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Speeding Slows You Down (By a Lot)

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Re: Speeding Slows You Down (By a Lot)

#41

Post by konschubert »

alexwhb wrote: post #16

While the methods in this post may not be a super accurate depiction of reality.. I did find it entertaining. Additionally I agree generally with the point the post is making. It is shocking to me that we accept so whole heartedly the risk associated with driving when, comparatively, it is shockingly unsafe relative to other modes of transportation. In the US somewhere around 41,000 people die per year from traffic a…

I am excited for self-driving cars.

Public transport is great but it won't convince reckless drivers to stop driving.

Self-driving cars will finally open up a realistic political path to eliminate traffic deaths. And ironically, if all cars were self-driving, I would choose to bike much more often than today. Because I can trust that the computer will follow the rules and I will be able to return home to my kids.

In the meantime, we should make gps-based speed governors and automatic breaking systems mandatory.

Re: Speeding Slows You Down (By a Lot)

#42

Post by konschubert »

giantg2 wrote: post #23
alexwhb wrote: post #16

While the methods in this post may not be a super accurate depiction of reality.. I did find it entertaining. Additionally I agree generally with the point the post is making. It is shocking to me that we accept so whole heartedly the risk associated with driving when, comparatively, it is shockingly unsafe relative to other modes of transportation. In the US somewhere around 41,000 people die per year from traffic a…

"I did find it entertaining." I found it a bit disgusting due to how shotty the logic/ application was, even if the methods were sound. "If you accidentally kill somebody on a bike you’re likely to serve prison time for manslaughter." I wouldn't find this "likely". You have to be involved in some reckless or negligent action that directly resulted in their death. It is possible of course, and does occasionally happen…

I you commute by bike you know that the risks are significant.

I stopped cycling because I have a family to come home to. This has negatively impacted my quality of life.

Re: Speeding Slows You Down (By a Lot)

#43

Post by giantg2 »

konschubert wrote: post #41
alexwhb wrote: post #16

While the methods in this post may not be a super accurate depiction of reality.. I did find it entertaining. Additionally I agree generally with the point the post is making. It is shocking to me that we accept so whole heartedly the risk associated with driving when, comparatively, it is shockingly unsafe relative to other modes of transportation. In the US somewhere around 41,000 people die per year from traffic a…

I am excited for self-driving cars. Public transport is great but it won't convince reckless drivers to stop driving. Self-driving cars will finally open up a realistic political path to eliminate traffic deaths. And ironically, if all cars were self-driving, I would choose to bike much more often than today. Because I can trust that the computer will follow the rules and I will be able to return home to my kids. In…

"realistic political path to eliminate traffic deaths"

Just a note, they may be able to greatly reduce fatalities (guessing since the tech is not fully rhere yet), but no system will entirely eliminate them.

Re: Speeding Slows You Down (By a Lot)

#45

Post by konschubert »

giantg2 wrote: post #43
konschubert wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am excited for self-driving cars. Public transport is great but it won't convince reckless drivers to stop driving. Self-driving cars will finally open up a realistic political path to eliminate traffic deaths. And ironically, if all cars were self-driving, I would choose to bike much more often than today. Because I can trust that the computer will follow the rules and I will be able to return home to my kids. In…

"realistic political path to eliminate traffic deaths" Just a note, they may be able to greatly reduce fatalities (guessing since the tech is not fully rhere yet), but no system will entirely eliminate them.

Even a reduction by a factor 10 means thousands of fathers every year who do not have to explain to their children that mommy won't come home tonight.

Re: Speeding Slows You Down (By a Lot)

#48

Post by jcgrillo »

mysterydip wrote: post #25
bloomingeek wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Back in the late 90's I began teaching my kids how to drive a car after they tested for their learner's permit. I drilled them that a car can be a weapon if used irresponsibility. We talked about the manslaughter issue you mentioned and the terribleness of living with the fact of killing someone because of speeding or distraction. Today, with cell phones and infotainment screens in our cars, I still see people "flyin…

Literally almost happened to me on a trip last week. Driving on I95 and two people were headed to change to the same lane, one slow from the left and one flying up on the right (across three lanes). They see each other and react at the same time, the one on the left going back to their lane but the one on the right, with their angle and excess speed, overcorrects and starts to fishtail. Their car is then pointing dir…

The "flying by on the right" thing feels like a recent (within the last ~decade?) phenomenon. Am I imagining it?

Re: Speeding Slows You Down (By a Lot)

#49

Post by tasty_freeze »

konschubert wrote: post #39
alexwhb wrote: post #16

While the methods in this post may not be a super accurate depiction of reality.. I did find it entertaining. Additionally I agree generally with the point the post is making. It is shocking to me that we accept so whole heartedly the risk associated with driving when, comparatively, it is shockingly unsafe relative to other modes of transportation. In the US somewhere around 41,000 people die per year from traffic a…

> If you accidentally kill somebody on a bike you’re likely to serve prison time for manslaughter. The sad reality is that people recklessly kill cyclists and barely get a slap on the wrist.

Yes, it is amazing when the driver says, "I just didn't see him!" and that is accepted as a reasonable explanation.

I think it is because the overwhelming number of drivers (in the US) haven't ridden a bike since they were children. A judge and most of the jurors fall into that category, and they empathize with the driver, as they could imagine themselves doing the exact same thing that the driver did.

Re: Speeding Slows You Down (By a Lot)

#50

Post by jcgrillo »

bloomingeek wrote: post #22
alexwhb wrote: post #16

While the methods in this post may not be a super accurate depiction of reality.. I did find it entertaining. Additionally I agree generally with the point the post is making. It is shocking to me that we accept so whole heartedly the risk associated with driving when, comparatively, it is shockingly unsafe relative to other modes of transportation. In the US somewhere around 41,000 people die per year from traffic a…

Back in the late 90's I began teaching my kids how to drive a car after they tested for their learner's permit. I drilled them that a car can be a weapon if used irresponsibility. We talked about the manslaughter issue you mentioned and the terribleness of living with the fact of killing someone because of speeding or distraction. Today, with cell phones and infotainment screens in our cars, I still see people "flyin…

By the time I got my learner's permit I had been operating tractors of various shapes and sizes for the better part of decade. I think that gave me a visceral appreciation for the danger of operating heavy equipment, and the damage you can do with a tiny, momentary mistake. I remember being shocked when I realized my peers didn't understand that.
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