most people felt that if a car could get from 0-60 mph in at least 10 seconds, it was "fast enough."
I also felt this for many years when I drove I4s. Then one day I decided I need more safety options, which were available only with V6. When the time came to trade-in that V6 Accord, my initial intention was to give up V6 in favor of more options. My test-drives, however, quickly showed me that there is just NO way back from V6. I had to settle on 2.0 turbo. We get used (addicted?) to good things too readily and too soon.
If we consume MORE gas, e.g. by driving faster than optimal for FE, do you think that will help reduce gas prices in any way?
Actually, yes it would. By consuming more, it temporarily raises prices due to a shortage of supply. Gasoline and oil producers take note of that, and because they are greedy and want to make more money, then expand production.
And when the supply increases, the price drops.
Now, our government loves to put their greasy little figures into the equation by slowing down or stopping oil/gas companies ability to expand supply. For instance, when the EPA will not approve new oil refineries, we don't get new oil refineries and no matter how much oil we buy, we can't turn enough of it into gasoline.
Same with new oil supplies, ANWR has oil. Our government says no drilling. Thus, no new oil. (offshore drilling is a good example, too)
Across the world, government intervention in world oil/gasoline production has crimped businesses ability to actually provide more supply, causing increased prices.
A 0-60 mph acceleration time of five seconds is sports car territory, or at least sporty car territory. People are buying those cars specifically for the performance (even if they never really use it).
I seriously doubt that your typical Accord-Camry-Fusion-Malibu-Passat-Sonata buyer would be swayed from one car to another solely on the basis of it being able to hit 60 mph from a complete stop in five seconds or less. As long as the car doesn't feel "slow," or sound as though the engine will grenade under full throttle, they will be happy with a 0-60 mph time of about 10 seconds.
You forgot... demand increased too (it was your example...). Price will drop if supply increases but demand is constant, drops, or rises less than the increase in supply.
Annoying drive home tonight. Got every single red light, I think the already irresponsible and wasteful sequencing was broken, as some intersections had cars backed up for blocks. Must be nice, these "engineers" are doing about as great a job as Goldman Sachs, with even less to pay for errors.
Only one annoying driver - middle aged woman in a 92-96 Prelude I was behind, then in front of, who never used her signal, not once. I saw her change lanes or turn at least 6 times from front or back, no signal. Should be a higher penalty for that than for going 10 over.
Last evening, at dusk, I was driving on the I-83 bridge over the Susquehanna River. It is three lanes each way, with a 55 mph speed limit. Most people drive between 60-65 mph.
In the middle lane, in a first-generation Buick LaCrosse, was the stereotypical little old lady driving at 35-40 mph. Fortunately, I was in the far right lane, but a Civic coupe had to swerve to miss her.
Probably trying to get to the hat shop on Fluegel Street. Another one of those places where the only way to cross the river is to get on the Interstate?
This morning around 0545, get behind a Panamera S going about 5 under, on a road that leads to an on-ramp. What does the driver do when he hits the empty freeway? Makes a bee-line for the left lane and parks there. I undertook him swiftly, going maybe 2-5 over. Gotta love WA, where even (or all too often...) 100K Porsche drivers are clueless.
My pet peeve too. I just go ballistic when I see that. Especially when I wait and wait and wait for that slowpoke to pass so that I could cross or enter his street, and then he turns without any signal making me feel like a fool.
In our neck of the woods too many "drivers" never use their signals (at least 3 or 4 during my 10-mile commute), and most (maybe 80%) use them only very sporadically. The same people also drive (slow!) in the left lane by default (moving to the right lane only when the left lane is full), ignore half of stop signs and often red lights (again, slow!), enter streets from driveways as if they have a preference (and slow!) and have, in general, very vague or even bizarre notions about turns, rules of preference, etc
The I-83 bridge is one of the main routes to access not just Harrisburg, but also Hershey and other surrounding suburbs from what we call the "West Shore" (of the Susquehanna River). I was afraid that someone was going to hit her from behind, or collide with another vehicle while swerving to get around her. It's amazing how quickly you overtake a much slower moving vehicle.
Maybe, not even circles, just “yield” signs when appropriate, and nothing at all other crossings. Drivers have to remember the right-of-way rules at the crossings. 4-way-stops are an annoyance and dumbing down. FWIW, stop signs are used much less elsewhere, and 4-way-stops are unheard of.
Gotta love WA, where even (or all too often...) 100K Porsche drivers are clueless.
Blue state mentality?
Neighboring blue state, Oregon, has an elected U.S. Rep that wears a bicycle lapel pin when being interviewed on national tv. Seen this guy with his pin a number of times. What are voters there thinking about?
Am in a solid blue state, IL, and can always find inconsiderates on the interstates. Yesterday, in the rain in very late afternoon and not on interstate, saw the usual amount of dope drivers in the rain with wipers ON, but headlights OFF.
fyi a Prius can go 0-60 in about 10 seconds. Maybe not fast enough for those who like tearing around the roads like crazy people, but more than sufficient for safe driving.
Just because a Prius CAN reach 60 MPH in 10 seconds, doesn't mean Prius drivers do so. The problem is some drivers don't know what happens when they push down the throttle down more than halfway. I think you'd agree that half throttle would not be enough to get a Prius from 0-60 in 10 seconds.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Yeah, red states have much less in the way of inconsiderates. When I am in Germany in a couple weeks, a place so blue it makes WA look like MS, I will see nothing but inconsiderate drivers. Right I've driven a lot in red and blue states - this blue state moves slow, but I don't think the blue is the reason.
