I want to save the planet/fight oil dependence, but I want a safe car too...

On 1/8/2005 4:49 PM, Magnulus wrote:

> "Aunt Judy (Pride of Diarrhea) <http://tinyurl.com/2s2nz>" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
>
>>If you care about safety, you should be demanding prison time for
>>speeders and DUIs and RLRs. And a ban on cell phones in cars.
>
>
> The big problem with speeding is enforcement.

I agree, there is *way* too much of that going around.

Don't you wish they'd find something better to enforce? Maybe something
that had a positive effect on safety like say tailgating, weaving,
failing to KRETP, and other reckless driving?

> Automatic speed traps with cameras, like they have in Europe, would be far
> more effective, IMO.

Only if the speed limits were appropriately set.

Which they're not, for the most part here in the US.


> Driving is a privilege, not a right.

It's also a necessity, for most Americans. Have you noticed how darn big
this country is? How much our public transportation systems suck? How
poorly planned many communities are, with nothing within walking distance?


--
~/Garth |"I believe that it is better to tell the truth than a lie.
Almgren | I believe it is better to be free than to be a slave.
******* | And I believe it is better to know than to be ignorant."
for secure mail info) --H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)

"Garth Almgren" > wrote in message
...
> > Automatic speed traps with cameras, like they have in Europe, would be
far
> > more effective, IMO.
>
> Only if the speed limits were appropriately set.
>
> Which they're not, for the most part here in the US.

35-45 mph is an appropriate speed for most roads I have seen. Especially
if you are driving a truck or top heavy SUV. Even going the speed limit I
can feel more body roll on a small Ranger truck. Imagine if it were
raining- do you really think people should be driving in excess of 35-45mph
in heavy rain?

> It's also a necessity, for most Americans. Have you noticed how darn big
> this country is? How much our public transportation systems suck? How
> poorly planned many communities are, with nothing within walking distance?
>

I've taken busses alot. They vary in how good they are. True, most
busses are poorly funded, but there IS a solution to that. But the US has
to have the political will to change it.

The local bus stop is about a mile from my house. I can walk that in
about 15 minutes or less. A good walk gets your mind off things and
definitely lowers my pulse and blood pressure when I walk to the bus stop
and go to the mall a few times a week. Of course, the bus only comes once
an hour, but in many cities it comes about every 10-30 minutes. Driving a
car/SUV to the gym to get "exercise" is about as oxymoronic as fighting for
peace or screwing for virginity (OK, granted, a gym does have weights, and
you won't really get that from walking...).

The only downside to the local bus is it comes only about once every hour.
I used to live in Tulsa and it came every 30 minutes. And I thought that
was a long time.

"Garth Almgren" > wrote in message
...
> > Automatic speed traps with cameras, like they have in Europe, would be
far
> > more effective, IMO.
>
> Only if the speed limits were appropriately set.
>
> Which they're not, for the most part here in the US.

35-45 mph is an appropriate speed for most roads I have seen. Especially
if you are driving a truck or top heavy SUV. Even going the speed limit I
can feel more body roll on a small Ranger truck. Imagine if it were
raining- do you really think people should be driving in excess of 35-45mph
in heavy rain?

> It's also a necessity, for most Americans. Have you noticed how darn big
> this country is? How much our public transportation systems suck? How
> poorly planned many communities are, with nothing within walking distance?
>

I've taken busses alot. They vary in how good they are. True, most
busses are poorly funded, but there IS a solution to that. But the US has
to have the political will to change it.

The local bus stop is about a mile from my house. I can walk that in
about 15 minutes or less. A good walk gets your mind off things and
definitely lowers my pulse and blood pressure when I walk to the bus stop
and go to the mall a few times a week. Of course, the bus only comes once
an hour, but in many cities it comes about every 10-30 minutes. Driving a
car/SUV to the gym to get "exercise" is about as oxymoronic as fighting for
peace or screwing for virginity (OK, granted, a gym does have weights, and
you won't really get that from walking...).

The only downside to the local bus is it comes only about once every hour.
I used to live in Tulsa and it came every 30 minutes. And I thought that
was a long time.

