Rhe Buttle

Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.

Mr. Vielmetti, I understand what you are saying. However, what is the number of fatal accidents at that curve, since it went in? Break it down by year. Next, tell me what the average speed on the entire Interstate system is, by year. You will find that the general attitude of lawlessness which is now pervasive in these United States has pushed the average speed on the Interstate well above what it was 25 years ago, 50 years ago. It is quite simple, speed kills. People have to have the intelligence to slow down with the conditions. People have to know the abilities of their vehicles. Ralph Nader, in his Unsafe at Any Speed, is the instigator of many of the "safety features" of the vehicles. Unfortunately, absent wall to wall absorbant foam within the vehicle, the safety features are inadequate. "Back in the day" we understood that a vehicle is a machine, no more no less safe than grandpa's tractor that didn't have guards around the v-belts. You have to be smart enough to know what you are doing. I'll provide you with one more example of the loss of smart driving - tailgating. How many multi-car pileups, at even at the Kalmbach curve, are caused by people cutting in and out of lanes? Again, "back in the day" we were taught the left lane was for passing. You were to go into and out of the left lane to go around people. In California it is called the #1 lane (lanes are numbered from the centerline, outward). Highest speed is on the left. It is reasonable and acceptable to drive slower as you are further to the right. It is not unusual to exceed the speed limit in California, but changing lanes back and forth (I'll bet you don't remember the safe driving spot called "the migratory weaver") and tailgating will get you a ticket, quickly. I know this for a fact, I drove a Porsche while living in California, and frequently exceeded the limit. You may certainly take exception to what I have commented, buy you sir have access to facts. Going fast is not what makes someone a good driver; keeping a safe following distance, slowing for conditions of the road and the weather, and not cutting in and out of lanes are all skills missing from today's drivers. I'lll stand by my claim of Natural Selection at the Kalmbach curve. The only unfortunate part is that the bad drivers frequently kill the innocent drivers and that is the problem, not the Kalmbach curve.