Bad driving covers all political affiliations, and knows no political, religious, or ethnic bounds. Porsche driver I saw was probably one of the bitter greybeard "I got mine, you can go pound sand" successful capitalists who have done so much for everyone. His wife on the other hand, aimlessly veering about in her Turbo Cayenne, is the bleeding heart.
I will admit most people here understand the lights/wipers thing (but not all), but they then drive in rain like it is a sheet of ice (unless they are in a jacked up truck or SUV, then they double their usual speed).
multi-lane roads are designed to allow passing on either side. And it is really not much different from passing on the left, as long as you use a marked lane.
This is, actually, an interesting question. I agree that in Europe at least, “passing” means a maneuver involving leaving your lane, overtaking, and returning to the original lane. Otherwise, moving with a different speed in another (even right) lane is not technically a passing and is not a violation, although it is still considered bad style and unsafe practice. This is somewhat a grey area (depending on how and when you change lanes); however, I widely used that loophole when I drove there in the past. It was my feeling though that in the US, this practice is much more frowned upon by the public opinion, and may even be illegal judging by multiple outdoors along the interstates. It is more difficult, however, to find exactly what the actual law says in this respect, so I’ve never got to find it out.
I want some kind of missile launcher at front and back...and maybe sides.
I remember the Top Gear caravan holiday episode where they used one of those LED signs, to apologize for their slowness. You can bet nobody will apologize for that here. It's their right!
Got my $360 from the Judicial Council of CA, AOC yesterday! That was quick, at least some government workers are doing their jobs efficiently; can't say the same about other parts of the court system or police departments.
It felt great getting a check that had "On Behalf of the San Diego Superior Court." I know it was my money coming back to me, but it was still nice.
Also, the postage on the envelope cost them $0.45. I hope they made that much in interest holding my money for the last 3 months and broke even :P
All this taxpayer waste over a cop writing an undefendable, unprosecutable citation. This ticket would and could never hold up in a court of law, and it didn't.
On the way to the ATM to deposit my check, I exceeded the 35 MPH speed limit on the very same road I received the check refund for, and ran into no inconsiderate drivers or La Mesa PD officers.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Signals are less than always used here, too. What irks me just as much is when the "driver" will get into the intersection, start to turn, then hit the signal.
Must not be enough money in it to encourage our revenue collection officers to enforce it. Same with the constant crosswalk crowders I see virtually daily - never a traffic cop around.
Must not be enough money in it to encourage our revenue collection officers to enforce it. Same with the constant crosswalk crowders I see virtually daily - never a traffic cop around.
There's plenty of money in it as most 95% + people won't bother to fight a ticket in court. They just pay the bill which is made OH SO EASY by the courts. Before going on an enforcement blitz, I'm sure they could double the fine like they did with red light tickets many years ago just before the start of video technology.
Crosswalk crowders, however, I'm willing to be lenient to. When I got my video red light ticket that got dismissed by the Escondido PD (not the courts), while watching the video he pointed out I may have come to a complete stop for a split second (it was borderline for sure), I was technically in violation for stopping after the limit line. When I stated that the limit line was drawn too far back for good visibility to cross traffic (bad traffic engineers at work), he said that , of course "those lines were chosen and placed by PROFESSIONAL traffic engineers during the design." I'm sure those same engineers inspected the intersection to make sure the painters painted it in the right location too, right? (Doubt it)!
He then went on to say that if visibility is compromised at the limit line in order to safely gauge cross traffic, you should stop at the limit line, then move forward and creep up slowly from there. I have adjusted my driving accordingly, to obey this part of the law of a bit better. But, I am afraid they will use this kind of crosswalk crowding idea to their advantage on red light camera tickets, and issue too many unreasonable right turn on red tickets.
P.S. It's worth mentioning that the video tape showed that no cross traffic was anywhere near me when making my right turn. Why can't they just concentrate on issuing red light camera tickets where a "technical" violation may have occurred, but also resulted in a car clearly swerving to change lanes or braking hard in the intersection immediately after someone's right turn which impeded traffic in some way, and took the right of way away? Then they'd have a case I as a taxpayer could support!
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Drivers in MN tend to be more laid back than in other states... A lot more inconsiderate drivers and road rage than back in the '80s, when Minnesota Nice was still the rule. Not so much anymore.
Probably, this is even more to urbanization than to the local spirit. Driving in all metropolises becomes pretty similar in the sense that it requires a different skill set and different mindset from all drivers as compared with the country driving.
Just because a Prius CAN reach 60 MPH in 10 seconds, doesn't mean Prius drivers do so. The problem is some drivers don't know what happens when they push down the throttle down more than halfway. I think you'd agree that half throttle would not be enough to get a Prius from 0-60 in 10 seconds.
Maybe you saw this one...
This morning around 0545, get behind a Panamera S going about 5 under, on a road that leads to an on-ramp. What does the driver do when he hits the empty freeway? Makes a bee-line for the left lane and parks there. I undertook him swiftly, going maybe 2-5 over. Gotta love WA, where even (or all too often...) 100K Porsche drivers are clueless.
