citations. They don't plan designing roads that safer, i.e. less blind turns, not slowing to 35mph speed limit on the interstate. This is a place with snow, ice, and the tightest turns, on ramps, and off ramps I have witnessed. I never hear reports of fatalities due to an idiot of a civil engineer.
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- Re: Speed Doesn't Kill., (continued)
- Re: Speed Doesn't Kill. LarryT, February 11 2007
- Re: Speed Doesn't Kill. Doug and Terri Anderson, February 11 2007
-
Re: Speed Doesn't Kill. John Allison, March 4 2007
- Re: Speed Doesn't Kill. Ken Rentiers, March 5 2007
- Re: Speed Doesn't Kill. LarryT, March 5 2007
- Re: Speed Doesn't Kill. red5hilser, March 5 2007
- Re: Speed Doesn't Kill. - Portago Alfaowner, March 5 2007
- Re: Speed Doesn't Kill. - Portago red5hilser, March 5 2007
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