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Re: driver's ed. is a joke



video@3DRESEARCH.nauticom.net (jd) wrote:
 
>In article <3ugh5r$r8l@ceylon.gte.com>
>Jeff Witzer <muthiah@sunflash.eng.usf.edu> writes:

>> So...hows about the auto insurance industry setting up safety equiptment
>> users schedules seperate from non-safety equiptment users like life
>> insurance companies do for smokers and non-smokers? 
 
>They already do. You can get discounts for anti-lock barkes and
>airbags.

I was refering to rewarding drivers for responsible use of voluntary
safety equiptment (seatbelts in cars and helmets on motorcycles).

Anti-lock brake and passive restraint insurance discounts reward the
purchase of a so equiped car but does nothing to ensure their proper
use.  Air bags offer close to no protection if you're not wearing
seat belts and anti-lock brakes do not reduce stopping distances
especially if drivers modulate (pump the brakes).

Driver education, the other half of my post, would help to inform
drivers of the need to properly use the equiptment they purchased.
I fear that most drivers of such equiped cars may believe themselves
somehow more invincible and even less responsible for their car's
actions.

If you think that's rediculous...

I was in traffic court (aquitted, BTW) when I witnessed a case
where the driver of a vehicle struck another vehicle from
behind.  The driver pointed out that the officer at the scene reported
skid marks.  The driver claimed that, therefore, it couldn't
possibly be his fault because *his car was equiped with anti-lock
brakes* which obviously locked, which obviously CAUSED THE ACCIDENT.
The judge then *immediately* ruled for the defendent... no questions
like "Did you attempt to steer around the other vehicle?".  THE JUDGE
IN A MOTOR VEHICLE COURT assumed that an anti-lock equiped vehicle
would have stopped shorter.  

Other points missed: 
   The vehicle was a Bronco-like truck - rear anti-lock only!
   The impact was enough to severely injure 3 small children 
       (properly restrained) - how much shorter would anti-lock have
       stopped the truck, judge?!?
   
So the parents, also injured, face large medical bills and the Bronco
driver escapes with a crumpled fender for either following to closely
or not paying attention.  Justice.

Jeff Witzer (using a friend's account)
1993 Mazda RX-7 R1 - Competition Yellow Mica - Pettit Turn Key Terror


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