Saturday, October 29, 2005
Elderly Driving
A side-note to my earlier post "Driving in America" is the problem with elderly drivers. In the event you are elderly, read the entire post before you blast me.
As we get older, our reflexes and motor-skills and concentration abilities will lessen. We will not be able to do the things we used to do as well as we used to do them. Obviously, different people age differently. That is why I propose this.
After age 50, everyone must re-test to keep their license. The test will be repeated every 5 years until age 65 then, every 2-3 years thereafter. My reasoning for this is most people should be able to drive with reasonable skill until age 50. After that, many people start to lose their skills. After age 65, health problems can cause greater diminishment of those skills and health can dwindle more rapidly as the aging process continues.
Of course, these ages are a "blanket" statement. Not everyone will lose their skills as rapidly. I'm sure Mario Andretti will be driving with great skill into his 80's. Unfortunately, there is no way to determine when each of us will lose our abilities. So, there has to be a cut-off.
I personally witnessed an elderly person slowly weaving from the left lane of a 6-lane highway all the way to the right lane for several miles. As the road would curve, he would drift all the way to the outside lane of the curve and sometimes into the shoulder. He forced several people to slam on their brakes and go off the road. Luckily, no one was forced into a collision. When he came to an intersection with a left-turn lane, he stopped halfway in the turn-lane and the lane to the right. He then made a huge turn and almost hit the people waiting on the other side of the intersection! I managed to pass him and get a look at him. He was so old, he had that waxy look to his skin and he was wearing cataract glasses and of course, he was wearing a hat. Rule number one: If the driver is wearing a hat, get away! (trucker hats or ball caps don't count. We're talking Fedoras and bonnets here).
I realize no one wants their driving privileges taken away. However, no one wants to be the cause of someone's death or injury either. We need to what must be done for everyone's sake!
Turbo Ghost
As we get older, our reflexes and motor-skills and concentration abilities will lessen. We will not be able to do the things we used to do as well as we used to do them. Obviously, different people age differently. That is why I propose this.
After age 50, everyone must re-test to keep their license. The test will be repeated every 5 years until age 65 then, every 2-3 years thereafter. My reasoning for this is most people should be able to drive with reasonable skill until age 50. After that, many people start to lose their skills. After age 65, health problems can cause greater diminishment of those skills and health can dwindle more rapidly as the aging process continues.
Of course, these ages are a "blanket" statement. Not everyone will lose their skills as rapidly. I'm sure Mario Andretti will be driving with great skill into his 80's. Unfortunately, there is no way to determine when each of us will lose our abilities. So, there has to be a cut-off.
I personally witnessed an elderly person slowly weaving from the left lane of a 6-lane highway all the way to the right lane for several miles. As the road would curve, he would drift all the way to the outside lane of the curve and sometimes into the shoulder. He forced several people to slam on their brakes and go off the road. Luckily, no one was forced into a collision. When he came to an intersection with a left-turn lane, he stopped halfway in the turn-lane and the lane to the right. He then made a huge turn and almost hit the people waiting on the other side of the intersection! I managed to pass him and get a look at him. He was so old, he had that waxy look to his skin and he was wearing cataract glasses and of course, he was wearing a hat. Rule number one: If the driver is wearing a hat, get away! (trucker hats or ball caps don't count. We're talking Fedoras and bonnets here).
I realize no one wants their driving privileges taken away. However, no one wants to be the cause of someone's death or injury either. We need to what must be done for everyone's sake!
Turbo Ghost
Driving in America
Unless you walk to work, you will have noticed Americans do not know how to drive! The government keeps funding the safety-nazis to protect us from ourselves claiming it's for our own good. They (the government) never seems to want to actually address or fix the problem. I suppose they usual don't make enough money if they do. However, my solution would not only give the government more money, it would cut down on expenditures as a result of vehicle accidents and the injuries or deaths that follow.
Bear in mind, my figures are from memory and not exact. Having said that, here's my idea.
