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Posted by mentat (93se 5spd) on August 10, 2002 at 13:22:29:
In Reply to: Just being controversial posted by 8ball on August 10, 2002 at 12:56:07:
My two cents. Or more like half a buck.
Unfortunately, how many people do you know that actually care enough, and are capable enough, to learn the limits and characteristics of their car to the extent that you do? I would say that 80% (that's being conservative) of drivers out there are barely half a degree above "completely incompetent", ie just capable enough to get a license. Of those, there are probably some that, given proper training, would be much more adept at handling their vehicles, but this is America, and Americans just cannot be bothered to learn the proper techniques to handle a 2-ton machine travelling at 50-80mph. With Sally Soccermom behind the wheel of her Excursion, on the phone and fixing her hair, I personally will feel much safer if she has automated safety controls in that monster truck. No offense to the ladies, it could just as easily be Richard More-Important-Than-You Businessman in his Bimmer 7-series, still on the phone and reading the financial reports. My point is basically that your average American driver is a jackass, and has no desire to change, so I'm all for safety systems. I drive for a living and have seen all kinds, and thats when I'm thankful to be in a 5-ton FedEx truck and not my own vehicle. One guy I cant stand has a shiny black Hummer that he drives through his rich little (not Rich Little) suburb, constantly on the phone, in a shirt and tie, never a speck of dirt on that truck; a truck which takes up a lane and a half on some of the tighter roads there. The things I would just love to do to his precious $200K vehicle if only I weren't so damn law-abiding. I'm ranting now, so I will wrap this up. I have to agree with Pete that it is worrisome that ABS is being dropped by insurance companies, instead of some kind of campaign to actually educate drivers on its proper use. It's truly just about profits these days, in this country.
m@