If nothing and she took the curve normally and if you didn't see the phone up to her head you wouldn't have thought anything was wrong then I really don't see a problem
There are people who would support criminalizing phone use and texting while driving, regardless of circumstances. For the record: I am one of these people.
Believe it or not some people can walk and chew gum at the same time.
No they cannot. I met many people claiming that they were good in multitasking. I have yet to meet a single one who actually is.
it is a lot quicker to pull out in a forward gear than reverse, better visibility too.
There is one more reason for backing in. People parking only on a shopping plaza may not know that, but sometimes you need to park in a place where, although not easy to pull in in rear, it is almost impossible to pull out in rear.
There's more than 39,999 other violations besides speed that you can be written up for in CA
Tailgating, failure to stop for redlight/stop sign, passing on the right shoulder, bald tires, failure to obey traffic sign (u-turn thing).
I still maintain that so few people fight their tickets, that it doesn't matter what laws they enforce.
When and where I first learned to drive, we would be cited and fined (and actually were, a lot) for such things as: any crossing or stepping upon a continuous (not necessarily double) line, cutting off in lane, failure to yield to the traffic on your right, failure to stop for yellow light, failure to activate turn signals, parking/stopping in any irregular way (including but not limited to too far from the sidewalk or too close to the intersection) for whatever reason (including loading and unloading of people/cargo), dirty/rusty car, dirty/rusty license plates, wrong headlights use (turned off, high/low beams), failure to turn headlights on in tunnels, LLCing, turns from wrong lanes, failure to occupy the right(left)most position on the road before the right (left) turn, and many, many other stuff. I still managed to keep my record [almost] clean, but all this kept drivers “in a good shape”.
and to set speed limit laws in a manner that doesn't make a majority of the population "criminals"
backy: you and I and 99.99% of drivers in the USA are "criminals", since I bet nearly everyone has driven above a legal speed limit at some time or another.
Note that excessive regulations are so typical of totalitarian states. I do not think that it is always done consciously, with a purpose in mind, but it is very convenient anyway: if you need to nab someone, why bother to invent of set up anything, everybody is already on the hook, just need to take him. Many countries have enabled a zero-tolerance blood alcohol policy (no legal limit at all for driving), we all are guilty of some degree of “speeding”, and I would submit that maybe 97% of USA residents were made tax evaders by the “use tax” legislation and, at some point or another, guilty of copyright piracy.
Funny thing, I speculated about a woman in a Cayenne earlier today. While jogging, guess what I saw barrel out of the Whole Foods parking lot, without looking, cutting close to 2 pedestrians? A new style Cayenne with a very small female driver. Oh, and one of the LED bling pieces wasn't working.
Also saw an early Boxster get pulled over by local revenue enforcement, funny as the driver thought the cop was going after someone else, pulled over to the left to let him by, then the cop yelled through the intercom for the Boxster to pull over. I wonder what they did.
Also saw an early Boxster get pulled over by local revenue enforcement, funny as the driver thought the cop was going after someone else, pulled over to the left to let him by, then the cop yelled through the intercom for the Boxster to pull over. I wonder what they did.
Perhaps nothing. Even the best radar guns have a beam dispersion angle of 12 degrees or more. At as little as 500 feet, this will cause it to easily be spread out over 4 lanes of traffic or more. They have no way of knowing which car in traffic is speeding, but usually the largest car will overpower all the others on the roadway for the radar speed reading.
This is why you don't want to be in front of a speeding large SUV or big rig when radar readings are being taken.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
dating myself, but I remember a C&D test from (most likely) the 70s (could have been 80s) where they tested detectors, and also did some experimenting with the equipment, and a semi will override the return from a car when you can't even see the truck. something like that.
so you could be putting along at 50, and 1/2 back a truck is doing 70, and they can point at you and get the truck back!
Got to honk a few times today, in both cars. A couple of highlights, I wish I lived in a first world location:
One of our beloved and oh so vital new residents (thanks, worst generation) tries to make a u-turn in front of me, by both violating my right of way and then cramming the Accord into a spot where it won't fit. Another 7-point turn thanks to both lack of spatial awareness by people with no prior exposure to motoring, and an overly easy drivers licensing scheme. I honk, the guy either freezes or tries to irk me, and just stops. I honk again, he slowly gets going, slowly creeps away, changes lanes without a signal, and then goes so slow he misses the light onto the street he was trying to reach. I laugh and give a special wave as I breeze through my green light, passenger gives me a completely lobotomized looking blank stare.
Maxima pulls out of a parking lot directly in front of me, no cars behind me for blocks. Creeps along well under the limit, then slows way down before a turn, and doesn't signal until the car begins turning. Stuff like that should warrant capital punishment, seriously.
Also saw an Econoline based box truck that I am pretty sure had a drunk driver - 10 under and weaving all over the place. Woman in a Highlander stopped on a busy street to let someone out of a parking lot, holds up 10+ cars, most of whom then miss the light due to her obstruction. And the usual host of Seattle area Sunday drivers (= slow slow slow).
maybe it was considerate though. I was taking a run down to the beach today, and decided to skip the highways and take the back route. So, was on a local 4 lane road kind of in the middle of nowhere, with a few stores and what not on that stretch.