In Germany, home of the autobahn, you DO NOT just go get your license! If you want to experience the privilege (YES! It IS a privilege not a right!) of driving a motor-vehicle, you have a long road ahead of you. First, you have to pay fees for your classroom and driving courses. If, IF! You are successful and are actually able to complete the full course without failing any part of it, you will receive your license for something like $1300 U.S. If you fail any part of the course, you must repeat it until you get it right and you have to pay for each re-taking of that particular section!
The course consists of several WEEKS of training! This includes not only classroom training of the rules and techniques but, of actual closed-course driving exercises. When you complete the course, you WILL know how to drive properly in all kinds of driving conditions. You will have actually learned how to skid a car and recover. You will know how to handle high-speed maneuvering and emergency-braking. You will drive on dry and wet pavement and know what do when dangerous situations occur. You will also be required to drive a manual-transmission!
I don't know about you but, my driver test consisted of pulling out of a parking space and pulling onto the street from the parking-lot and re-entering the lot at a lower entrance and pulling back into the space. THAT AIN'T MUCH! Practically anyone can do that within a few minutes of driving a car. My motorcycle endorsement was the same except the tester didn't ride with me. This is unacceptable! It's no wonder we can't drive.
I'm lucky I suppose. Myself and another friend were truly into driving. We actually wanted to know how to drive properly. We would use the old dragstrip below our neighborhood to practice our motorcycle skills and we used the local mall parking lot to hone our auto-skills. We worked on our own vehicles and knew how to fix problems without having to spend a fortune at the dealership.
I realize most people are going to balk at the cost of getting a license under these requirements. I know I probably would have done the same when I was a teenager. I have only one question for parents because the majority of teens will have to have parents who will pay for the licensing.
Which costs more? A license or a funeral?
Here are some questions for you to test your knowledge of proper driving skills. Are you aware it is illegal to drive in the left lane of a two or more lane road? The left lane is for passing and emergency vehicles only! When you are using an on-ramp, do you get up to speed or do you drive slowly until you get to the highway and then determine you need to floor it to merge? If it's the latter, you are a danger to yourself and others! Do you move to the shoulder (if there is one) and out of the flow of traffic to make a turn or do you wait until you are actually at the turn before you slow-down and turn. If it's the latter, you are slowing traffic and if the flow is heavy enough, you can create a virtual roadblock! Each person slows down because of you and the pause is multiplied by each vehicle behind you until it finally actually stops. How many times have you had to stop in a traffic jam on the interstate and never actually come to an accident or anything that would actually stop traffic? Now you know why.
Despite what the safety-nazis would have you believe, speed is not the problem. Do you really believe that Mario Andretti or Michael Schumacher are incapable of driving on the street at over the posted speed-limit? You might say "Well, of course not, they're race-car drivers!". Well, why does that make a difference? It makes a difference because they have actually had to handle a car in extreme situations not just pull out of a parking lot! They know what the car will do when it hits a slick spot and they know how to get out of trouble. More importantly, they know how to avoid danger and they are looking for it, not talking on their cell-phone!!
I urge everyone to do as I have done. Contact your local government officials whether it be by email or in person or good ol' snail-mail and let them know that we need to change. We need to save lives and money! Explain to them that this will not only save lives but, it will create jobs! People will have to be trained to teach the classes. Buildings and road-courses will have to be built to have a place to have the classes if you do not have a track in your area. Fines can be imposed that are much stiffer since you will have NO EXCUSE for not knowing proper driving etiquette. There are no losers in this. Only survivors.
Turbo Ghost
Bear in mind, my figures are from memory and not exact. Having said that, here's my idea.
In Germany, home of the autobahn, you DO NOT just go get your license! If you want to experience the privilege (YES! It IS a privilege not a right!) of driving a motor-vehicle, you have a long road ahead of you. First, you have to pay fees for your classroom and driving courses. If, IF! You are successful and are actually able to complete the full course without failing any part of it, you will receive your license for something like $1300 U.S. If you fail any part of the course, you must repeat it until you get it right and you have to pay for each re-taking of that particular section!
