Safety of a TR

[Steven]

I think a research study should be done on the correlation between tonnage and aggressive driving. From what I've seen, the bigger the tonnage, the more aggressive, impatient, and careless the driver is.

 

[TR7/8 TPI]

If safety in a crash is a deciding factor then just go and buy a modern car with airbags and abs. The TR7/8 is going to be safer on side impact than the previous incarnations but about the same as a Miata. This really is a non-issue. Ofcourse newer cars are "safer" but no car is safe. A very aware and skilled driver will not only avoid their own mistakes but also be aware and avoid the mistakes of others. This is a very good attribute of a LBC driver or any driver, for that matter.

Someone with a passion for a particular make or model would not even pose the question.

 

[ObiRichKanobi]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr> I think a research study should be done on the correlation between tonnage and aggressive driving. From what I've seen, the bigger the tonnage, the more aggressive, impatient, and careless the driver is. <hr></blockquote>

Agreed, with one exception. Rice rockets with watermelon shooters for exhaust systems.

 

[Izual Angel]

In my experience the careless drivers are usually driving SUVs, and they centre in the metro Detroit area. As for truckers, I've seen crazy ones on I-80 in Ohio doing 20 over, and I've seen good ones that will move over when you're trying to merge onto the freeway. Keep alert, and think like Barry Sanders... always look for an opening if some traffic problem comes up.

 

[Sherlock]

Truckers...

I truly believe the majority of them are very safe drivers, just that the vehicles they drive are way bigger than anything else on the road, which means give them more space! Never stay in their shadow for any length of time... And try to avoid if passing them on the right side (opposite side to driver) that's their worst blind spot and they can hardly see on that side. On a divided highway I won't sit in their shadow and I'll only pass when I know I can clear the truck all at once.

Let me repeat... whatever you are driving (even a big huge SUV) give truckers space. Oh yeah, and don't cut them off either. Was talking to a friend who's a trucker once, had a guy rear end him and he didn't even know, police tracked him down later, wasn't his fault anyway. Another friend's dad is a trucker, near Toronto was in an accident that killed someone, it wasn't his fault (other driver) but I was told he hardly even knew someone had hit him.

I think a lot of the problem is how passenger vehicles behave around truckers, they don't respect the truck...

My only scary trucker story... A few years ago driving up a single-lane highway in Alberta went to pass a truck (lots of room to pass, empty highway), as I kept accelerating I wasn't passing the truck, figured out quickly what driver was doing, finally cranked up to almost 140 km/h to finally pass the truck and the guy was tail gating me extremely close! (in my old faithful 1987 Cavalier) Thankfully, a hill appeared soon and the trucker had to gear down while I was able to get away. Thankfully that whole time the highway was empty so no danger of a front-end collision with an oncoming vehicle. Among truck and passnger vehicles there will always be idiot drivers, but in my experience idiot truck drivers are few and far between.

[ 04-11-2004: Message edited by: Sherlock ]</p>

 

[TR7/8 TPI]

Heh, I dont mind truck drivers at all. The idiots here in Atlanta have turned the fast/passing lane into the cruising lane. They will cruise at 70-75 mph in the fast lane and WON'T move out of the way. People are forced to pass in the center lane or even the far right lane. I'm sure they would say, in a whiny and geeky voice, "I'm going the speed limit!" . The average driver in the Atlanta highway system cruises at about 75-80mph and the people who are passing go 85-90mph.

So, If you are one of those who are "cruising" in the fast lane, GET out of the way!!!!!!!!!!! Some of us actually have some place to be!

[ 04-12-2004: Message edited by: Basil ]</p>

 

[Dave Russell]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Steven:
I think a research study should be done on the correlation between tonnage and aggressive driving. From what I've seen, the bigger the tonnage, the more aggressive, impatient, and careless the driver is.

