PLEASE READ........

[Punk_rider]

Hi guys,

I don't want to break this great moment where everybody seems to agree on something but ...

Respecting the speed limit (so lowwww in the US) doesn't mean you're a good driver nor that you are not dangerous, or less dangerous than another: granma is more dangerous at 25mph than Sebastien Bourdais at 100mph.

I'd say "it's not about respecting blindly the rules, it's about adapting the way you drive to the road conditions".

Begin at the speed limit can be dangerous if there are a lot of people ...

So please, instead of keeping your nose on your tachimeter, please adapt, indicate when you turn, look your mirrors, don't drink - I mean don't drink AT ALL when you drive - don't use your cell phone but ... enjoy the ride!

Speed is not the core problem, the core problem is: can you handle it? If you REALLY can, well ...


PS: I realize that US and european roads are different and that ways to drive are different. When I lived your country (which I love sooooo much) and was driving, I wished death to around 90% of american drivers! But that's another subject!

Sorry for this "minute of rebellion" but I've seen to many people dying because of said "good-drivers-who-respect-the-limit-whatever-happens-because-this-is-the-law-and-the-law-thinks-for-me".

Drive smart, not necessary slow.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by Punk_rider

Hi guys,

I don't want to break this great moment where everybody seems to agree on something but ...

Respecting the speed limit (so lowwww in the US) doesn't mean you're a good driver nor that you are not dangerous, or less dangerous than another: granma is more dangerous at 25mph than Sebastien Bourdais at 100mph.

I'd say "it's not about respecting blindly the rules, it's about adapting the way you drive to the road conditions".

Begin at the speed limit can be dangerous if there are a lot of people ...

So please, instead of keeping your nose on your tachimeter, please adapt, indicate when you turn, look your mirrors, don't drink - I mean don't drink AT ALL when you drive - don't use your cell phone but ... enjoy the ride!

Speed is not the core problem, the core problem is: can you handle it? If you REALLY can, well ...


PS: I realize that US and european roads are different and that ways to drive are different. When I lived your country (which I love sooooo much) and was driving, I wished death to around 90% of american drivers! But that's another subject!

Sorry for this "minute of rebellion" but I've seen to many people dying because of said "good-drivers-who-respect-the-limit-whatever-happens-because-this-is-the-law-and-the-law-thinks-for-me".

Drive smart, not necessary slow.

I've been saying the same thing!

In the spirit of the thread, though, street racing is bad. I do however advocate accelerating out of stop lights a little faster and raising the top speed. In this country, there's no excuse for going under the speed unless you're on a swerving country road marked 45 mph. Even if you can handle the speed, it is still an unnecessary danger. That's like asking if a 7-year-old can handle a chainsaw. They might be able to hang on for a minute or two, but disaster will eventually result.

In the spirit of your arguments, though, I can't tell you how many times I've had to change lanes going the speed limit because a car abruptly stopped or slowed because the driver was either stupid or incompetent. Some people should not be allowed to drive. On my way to class this morning, an elderly driver took 10 seconds to go after a green light, then slowly accelerated through the turn, and finally stopped several car lengths behind the next car at the next stop light. That is unnecessary and unsafe to drivers who may not expect such ridiculous behavior.

[TAG UR IT]

to both of ya'll.


And on that note,

ALL YOU YOUNG DRIVERS...

Just FYI, but 16-20 year old male adults are at a MUCH greater risk of dying or getting seriously injured in an auto accident.

In fact, males are in the lead all the way through until 85 years of age. Females then take over in the area most likely to die/get seriously injured in auto accidents. You know why??? Because males have a shorter life expectancy than females.

If anyone needs factual data, I can get it later from my books. Just took a defensive driving course Monday going over ALL of this information.

All I'm saying guys (and gals)....especially you younger ones, is

USE YOUR HEAD!!!!!!!! Drive safely. You might be able to react faster, but your lack of experience on the road is your biggest enemy. Those who have driven longer have the experience, but reaction times begin to lengthen as you get older.

And on a last note...

Seat belts and air bags have a 50% higher probablility of saving lives. Wear the darn belts. I don't care if it wrinkles your nice shirt. And I surely don't care that it's "uncomfortable." Because it's going to be a hell of a lot more uncomfortable going through the windshield, out the side window, lying in a hospital bed not being able to move for months, or in a wheelchair (if you're lucky enough to be able to live through the accident) for the rest of your life.

Please. Please. Please.

[fbodfather]

The issue isn't 'speed limit' per se.....

I'm trying to address two things:

>not wearing safety belts

>illegal street racing -- where two (or more) cars line up -- and have a drag race in the midst of spectators and such.........that's dangerous.

I have really upset a few guys on another site -- (was asked to post a note about street racing -- thus the reason I wrote what's on this thread) ...and it was not well received.

My point is that you can kill more than just yourself --

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

The issue isn't 'speed limit' per se.....

I'm trying to address two things:

>not wearing safety belts

>illegal street racing -- where two (or more) cars line up -- and have a drag race in the midst of spectators and such.........that's dangerous.

