Suzuki Samurai was Re: [geeks] SPARC proprietary (waaaay

[nimitz at ns1.nimitzbrood.com]

> As I recall, 'nimitz at ns1.nimitzbrood.com' wrote:
> > > A manual forces you to have a better understanding of how a
> > > car works and pay more attention to what's going on.
> > 
> > Not necessarily.  Back when I was doing field-service of computer systems I was able to shift gears, adjust the radio, and eat a taco while driving my beat up old Dodge 024.
> 
> Are you saying you didn't have an understanding of what was going on
> and weren't paying attention?

On more than one occasion.  But I was young and stupid then too.

> 
> It's POSSIBLE to safely drive a car whilst using a cellphone, for
> example, but many people do not.  All it requires is paying attention.
> Note that several studies have shown that requiring a handsfree set
> in order to use a cellphone whilst driving actually does nothing
> to increase safety.  It's not the extra hand on the wheel that makes
> so difference.  It's simply driver inattention.

Actually from my point of view the extra hand makes a big difference.  Without taking that hand off the wheel you can't do anything _but_ drive.  I don't mind that because several things could be added to the column to allow steering wheel control of them.  The radio is only one example of such.

As for cellphones I think hands-free should be mandatory in all states while driving.  Period.  There's no reason, if you pay a cellphone bill, that you can't pay an extra $20 for a hands-free kit.

> 
> > The truth is that unless you train people right from the start what could _possibly_ happen (within reason) they will take the whole thing lightly.
<snip criminal charges>

I agree wholeheartedly.  There needs to be more serious penalties for serious accidnets.  But then that would only worsten under our sue-happy society so i'm not sure what he solution should be.

> 
> Following it up with a tougher driving test resulting in a probationary
> license (no driving at night, for example, and possibly restrictions on
> the weight and power of the vehicle) that would be converted to
> a regular license after a period of time without incidents and maybe
> another test might also be nice.
> 

I can see the one but restricting the size of the vehicle proabably wouldn't be feasible as many kids tinker with their own cars.  What's next?  Licensed performance products?  Do you want to have to pay extra for that turbo?

Just idle thoughts.


Mike Hebel