AUTOMOBILES MADE AMERICA GREAT

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

AUTOMOBILES MADE AMERICA GREAT
DETROIT, MI.: Bruce S. tells us that the automotive trades are the most important businesses in the United States. Just consider this, he says: There are about 150 million licensed drivers in the USA. And, he adds, an uncountable number of unlicensed ones. They all are spending money whenever they start the motor. In fact they are spending even if the car is not used because depreciation continues relentlessly. Also about 50 million of them are over age 55 and many spend lots of dough on their autos.

Consider the many businesses that are connected to autos: Automobile, truck, and van manufacturers; new, used, or rebuilt vehicle dealerships; original equipment manufacturers and replacement parts fabricators; makers and sellers of soaps and waxes; national repair franchises; petroleum refiners and exploration companies; filling stations and convenience stores; insurance companies and agents; banks,loan companies and repossessors; traffic enforcement, courts and bondsmen; radar manufacturers and sellers.

And more: Lubrication shops, car washes, drive-in eateries; advertising agencies; newspapers and magazines; travel agencies; hotels/motels; tires and wheel alignment; tow trucks; collision repair; emergency medical facilities; the ships, rail cars, and trucks which haul them; and many more. Almost every facet of modern living depends upon the motor vehicle business in some way. How many more can you name? One out of every ten jobs is connected somehow to the automobile.

Bruce claims that it is the invention of the automobile which has made us such a prosperous nation. Have you ever thought about your car, SUV, motorcycle or truck being such an important element in our American economy?
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WHY WE REFUSE TO BE SAFE

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

WHY WE REFUSE TO BE SAFE
OMAHA, NE: While driving on Dodge Street Willie A. was reminded again that all across the USA so many persons risk increased injury and death by refusing to use the safety belts. When questioned about this behavior most give a bunch of non-reasons. They ignore the statistics which prove beyond doubt that safety belts do what they are supposed to do.

The real reason we do not belt-up is that the consequences (death, injury, punishment) are not immediate or certain to be suffered. Further, the reward for using them (safety), while certain, is not immediate. Despite all evidence to the contrary, we believe that we will not be in a crash, ever. Future danger concerns us a lot less. Touch a hot stove and be certain of a burn - ignore the safety belt and you may still be safe, at least this time.

We need to find ways to provide positive reward or recognition for the constant use of safety belts. Then many more would do so. Years back some autos would not start until the belts were buckled. Proved to be very unpopular. How about if one of those Southern sounding electronic voices would come on as we click the buckle saying, "y'all done good"?
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BUD'S A LITTLE WISER NOW

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

BUD'S A LITTLE WISER NOW
GREAT FALLS, MT: Darla Z. asks what can happen to her friend, Bud, who was DUI and killed a child in a crash. Hopefully, the Judge will give Bud what he deserves. A person convicted of DUI vehicular homicide will be fined and sent to prison. For aggravated assault (probably a plea bargain) the DUI person will be fined and may go to jail or prison. It depends upon the Judge's determination to stop such senseless killing in her/his jurisdiction. Many states are lowering the legal blood alcohol level and increasing the punishment for violations (if apprehended)

Evidently, many of these killers do not have life-long regrets over their terrible deed. They just go out and do it again, and again. DUI includes misuse of alcohol, unlawful drugs, and certain prescribed medicines. Before taking medicine ask your physician, nurse or pharmacist about how it may affect your driving ability. Driving DUI can wreck your day. It may get you a uniformed officer as your designated driver.

In Bulgaria the second time a person is convicted of driving drunk s/he is executed. Sounds effective to me! True friends do not let toxic friends drive.
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OVER-DRIVING OUR REACTIONS

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

OVER-DRIVING OUR REACTIONS
SOUTH LIBERTY, ME: Fifty-nine years young Kevin K. writes to say that he is having difficulty reading quickly enough to understand some road signs. Also, he says, he is less aware of auto stop lights than he used to be. Sounds like the usual lessening of reaction time as we age. We need to find ways to compensate for this in order to remain safe drivers.
Kevin may be driving too fast for the size of the road signs he should read. Also, he could memorize the standardized meaning of the 8 colors used for road signs. This would give a head start on what type message is about to come into his range. Most states recognize the need for larger and more frequent signs to accommodate the rapidly increasing population of older travelers. Towns and cities wishing to be tourist friendly please take note.
There are other reaction time problems which we can control. For more time to react to the brake lights of the vehicle ahead older drivers should stay at least 3 seconds behind. Pick out a stationary object along the road side. When the vehicle ahead passes it start counting the seconds. In good weather your auto should not pass this same object until the count of 3. For poor road conditions allow 4 seconds or more between vehicles.
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