RE: Audi/Porsche, SUVs, (and Actual Audi Content)

["Lewis, Gary M" <Gary.Lewis@West.Boeing.com>]

Michael Says;

> Idiot drivers are everywhere.  Caddies, Buicks, Nissans, Hondas.  Sedans,
> convertibles, mini-vans, and yes, even SUVs.  But you know something?
> Your
> comments are almost as bad as the media's lambasting of SUVs as being
> dangerous.
> SUV's are about the safest thing out there.  But when they get into
> accidents,
> sure, they  can and do cause quite a bit of damage.  But that's Physics
> for you.
> I'm more frightened of *any* driver not paying attention than I am of
> SUV's when
> I'm in a smaller car (like my Jetta).So don't single out any group of
> vehicles because of (insert reason here).  If
> you need to single out someone or something to blame, blame the lack of
> continuing driver education and our general apathy for poor drivers.  And
> if
> this really bugs you, *do* something about it.  Don't sit here and
> complain,
> "SUV's are a threat because they're too big."  Petition your congressman
> to make
> stricter licencing requirements.  Bug your police force to actually PULL
> OVER
> people putting on makeup and talking on the phone while driving.  Hell,
> carry
> and gun and become a vigilante driver.  But don't pick a group and say
> "THREAT!
> THREAT!" and try and reduce everyone to the lowest common denominator.
> That's
> ignorance at work.
> 
> 
I think the issue is that as more SUV's are on the street, the damage done
in the average accident will go up, esp. if one vehicle is significantly
smaller than the other.  Also, size _is_ an issue.  I was taking my Dad to a
wedding last June(He was the minister), and a woman with children in a
Suburban pulled out in front of me on a 4 lane road w/ a median (approx 5
lanes total).  With her nose in the median, she was blocking the left lane
completely, and half into the right lane.  I was in the left lane, going too
fast to stop (but doing the speed limit), so I 4 wheel drift towards the
right lane, unlock-em, and drive around her, half in the right lane and half
in the drive way she drove out of.  If she was in a BMW 3 series (the 80's
fad), I would have easily gone around her.  I'm also amazed that Dad didn't
piss his pants.  Size does matter (no not Dad, the SUV).  Similar thing
happened again 1 month later (minus the wedding part), except I went around
the front into oncoming traffic (thank God no traffic was actually
oncoming).  Another mommie in huge frickin' SUV.

It seems to me that going from a sub or mid sized car to the largest
passenger vehicle on the planet (like the commercial says) has gotta have
some risks associated with it.  A friend said about his Navigator I swear to
God, quote, "If we get into an accident, the other guy is going to die, not
me."  And my friend is actually a good guy, he just doesn't need something
that big.  The point is this attitude is rather rampant (esp here in Los
Angeles).  And it is a dangerous justification to own a vehicle that is
probably too large for 90% of the folks buying them.  I respect those that
buy them for work.  Best vehicles around for that.  But many are buying them
for different reasons, and, because of 'physics', put others at risk.  I
think it is a dangerous fad.
Gary



> Michael
>