<hr></blockquote>
Hundreds of studies have been made, thousands of pages have been published on the web. You can find "something" to support any position that you wish to take. "Agressive" is a very subjective word & does not lend itself well to rigorous analysis. I quote one of many sources;
"Estimates of 41,000 to 45,000 traffic deaths occur every year within the U.S.. Walkers and bikers account for 15% of the total traffic deaths each year. Fewer than 9% of those deaths involve commercial vehicles. More than 80% of those accidents are the fault of the non-commercial driver."

You can find whatever you wish to look for. I don't think, that from my perspective, this discussion is leading to anything constructive.
D

 

[Saff]

As both a LBC driver and a motorcyclist, I have to say that I feel safer on the roads on my Harley. It's got one safety feature my GT6 is missing - loud pipes. Some people that don't see me will at least hear me. Maybe it's time to invest in that Monza exhaust I've been wanting.

 

[tony adams]

Just go & DO IT,
Life is to be enjoyed
To travel in a TR is one of the GREATER PLEASURES & the rest are in the loosers
Tony A

 

[Steven]

constructive or not, this is in tune with the topic, so I suppose one doesn't really have to answer it they consider it to be non constructive. Fact of the matter is, I see commercial truck drivers intimidating plenty of people on the road, driving like a bat out of heck to meet timetables, and causing numerous accidents on the interstate. Since civilian vehicles are more numerous, I'd say your statistics are flawed. Point of the matter is that huge numbers of large transport haulers drive like morons. I can see that from personal observation. They drive too fast, too recklessly, and I'll be if they care about anyone, but the people at the next loading dock who will unload their freight. They cause a huge percentage of accidents in the northern part of this state due to driving WAY TOO FAST FOR ROAD CONDITIONS. I'll go so far as to say the most "aggressive" TR driver doesn't even come close to the danger factor posed by semi truck drivers. The main premise that brought this subject up was a bashing of women driving SUV's, and saying that they are extremely dangerous. While they may yak on their cell phones, I find that most of them are fair enough drivers. TR's are just as safe as any other car built during the 70's, and I've owned more than a few of them. It's the other guy/girl, you have to watch out for, and if they're driving something big, really watch out. It's not always possible to stay away from them in traffic. For Dave....aggressive =pushy, obnoxious, and dangerous. From my experience that =semi trucks and wanna be race car drivers in their 2/4 door sedans. I'm freaking tired of people bashing SUVs too. Go pick on some other type of vehicles...

[ 04-12-2004: Message edited by: Steven ]

[ 04-12-2004: Message edited by: Basil ]</p>

 

[Dave Russell]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Steven:
Since civilian vehicles are more numerous, I'd say your statistics are flawed.
[ 04-12-2004: Message edited by: Steven ]<hr></blockquote>

The statistic cited specifically said "total traffic deaths" "total" would include all civilian vehicles.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion:
"1. A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof."
D

 

[Steven]

observation=proof......one person's statistics may ring true for that one person. I've viewed the vast majority of truck traffic through the norhern tier of the I-90 corridor, and most of those drivers are nuts. I'm not the only one who thinks so around here either...There's a growing number of people who are beginning to notice...including the State Police.

 

[Dave Russell]

Good, at least you're getting "something" for your tax money.
D

 

[Basil]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by vagt6:
I wonder why the most offensive language is used by posters who don't use their real names?

I think we know the answer. . .<hr></blockquote>

Let me be clear. I don't want to see profanity on this forum. That includes profanity with symbols to replace letters. Even though my "filter" will catch most unacceptable words, I'd prefer if folks would not use that language in the first place...not on this forum at any rate. Your cooperation is apprecaited.

Basil

 

[Sherlock]

Well folks, debate all we want about truckers... all I've heard on the topic of getting goods around says that it is virtually impossible to replace them. A train track can't go by every factory, grocery store, furniture store, etc...

Our continent here is so big it basically makes trucks essential, probably more so than Britain and Europe. I still maintain that per-mile-travelled truckers have less accidents (keeping in mind that trucks in North America clock gigantic yearly mileage in comparison to a passenger car).