55 SL, little traffic. I got on, and passed one dawdler and settled into the right lane at about 65 and let a Jeep go by at maybe 70ish. Shortly after, I pass a cop coming the other way that right after he passed hung a u-turn and headed back behind me. of course I slowed down (no brakes!) to 55 and acted casual. And prayed!
yup, he shot passed, and as I expected (hoped!) he went up and pulled over the Jeep.
so, validated one of my rules. Make sure that someone else is going faster than you to clear the field!
...but fortunately on a road that I seldom have to drive (once a year, if that) Friday afternoon, I-5 SB Portland to Eugene. Got by one in relative short order, but then it was one after another. I feel for you folks that have to put up with these daily. Yikes!
And a special note to the father & the young lady in the green Subaru on I-84 EB east of Portland. Looked like some driving practice going on. 3 in a row of us had to sneak by quickly on the right. As far as I could see in my mirror, there she remained. Dad: 55 in a 65 in the left lane is NOT what you should teach your daughter! Egads!
Exactly our main problem. People are either self-taught or taught by their equally ignorant relatives and friends (who drove in rural areas all their life) or taught by their fellow immigrants (who themselves first saw a car a year or two ago). Half of "drivers" have no idea that there is a parking brake in their car, and another half don't know correctly what is it for. Not even to start about quite exotic notions on traffic rules and correct driving practices. Not sure how much better the rare "driver's schools" are. Is there any school certification in place?
I used my parking brake on my MT '82 Tercel all the time; as a hill holder starting off in first gear at lights and for winter "parallel parking" in front of my house. That was a fun maneuver. :shades: I never used it for "parking" since it would freeze up. Rarely use them now, even though I know better. Just never think about it.
I used my parking brake on my MT '82 Tercel all the time; as a hill holder starting off in first gear at lights and for winter "parallel parking" in front of my house.
I had a Honda Prelude with 5-speed manual. Very tricky when on uphill snowy/slushy pavement when stopped for a red light. Handle/lever parking brake made it easy.
So, you live in the Seattle area? Or has the new driver ideal spread like a plague everywhere?
Parking brake - I use it on any sloped surface (not always on flat surfaces - only where I think the car could get hit), before the car goes in park. Saves transmission wear, or so I like to think. Also, the weird primitive automatic in the fintail doesn't always lock into park, so that saves it from rolling away.
I suspect driving schools are like MBA givers - pay the tuition, get the paper. Eventually, I suspect states will contract out drivers testing to such schools like they have done for motorcycles in WA. But with 2 wheels, the instructors are die hards and I suspect they don't pass the unsafe.
I would actually like to start a Driver Training and Instruction company. Is there a market for it? I think most bad drivers enjoy being bad and saving the money to pay for Cable TV instead. Honestly, most bad drivers are oblivious to their own bad driving, as studies have show most drivers think they are good drivers themselves, yet when asked about other drivers, they say the majority of other drivers are poor drivers. I suppose accidents are always someone elses fault. :sick:
My school and driver training would concentrate on making actual great drivers, with car control and accident avoidance exercises, reading your car's manual, and saving the last hour of instruction on how to pass the DMV driver's test on the first try.
Emphasis would be placed on driving safely, efficiently, and productively, rather than on speed limit adherence. I would teach people to drive correctly, exhibit proper lane discipline and courteous driving behaviour (another way to say predictable driving behavior). That includes using your signals to indicate your intentions.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Most "drivers" don't care enough to want to do it properly. They just want to get home to watch TV. DMV tests are so dumbed down, if one can't pass on the first try, they should be mandated to 50+ hours of additional training, or simply not allowed on the road at all.
I was out on foot this morning, I swear 50%+ of "drivers" had a phone in their hand. Crosswalk crowders were a dope in a TL, a bland stooge in a RX, and a [non-permissible content removed] in a GS. Latter had a phone in his hand, too. Time to start holding out a key as they miss me by a cm. Have fun explaining that when the lease is over.
...and saving the last hour of instruction on how to pass the DMV driver's test on the first try. Emphasis would be placed on driving safely, efficiently, and productively, rather than on speed limit adherence.
Uhhh... you might want to talk a little about "speed limit adherence" when you talk about how to pass the DMV driver's test on the first try. At least in MN, violation of any traffic law including speed limits is grounds for immediate termination of the driver's test.
Uhhh... you might want to talk a little about "speed limit adherence" when you talk about how to pass the DMV driver's test on the first try.
Well, of course! I would suggest that you drive during your DMW test as if there's a cop in front of you, in back of you, to your left, and to your right all at the same time. In addition to all that, imagine there's a cop with a citation book and pen ready to go in your back seat during your driver's test.
If you imagine all those things, and don't crack under pressure, you'll pass the test.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I had some free time and I was close to the local Audi dealership, so I took advantage of their mailer that said, come let us appraise your audi and get a $10 Starbucks giftcard.
They of course, lowballed me with an offer on my car (which I expected), but then said part of the reason for the low offer was a report of a CarFax accident on my vehicle. I asked what the difference would be had there been no Carfax accident report, and he stated 1K, and that's at a figure of $7,000 to $6,000; so diminished value is hugely significant, or 1/7th of the value of your car is lost upon an accident, no matter how minor.
This must be the La Mesa PD officer that rear ended me in his Harley and he must of made a "police report" that Carfax found. All he did was slightly damage my back bumper, but it doesn't matter.
