A reason that I didn't by a Camaro, but BOY AM I GLAD I DID!

[Steve]

Originally Posted by lil_chef

do you realize how bad traffic would be if not passing on the right was enforced in the states? theres so many people cruising at 5 under the speed limit in the left and middle lanes where its just not practical

Thus the whole point of this thread. Where is the courtesy in the US anymore where you don't drive in the left lane except to pass? We see it all the time where people are mentally in automatic driving in the left lane.

[fireresq157]

Originally Posted by Buckbo

Did he ask for anyone's opinion on not wearing a seatbelt? He's an adult and knows the consequences. It is an issue of personal responsibility and not up to us to be everyone else's babysitter. What's next? Are you gonna tell him not to smoke?

What? I touch a sensitive subject matter for you too? He can do what he wants; in the end he pays for it the most but we all share in the trajedy. I just happen to have first hand knowledge of the consequences, yeah you know the ones that can't happen to me type. On a lighter note for those that complain about their medical bills being too high or the premiums being out of control you can thank people like these individuals. I have multiple Patients daily that smoke or used to smoke as far back as 30 years ago, and are still paying the consequences for it. All the before mention individual types have an added bonus for me, job security. So by all means take them off and light up. The sad part some times you take innocent people with you I.E. not being able to steer your car because your thrown to the passenger side and now you take out a family in a minivan or like my grandfather who never smoked was plagued by health problems due to years of second hand smoke before there were indoor no smoking laws.

PS I don't want to hear how you always wear your seat belts and don't smoke and you're just defending the little guy’s choice to do what he wants.
If you want to be part of the natural selective process be my guest all I have stated are facts. We all have a vested interest in each others well being, but so be it you make your choices I'll make mine. I know I'll be thinking of others and not my own selfish needs.

[jm88]

Try flying a Helicopter - then you'll understand the meaning of "Defensive" driving.

[mbauer14085RS/SS2010]

well i have driven both autos and manuals and i agree you are more alert and pay more attention when driving a manual. however to generalize that all people dont know how to drive because they drive autos is absurd. there are plenty of them out there as sad as it is. ever think some people drive autos due to health concerns that driving a stick isnt possible and they want to have this beautiful car but couldnt if it wasnt made in an automatic? people with problems with thier legs who couldnt take driving a manual on a daily basis or other issues. i bought an automatic cause i am 37 and plan on keeping this car a long time and really dont want to be driving a manual in ten years and still want to be able to have a beautiful sports car.

[Silverguardrail]

I have driving stick shifts for 34 years and will do so as long as I can. A stick makes it a sports car to me.

[Thrillz]

Originally Posted by KJS

Over the last few days, I've come across some pretty incredible postings about the crashes that some of the Camaro5 forum members or their family members have been in while driving (or stopped in) their Camaro's. The worst recently seems to be by Jason41 today (Fri 6/05) @ 12:40 AM whose wife was rear ended at 70 MPH ! ! ! See picture below. His wife is ok.

And so it has me glad that the 2010 Camaro is absolutey outstanding in the safety category - something I had in the back of my mind, but am now feeling very secure about.

And now my rant....
Most drivers today don't really care about the "art of driving" a car. To most of them a car is another appliance with no more attachment or meaning than a refrigerator or washing machine. Thats why they open their doors into your car and give YOU the look when you call them on it.
Four way stop signs are there for the other driver to stop, never for them.
Backing up on an exit ramp because they took the wrong exit, its now YOUR problem because you're in their way - they start honking and cursing at you!
And in suburbia, hey you don't need to pull to the curb when you let off a passenger or pick them up! Just stop in the middle of the road and let everyone go around you.
Oh and at night, its your tough luck that you're now blinded because someone wants to park on the wrong side of the road with their "brights" on blinding you as you try to go past.
Add to the mess the texting, cell phoning, and the ongoing problems of drunk and substance abuse idiots and we who care about driving a decent car - are doomed.
It seems that today, to them its "my right" to do what "I" want, where "I" want, however "I" want to. I guess that's what a "license to drive" means to them!!!!!!
I'm off on a rant but I cannot for the life of me figure out how the mentality of today's drivers got sooooooo bad.
Rant over.
Drive defensively and be careful out there for the sake of you, your family and your Camaro.

