Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/26/83; site ihuxn.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!floyd!whuxlb!pyuxll!eisx!npoiv!npois!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxn!res From: res@ihuxn.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: re: Small Cars-flame force 10 Message-ID: <286@ihuxn.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Jul-83 12:20:04 EDT Article-I.D.: s I have been reading the postings in this spirited discussion, Posted: Tue Jul 12 12:20:04 1983 Date-Received: Wed, 13-Jul-83 19:42:14 EDT References: <456@ihuxp.UUCP> Organization: BTL Naperville, Il. Lines: 79 As I have been reading the postings in this spirited discussion, I have noted the large number of generalizations used. I do not believe ALL large car drivers are paragons of virtue, nor do I believe that ALL small car drivers are capable of winning the Grand Prix. However, having just completed a weekend trip of over a thousand miles spanning three states and a Canadian Province (from the Chicago area to Ontario and back), I have a few generalizations of my own to share. By the way, my car is neither very large nor very small ... it is a Pontiac Phoenix Hatchback of which I am quite fond. Observation 1: Drivers of very small cars are aware of the agility of their cars, and stake their lives frequently on their ability to push their cars to the design limits and beyond. The result is a lot of scrap metal and spare parts (used) when such a driver discovers that a limit of either the car or of the driver has been exceeded. Another result is a lot of profanity from other drivers as the small car cuts in and out of traffic, cutting in very close to other drivers in a very careless way ... apparently secure in the knowledge that they can drive out of the unsafe situation they have created and not giving a damn about the fact that they have exposed other drivers to risks that they did not want to be exposed to. During this recent trip, I had several small cars cut in front of me with clearances as small as about two feet ... at speeds of 65 to 70 mph. Were I not so fond of my little Phoenix, my wife, and my own life, I would be tempted to rap the next SOB who tries that stunt on the back bumper and see if he can instantaneously solve the resulting problem in physics. Observation 2: Drivers of very large cars seem to be either very old ladies who think that driving 30mph on the Interstate in the left lane is just fine, or macho business men (hard driving sales manager types) who seem to think that by buying an expensive car they have also bought a sizable chunk of the road as well. In heavy traffic a while back, I had the experience of being passed on the right at 60mph by a big white Cadillac with a heavyset fellow at the wheel with a cigar belching smoke ... and I was in the right hand lane (that's right, he passed me on the right hand shoulder because traffic was heavy and only doing 5mph over the limit!). The only times I have encountered roadhogs (holding their speed while straddling the lane marker) they have been driving Caddies or Continentals or somesuch cars. So, while I do not believe completely in generalities, I have found that drivers of very small, nimble cars tend to drive in ways that put themselves and other drivers in danger, secure (apparently) in the knowledge that they can drive their way out of the situation they have set up (and if the other guy/gal cannot, tough). More than once such a driver has caused me to hope that I would soon pass a Datsun-laminated bridge abutment. On the other hand, acquisition of a very large, expensive status symbol seems to lead to driving in a way that implies that a large part of the road is now owned as well, and if I happen to be situated on that particular piece (as I seem to often be), then that driver has the right to do whatever he pleases (regardless of the bounds of common courtesy and civilized behavior) to force me off of his turf. Lest this tirade imply that I am a little old man from Buffalo who seldom gets more than 1000 miles on the car in a year, I hasten to add the following comments. Most of my milage is from travel back and forth to work on roads posted at 55mph (though many people seem to think that they are posted at 40mph). I do accumulate a number of miles on the Interstate system, running with the crowd at 60-65mph with occasional (usually unintentional) excursions to 70 or so. In Canada on my recent trip I found it necessary to hold a speed of 110-120 km/h in areas posted at 100. I am confident of my ability to handle my car at the speeds noted above, but I find myself uncomfortable at the upper end of the range and prefer to stay between 60 and 65mph. I have not had any major accidents, but have had some close calls at a number of speeds, ranging from Interstate highway speeds to parking lot speeds (which some drivers seem unable to distinguish from Interstate highways!). Lastly, a bit of advice for all drivers on the net. Assume that the drivers around you are drunken nerds lacking the intelligence to buckle their seatbelts and capable of any stupid stunt in the book. It is surprizing how often the driver next to you fits this description! As a result, you will be ready for whatever stupid stunt the turkey tries and this may save your tail ... it has mine often. Rich Strebendt ...!ihnp4!ihuxn!res