I never thought I'd need to fight an insurance company or City Hall over diminished value on such a small/minor accident, but now I know better. Turns out La Mesa is getting the last laugh because I never got my $1,000 for diminshed value, nor 1/7th of the value which may have been 3X as much at the time of the accident.
Next time a City official crashes into me, I'll be sure to add diminished value onto my claim for repairs and rental car costs. I don't know why insurance companies fight or contend with diminished value claims. It is a true and real economic loss, and I'm sure many a used car managers (not just Miramar Audi's) will testify to that in court.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I am not sure I see your standards as terribly inspiring. The two closest calls I have EVER had were both with LEO's, specifically @ potential fault CHP's.
Let me describe one, that for whatever reason, I had sympathy for. Why, I do not know. On an( two lanes each way ) interstate, there can be median topography that can hide a lot of things. In this case a CHP/LEO hiding and/or- both turning around to change directions. Normally the median is unimproved and is not a normal or even emergency stopping area and most are so marked. So there I was heading in a direction in the #2/2 lanes. Off in the upcoming distance, I see every so slightly perceivable dust plumbs, so I am instantly on high alert. Normally dust plumbs are generated by a vehicle entering/exiting the right side of the road. (emergency, flat, car trouble, etc) So naturally, I am spring loaded to change lanes (to the #1 lane)., or go down the middle of two if necessary. As my car vectors to the general area of the dust plumb, it is apparent the dust plumb is coming from the center median and the one causing the dust plumb is a LEO/CHP. So naturally, I cancel my signal and stay in the #2 lane and predictably, begin to slow down.
Well, I had being going neck and neck with a fully loaded tractor trailer and it appears he took exception to me canceling my signal, staying in the #2 lane AND slowing down. (I do not know if he was mad or just wanted to pass me, did see the LEO, didn't think a logical person would pull in front of a 80,000 # vehicle going 90 mph or all of the above, none of the above). He of course pulls into the #1 lane to pass (me). For whatever reasons the CHP thinks it is now high time to fully accelerate and enter the freeway's # 1 lane at the precise time my car pulls up along side of his This literally gives the tractor trailer rig no where to go but still barreling down upon his six in the #1 lane !! It was a no brainer to visualize: rear ender. Of course, I really need to slow as he could have seen me as a target of opportunity, this of course cuts off the tractor trailers retreat to the #2 lane. I could see HUGE releases of black smog from twin stacks in my rear view mirror, and I suspect lots of brake dust. For whatever reason that LEO was not on the angel of death's order ticket that day. As we both let him pass we could both see each other shaking our heads !!!!
A potential felony committed agains my parked vehicle (hit by a speeding drunk driver) was covered up by a LEO (CHP). There are others, but I think folks get the point.
A used car manager does not establish the amount of DV. DV determination is not absolute, but very subjective. Insurance claims departments always err on the conservative side of DV & often depends on other facets of the crash i.e. extent of bodily injury to the innocents. The more serious the injury, the more likely the amount of DV will be considered so as to keep the entire claim under control.
Comments
I also felt this for many years when I drove I4s. Then one day I decided I need more safety options, which were available only with V6. When the time came to trade-in that V6 Accord, my initial intention was to give up V6 in favor of more options. My test-drives, however, quickly showed me that there is just NO way back from V6. I had to settle on 2.0 turbo. We get used (addicted?) to good things too readily and too soon.
Was surprised to see one, much less two 0 to 60 sites.
Actually, yes it would. By consuming more, it temporarily raises prices due to a shortage of supply. Gasoline and oil producers take note of that, and because they are greedy and want to make more money, then expand production.
And when the supply increases, the price drops.
Now, our government loves to put their greasy little figures into the equation by slowing down or stopping oil/gas companies ability to expand supply. For instance, when the EPA will not approve new oil refineries, we don't get new oil refineries and no matter how much oil we buy, we can't turn enough of it into gasoline.
Same with new oil supplies, ANWR has oil. Our government says no drilling. Thus, no new oil. (offshore drilling is a good example, too)
Across the world, government intervention in world oil/gasoline production has crimped businesses ability to actually provide more supply, causing increased prices.
I seriously doubt that your typical Accord-Camry-Fusion-Malibu-Passat-Sonata buyer would be swayed from one car to another solely on the basis of it being able to hit 60 mph from a complete stop in five seconds or less. As long as the car doesn't feel "slow," or sound as though the engine will grenade under full throttle, they will be happy with a 0-60 mph time of about 10 seconds.
You forgot... demand increased too (it was your example...). Price will drop if supply increases but demand is constant, drops, or rises less than the increase in supply.
Only one annoying driver - middle aged woman in a 92-96 Prelude I was behind, then in front of, who never used her signal, not once. I saw her change lanes or turn at least 6 times from front or back, no signal. Should be a higher penalty for that than for going 10 over.
In the middle lane, in a first-generation Buick LaCrosse, was the stereotypical little old lady driving at 35-40 mph. Fortunately, I was in the far right lane, but a Civic coupe had to swerve to miss her.
My pet peeve too. I just go ballistic when I see that. Especially when I wait and wait and wait for that slowpoke to pass so that I could cross or enter his street, and then he turns without any signal making me feel like a fool.
