[ds968]

"Center lane" guy here as well . Absolutely best choice which givies you two evasive maneuver options when needed . Lately if I drive more than 10 -15 mph over the speed limit on the highway, it's a rare occasion . And I have never, nor will ever speed on city streets ..

Back to the highway : I am continuously and constantly passed by mini-vans, pick up trucks , and also many cars in crappy shape that have no business driving even 1 mph above the speed limit , yet they're flying at 90 to 100 mph, and changing from one lane to another without regard for anyone else on the road . I honestly do not understand what they're thinking or think they're accomplishing . And to make things worse there is no slow down whatsoever during rain. That's just infuriating !!

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[Rap]

I’ve previously written about this but I’ve gone back to school and am taking auto engineering classes. For those that know me you know I don’t have a mechanical bone in my body. So I thought I would try to change that. The classes are in what are essentially garages at the local community college. They provide the kids the ability to fix their cars very inexpensively. It’s a great deal for them because they all can’t rub two nickels together. I was aghast at the number of cars these kids drive and the state they were in. Of course I now know which stations will provide you a state inspection sticker regardless of the shape your car is in. Some of these cars shouldn’t be on the road let alone driven at high speeds.

In our last snow storm I watched a line of cars almost bumper to bumper drive ahead of me. I was way back from them because it was so slippery. Meanwhile I had cars right behind me way to close for the road condition. Now that’s infuriating!

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[flash]

the stats are from the national highway safety board.  in no way is this the tesla lobby.  if anything, it is an extremely conservative body.  the facts are the facts.  you can't deny them.  no matter what else you might think about them, the cars are safer than gasoline powered cars, when it comes to chances of fire.  there are almost 3000 gasoline car fires every week.  there have only been 40 tesla fires in its entire history.  that's a pretty staggering difference.

 

here in ireland they have extremely comprehensive inspections.  they actually test the braking wheel to wheel.  i had too large of a braking differential on the smart roadster, and had to replace the rear brake cylinders, because a very small leak was causing a loss of friction on one of the shoes.  they check for loose suspensions, all lights, tire age, tread condition, and pressure, and output emissions too.  in the end, you either have a safe car on the road, or you don't.  this is one thing they got right here.

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[ds968]

Also agreed with need for inspections and they should happen even more frequently than the smog checks, so perhaps prior to each annual registration renewal .

I see cars driving ( and way over the speed limit in many cases ) with bumpers or parts of , hanging and held together by duct tape or rope , and in general cars that look to be moments away from disintegrating ! I imagine their brakes, tires , suspension components ,mufflers and so on are in just as bad of a shape, creating a major hazard for anyone and everyone near of behind them when something comes off.. There are a few countries in Europe which don't even permit you to drive a car with a significant dent in it, you'll be stopped and given a fix-it citation with limited time to repair it , and you really don't want to be pulled over a second time for that violation, you can get your license temporarily suspended , in addition to a hefty fine. That's a bit extreme ( aesthetic police, lol ) and don't think it'll really work out in the US , but safety risks should definitely be of concern, and policed accordingly . I wonder why no one introduces legislation to that affect ..

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[Rap]

With the advent of technology and computerization it will not be that long before this problem should solve itself. Mom and Pop shops can not afford to buy the tools and computers to repair and service new cars. As the older cars age out and are taken off the roads more of these types of small business's will decline. This is not to say that a dealer can't make a mistake but the liability is so much greater for them that one would not expect this to happen.

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