At least in the first half of these scenarios*, every "accident"** was
caused by inattention or impatience/aggression. There was nothing here that
is not taught in any even halfway decent driver training program anywhere in
the world.
It just isn't that intellectually challenging to avoid these mistakes. It
doesn't take much time at all. (Especially when measured against the loss of
life, or the rest of one's life as a cripple or a vegetable. Notice the
woman who's holding her baby instead of having him/her in the safety seat;
notice her afterward, in a psych ward holding a doll.)
This is just not that hard, folks! (But of course, I'm preaching to the
choir here in this group.)
Over the last 54 years, our cars have become much, much safer.*** Our roads
have become much safer. Yet the traffic death rate has not changed all that
much. Seems like not every factor has been made safer.
(I'd go on if I had any strong feelings on this subject.)
-----------------------
* I did watch it all, but the latter events included more direct causes and
less-clear causes.
** The NHTSA discourages the use of the term "accident" in relation to auto
collisions. Their reasoning is that collisions do not "just happen", but are
caused in nearly all cases, caused by one of two factors: Driver error
and/or vehicle failure (and the vehicle failure can usually be blamed on the
driver or car owner).
I have long said that the phrase the newscasters use, "the driver lost
control of his/her vehicle" is completely bogus; drivers don't lose control,
they abdicate.
Impaired by alcohol or drugs (legal or not) or fatigue, and you've given up
control.
Go faster than you're capable of driving and/or too fast for conditions, and
you've given up control.
Turn your attention away from your driving (and this applies not only to
illegal use of cellphones, but to all kinds of legal activities, e.g.
combing your hair, eating, shaving, breast-feeding your baby [yes, I heard
recently of this actually occurring!]), and you've given up control.
Drive where you're not supposed to be (wrong way, shoulder, etc.), and
you've given up control.
Drive a car that's not safe, and you've given up control.
*** I pick 1956 as the nominal start because that was the first year a major
automaker (Ford) offered a "safety package", including a dished steering
wheel, safety door locks, and seatbelts. (It didn't sell.)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kim Noyes" <kimnoyes@gmail.com>
To: "CaliforniaDisasters" <californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 3:19 PM
Subject: [californiadisasters] I have no words after watching..............
> I challenge every single member of this email list to watch this all the
way
> through.....it contains some powerful theatrical enactments but also some
> disturbing real life video taken by security camera or home video.
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC2SBX2nnUw
>
> Kim Patrick Noyes
> List-owner
>
> --
> Check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters/
> Read our blog at http://eclecticarcania.blogspot.com/
> Visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/derkimster
>
------------------------------------
Be sure to check out our Links Section at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters/links
Please join our Discussion Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters_discussion/ for topical but extended discussions started here or for less topical but nonetheless relevant messages.Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
californiadisasters-digest@yahoogroups.com
californiadisasters-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
californiadisasters-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
No comments:
Post a Comment