In our neck of the woods too many "drivers" never use their signals (at least 3 or 4 during my 10-mile commute), and most (maybe 80%) use them only very sporadically. The same people also drive (slow!) in the left lane by default (moving to the right lane only when the left lane is full), ignore half of stop signs and often red lights (again, slow!), enter streets from driveways as if they have a preference (and slow!) and have, in general, very vague or even bizarre notions about turns, rules of preference, etc
Maybe, not even circles, just “yield” signs when appropriate, and nothing at all other crossings. Drivers have to remember the right-of-way rules at the crossings. 4-way-stops are an annoyance and dumbing down. FWIW, stop signs are used much less elsewhere, and 4-way-stops are unheard of.
Blue state mentality?
Neighboring blue state, Oregon, has an elected U.S. Rep that wears a bicycle lapel pin when being interviewed on national tv. Seen this guy with his pin a number of times. What are voters there thinking about?
Am in a solid blue state, IL, and can always find inconsiderates on the interstates. Yesterday, in the rain in very late afternoon and not on interstate, saw the usual amount of dope drivers in the rain with wipers ON, but headlights OFF.
...led product that one could put on backshelf of car. It was wide and would display a number of messages...
Sometimes I think that I would love to have a high-beam projector light at the rear end ... and maybe a machine-gun at the front, even a small one.
BTW, who remembers a Citroen DS with foldable wings and a jet engine in the French "Fantomas" movie?
Just because a Prius CAN reach 60 MPH in 10 seconds, doesn't mean Prius drivers do so. The problem is some drivers don't know what happens when they push down the throttle down more than halfway. I think you'd agree that half throttle would not be enough to get a Prius from 0-60 in 10 seconds.
Bad driving covers all political affiliations, and knows no political, religious, or ethnic bounds. Porsche driver I saw was probably one of the bitter greybeard "I got mine, you can go pound sand" successful capitalists who have done so much for everyone. His wife on the other hand, aimlessly veering about in her Turbo Cayenne, is the bleeding heart.
I will admit most people here understand the lights/wipers thing (but not all), but they then drive in rain like it is a sheet of ice (unless they are in a jacked up truck or SUV, then they double their usual speed).
This is, actually, an interesting question. I agree that in Europe at least, “passing” means a maneuver involving leaving your lane, overtaking, and returning to the original lane. Otherwise, moving with a different speed in another (even right) lane is not technically a passing and is not a violation, although it is still considered bad style and unsafe practice. This is somewhat a grey area (depending on how and when you change lanes); however, I widely used that loophole when I drove there in the past. It was my feeling though that in the US, this practice is much more frowned upon by the public opinion, and may even be illegal judging by multiple outdoors along the interstates. It is more difficult, however, to find exactly what the actual law says in this respect, so I’ve never got to find it out.
I remember the Top Gear caravan holiday episode where they used one of those LED signs, to apologize for their slowness. You can bet nobody will apologize for that here. It's their right!
It felt great getting a check that had "On Behalf of the San Diego Superior Court." I know it was my money coming back to me, but it was still nice.
Also, the postage on the envelope cost them $0.45. I hope they made that much in interest holding my money for the last 3 months and broke even :P
All this taxpayer waste over a cop writing an undefendable, unprosecutable citation. This ticket would and could never hold up in a court of law, and it didn't.
On the way to the ATM to deposit my check, I exceeded the 35 MPH speed limit on the very same road I received the check refund for, and ran into no inconsiderate drivers or La Mesa PD officers.
Must not be enough money in it to encourage our revenue collection officers to enforce it. Same with the constant crosswalk crowders I see virtually daily - never a traffic cop around.
There's plenty of money in it as most 95% + people won't bother to fight a ticket in court. They just pay the bill which is made OH SO EASY by the courts. Before going on an enforcement blitz, I'm sure they could double the fine like they did with red light tickets many years ago just before the start of video technology.
Crosswalk crowders, however, I'm willing to be lenient to. When I got my video red light ticket that got dismissed by the Escondido PD (not the courts), while watching the video he pointed out I may have come to a complete stop for a split second (it was borderline for sure), I was technically in violation for stopping after the limit line. When I stated that the limit line was drawn too far back for good visibility to cross traffic (bad traffic engineers at work), he said that , of course "those lines were chosen and placed by PROFESSIONAL traffic engineers during the design." I'm sure those same engineers inspected the intersection to make sure the painters painted it in the right location too, right? (Doubt it)!
He then went on to say that if visibility is compromised at the limit line in order to safely gauge cross traffic, you should stop at the limit line, then move forward and creep up slowly from there. I have adjusted my driving accordingly, to obey this part of the law of a bit better. But, I am afraid they will use this kind of crosswalk crowding idea to their advantage on red light camera tickets, and issue too many unreasonable right turn on red tickets.
P.S. It's worth mentioning that the video tape showed that no cross traffic was anywhere near me when making my right turn. Why can't they just concentrate on issuing red light camera tickets where a "technical" violation may have occurred, but also resulted in a car clearly swerving to change lanes or braking hard in the intersection immediately after someone's right turn which impeded traffic in some way, and took the right of way away? Then they'd have a case I as a taxpayer could support!
When I say crosswalk crowding, I mean doing so when people are in the crosswalk, namely me. If the crosswalk is empty, it doesn't really matter.
Untouchable public sector upper management and above lifers don't usually care about what the average taxpayer can support.
Often it is "exceptional abilities" and "busy schedule": a cell phone in one hand, and a cup of coffee in another.
Probably, this is even more to urbanization than to the local spirit. Driving in all metropolises becomes pretty similar in the sense that it requires a different skill set and different mindset from all drivers as compared with the country driving.
