Re: [Chevelle-List] Driving/Car Saftey

[Capt Crunch]

Yeah Chad... Sorry, I figured you would reply on this one, but believe me if everyone over the age of 25 voted, I think a large number would agree. I mean just the maturaty level jump is huge between 16 and 18 is huge. It happens again at 21 and it seems about your mid twenties most people have grown up at least in reguards to more serious matters. When I was your age I knew everything and I was invincable, but now that I am older I look back and say I wish I listened to my dad... or I wish I did this instead of this. Wait till you hit your mid twenties... heck I'm afraid of what I'll be saying when I'm forty or fifty.   I know how you feel and you can hardly wait to drive, but I know I did some plain flat dumb things at that age and I see even worse stuff then that everyday from young drivers. Obviously not all young drivers do stupid stuff, but I know the statistics show most young drivers get into more accidents and more tickets then any other age group. I just finally emerged from the under 25 bracket and wow did my insurance drop. Reality would maybe say 16-18 yr olds can only drive during such hours or on such roads, much like when you get a permit for a motorcycle. I'm sure you will be at least a smart drive Chad as you won't want to bang up a Chevelle or mustang or whatever, but most kids don't have that pride in their car. Also driving like any skill will get better as you do it more. I think we all made some young and dumb blunders in our day.   Don't feel bad Chad... I don't pick on young driver's other then that. I'm the same way with DWI's. Just way too loose of rules. There are just too many people who shouldn't be driving. Some elder drivers scare me as well. Some of them can barely walk, none the less hit the brakes if a kid was to dart in front of them. Then there are just the unskilled. I was visiting my mom last weekend and she in reality can't back up a car unless she goes perfectly straight. She can't parrell park. She can't see very well at night. I'm sorry to say, she shouldn't be driving with full privilages. If a guy operating a crane or a tractor was like that...they would be fired.   Overall... most people today think it is their right to drive a car, instead of the privilage that it is.   Dave also mentions some very good points as well.   Mikey ----- Original Message ----- From: Chad Playso Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 12:37 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Chevelle-List] Driving/Car Saftey   dude - thats offensive!  im 15 and i just CANNOT wait till i drive when im 16 - and then now you say that you want the driving age to be 18!  how did you feel when u started driving? ----- Original Message ----- From: Capt Crunch To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 12:50 PM Subject: Re: [Chevelle-List] Driving/Car Saftey How about the fact that they pretty much give driver's licenses away in a box of Cracker Jacks these days. I work about a mile from a driver's exam station and it is easy to find, but the number of brain dead morons, lazy people who don't want to take the energy to look at a map (or the road for signs for that matter), or people who can't speak english asking for it is unreal. I say "hey... if you can't find the driver's exam station you already fail map reading, trip preperation, and sign reading. You fail." IMO I would raise the driving age for lic. to 18 and keep permits or restricted lic. at 16. And make a real driving test to pass. I mean fake kids on bikes flying out from bushes and idiot driver's going through stop lights on their cell phone heheee.   Mikey   ----- Original Message ----- From: Chevelle 69 Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 11:37 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Chevelle-List] Driving/Car Saftey   Which brings up a thought or two:   We, the people that, in most cases, turn wrenches on these cars, lift heavy metal parts on and off, install glass as needed, and know from life's experiences what can happen,  have more of a close "in-touch" relationship with cars. We have more of a realization of several thousand pounds of glass and metal flying down the road at speeds unknown to man just a hundred years ago.   Although some of us are guilty of indulging in the thrill that a muscle car is so famous for, and I can't say I won't ever myself. I guess it's like rock climbing or parachuting......with added dangers for innocent bystanders and precious classic cars that may not survive to be passed on.   Compare that to a young person ( and some older ones ) who only think to get in, turn the key, and press the pedal farther down to hurry up to get to an "important appointment". I know that accidents were stressed to me in drivers training many years ago, but people tend to think it won't happen to them and what can happen if they are not careful goes to the back of the mind. Getting there quickly while doing other things that "need" to get done are what is on their mind.   The thought of the car I am rebuilding not having many of the safety features of today's cars also plays on my mind at times. More than once I have wondered what it would take to install anti-lock brakes and air bags on my 69 Chevelle.                                                                                                             Steve ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I agree too!  BUT, I've seen people reading newspapers, shaving, putting on make-up, eating two-fisted hoagies, etc. while behind the wheel. A lot of people are just plain oblivious to the dangers of distraction behind the wheel. My point is where do you stop? The starting point should, in my opinion, be better driver ed programs.