Man couldnt have said it any better then that

[Cheshirelaugh]

Originally Posted by hb-rocks

Agreed...!
We visited Germany this past March (beautiful country!)...and I was really impressed with their driving laws and just how much people "obey" them!
We could learn a thing or two from that system! For Example....it's illegal to pass on the right. I drove the Autobahn for 12 hours and not once was I passed on the right!

After living and driving in Europe for 3 years I LOVED how they drive; the traffic laws, and the fact that people there OBEY the traffic laws.

Now that I'm back in the States... I try to be good... use my signal, leave enough stopping distance, right lane when I'm going slow, left lane when I'm in a hurry... but these "idiot American drivers", weaving through lanes, never signalling, cutting off my stopping space, my road rage has returned with a vengeance.

[Cheshirelaugh]

Originally Posted by RobH

It's part of the law in Germany that driving in the left hand lane is forbidden unless passing. They enforce it strictly. If they had such a law here for high-speed highway and enforced it, a lot of the amateur traffic enforcers who like to park in the left hand lane would become poor.

The other part of that is that if you ARE in the left lane and someone behind you is overtaking you, you must move over regardless of how fast they're going and whether or not they're speeding.

No civilian traffic enforces on those roads. Man I miss it!

[KJS]

Originally Posted by JewelZ

so you did buy one or you didn't?

Jewel, I did - and that's what I get for posting when going on a rant - a thread heading that makes no sense. I should have titled it "Not the reason I bought the Camaro, but glad that I did".

[Gentry78]

Originally Posted by Steve

His decision not to wear a seatbelt may cost me my life due to the fact he can't re-gain or maintain control his car after he has lost it (in what ever way). I have seen this in action. If you can't stay firmly in the driver’s position you can't maintain 100% effective control of the car. I wore seat belts long before they were mandatory and don't believe someone else has a right to jeopardize my life on purpose.

or the extra work the first responders have to do to get you out of the car and try to save your life

[SandiCandi]

Originally Posted by DkknightX

Thanks for the drivers education lesson. If I didn't understand the concept of driving a vehicle and what to look out for, I wouldn't have a license.

HUH? Are you being sarcastic or what? Do you think just because the state gave you a piece of paper that means you can actually drive a car hon? You got a beef with the OP because he made some valid points and maybe you saw yourself in them???????

[Treadstone]

hope he gets all his money back

[marticus24]

[LadiesMan217]

Originally Posted by mbauer14085RS/SS2010

wow thats a slap in the face regardless of your last sentence about it not being a knock on people getting an automatic. its not the auto that makes it like that its the moron behind the wheel. and morons that post s^$% comments like this about driving being to easy. just where would you be in life if not for other automated parts?? i bet nothing automated helps you or is a conveniece to you. like if you need money and the banks closed oh those automated money machines dont come in handy now do they.

I'm not a manual fanatic and I didn't take this as a slap in the face. I have driven and owned both...automatics and manuals. w00t is pretty accurate with this statement.

When I first got my license, my father wouldn't let me buy an automatic. I got my license on an automatic and drove a family car that was an automatic but he made me get a stick for "MY" first car. Why? He wanted to know that if I was at a party and needed to drive...it didn't matter what type of car it was. Also, he told me that it would make me pay attention to the road more. He was dead on right.

Think of all of the teenie boppers that think they are pros but are constantly texting, eating, dancing, reading, etc. while they drive. Sure, we can blame it on the technology, and we can even blame it on the human (and most blame falls here)...but if that teenie bopper needed to have one hand on the stick and one hand on the wheel...it makes it more difficult to text, eat, read, etc.