"Magnulus" > wrote in message
.. .
> I'd like to get a car. Not just any car, but one that's not a gas
> guzzler. But also one that's safe. I really like the concept of a hybrid
> car. My only beef? There's really only 3 choices in hybrids. The Honda
> Insight is too small, not enough seats. The Honda Civic Hybrid is OK, but
> has a small torso side airbag. The Prius, at 27,000-32,000 dollars is
> overpriced, and after test driving one, I am convinced it is too wierd,
> especially in light of teh pricetag. But it does have curtain and side
> airbags.

Have you considered the new Honda Accord hybrid? Much bigger than a Civic,
seats 5 comfortably. Magazine tests indicate the acceleration is on par, or
slightly better, than the V-6 equipped Accord. Not sure if they're out in
showrooms yet, but should be soon.

--
Malcolm

"Magnulus" > wrote in message
.. .
> I'd like to get a car. Not just any car, but one that's not a gas
> guzzler. But also one that's safe. I really like the concept of a hybrid
> car. My only beef? There's really only 3 choices in hybrids. The Honda
> Insight is too small, not enough seats. The Honda Civic Hybrid is OK, but
> has a small torso side airbag. The Prius, at 27,000-32,000 dollars is
> overpriced, and after test driving one, I am convinced it is too wierd,
> especially in light of teh pricetag. But it does have curtain and side
> airbags.

Have you considered the new Honda Accord hybrid? Much bigger than a Civic,
seats 5 comfortably. Magazine tests indicate the acceleration is on par, or
slightly better, than the V-6 equipped Accord. Not sure if they're out in
showrooms yet, but should be soon.

--
Malcolm

"Malcolm" > wrote in message
...
>
> Have you considered the new Honda Accord hybrid? Much bigger than a Civic,
> seats 5 comfortably. Magazine tests indicate the acceleration is on par,
or
> slightly better, than the V-6 equipped Accord. Not sure if they're out in
> showrooms yet, but should be soon.

Yes, but the price is higher, around 30,000 or so, because it comes with
alot of extra stuff- basicly it's more a luxury car. The gas mileage also
isn't as impressive. Sure, it's alot better than the regular car, though.
I mostly would need a car that can seat two people most of the time, and
maybe another 1-2 occasionally, so leg room isn't so important. OTOH, the
Accord Hybrid does have side-impact curtain airbags.

"Malcolm" > wrote in message
...
>
> Have you considered the new Honda Accord hybrid? Much bigger than a Civic,
> seats 5 comfortably. Magazine tests indicate the acceleration is on par,
or
> slightly better, than the V-6 equipped Accord. Not sure if they're out in
> showrooms yet, but should be soon.

Yes, but the price is higher, around 30,000 or so, because it comes with
alot of extra stuff- basicly it's more a luxury car. The gas mileage also
isn't as impressive. Sure, it's alot better than the regular car, though.
I mostly would need a car that can seat two people most of the time, and
maybe another 1-2 occasionally, so leg room isn't so important. OTOH, the
Accord Hybrid does have side-impact curtain airbags.

Toyota Prius hybrid...

Toyota Prius hybrid...

Around 1/8/2005 6:35 PM, Magnulus wrote:

> "Garth Almgren" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>>Automatic speed traps with cameras, like they have in Europe, would be far
>>>more effective, IMO.
>>
>>Only if the speed limits were appropriately set.
>>
>>Which they're not, for the most part here in the US.
>
>
> 35-45 mph is an appropriate speed for most roads I have seen.

I'm curious: How do you know that is an appropriate speed? Is that a
"feels good to me" appropriate speed, or an appropriate speed chosen
using the best available scientific methods?

> Especially if you are driving a truck or top heavy SUV.

Which I'm not.

> Even going the speed limit I
> can feel more body roll on a small Ranger truck. Imagine if it were
> raining- do you really think people should be driving in excess of 35-45mph
> in heavy rain?

No, I think people should be using their own best judgment to pick a
speed at which they feel both safe and comfortable, regardless of the
posted speed limit. Time and again studies have shown that people will
generally pick an appropriate speed all by themselves.

Honestly, I think the entire country would be _much_ better off if
speedometers were prohibited from being in plain view of the driver.


--
~/Garth |"I believe that it is better to tell the truth than a lie.
Almgren | I believe it is better to be free than to be a slave.
******* | And I believe it is better to know than to be ignorant."
for secure mail info) --H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)