Maybe you saw this one...
This morning around 0545, get behind a Panamera S going about 5 under, on a road that leads to an on-ramp. What does the driver do when he hits the empty freeway? Makes a bee-line for the left lane and parks there. I undertook him swiftly, going maybe 2-5 over. Gotta love WA, where even (or all too often...) 100K Porsche drivers are clueless.
You were saying?
Went to watch the local summer league for college players and got a nice sized dent on my minivan. Whoops.
Who cares, it's too tall for anyone to see it!
There are people who would support criminalizing phone use and texting while driving, regardless of circumstances. For the record: I am one of these people.
Believe it or not some people can walk and chew gum at the same time.
No they cannot. I met many people claiming that they were good in multitasking. I have yet to meet a single one who actually is.
People go slow because they *want* to go slow, not because of the limitations of their car. Any car can do the speed limit.
Only a moped could not.
There is one more reason for backing in. People parking only on a shopping plaza may not know that, but sometimes you need to park in a place where, although not easy to pull in in rear, it is almost impossible to pull out in rear.
Tailgating, failure to stop for redlight/stop sign, passing on the right shoulder, bald tires, failure to obey traffic sign (u-turn thing).
I still maintain that so few people fight their tickets, that it doesn't matter what laws they enforce.
When and where I first learned to drive, we would be cited and fined (and actually were, a lot) for such things as: any crossing or stepping upon a continuous (not necessarily double) line, cutting off in lane, failure to yield to the traffic on your right, failure to stop for yellow light, failure to activate turn signals, parking/stopping in any irregular way (including but not limited to too far from the sidewalk or too close to the intersection) for whatever reason (including loading and unloading of people/cargo), dirty/rusty car, dirty/rusty license plates, wrong headlights use (turned off, high/low beams), failure to turn headlights on in tunnels, LLCing, turns from wrong lanes, failure to occupy the right(left)most position on the road before the right (left) turn, and many, many other stuff. I still managed to keep my record [almost] clean, but all this kept drivers “in a good shape”.
and to set speed limit laws in a manner that doesn't make a majority of the population "criminals"
backy: you and I and 99.99% of drivers in the USA are "criminals", since I bet nearly everyone has driven above a legal speed limit at some time or another.
Note that excessive regulations are so typical of totalitarian states. I do not think that it is always done consciously, with a purpose in mind, but it is very convenient anyway: if you need to nab someone, why bother to invent of set up anything, everybody is already on the hook, just need to take him. Many countries have enabled a zero-tolerance blood alcohol policy (no legal limit at all for driving), we all are guilty of some degree of “speeding”, and I would submit that maybe 97% of USA residents were made tax evaders by the “use tax” legislation and, at some point or another, guilty of copyright piracy.
Also saw an early Boxster get pulled over by local revenue enforcement, funny as the driver thought the cop was going after someone else, pulled over to the left to let him by, then the cop yelled through the intercom for the Boxster to pull over. I wonder what they did.
Perhaps nothing. Even the best radar guns have a beam dispersion angle of 12 degrees or more. At as little as 500 feet, this will cause it to easily be spread out over 4 lanes of traffic or more. They have no way of knowing which car in traffic is speeding, but usually the largest car will overpower all the others on the roadway for the radar speed reading.
This is why you don't want to be in front of a speeding large SUV or big rig when radar readings are being taken.
so you could be putting along at 50, and 1/2 back a truck is doing 70, and they can point at you and get the truck back!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
One of our beloved and oh so vital new residents (thanks, worst generation) tries to make a u-turn in front of me, by both violating my right of way and then cramming the Accord into a spot where it won't fit. Another 7-point turn thanks to both lack of spatial awareness by people with no prior exposure to motoring, and an overly easy drivers licensing scheme. I honk, the guy either freezes or tries to irk me, and just stops. I honk again, he slowly gets going, slowly creeps away, changes lanes without a signal, and then goes so slow he misses the light onto the street he was trying to reach. I laugh and give a special wave as I breeze through my green light, passenger gives me a completely lobotomized looking blank stare.
Maxima pulls out of a parking lot directly in front of me, no cars behind me for blocks. Creeps along well under the limit, then slows way down before a turn, and doesn't signal until the car begins turning. Stuff like that should warrant capital punishment, seriously.
Also saw an Econoline based box truck that I am pretty sure had a drunk driver - 10 under and weaving all over the place. Woman in a Highlander stopped on a busy street to let someone out of a parking lot, holds up 10+ cars, most of whom then miss the light due to her obstruction. And the usual host of Seattle area Sunday drivers (= slow slow slow).
55 SL, little traffic. I got on, and passed one dawdler and settled into the right lane at about 65 and let a Jeep go by at maybe 70ish. Shortly after, I pass a cop coming the other way that right after he passed hung a u-turn and headed back behind me. of course I slowed down (no brakes!) to 55 and acted casual. And prayed!
yup, he shot passed, and as I expected (hoped!) he went up and pulled over the Jeep.
so, validated one of my rules. Make sure that someone else is going faster than you to clear the field!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Friday afternoon, I-5 SB Portland to Eugene. Got by one in relative short order, but then it was one after another. I feel for you folks that have to put up with these daily. Yikes!
