Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee
(1)The bottom line is people will be slobs until they can't afford it, and by can't afford I mean they don't have access to credit or a govt lifeline either.
(2)Re: excessive safety equipment: totally agree. Today's motorist expects the car to do it all for him/her- no onus on them for safety as they careen along the highway at 80 mph with phones stuck to their heads in thier overloaded SUVs with half-flat tires.  |
1) Damn skippy they won't. That is why I would vote for a gas tax.
2) That's why there are so many stupid people out driving with us. Wasn't it Darwin who said "survival of the fittest"? One corollary being: early mortality to the unobservant.
Remember all the hoopla over Fords SUVs and tire failures?
I worked for a local dealer here and as soon as that crap began we had a mandate from on high to check the air in all the tires that came through the shop. Big or little. Taillight repair to engine swap. Oil change or brakes.
Fords research showed that those individuals were driving on flat tires. Not the Escorts and Taurus and Crown Vic, just the SUVs. (yes there were exceptions, this is a generalization)
Ever hear of the multi jillion dollar payout to one of those involved in an accident?
No!
The lawyers argued that if 3 tires were at 12 psi then it stands to reason the failed tire was at 12 psi. And NO tire that under inflated is going to last long at highway speed.
Yes some lawsuits were settled. But the biggest thing that happened was making us technicians change all those tires for free, and that was just a publicity stunt to save face. All those tires we pulled off went to used tire shops to be resold.
We also had to change the tire decals to show the new psi recommendations. They went from 28 psi to 35 psi. The few customers I talked to said they kept the tires low because, "If I pump them all the way up it rides like a truck"
As my grandson would say;
"DUH Grampa"
I've been no saint when it comes to driving. I am better now than in years past.
----------BUT----------
Now I pay attention to all the other idiots on the road with me to save my own neck and not necessarily to save theirs.