A modest proposal for new drivers

Post #29,542 by ben_tilly 2/24/02 5:58:29 AM Reply	A modest proposal for new drivers In the 70's when they were pushing for seatbelt laws, they had this neat device. It was the frame of a car on a little ramp, with two seats and a dummy. The human sat in the driver's seat, was strapped in, the ride went, and the human got to see exactly what 20 MPH was like, up close and personal. Complete with feeling helpless and watching the dummy go flying. I believe that this ride should be a mandatory part of driver's education. Failing that, if I was involved in, say, life insurance I would suggest offering better rates to people who took a brief survival course hitting on the basics. This ride being one of them. Wanna bet that would do something useful for seatbelt usage? About the unfortunate who expired, he wasn't exactly driving through town. My window overlooks the FDR, which is a highway even though it is within the bounds of Manhattan. (Complete with entrance and exit ramps.) Incidentally the most amusing pileup that I have seen was at 5:30 AM on the FDR. For some reason - I don't know why - the highway was blocked. So there was a traffic jam. Only it is 5:30 AM, people are driving to work on an empty highway, no way are they expecting to round a curve and run into a traffic jam. I was woken up by a minor fender bender. Then another. Then another. And another... :-) Cheers, Ben
Post #31,911 by wharris2 3/12/02 6:37:02 PM Reply	Another reason to keep kids away from powerful vehicles [link\|http://enquirer.com/editions/2000/07/16/loc_pulfer_hill_hopping.html\|Hill hopping.] This particular link says they were going 60 mph; with the Jeep being airborne for 70 feet, that might be a bit low. Anyway, it's another reason to keep a teenager away from an SUV which, even in the hands of an experienced driver, is less stable than a normal automobile. They're charging the driver with vehicular homicide. What I don't get is how her parents don't get slapped with something. Giving the keys to a SUV to a teen - a 16-year old teen, even! - is damn stupid. Unfortunately, Ben, teens think it can't happen to them. I had a driver's education class where they showed bloody accident footage. Didn't stop those who were determined to be stupid. Where each demon is slain, more hate is raised, yet hate unchecked also multiplies. - L. E. Modesitt
Post #32,102 by ben_tilly 3/13/02 10:17:01 PM Reply	Foxtrot occasionally describes it very well... For instance [link\|http://www.ucomics.com/foxtrot/viewft.cfm?uc_full_date=19960412&uc_comic=ft&uc_daction=X\|here], [link\|http://www.ucomics.com/foxtrot/viewft.cfm?uc_fn=1&uc_full_date=19970112&uc_daction=X&uc_comic=ft\|here], and [link\|http://www.ucomics.com/foxtrot/viewft.cfm?uc_fn=1&uc_full_date=19970507&uc_daction=X&uc_comic=ft\|here]. Of course I like foxtrot more for things like [link\|http://www.ucomics.com/foxtrot/viewft.cfm?uc_fn=1&uc_full_date=19960520&uc_daction=X&uc_comic=ft\|this]... As for teenagers thinking it can't happen to them, the ride I was describing was quite convincing. Besides which, its main point is to get the teen to wear a seatbelt, which isn't the same as not being reckless and therefore might be more doable. Cheers, Ben PS An exercise in illogic. Despite the fact that the craziest drivers in the city drive cabs, and the fact that for years every time you get in one you get a recording trying to get you to put on a seatbelt, virtually nobody actually does. :-( "... I couldn't see how anyone could be educated by this self-propagating system in which people pass exams, teach others to pass exams, but nobody knows anything." --Richard Feynman
Post #32,114 by Ashton 3/14/02 1:39:54 AM Reply	That third one was in the vein of.. Got any naked pictures of your wife? Want some ??
Post #32,138 by boxley 3/14/02 8:47:54 AM Reply	Another proposal Most new drivers of any age have 3 stages of learning. 1. initial fear of controlling the vehicle, extremely cautious. 2. not killing themselves right away they get a confidence that they can handle the vehicle under unsafe conditions and push limits. 3. those that survive 1 & 2 tend to drive not too badly. Lets mandate participation in a demo derby to get your license. Fear, lack of control and real danger "might" make them a little more cautious. thanx, bill There is no difference between a "settler," "soldier," "secular," or "Chassidic Jew." The target is the JEW. \ufffd Harvey Tannenbaum
Post #32,207 by Ashton 3/14/02 3:04:56 PM Reply	Motorcycles make these stages much clearer..
Post #32,229 by boxley 3/14/02 4:46:18 PM Reply	and faster, you are correct There is no difference between a "settler," "soldier," "secular," or "Chassidic Jew." The target is the JEW. \ufffd Harvey Tannenbaum

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