re: Almost Reckless Driving

[William Elliott <CN=William.Elliott/OU=MKE/OU=CORP/O=MMS#064#MMS%lngw@wtgw.corp.mei.com>]

<<There
_should_ be a speed limit - but a limiting factor should be the ability of
the _particular_ driver in the _particular_ car to drive safely and it
should be up to police officer to determine whether the speed was within
safe limits or not.>>

If they could do that objectively. In the US, there is such an
anti-speed culture that many police officers truly believe
that exceeding the arbitrary speed limit regardless of
the car, driver, or prevailing conditions _automatically_
makes it unsafe and/or reckless. And, in fact, in many
cases they're supported by law.  Often 15mph over is
_automatically_ reckless driving... even if the speed
limit was actually set 25mph too low.

<<A Trabant doing 90kph (speed limit in Poland) is less safe than my 5KT at
120-130kph (the speed I, and many other drivers, are usually driving at) in
terms of both passive and active safety.>>

Alex:  I wasn't criticizing your earlier post... actually I
was poking fun at Phil's comments.  In fact, we are
in 100% complete agreement.

<< How is the handling of a Trabant? How are the brakes? 
What tires is an average Trabant equipped with? >>

Let's see, mine has H&R springs and Koni shocks...
the "Big Red" brake package, and Dunlop SP8000's.... NOT!
(Actually I did just get a decal which says "Warning: Do
Not Open Window When Speed Exceeds 100mph!" Everyone
thinks it's hilarious!)

You're right, the Trabie cannot come close to any "modern"
car (anything made after 1970 or so), but isn't as bad 
as one might think when compared with cars of its 
original era.

So, once again, I'm in complete agreement with all your points.

But Ralph Nader's still wrong. ;-)

Bill Elliott
Lake Mills, WI