Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 / QGSI 2.0; site qubix.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!mhuxn!houxm!ihnp4!zehntel!dual!qantel!intelca!t4test!qubix!msc From: msc@qubix.UUCP (Mark Callow) Newsgroups: net.consumers Subject: Re: Citreon's, DOT rules Message-ID: <1568@qubix.UUCP> Date: Wed, 5-Dec-84 15:24:30 EST Article-I.D.: qubix.1568 Posted: Wed Dec 5 15:24:30 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 7-Dec-84 01:43:55 EST References: <910@druxj.UUCP> <1163@drusd.UUCP> Organization: Qubix Graphic Systems, San Jose, CA Lines: 33 France had the worst roads in Europe, hence French cars usually have prettly good suspension. Citreon is definitely one of the smoothest riding. The explanation given in the referenced article for no longer importing them sound like it is probably correct. Many innovative ideas fall foul of either outdated or too restrictive DOT regulations. Citreon also fell foul of them with their steerable headlights. These were connected to the steering and would move with it thus lighting the way round a corner. Another idea which I have never seen in a car here is headlamp wipers and washers. These are incredibly useful in wet or snowy conditions. I'd love to have them on my car when I drive up to Lake Tahoe to ski. I suspect they aren't seen in the US because of some DOT regulation about headlights. What really bugs me about all these finicky rules is that they seem to fall by the wayside when it comes to pick-up trucks and vans. There are huge numbers of raised four-wheel drive trucks which are to my mind the worst offenders. The bumpers are either non-existent or at car windshield height. The exposed wheels throw up huge amounts of spray on wet roads creating a major hazard for other traffic. The wheels can also easily throw stones up at pedestrians or through windshields on other vehicles. These trucks have no business being on the public highway. In fact in they would be illegal in Britain. Another of my pet-peeves is small pickup trucks with highly polished chrome plated flat faced rear bumpers which reflect my headlights right back into my eyes. People should think about other road users rather than how pretty their vehicle looks. -- From the TARDIS of Mark Callow msc@qubix.UUCP, qubix!msc@decwrl.ARPA ...{decvax,ucbvax}!decwrl!qubix!msc, ...{amd,ihnp4,ittvax}!qubix!msc