And a special note to the father & the young lady in the green Subaru on I-84 EB east of Portland. Looked like some driving practice going on. 3 in a row of us had to sneak by quickly on the right. As far as I could see in my mirror, there she remained. Dad: 55 in a 65 in the left lane is NOT what you should teach your daughter! Egads!
I had a Honda Prelude with 5-speed manual. Very tricky when on uphill snowy/slushy pavement when stopped for a red light. Handle/lever parking brake made it easy.
Parking brake - I use it on any sloped surface (not always on flat surfaces - only where I think the car could get hit), before the car goes in park. Saves transmission wear, or so I like to think. Also, the weird primitive automatic in the fintail doesn't always lock into park, so that saves it from rolling away.
I suspect driving schools are like MBA givers - pay the tuition, get the paper. Eventually, I suspect states will contract out drivers testing to such schools like they have done for motorcycles in WA. But with 2 wheels, the instructors are die hards and I suspect they don't pass the unsafe.
My school and driver training would concentrate on making actual great drivers, with car control and accident avoidance exercises, reading your car's manual, and saving the last hour of instruction on how to pass the DMV driver's test on the first try.
Emphasis would be placed on driving safely, efficiently, and productively, rather than on speed limit adherence. I would teach people to drive correctly, exhibit proper lane discipline and courteous driving behaviour (another way to say predictable driving behavior). That includes using your signals to indicate your intentions.
I was out on foot this morning, I swear 50%+ of "drivers" had a phone in their hand. Crosswalk crowders were a dope in a TL, a bland stooge in a RX, and a [non-permissible content removed] in a GS. Latter had a phone in his hand, too. Time to start holding out a key as they miss me by a cm. Have fun explaining that when the lease is over.
Emphasis would be placed on driving safely, efficiently, and productively, rather than on speed limit adherence.
Uhhh... you might want to talk a little about "speed limit adherence" when you talk about how to pass the DMV driver's test on the first try. At least in MN, violation of any traffic law including speed limits is grounds for immediate termination of the driver's test.
Well, of course! I would suggest that you drive during your DMW test as if there's a cop in front of you, in back of you, to your left, and to your right all at the same time. In addition to all that, imagine there's a cop with a citation book and pen ready to go in your back seat during your driver's test.
If you imagine all those things, and don't crack under pressure, you'll pass the test.
They of course, lowballed me with an offer on my car (which I expected), but then said part of the reason for the low offer was a report of a CarFax accident on my vehicle. I asked what the difference would be had there been no Carfax accident report, and he stated 1K, and that's at a figure of $7,000 to $6,000; so diminished value is hugely significant, or 1/7th of the value of your car is lost upon an accident, no matter how minor.
This must be the La Mesa PD officer that rear ended me in his Harley and he must of made a "police report" that Carfax found. All he did was slightly damage my back bumper, but it doesn't matter.
I never thought I'd need to fight an insurance company or City Hall over diminished value on such a small/minor accident, but now I know better. Turns out La Mesa is getting the last laugh because I never got my $1,000 for diminshed value, nor 1/7th of the value which may have been 3X as much at the time of the accident.
Next time a City official crashes into me, I'll be sure to add diminished value onto my claim for repairs and rental car costs. I don't know why insurance companies fight or contend with diminished value claims. It is a true and real economic loss, and I'm sure many a used car managers (not just Miramar Audi's) will testify to that in court.
Let me describe one, that for whatever reason, I had sympathy for. Why, I do not know. On an( two lanes each way ) interstate, there can be median topography that can hide a lot of things. In this case a CHP/LEO hiding and/or- both turning around to change directions. Normally the median is unimproved and is not a normal or even emergency stopping area and most are so marked. So there I was heading in a direction in the #2/2 lanes. Off in the upcoming distance, I see every so slightly perceivable dust plumbs, so I am instantly on high alert. Normally dust plumbs are generated by a vehicle entering/exiting the right side of the road. (emergency, flat, car trouble, etc) So naturally, I am spring loaded to change lanes (to the #1 lane)., or go down the middle of two if necessary. As my car vectors to the general area of the dust plumb, it is apparent the dust plumb is coming from the center median and the one causing the dust plumb is a LEO/CHP. So naturally, I cancel my signal and stay in the #2 lane and predictably, begin to slow down.
Well, I had being going neck and neck with a fully loaded tractor trailer and it appears he took exception to me canceling my signal, staying in the #2 lane AND slowing down. (I do not know if he was mad or just wanted to pass me, did see the LEO, didn't think a logical person would pull in front of a 80,000 # vehicle going 90 mph or all of the above, none of the above). He of course pulls into the #1 lane to pass (me). For whatever reasons the CHP thinks it is now high time to fully accelerate and enter the freeway's # 1 lane at the precise time my car pulls up along side of his This literally gives the tractor trailer rig no where to go but still barreling down upon his six in the #1 lane !! It was a no brainer to visualize: rear ender. Of course, I really need to slow as he could have seen me as a target of opportunity, this of course cuts off the tractor trailers retreat to the #2 lane. I could see HUGE releases of black smog from twin stacks in my rear view mirror, and I suspect lots of brake dust. For whatever reason that LEO was not on the angel of death's order ticket that day. As we both let him pass we could both see each other shaking our heads !!!!
A potential felony committed agains my parked vehicle (hit by a speeding drunk driver) was covered up by a LEO (CHP). There are others, but I think folks get the point.