[Roadsters] Rollbar and Ragtop: Can I have it all?

[Gary McCormick]

The best way to develop situational awareness (S.A.) on the road is to ride a motorcycle. I got my learner's permit at 15-1/2, license at 16 - for a motorcycle only ('cuz I had a motorcycle only - my folks said that when I could buy a car, I could get a license for a car). You learn very quickly on a bike (and mine was small, a Yamaha 100cc twin) that you are effectively invisible - and you are very vulnerable. I have had the drivers of oncoming vehicles look me right in the eye... and turn left in front of me anyway.

The S.A. skills I learned as a callow youth have served me well in 35+ years on the road (it didn't hurt that, with a father who was a CHP officer, I heard a lot of rather sobering stories about the possible  consequences of inattention on the road, as well as reading CHP magazine every month and seeing the photos accompanying the accident reports...).

Of course, these are DEFENSIVE driving skills, and unfortunately there are many people out there, like Fred's friend with the huge 4WD truck, who practice OFFENSIVE driving - all the more reason for the rest of us to develop good S.A.

Gary McCormick
San Jose, CA

Fred Katz <roadster at astound.net> wrote: Soon after a friend of mine bought a huge 4WD truck, he was telling me  
people were honking their horns at him as he changed lanes, and he  
would swerve back in the nick of time to avoid clobbering the other  
car. I told him he needs to be aware of what's in the next lane. He  
told me it's not his fault he can't see little cars below his right  
door window! OMG! He expected others to get out of his way when he  
changed lanes.

I told him he's going to die of road rage someday unless he learned  
how to be aware of what's around him, or if he would get rid of the  
truck. When I drive, I also try to have an escape route around my car,  
and not to be boxed in with no escape from a bad driver next to me.

Fred - So.SF

On Aug 4, 2008, at 10:45 PM, peter harrison wrote:

> Accidents mostly happen because the 'accentdee'
> presumes  that the accidenter knows what they are doing. Given that  
> they
> don't, we stay the f&*(K out of their way and rollovers are minimal
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