Idiot in 7Days today
Discussion
Some chump in 7Days wrote a letter today with the title - 'Why are cars made to drive so dangerously fast?'. Then they go on to say that cars should be limited to a certain speed - speed kills, you will go to hell etc... usual crap.
My reply below will hopefully be printed tomorrow.
Dear Israr,
Thank you for cheering up my day with the most ignorant statement made in living history.
Cars don’t kill & speed doesn’t kill – uneducated, arrogant, selfish and ignorant drivers kill.
The unfortunate fact is that the roads of the UAE are filled with the above. I dare the RTA to do a full study into the demographics of the people that constantly flaunt the traffic laws, that cause the accidents at various speeds etc… we all know who it would highlight – then target those demographics to ensure they enrol in a full and comprehensive driving course taught by instructors of international standards with the first lessons being safety and road etiquette. What are the accident statistics per number of cars in Germany where certain roads have no speed limits? Look it up and then come back and say something slightly less silly.
Have you thought that cars (modern ones at least) with the performance capabilities to do 250km per hour also tend to have the braking and handling characteristics to deal with those speeds? If those cars are driven well, safely and at sensible speeds, then they are well within their designed safety envelope.
Another thing that needs an overhaul is the insurance system – it is done purely as a percentage of the value of the car without taking into account experience. Think about it. A 40 year old housewife in a brand new Volvo will pay far, far more than a 21 year old in a clapped out old Mustang that happens to have a huge V8 engine in it. Good call! The UAE needs to adopt the Western model of taking into account the many factors that make a responsible driver and it could at least price new and inexperienced drivers out of cars that can hit the high top speeds.
James
Dubai
My reply below will hopefully be printed tomorrow.
Dear Israr,
Thank you for cheering up my day with the most ignorant statement made in living history.
Cars don’t kill & speed doesn’t kill – uneducated, arrogant, selfish and ignorant drivers kill.
The unfortunate fact is that the roads of the UAE are filled with the above. I dare the RTA to do a full study into the demographics of the people that constantly flaunt the traffic laws, that cause the accidents at various speeds etc… we all know who it would highlight – then target those demographics to ensure they enrol in a full and comprehensive driving course taught by instructors of international standards with the first lessons being safety and road etiquette. What are the accident statistics per number of cars in Germany where certain roads have no speed limits? Look it up and then come back and say something slightly less silly.
Have you thought that cars (modern ones at least) with the performance capabilities to do 250km per hour also tend to have the braking and handling characteristics to deal with those speeds? If those cars are driven well, safely and at sensible speeds, then they are well within their designed safety envelope.
Another thing that needs an overhaul is the insurance system – it is done purely as a percentage of the value of the car without taking into account experience. Think about it. A 40 year old housewife in a brand new Volvo will pay far, far more than a 21 year old in a clapped out old Mustang that happens to have a huge V8 engine in it. Good call! The UAE needs to adopt the Western model of taking into account the many factors that make a responsible driver and it could at least price new and inexperienced drivers out of cars that can hit the high top speeds.
James
Dubai
[quote=Boxster S(teve)]nice piece james.
I'd suggest the original author tries a couple of laps 'round the Autodrome as co-pilot to yourself, then we'll hand-pick one of the idiots off SZR and let said author try it again with him.
See if that doesn't change his opinion...
[/quote]
I fully agree mate.
Anyway - it got printed - http://www.7days.ae/showstory.php?id=68294
I'd suggest the original author tries a couple of laps 'round the Autodrome as co-pilot to yourself, then we'll hand-pick one of the idiots off SZR and let said author try it again with him.
See if that doesn't change his opinion...
[/quote]
I fully agree mate.
Anyway - it got printed - http://www.7days.ae/showstory.php?id=68294
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