Let's keep it simple... whatever passenger vehicle you're driving that truck is way bigger than you, watch your driving habits around them to avoid an accident (re-read my earlier post, some great tips there).

And I am grounded in reality... As I write this I am viewing a news story about a car accident here in Calgary on Easter Sunday. A young family (dad and two young children) was driving their Honda Civic to church to be there for the baptism of a close relative, on the way they were T-boned at a traffic light by a truck, the father and his young son were killed (probably instantly) and his young daughter is in the hospital with critical head injuries, the car was virtually flattened, now... the real point here - no one has come to any conclusions yet as to who is at fault for the accident, maybe it will be deemed to be the fault of the driver of the Honda but lets not jump to conclusions.

[ 04-12-2004: Message edited by: Sherlock ]</p>

 

[Steven]

the fact that this country is bigger than European countries is an even better reason to use railroads more....FOR LONG DISTANCE HAULING. Local distribution can be done by trucks. Reread my post where I already proposed this as a major solution to this countries plugged up highways. By the way...European countries also get good health care....and have much better maintained highways than we do. I would also propose dropping the speed limits back to 65mph max for cars and 55mph for trucks to save on fuel, and to save lives. It would also help minimize the urban combat zone which is what most major freeways have become these days. Now tell me what's wrong with that proposal?

 

[ObiRichKanobi]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr> I would also propose dropping the speed limits back to 65mph max for cars and 55mph for trucks to save on fuel, and to save lives. It would also help minimize the urban combat zone which is what most major freeways have become these days. Now tell me what's wrong with that proposal? <hr></blockquote>

Speed limits mean nothing to a lot of people...as some of the posts in this thread say. The problem is enforcement. The speed limit on the urban freeways here in Utah is 65. The normal traffic flow is about 70-73. The fast ones are going 80-85+. Out in the rural areas where the speed limit is 75, the normal flow is about 80, and the fast ones are around 90-95. Dropping the speed limit, unless the highway patrol is going to seriously enforce it, would only create more problems, e.g. the "law abiding citizens" would be going even slower, and create more frustration for the speedier ones. What you propose was tried in the mid 70s, (the nationwide 55 speed limit), and it failed then. All it did was spawn the CB and radar detector business so that people could break it with some impunity. Also, not sure where you live, but the distances between major cities here in the west is quite a bit...right now I can get to Boise from just north of Salt Lake in about 4 1/2 hours. At 55 that trip is nearly 6 1/2.

 

[Steven]

I'm well aware that this was tried in the 70's, as I'm in my late 40's. It was done then to conserve on fuel use. I would agree that it's a matter of enforcement, but 75mph is way too fast for most drivers, especially semi trucks. The police have all but given up on enforcing speed laws now unless a person is going 150mph. The whole thing is insane, but you forgot to mention one thing. The lower speeds saved lives. That's important to me, especially when the traffic load is about 2x what it was 30 years ago. Oh, by the way, the nearest good sized city is about 50 miles away, but time savings shouldn't take priority over lives.

 

[jeff3113]

Before I got my TR I knew that I had pretty much the collision vulnerability of a motorcycle. Years ago I almost got killed on my bike by drafting a semi on the interstate. As we passed another semi they decided to move in to do the same thing. A few inches to eternity will make you a believer of something....
Besides the randomness of things, I think making decisions about what surroundings you run with can make the journey more enjoyable. I've put 1000 miles on the backroads around New Mexico and typically avoid the tailgating, boom-boxing to death or intimidation by other vehicles. The only time I take interstate roads is when there is absolutely NO other choice.
Time in my TR has a different meanging.
Let's keep em on 2 wheels
Jeff

 

[Dave Russell]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Steven:
By the way...European countries also get good health care....and have much better maintained highways than we do. <hr></blockquote>
It sounds like you might be happier living in France.
D