The course consists of several WEEKS of training! This includes not only classroom training of the rules and techniques but, of actual closed-course driving exercises. When you complete the course, you WILL know how to drive properly in all kinds of driving conditions. You will have actually learned how to skid a car and recover. You will know how to handle high-speed maneuvering and emergency-braking. You will drive on dry and wet pavement and know what do when dangerous situations occur. You will also be required to drive a manual-transmission!
I don't know about you but, my driver test consisted of pulling out of a parking space and pulling onto the street from the parking-lot and re-entering the lot at a lower entrance and pulling back into the space. THAT AIN'T MUCH! Practically anyone can do that within a few minutes of driving a car. My motorcycle endorsement was the same except the tester didn't ride with me. This is unacceptable! It's no wonder we can't drive.
I'm lucky I suppose. Myself and another friend were truly into driving. We actually wanted to know how to drive properly. We would use the old dragstrip below our neighborhood to practice our motorcycle skills and we used the local mall parking lot to hone our auto-skills. We worked on our own vehicles and knew how to fix problems without having to spend a fortune at the dealership.
I realize most people are going to balk at the cost of getting a license under these requirements. I know I probably would have done the same when I was a teenager. I have only one question for parents because the majority of teens will have to have parents who will pay for the licensing.
Which costs more? A license or a funeral?
Here are some questions for you to test your knowledge of proper driving skills. Are you aware it is illegal to drive in the left lane of a two or more lane road? The left lane is for passing and emergency vehicles only! When you are using an on-ramp, do you get up to speed or do you drive slowly until you get to the highway and then determine you need to floor it to merge? If it's the latter, you are a danger to yourself and others! Do you move to the shoulder (if there is one) and out of the flow of traffic to make a turn or do you wait until you are actually at the turn before you slow-down and turn. If it's the latter, you are slowing traffic and if the flow is heavy enough, you can create a virtual roadblock! Each person slows down because of you and the pause is multiplied by each vehicle behind you until it finally actually stops. How many times have you had to stop in a traffic jam on the interstate and never actually come to an accident or anything that would actually stop traffic? Now you know why.
Despite what the safety-nazis would have you believe, speed is not the problem. Do you really believe that Mario Andretti or Michael Schumacher are incapable of driving on the street at over the posted speed-limit? You might say "Well, of course not, they're race-car drivers!". Well, why does that make a difference? It makes a difference because they have actually had to handle a car in extreme situations not just pull out of a parking lot! They know what the car will do when it hits a slick spot and they know how to get out of trouble. More importantly, they know how to avoid danger and they are looking for it, not talking on their cell-phone!!
I urge everyone to do as I have done. Contact your local government officials whether it be by email or in person or good ol' snail-mail and let them know that we need to change. We need to save lives and money! Explain to them that this will not only save lives but, it will create jobs! People will have to be trained to teach the classes. Buildings and road-courses will have to be built to have a place to have the classes if you do not have a track in your area. Fines can be imposed that are much stiffer since you will have NO EXCUSE for not knowing proper driving etiquette. There are no losers in this. Only survivors.
Turbo Ghost
Friday, October 28, 2005
Trivial Wonderland!
Ok, Here it is! Ask your trivial questions here and I'll try my best to answer them. Use the "comment" button at the end of this post to post your question. Also, if you see a question and you know the answer, feel free to answer the question yourself. So, whaddyawannaknow?
Thursday, October 27, 2005
You always think you're right!
How many times have you heard this? Personally, I've heard more times than I can count. (and I can count very high) This has to be one of the most ridiculous statements ever spoken! Of course I think I'm right! Why wouldn't I? By making this statement, you are telling me you say things when you have no idea if you are right or wrong! If I make a statement, I fully believe it to be true. Why in the world would anyone say things (especially things that are spoken as fact)
that they don't believe to be true? Yes, I'm a know-it-all. However, if you correct me, I APPRECIATE IT!! I want to know the right things in life. I want to know correct information. If I am wrong, I want to be corrected. Of course, if you try to do it in a condescending manner, you are going to be embarassed because, the odds are I have a much wider knowledge-base than you do and although, I didn't know that one thing, there are many more things I know that you do not and I can be equally condescending to you so, think before you apply attitude!
