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Cars aren't really necessary
but by developing for cars we make them necessary for those who live or work in those developments. Then people are allowed to drive when they shouldn't. This incompetence leads to the slaughter of innocent bystanders.
So the key is development.
posted by
cpklapper
on June 30, 2010 at 5:47 AM
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Re: I loved the unrestricted interplay between trollies, cars horses and people
So did I. I'm going to watch that film a few times, majroj. I kept waiting for people to be run down. We used to catch on to the railway wagons of our local shale/oil works.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 30, 2010 at 4:53 AM
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I loved the unrestricted interplay between trollies, cars horses and people
Yikes.
My dad when he was young would get on his bike (had wooden rims) and grab the end of the Red Car trolley south of LA to hitch a ride. The front rim disintegrated once and dumped him.
posted by
majroj
on June 29, 2010 at 9:49 PM
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majro
A fascinating film majroj. I love the cable cars; in fact I am a fan of cables. If I had my way there would be no trucks hauling items between cities, there would be cables.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 29, 2010 at 10:21 AM
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majroj
You are bound to be younger than me, majroj - most of the world's population is - so you are entitled to be called lad. I like your description of drivers - the problem is that sometimes there isn't a hole to aim at, but they are too stupid to notice.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 29, 2010 at 10:11 AM
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PS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=NINOxRxze9k
San Francisco, allegedly less than a week before the Great Quake of 1906. The structure the cable car is moving towards is still there.
posted by
majroj
on June 28, 2010 at 3:22 PM
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Mac, sorry to be a "nooje" and that's the first time I've been called lad.
I call most drivers "point and click"...they point their car at a hole and go as many clicks (kilometers) an hour as they want.
posted by
majroj
on June 28, 2010 at 3:16 PM
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sam444
It certainly is, sam44. In one part of our city the youngsters cycle against and through the traffic, and it frightens me to death. The skateboarders and roller bladers do the same thing.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 28, 2010 at 6:10 AM
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I am a cyclist and my city has had to deal with the issues of sharing the road! I don't think there is an easy answer but it is also the cyclist's responsibility to be aware of the traffic! sam
posted by
sam444
on June 26, 2010 at 10:45 PM
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majroj
You're a good lad, and you made me laugh. When I was writing that post I couldn't be bothered looking up feet/millimetres, and I just kept typing. As I did so I smiled and said to myself 'majroj' will correct me anyway. (I'd forgotten about the Mars lander)
You're quite right about the distances, but then there shouldn't be any rigid rules re distances. Drivers should use their own common sense - oops, I forgot, lots and lots of them don't have any.
The rule about following other cars when I was an instructor in the UK was 'stay on foot per mph in a town and one yard for every mph out of town,' but it was variable.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 25, 2010 at 5:12 AM
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Pat_B
So do I Pat. Even in cycle lanes, cyclists are too unpredictable. When riding a motorcycle the safest place to be is near the centre line - it gives a wider view.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 25, 2010 at 4:50 AM
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kingmi
And I'm happy to read your comment after a long absence, kingmi.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 25, 2010 at 4:48 AM
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TAPS
I'm the same as you Taps, I don't carry a cell phone in the car either - heck, it takes me all my time to find the radio on/off switch. And as for cyclists and pedestrians!!!!!
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 25, 2010 at 4:37 AM
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shobana
Now, Now, shobana, don't make it a habit. Thanks for agreeing with my rant, btw.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 25, 2010 at 4:34 AM
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See what happens when you mx metric and English units? (kph and feet)
NASA did it on a Mars lander and "poof".
A foot is too close anyway.Lowered speed limits and speed bumps on narrow roads are necessary. That, and impressing on new drivers the tragedy of hitting someone versus the simple courtesy of driving slowly enough, or even stopping...whihc usually costs you less than a minute or so total from your drive.
posted by
majroj
on June 24, 2010 at 7:48 AM
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cyclists scare hell out of me. I give them so much room
I crowd the center line, which can be even more deadly. As for the misguided politico who decided to legislate on this issue -- at least if he's focused on this he's not increasing taxes...
posted by
Pat_B
on June 24, 2010 at 5:58 AM
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johnmcnab, happy to read you after a long absence! -kingmi
posted by
dsm_tchr
on June 23, 2010 at 10:22 PM
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I get so freaking paranoid when I'm driving along and suddenly have to deal with cyclists, or pedestrians walking in the road, or loose animals running back and forth. And, I do not mess with phones while I'm driving. I don't even carry one in the car, lest I be tempted.
posted by
TAPS.
on June 23, 2010 at 8:29 PM
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Johnmacnab - This is the second time I had to click on your site, now I am having computer problems!!!Gosh!! I just want to say that this is the most sensible rant ever. I know and have experienced the minds of these drivers sometimes!
posted by
shobana
on June 23, 2010 at 8:17 PM
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