Disappointment in "The Need to Speed"
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,155
From: Lewisville (Dallas), Texas
Re: Disappointment in "The Need to Speed"
Originally Posted by tbaleno
The only fault in that is that people will continue to drive on a suspended license.
Active Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 237
Re: Disappointment in "The Need to Speed"
Sounds like a good idea, and I really think it *would* cut down on accidents, even from drunk drivers. My reasoning being that most of the people who drive drunk are not too bright and thus might not make it through a rigorous 40 hour training course... well at least until they have a bit more maturity.
Originally Posted by AZCivic
You really can't put a specific number on safety. If you want to improve road safety, it starts with making it a LOT harder to get a driver's license. If you had to complete a 40-hour training class, complete with demonstration of accident avoidance skills, tire blowout simulation training, skidpad classes to show vehicle control, skid control and correction using specially equipped driver's school vehicles (Skip Barbour and Bondurant have these) that can simulate all kinds of various handling maladies and traction defficiencies, then we'd be getting somewhere.
Sure, getting your driver's license might end up being a $2000 affair instead of $20, but ultimately everyone is better off. Do you think the families of the 43,500 Americans killed last year would pay $2000 to have their loved ones back? Do you think the half MILLION injured bad enough to require medical treatment ended up spending over $2000 in medical expenses? Of course, everyone would love it if everybody cared, and nobody died. It starts with a comprehensive licensing program that shifts the focus away from arbitrary government-set rules and on the individual for being a responsible and skilled driver at all times.
Sure, getting your driver's license might end up being a $2000 affair instead of $20, but ultimately everyone is better off. Do you think the families of the 43,500 Americans killed last year would pay $2000 to have their loved ones back? Do you think the half MILLION injured bad enough to require medical treatment ended up spending over $2000 in medical expenses? Of course, everyone would love it if everybody cared, and nobody died. It starts with a comprehensive licensing program that shifts the focus away from arbitrary government-set rules and on the individual for being a responsible and skilled driver at all times.
now Insight, had an HCH
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 589
From: Northwest Florida
Re: Disappointment in "The Need to Speed"
That's sooo true! My sister who has had 2 DUI's had to go to a driving school, it was only about 20 hours and aparently all they did was show them those high school movies to try to scare them into not Drinking and Driving anymore.
In my area, the drunk drivers produce more fatalities but the speeding is what causes most of the accidents. On my 6 mile commute this morning I saw 2 accidents with 6 cars wrecked. I doubt very seriously they were going the speed they should of. On this road there are dozens of little roads that come out from the side. Imagine pulling onto a packed freeway from a standstill where cars are going 70+mph (as I mentioned before, the speed limit is 55 mph). That's where most of my mpg's take a hit, just trying to get out onto this road in the morning. There isn't a safe way to pull onto it. You just close your eyes and gun it hoping not to get slammed into.
In my area, the drunk drivers produce more fatalities but the speeding is what causes most of the accidents. On my 6 mile commute this morning I saw 2 accidents with 6 cars wrecked. I doubt very seriously they were going the speed they should of. On this road there are dozens of little roads that come out from the side. Imagine pulling onto a packed freeway from a standstill where cars are going 70+mph (as I mentioned before, the speed limit is 55 mph). That's where most of my mpg's take a hit, just trying to get out onto this road in the morning. There isn't a safe way to pull onto it. You just close your eyes and gun it hoping not to get slammed into.
Originally Posted by blueskies
Sounds like a good idea, and I really think it *would* cut down on accidents, even from drunk drivers. My reasoning being that most of the people who drive drunk are not too bright and thus might not make it through a rigorous 40 hour training course... well at least until they have a bit more maturity.
Last edited by rigger; Oct 26, 2005 at 05:07 AM.
World's First Hybrid
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 600
From: Quincy MA
Re: Disappointment in "The Need to Speed"
Originally Posted by MGBGT
I agree, and also believe that DWI/DUI is the biggest problem out there.
I think permissible alcohol levels should be lower, a first infraction by a small amount (of alcohol) should result in a fine, and a first infraction by a large amount, or any secondary infraction should result in a license suspended by at least 6 months. Then you can get it back after taking special ed classed for DUI. A third infraction, and you surrender your license forever, no chance to get it back.
Thats what I would recommend.
I think permissible alcohol levels should be lower, a first infraction by a small amount (of alcohol) should result in a fine, and a first infraction by a large amount, or any secondary infraction should result in a license suspended by at least 6 months. Then you can get it back after taking special ed classed for DUI. A third infraction, and you surrender your license forever, no chance to get it back.
Thats what I would recommend.
Conservative Socialist
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 878
From: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Disappointment in "The Need to Speed"
On the topic of drunk drivers, I guess the biggest problem there is that if you look at it by age group, 16 year olds are far above the norm for fatal wrecks. 17 year olds are still substantially above, but not as bad. 18 gets it reasonably closer to the norms, but really you don't see good stabilization until 25+. I would suspect that based on under 21'ers being a major percentage of fatal wrecks and alcohol being involved in 57% (according to the 2003 stats I could find) of wrecks, underage drinking is probably a root cause. A few states have progressive licensing, which would probably be a step in the right direction. Stepping up punishment for underage drinking would also probably help.