Ignorance and stupidity are two different things that most people have a tendency to confuse.
Ignorance means you do not know something. For example, I am ignorant of the French language. I am unable to speak or read it. It does not mean I am stupid, it simply means I do not have that information in my brain.
Stupidity means you do or say things that make no sense with no thought to the consquences. When people come into the middle of conversations and interrupt with comments that show they obviously only heard a portion of the story, they are being stupid. Driving across town to save two cents per gallon in gas is stupid. You lost any financial gain you may have made by burning the extra fuel in transit to the further gas station.
Think before you speak or act and you just might make a better person and conversationalist!
Turbo Ghost
that they don't believe to be true? Yes, I'm a know-it-all. However, if you correct me, I APPRECIATE IT!! I want to know the right things in life. I want to know correct information. If I am wrong, I want to be corrected. Of course, if you try to do it in a condescending manner, you are going to be embarassed because, the odds are I have a much wider knowledge-base than you do and although, I didn't know that one thing, there are many more things I know that you do not and I can be equally condescending to you so, think before you apply attitude!
Ignorance and stupidity are two different things that most people have a tendency to confuse.
Ignorance means you do not know something. For example, I am ignorant of the French language. I am unable to speak or read it. It does not mean I am stupid, it simply means I do not have that information in my brain.
Stupidity means you do or say things that make no sense with no thought to the consquences. When people come into the middle of conversations and interrupt with comments that show they obviously only heard a portion of the story, they are being stupid. Driving across town to save two cents per gallon in gas is stupid. You lost any financial gain you may have made by burning the extra fuel in transit to the further gas station.
Think before you speak or act and you just might make a better person and conversationalist!
Turbo Ghost
Motorcycle running lights
Can anyone tell me who mandated motorcycles must have running lights up front but, not in the rear!
First, lets examine how we view things.
The human eyes have a hard time determining distance when looking at a single point especially in a low-light situation. A motorcycle headlight is a bright object whether it be day or night. A motorcycle taillight is a small dim object that is difficult to see at night especially when not being activated as a brake light. I have no problem with the existence of running lights up front. I'm sure they help distinguish a motorcycle from a car. However, the majority of motorcycle accidents (after left-turn/right-of-way violation accidents which are the number 1 cause) are rear-end collisions which is the main reason California passed the "lane-splitting" law which allows motorcycles to travel between cars that are stopped in gridlock situations thereby moving the motorcyclist from the danger of rear-impact.
Anyway, an operator of a car will have a difficult time judging the distance between himself and any motorcycle directly in front of him at night due to the single point of reference. The driver may think the light in front of him is a larger light that is farther away when in reality, it may be a small light that is very close!
The addition of rear running lights gives the viewer three points of reference which greatly increases his ability to judge the difference in distance between the motorcyclist and himself. Anything that helps make a motorcyclist more visible has to be a good thing!
If anyone can put me in touch with someone who can make a difference, let me know! Thanks!
Turbo Ghost
First, lets examine how we view things.
The human eyes have a hard time determining distance when looking at a single point especially in a low-light situation. A motorcycle headlight is a bright object whether it be day or night. A motorcycle taillight is a small dim object that is difficult to see at night especially when not being activated as a brake light. I have no problem with the existence of running lights up front. I'm sure they help distinguish a motorcycle from a car. However, the majority of motorcycle accidents (after left-turn/right-of-way violation accidents which are the number 1 cause) are rear-end collisions which is the main reason California passed the "lane-splitting" law which allows motorcycles to travel between cars that are stopped in gridlock situations thereby moving the motorcyclist from the danger of rear-impact.
Anyway, an operator of a car will have a difficult time judging the distance between himself and any motorcycle directly in front of him at night due to the single point of reference. The driver may think the light in front of him is a larger light that is farther away when in reality, it may be a small light that is very close!
The addition of rear running lights gives the viewer three points of reference which greatly increases his ability to judge the difference in distance between the motorcyclist and himself. Anything that helps make a motorcyclist more visible has to be a good thing!
If anyone can put me in touch with someone who can make a difference, let me know! Thanks!
