Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 15:33:07 +0200
Reply-To: "Dr. Rainer Woitok" <woitok@RRZE.UNI-ERLANGEN.DE>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Dr. Rainer Woitok" <woitok@RRZE.UNI-ERLANGEN.DE>
Organization: RRZE (Regionales Rechenzentrum Erlangen)
Subject: Re: Twelve, Six and a verdict on Vanagons
In-Reply-To: Msg <3702F41F.ADB68F09@Schwenk-Law.com> of 1999- 3-31 20:20:47
-0800 from Steve@Schwenk-Law.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Sorry ... can't resist any longer ...
On Wed, 1999-03-31 20:20:47 -0800, Steve wrote:
> I forgot...i do know someone who was murdered.
I, too, forgot. I, too, did know someone who was killed in a traffic
accident on the highway. I still drive, even on highways. Let's not
get paranoid (the more paranoid you get, the more you'll need a gun to
protect yourself). Please keep in mind that this all started from
advice regarding a coast to coast trip in a vanagon. And all you can
think of is to keep risk at bay by means of a handgun ...
It's _your_ America ... but if you're really thinking the risk of an
umpteen thousand miles trip is in road stops and camping rather than in
normal driving ... then all I can say is, poor America :-(
Anybody having any real numbers on how many people get murdered in a
certain time and area versus how many get killed in traffic accidents in
the same area and time?
Don't get me wrong, please. I'm not suggesting to Kari not to do this
wonderful trip. I'm only suggesting not to overprepare for a rather
miniscule risk and at the same time to disregard a risk which is more
than a hundred times greater (at least here in Germany).
So to add more to Kari's list:
N+1: By all means, leave the handgun at home for the plenty of reasons
already outlined on the list.
N+2: Don't drive when you're tired. No "Keep on going ... it's only
twenty more miles to this campground ..."
N+3: No alcohol (and other drugs :-) before and while you're driving.
N+4: No smoking while driving ... it detracts your attention in many
ways. If you have to smoke, have a break.
N+5: No chatting and gossipping while driving. It, too, detracts your
attention in many ways. While in the driver's seat, your hands are for
the steering wheel and the shifter only, not for gesticulating. And, of
course ... keep your eyes on the road, not on your passengers.
N+6: If you happen to have a van with captain's seats use the armrests,
at least while driving on highways. It makes for much more relaxed
driving.
N+7: No Heavy Metal "music" and similar noise while driving. It only
makes for aggressive driving. Rather, get a set of classic CDs or MCs
and listen to them.
N+8: If you have to consult a map, either stop or delegate this job to
your passengers (I _have_ seen people overtaking me on the highway with
a map unfolded across the steering wheel ... I hope they're still
alive).
Well, that's my two Deutschpfenning's worth, and as allways -- your
mileage may vary ...
Have a nice Easter weekend, everybody.
Sincerely
Rainer
'89 Caravelle GL Syncro 16"
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| Rainer M Woitok | Phone: (+49-9131) 85-27811,-27031 |
| Regionales Rechenzentrum | |
| Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet | Fax : (+49-9131) 30 29 41 |
| Martens-Strasse 1 | Telex: d 629 755 tf erl |
| D-91058 Erlangen | |
| Germany | Mail: Woitok@RRZE.Uni-Erlangen.DE |
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