1st Jul 2010, 14:20
Yes, but like I said, I would have seen him coming before I got to that 30 feet. I usually can spot a car even rolling slightly, and I always am ready on the brakes in case some fool pulls right out. Avoided so many accidents I can't count them any more.
1st Jul 2010, 14:30
Funny, my Trailblazer gets 24 mpg on the highway regularly. You should have yours checked out!
It is also a myth that you need a big 4 wheel drive in the northeast for the winters. I have lived in upstate NY most of my life, and the best cars I have EVER had in the snow are Subaru AWD cars. Front drivers with snows are more than adequate as well. If your Civic is "buried", then you shouldn't be going out anyhow as it would be dangerous even in a 4 wheel drive SUV. The accidents I see in heavy snowstorms are almost always big SUV's, because there is a false sense of security in driving them in snowy conditions. Usually they are flipped over or off the road at least 100 feet into the ditch or the woods due to their heavy weight and momentum. With 18"+ rims on them and big fat tires like they all have, they are actually lousy in the snow compared to any car with the right tires on it for winter driving. My Trailblazer is not even close to the performer in the snow that my Subaru is... not even close.
1st Jul 2010, 14:39
This is what I wish ALL teens would be like. Responsible when learning how to drive. Wish more people were like you!
1st Jul 2010, 16:47
NO, you COULD NOT have avoided this accident. The kid in the Toyota was TOTALLY STOPPED, then hit the gas when I was 30 feet away from him. He staunchly maintained to police (who ticketed him) that he DID NOT SEE my huge, hulking BRIGHT RED Dodge truck. And NO CAR can stop in 30 feet from 40mph on a wet road even if you have BOTH FEET on the brakes!!
1st Jul 2010, 18:07
I don't worry about "covering up a lack of driving skills" with an SUV. I worry about covering up the bodies of all the people who are killed in small cars because they THINK they can miraculously avoid accidents because they did a few laps on a test track. Over-confidence kills just as easily as poor driving skills. Many accidents CAN'T be avoided regardless of the level of driving skill. My wife and I are both excellent, well-trained drivers who have had extensive driving experience. We have driven everything from sports cars and sub-compacts to SUV's. You are every bit as vulnerable in a small car (and much more prone to serious injury) because the OTHER driver's actions can result in unexpected and unavoidable crashes.
2nd Jul 2010, 10:11
My teens cost $4000 more to insure, but if they are on the honor roll it's free. Driving is great and my parents did the same. The plus is it helped me later keeping my grades up and I got a car. My dad could have pulled it anytime, and I worked hard.
My cousin got a beautiful Dodge Challenger as a grad present, and he has it today worth many times what it cost new. His dad is gone and his mom is in a nursing home, but he has the memory in his garage.
I have a C3 Vette and C5 Vette Verts in my garage, and my kids will inherit them someday. Our family has been accident free and I would like to think mature because conditions were laid down. My kids do not race or drive reckless and points no car. Pretty basic.
I cruise and show my cars, and my kids have helped me prep them for shows. My kids cars are mint and it shows. I think teens given the right conditions deserve more credit than they are given. It seems if a teen buys a rag and has to suffer, they likely are going to be more aggressive vs. keeping close tabs and making them work hard academically and show trust.
My dad was strict, very fair, and I would like to think my kids appreciate the ground rules. And they have nice rides. Good luck!
2nd Jul 2010, 16:19
Hey, same teen who wrote the comment you responded to, and thank you.
I'm always responsible behind the wheel. Plenty of my friends have SUV's and trucks. Most of them have already been in an accident. Meanwhile, I haven't done so much as backed into something with my Corolla. The accidents they were in were either their fault or easily avoided had they gotten more experience before being allowed to drive on their own.
Before I was even allowed to get my license, my mom had me out driving in the worst of conditions to get me the experience. I was also put through a drivers education course (as required by my state) and a defensive driving course (NOT a license requirement, unless you live with my mom).
I know I'm a good driver, and I don't get "over-confident" behind the wheel like some other SUV driving commentor on here called me. I'm always paying attention (I CAN'T STAND IT WHEN I SEE SOMEBODY TALKING ON THE PHONE OR TEXTING BEHIND THE WHEEL!!!) and it's rare that I even go above 60 MPH when I'm on the highway (why waste gas?) and in town I obey the speed limit.
Another thing that surprises even me is that I'm one of the only kids at school who can drive a car with a manual transmission (I wasn't allowed to get a license without learning how to drive one).
Like I said before, I don't need an SUV to hide a lack of driving skill.
2nd Jul 2010, 20:37
A good defensive driver does not have "plenty of close calls." Instead, they look ahead and rarely get in those kinds of situations.
3rd Jul 2010, 07:31
I live in a very congested city, and also use the interstate with large trucks, and even small cars can do major damage or can be fatal through intersections using cells and racing to work.
The accidents I have been in have all been me being hit. I was rear ended while stopped at a light and was badly injured; fortunately I was in a large sedan.
I have been hit on the side, and my door pillar where the hinges are saved me.
Little thin light cars are not for me. I like the side air bags, but many cars and trucks surround me daily. I am alive, so there is comfort in what was between me and being hit.
I can be the best driver, but when someone runs lights or head on especially, I want a heavier car. If you are driving 30 and the car head on is 30, it is a 60 mph impact. Something to think about when you are in a Mini Cooper saving 25 bucks a week on gas.
The solution for the little car theory is to make gas 8 bucks a gallon to remove large vehicles.
1st Jul 2010, 11:29
"Teens love small SUVs."
I'm a teen. 17 to be exact. I hate all SUVs. The insurance costs a lot more, and I couldn't even come close to affording the amount of fuel those behemoths drink. No thank you.
By the way, I've avoided plenty of accidents. So far none of the close calls I've had have been my fault. Nearly all of them were women driving SUVs, talking on their cell phones, and pulling out in front of me. A few of them were old folks who decided that they might still have enough time. I took a defensive driving course, and learned how to drive, instead of covering up a lack of driving skill with an SUV.