Turbo Ghost
Auto-dimmer/high-beam
You may notice a pattern here!
Who can tell me who the idiot was who decided to move the high-beam/dimmer switch from the floor to the stalk on the steering-column!? This is another stupid idea! For those of you too young to remember, there used to be a button on the floor of all cars to the left of the clutch or brake (on automatics) that allowed you to turn on the high-beams with your left foot. This worked incredibly well! Now you have to push that little stalk forward to achieve this.
The floor-switch is a much safer, easier design. Imagine you are travelling a dark rural two-lane road that is very twisty with now lighting whatsoever. You have your high-beams on so you can see better. You enter a very sharp turn. As you are making the turn, you suddenly see another car coming towards you from the other direction. You obviously need to dim your lights so as not to blind them and possibly cause an accident. To do this, you have to remove your left hand from the wheel while negotiating this dangerous curve and pull the stalk back towards you. Not exactly the safest move.
With the floor-switch, all you have to do is tap the switch with your left foot which is probably resting right beside it anyway. I guess it worked too well to be allowed to last.
Turbo Ghost
Who can tell me who the idiot was who decided to move the high-beam/dimmer switch from the floor to the stalk on the steering-column!? This is another stupid idea! For those of you too young to remember, there used to be a button on the floor of all cars to the left of the clutch or brake (on automatics) that allowed you to turn on the high-beams with your left foot. This worked incredibly well! Now you have to push that little stalk forward to achieve this.
The floor-switch is a much safer, easier design. Imagine you are travelling a dark rural two-lane road that is very twisty with now lighting whatsoever. You have your high-beams on so you can see better. You enter a very sharp turn. As you are making the turn, you suddenly see another car coming towards you from the other direction. You obviously need to dim your lights so as not to blind them and possibly cause an accident. To do this, you have to remove your left hand from the wheel while negotiating this dangerous curve and pull the stalk back towards you. Not exactly the safest move.
With the floor-switch, all you have to do is tap the switch with your left foot which is probably resting right beside it anyway. I guess it worked too well to be allowed to last.
Turbo Ghost
Auto-defrosters
Can anyone tell me who the idiot was who decided to make the compressor turn on when the defroster is selected in your car!? It is a ridiculous idea! It doesn't help and it hurts fuel economy and we all know how important that has become! I personally, like to leave the defroster on all the time to circulate the air without having it blowing directly on me. However, if I do so, the compressor is running and devouring the power from the engine along with much extra fuel. My truck only gets 15mpg anyway so, every little bit helps. If anyone can direct me to someone who can actually make a difference, please let me know! Thank you!
Turbo Ghost
Turbo Ghost
My Purpose
This blog is the place where your questions are answered. More specifically, your trivial, useless questions. Have you ever wondered who sang that song you loved years ago and haven't head in a decade or more? Have you ever wondered who that was in that movie about that thing you can't remember? Have you ever wondered anything? When it comes to useless trivia, I'm your man! Ask and I'll do my best to answer your question as honestly and thoroughly as possible. I'm open to any type of question. Whether it be a typical movie or song question or a personal question. Remember, I don't know you and you don't know me. I don't judge. I simply inform. Just go to the post titled "Trivial Wonderland" and use the "Comment" button to post your question and I or someone will answer you.
There is another purpose to this blog. This is a place for me to express my opinions on the world around us. All topics will be covered as they pop into my head. Due to my work schedule, my thoughts may appear sparsely or in huge rambling clusters. If you disagree with my opinions, that's because you have your own. Congratulations! Welcome to free-will! Granted, your opinions are probably wrong but, they are yours nonetheless:)
I hope you enjoy this blog and you learn something from it.
Turbo Ghost
There is another purpose to this blog. This is a place for me to express my opinions on the world around us. All topics will be covered as they pop into my head. Due to my work schedule, my thoughts may appear sparsely or in huge rambling clusters. If you disagree with my opinions, that's because you have your own. Congratulations! Welcome to free-will! Granted, your opinions are probably wrong but, they are yours nonetheless:)
I hope you enjoy this blog and you learn something from it.
Turbo Ghost
