Joel:
I'm with you on this!
1. 10 years ago I spent 14 days in England. I think we put 3500 miles on
a rental car- a Ford Mondeo  (Contour) with a 16 valve engine. The speed
limit there was apparently 60 mph, I never saw a speed limit sign (I
don't think it was a priority for them.) On the motorways the left lane
moves about 45-50mph. There are trucks, slow diesel cars, micro-cars,
2CV's, etc. In the middle lane I spent most of my time at 90-110mph.
Sometimes moving to the right lane to pass cars ONLY going 75. You can
spend pretty much all your time there if you want to drive 110, but
watch your mirror, every once in a while someone pulls up FAST. Turbo
Bentleys, Porsches, Ferraris. I have no idea how fast, but over 150 I'd
guess.
During the 2 weeks, I saw NO wrecks, and only 2 cops. These drivers have
like 2 years of training and driving with a sign in the window, with
certain restrictions.
2. Fast forward to 2001 in the USA. I got in 2 wrecks with Vanagons,
totaled the silver 87 GL, big caved in corner on the front of the 80
Westy. In both of these the other driver made a mistake. the other
driver in each case was a teenager TALKING ON A CELLPHONE. One left in
handcuffs, one on a stretcher. (Maybe a Darwin move there?) I don't
think either had a drivers license.
3. 3rd wreck was  me drivng the 91 GL at 70+mph at nite and obliging a
suicidal deer.
60 mph is now too fast for me in deer country at nite, at 50 you can
somtimes STOP in time. Maybe 100mph during the day with perfect
conditions, but much slower if they're not!
Al Brase
Vanagons

Joel Walker wrote:

>>I'd say that speed in *combination* with incompetence kills.
>>
>>
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>nah.
>
>incompetence, by its lonesome, kills. simple as that.
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