In 2008, there were 2,639 fatalities by drivers turning left and 355 fatalities by drivers turning right. It's 7 1/2 times more deadly to turn left than it is to turn right. Turning left is the 3rd most dangerous vehicle maneuver after going straight and negotiating a curve.
I found that statistic interesting. It's from FARS Encyclopedia.
BTW, I also want to say I disagree with closing threads discussing deaths in Smart car accidents. We can learn from accidents and doing such saves lives. Even if it's a simple reminder to drive safely. I didn't buy my Smart cars because I thought they were safer than a Volvo. I got them for their tiny size and the fact you can get a convertible. Censorship is rarely good. This isn't China. One statistic said that 1 in 82 people will die from an auto accident. Most accidents are completely avoidable, the average is six seconds to avoid an accident. Little stats like these can do quite a bit to remind you to stay alert while driving this tiny car. It's VERY safe for it's size and likely safer than most compact cars, but most vehicles on the roads are much bigger and discussing car safety should be important. A thread on a death in a Smart car gets people thinking and will change some driving behavior rather than some random drive safe thread.
Always good to see someone else who paid attention in geography class.
That thread had degenerated into name calling, the usual political comment and pure speculation about the accident cause, driver age limits, etc. Not speaking for Dune, but I believe that's what lead to the thread closure. In other words, another thread in a death spiral (no pun intended)
Always good to see someone else who paid attention in geography class.
That thread had degenerated into name calling, the usual political comment and pure speculation about the accident cause, driver age limits, etc. Not speaking for Dune, but I believe that's what lead to the thread closure. In other words, another thread in a death spiral (no pun intended)
Always good to see someone else who paid attention in geography class.
That thread had degenerated into name calling, the usual political comment and pure speculation about the accident cause, driver age limits, etc. Not speaking for Dune, but I believe that's what lead to the thread closure. In other words, another thread in a death spiral (no pun intended)
But many posts have those degenerated comments. Personally, I'd like a section dedicated to the topic. It's the number one question I get from people looking at the car. They ask me "Is it Safe?"...they ask me so much so that I want to install a condom dispenser and say why yes it is safe and hand them a condom like a grey poupon commercial.
Seems to me that it's a valid thread and if I were to die in my Smart, I wouldn't want my thread closed. I'd want people to talk about it even if it were political, discussed my limitations, speculated, etc. That's life.
...totally agree with Brabus...that's life...you begin to die the moment you were born and how we get to that end is irrelevant...
...we are a car club..dedicated to the friendship that comes with owing such a different and distinct car...and we are all about safety...we ALL can learn from the misfortune of others, be it a smart or a Chev..Chev..a GM product...
But many posts have those degenerated comments. Personally, I'd like a section dedicated to the topic. It's the number one question I get from people looking at the car. They ask me "Is it Safe?"...they ask me so much so that I want to install a condom dispenser and say why yes it is safe and hand them a condom like a grey poupon commercial.
Seems to me that it's a valid thread and if I were to die in my Smart, I wouldn't want my thread closed. I'd want people to talk about it even if it were political, discussed my limitations, speculated, etc. That's life.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jetfuel
...totally agree with Brabus...that's life...you begin to die the moment you were born and how we get to that end is irrelevant...
...we are a car club..dedicated to the friendship that comes with owing such a different and distinct car...and we are all about safety...we ALL can learn from the misfortune of others, be it a smart or a Chev..Chev..a GM product...
jetfuel
These two quotes need to be hung on a wall.
I think this is the revive I was looking for. Truth is, as the smart begins to grow on the US of A this site is going to take on a load of new members willing to challenge the small smart. And since the smarts can't speak for themselves (yet) we've gotta let the truth loose.
But if we want to keep these threads on topic I suggest something like a "smart car complaint" forum or something where trolls and educators thrive.
I don't want the family to find a thread where we are discussing their deceased relatives fitness to drive, the aspects of (speculation about) the accident or how it might have happened or have been avoided.
There will undoubtedly be litigation over this and I don't believe this is a forum where we want to be armchair investigators. It is out of concern for the families involved that I chose to close the thread. Debate over elderly drivers abilities, political innuendo and everything else that was starting to be discussed there was due to the fact that all the relevant discussion had already taken place.
I don't want the family to find a thread where we are discussing their deceased relatives fitness to drive, the aspects of (speculation about) the accident or how it might have happened or have been avoided.
There will undoubtedly be litigation over this and I don't believe this is a forum where we want to be armchair investigators. It is out of concern for the families involved that I chose to close the thread. Debate over elderly drivers abilities, political innuendo and everything else that was starting to be discussed there was due to the fact that all the relevant discussion had already taken place.
The thread died a natural death!
concern for the families? OK, maybe you are sincere in that sentiment. But from my perspective as a person whose brother was killed in an an auto crash (no, I won't say accident), I believe we all need more information - not less. The voices of us - the families - need to be heard; but more than that we need to hear the voices of others.
Why don't you do yourself a favor and re-read all your posts on this thread? Then do some serious thinking (critical or not) and summarize your message.
That would be ever so helpful. Because from what I see, your incoherent ramblings are just a bother.
and yes, please do go troll on some yaris board and see how welcome they make you feel. Then don't come back here to tell us about it.
ok? OK!
I'm not so sure how you came to the conclusion that I think highly of myself. I don't really see it that way, but I guess you can express your own opinions of me (or anything else, for that matter). BTW, I wasn't talking about a Yaris message forum when I mention Toyota. I have zero interest in that vehicle at all, and I'm a big Toyota fan. In fact, my daily driver is a Toyota.
If you believe the Smart Car is unsafe, PROVE IT!!!!
Bob Diaz
Bob,
I'm going to have to decline your challenge. I simply don't have the time or desire required to do that much research. I'll agree that your research was probably very comprehensive. But I'll also say that the numbers can (and probably will) change over time. Don't forget, the smart hasn't been on AMERICAN roads for very long. Give it time and keep up your good research.
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