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Driving Safety

When you get into a car you assume a certain risk. Car manufacturers try to reduce this by making safer cars and trucks. Unfortunately they cannot make better drivers. Of all the law suits that have been set against makers of automobiles, it seems that maybe 10% are valid. The rest are due to the driver's inability, or irresponsibility, to control a vehicle.

The larger the vehicle the more difficult it is to control. We hear much about SUV's and their safety issues. The most prominent one is the susceptibility of rolling over. Here are some facts: These vehicles have a higher center of gravity, these vehicles are heavier, and these vehicles are less maneuverable. The high center of gravity is the main cause for roll-over problems. SUV's are higher because people want their vehicles to clear obstacles (and we know how many of those are found on surface streets). Now add the extra weight of the vehicle due to size. Combine these two "forces" and we have a vehicle that does not maneuver well.

It is the person driving the vehicle that makes the whole situation dangerous. Most people who purchase an SUV owned or does own a passenger vehicle. They jump into the seat of their new 4X4 and proceed to drive it like a car! They drive fast. They take turns fast. They expect the machine to respond like a car. It is easy to lose control of a car going 80 mph, it is easier to lose control of a SUV going 80 mph. In a car you can whip around that corner, but in an SUV be prepared to slow down or you will roll that puppy. Watch these people as they swerve in and out of traffic with their truck. Look at it lean and watch the back end move a little. Scary.

Sports Utility Vehicles will never be a car, and there will always be a safety issue with such vehicles. It is the person driving who is responsible for the control of such vehicle. Have you seen the new Ford Excursion? Surprising that you do not need a different class of driver's license to operate that beast. Yet, you see it flying down the road without a care until it needs to move around an obstacle or needs to brake suddenly. Bamn! No control. The person was irresponsible for tailgating in the first place. Unfortunately it is this same person who will sue the manufacturer because the vehicle did not perform like a car. It is not a car! Think about it.

It makes you wonder if training for such vehicles should be implemented. Better yet, let's make it more difficult to get a driver's license. Driver's training is not taken very seriously these days. Teenagers do not care about driving well, they care about driving. Period. There are exceptions. Unfortunately these exceptions are not the rule as we have seen in many a news story regarding "racing teens". Anyone who lives in a city knows this story. Two teens drag racing, one loses control and smashes into a telephone poll. Instant death. You cannot put enough emphasis on safety and driver awareness; yet, the more you push it, the more tuned out the people become.

You cannot limit it to teenagers, either. Adults of all ages seem to have difficulty in driver awareness. Cell phones, navigation aids, and other distractions just add to the crisis. In addition go to your local Motor Vehicle Department and see who goes in and what goes on. Recently during a visit I witnessed an elderly lady clearly failing the eye exam. They gave her some paperwork and did some other stuff. Next thing I notice she is having her picture taken for her license! Makes you think twice with whom you share the road.

So, America, you have two choices: Stricter rules and regulations or more freedom to do what you want without the ability to sue because of your own stupidity. Your choice is really between being responsible or not. Those who are responsible will not file a lawsuit for something they clearly screwed up. Those who or NOT responsible are those who file lawsuits for something they clearly could have avoided if they were not so into themselves. It is a sad truth that we live in a time where there are more irresponsible people and less common sense. These "traits" get passed on to the younger generation and keeps rolling out of control until awareness is brought back into our lives. Common sense. Knowing when you are right (not think you are) and when you have screwed up (not a victim). When you screw up, be big about it, suck it up, and admit it for a change. No one is perfect.