I have really upset a few guys on another site -- (was asked to post a note about street racing -- thus the reason I wrote what's on this thread) ...and it was not well received.

My point is that you can kill more than just yourself --

In thinking about your car you have to evaluate a couple of things. :seesaw: You are above street racing, guys. Fbodfather is right to post this because we aren't the only people in danger. Take it to the track where you can earn your balls on a legitimate, even playing field with balanced lanes and safe conditions.

[Muscle Master]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

to both of ya'll.


And on that note,

ALL YOU YOUNG DRIVERS...

Just FYI, but 16-20 year old male adults are at a MUCH greater risk of dying or getting seriously injured in an auto accident.

In fact, males are in the lead all the way through until 85 years of age. Females then take over in the area most likely to die/get seriously injured in auto accidents. You know why??? Because males have a shorter life expectancy than females.

If anyone needs factual data, I can get it later from my books. Just took a defensive driving course Monday going over ALL of this information.

All I'm saying guys (and gals)....especially you younger ones, is

USE YOUR HEAD!!!!!!!! Drive safely. You might be able to react faster, but your lack of experience on the road is your biggest enemy. Those who have driven longer have the experience, but reaction times begin to lengthen as you get older.

And on a last note...

Seat belts and air bags have a 50% higher probablility of saving lives. Wear the darn belts. I don't care if it wrinkles your nice shirt. And I surely don't care that it's "uncomfortable." Because it's going to be a hell of a lot more uncomfortable going through the windshield, out the side window, lying in a hospital bed not being able to move for months, or in a wheelchair (if you're lucky enough to be able to live through the accident) for the rest of your life.

Please. Please. Please.

I'm 17 and I take it to the track, where I improved my driving skills by a lot, so I guess you can call me a good driver and I always do the speed limit but if not I'm over 5/10 of the limit depends where I have to be

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

I have really upset a few guys on another site -- (was asked to post a note about street racing -- thus the reason I wrote what's on this thread) ...and it was not well received.

...Really?!?
Sometimes, I just don't get people...

[blindingillusion]

My opinion is if you want to race go to a track, pay the user fee, and race. At least then you are only going to endanger yourself.

[TAG UR IT]

Can anyone answer this question??

On any given Friday or Saturday night, how many drivers on the road are intoxicated?

a) 1 in 3
b) 1 in 5
c) 1 in 10
d) 1 in 15

[1bad67camaro]

lol

[Mindz]

I would guess one in 5.

As for the street racing. When I had my eclipse I'd head out to the races here in the bay area. Theoretically I raced once and only once to another stock civic. At the place where the races were, it was safe as far as I could tell. Everyone parked in the parking lots of a industrial street, everyone was out of their cars and behind the starting line in case someone got a little frisky with the steering wheel. Just in case, the people lined up would flash their high beams several times and we had someone at the other end with a radio who would make sure the street was clear. Had the people been stupid and tried to do donuts or race without the lights on, etc., I wouldn't have gone back. This was very controlled, very aware, very safe environment. This isn't your stereotypical scene, but it was something to pass the time and it's only 5 minutes from where I used to live. I have to drive 2+ hours to the nearest track (Infineon/Sears Point). I can drive 3 hours and hit up thunder hill or 5 hours to Buttonwillow down south. It was more of a convenience thing then a rebellion thing. I've always been safe and always will be safe, that's why I want the vert. I won't have every ricer doing the flyby trying to get me to race, I'll have a beautiful car and if I feel the need to show a ricer what acceleration really is while on the freeway, it'll be a quick 5-10 second noise pedal and then I'll slow down again (room permitting of course )

Just my opinion on street racing. I agree with the drive smart, not necessarily slow posts as well. And also, if you can afford it, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend going to a driving school such as Skip Barber, Bondurant, Russel, etc. I was in the 2 day driving class and it was the best education I've ever gotten. Defensive driving, offensive driving (track use only) and seat time practicing all these in a variety of vehicles proved to be INVALUABLE. I can now comfortably and calmly react to emergency lane changes, stopping a spin, holding a slide (drift), and braking better than ABS. I could go on for hours about it but can't afford to go back. =(



PS. I went to the street races in AZ when I was going to school there. first time I went out to DV and someone shot a few rounds at the "ghetto bird" as they called it. That was it for me. I went to Firebird raceway a few times to watch some races after that but nothing illegal down there.

[LS9CamaroSS]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

Can anyone answer this question??

On any given Friday or Saturday night, how many drivers on the road are intoxicated?

a) 1 in 3
b) 1 in 5
c) 1 in 10
d) 1 in 15

We are taught in driver education here in NYS that the answer is 1 in 10... that may have changed since i took it in 2005 though...

[TAG UR IT]

b) 1 in 5

You got it, Mindz.

And...I believe the 1 in 10 is for every other night....Sun-Thurs

[WillInThe04Ranger]

I was going to guess 1 in 3 because I think a lot of people drink