I think we're marching towards a day when eventually our medical care and disease prevention and cures will be so good that the overwhelming majority of deaths will be from automobile wrecks. We spend billions of dollars a year to prevent death by terrorist attacks, why aren't we trying even a tenth as hard to solve the top killer of our teenagers?
I think we're marching towards a day when eventually our medical care and disease prevention and cures will be so good that the overwhelming majority of deaths will be from automobile wrecks. We spend billions of dollars a year to prevent death by terrorist attacks, why aren't we trying even a tenth as hard to solve the top killer of our teenagers?
now Insight, had an HCH
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 589
From: Northwest Florida
Re: Disappointment in "The Need to Speed"
I could see the you drivers being part of the problem. This afternoons wreck was a sporty Mazda 6. He hit a S-10 VERY hard, I'd be willing to put $$ on it that he was doing well over the speed limit. Ripped the rear axle out from under the S-10 as it looked like it was pulling out from a side road (t-boned it).
OK, today alone over one six mile stretch of road I saw 8 wrecked cars. I made 2 round trips totaling about an hour. It takes 5 minutes minimum just to find an opening to pull into.
I blame the speeding to be at least 75% of the problem for the wrecks. Honestly, the majority of the speeders in my area are young military (Type A personalites).
OK, today alone over one six mile stretch of road I saw 8 wrecked cars. I made 2 round trips totaling about an hour. It takes 5 minutes minimum just to find an opening to pull into.
I blame the speeding to be at least 75% of the problem for the wrecks. Honestly, the majority of the speeders in my area are young military (Type A personalites).
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,797
From: Atlanta, Ga
Re: Disappointment in "The Need to Speed"
Speed was a major factor in Grand Caravan #1 demise.
*The other side of the road had 3 lanes. (Two traveling lanes and a Right turn lane)
*The traveling lanes on the other side was packed with stopped traffic waiting for a light to change.
*Speed limit on that road is 35.
*The far right lane was a 2000 foot turning lane that led up to the light.
*I was attempting a Left turn into a drive that was 1/2 way up that turn lane.
*The two lanes provided me a way so I proceeded with my Left turn.
*I stopped before crossing the 2000' turning lane and didn't see anyone so I proceeded.
*Suddenly squealing tires and SLAM!
*We were pushed about 25 feet down the road and spun around.
Impact was directly on the floor plates and passenger side sliding door.
No less than 6 witnesses rushed to assistance and said the other vehicle (Compact Chevy pick-up) was easily exceeding 65 MPH up that turning lane, apparently trying and get to that light. It was pouring rain too.
Unfortunately the cop refused to heed the witnesses account because he "Didn't see it and didn't have his radar on the guy" and I got the only ticket that day, back in 2001.
My family was along and thank God the GC is built tough, the other guy broke his hand on his collapsed steering wheel.
Cracked windshield, accordianed floor plates, destroyed sliding and passenger door, twisted warped roof and many other things sent GC#1 to the insurance auction block. Only 18,000 miles on her.
I'm not saying I'm faultless, but the other guy's speed certainly played a major role.
*The other side of the road had 3 lanes. (Two traveling lanes and a Right turn lane)
*The traveling lanes on the other side was packed with stopped traffic waiting for a light to change.
*Speed limit on that road is 35.
*The far right lane was a 2000 foot turning lane that led up to the light.
*I was attempting a Left turn into a drive that was 1/2 way up that turn lane.
*The two lanes provided me a way so I proceeded with my Left turn.
*I stopped before crossing the 2000' turning lane and didn't see anyone so I proceeded.
*Suddenly squealing tires and SLAM!
*We were pushed about 25 feet down the road and spun around.
Impact was directly on the floor plates and passenger side sliding door.
No less than 6 witnesses rushed to assistance and said the other vehicle (Compact Chevy pick-up) was easily exceeding 65 MPH up that turning lane, apparently trying and get to that light. It was pouring rain too.
Unfortunately the cop refused to heed the witnesses account because he "Didn't see it and didn't have his radar on the guy" and I got the only ticket that day, back in 2001.
My family was along and thank God the GC is built tough, the other guy broke his hand on his collapsed steering wheel.
Cracked windshield, accordianed floor plates, destroyed sliding and passenger door, twisted warped roof and many other things sent GC#1 to the insurance auction block. Only 18,000 miles on her.
I'm not saying I'm faultless, but the other guy's speed certainly played a major role.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
From: neither here, nor there...
Re: Disappointment in "The Need to Speed"
Originally Posted by http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/personal-injury-California.html
Most authorities emphasise speed as a primary cause of accidents, although most experts agree that speed alone rarely causes an accident.
Thread
Topic Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
