Actually, it's so much worse down here in Orange County. I have friends from
L.A. and the Valley who refuse to go south of Long Beach! (On the freeways
down here, one absolutely must dart-in L.A. and the Valley-they actually let
you *merge*!) And I have friends down here in Orange County who are appalled
at the rudeness and manners of drivers down here. (It's like they appraise
you social station and car before they'll let you over. So many peopl in so
many expensive and beautiful cars driving around with permanent sneers on
their faces!)
I go to L.A. usually about twice a week-sometimes more. I find the drivers
are less arrogant, more attentive to what's going on around them. I would
rather drive in L.A. than Newport Beach anyday! (Though both places seem to
have an epidemic of cars with non-functioning turn signals!) I think it's
because there's so much more traffic in L.A.-you really have to drive with
more caution and less arrogance.
Funny, when I was a kid out here, the drivers were great-but in the last 20
years they've become just terrible. The old timers like to say it's because
of all the people from other places-these other places send us their worst
drivers to the land of sunshine!
I propose that some sort of idiot/I.Q. test be given to qualify the
prospective driver for taking the written test. No brains-no driving!
As for the cameras at stop lights to catch red-light runners-I think it's an
excellent idea. In the places they've tried this out, there has been a
decrease in red light runners.
Just my 2 cents,
Laura G. (Heading out to L.A. tomorrow and Friday!)
Vita brevis est: rapide agite, vigore strigate!
----- Original Message -----
From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
To: Laura Gharazeddine <Laura.G@141.com>
Cc: Banbury, Terrence <Terrence.Banbury@dnr.state.oh.us>; 'Winnie Olmer'
<who@sover.net>; <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2000 10:30 AM
Subject: Re: CRASH!-'79 Spit parts car for sale
> Such is life in LALA land! That is why my son hasn't driven his Mk2 in
> a while. He whips in and out of traffic in his Jetta Wolfsburg edition
> like there is no tomorrow. Can't do that in a Mk2 Spit. He wants me to
> bring it to Arizona and put a big engine in it.
>
> Barry, are you up for a challenge???
>
> Joe
>
> Laura Gharazeddine wrote:
> >
> > Ditto, I always drive around with my headlights on.
> >
> > On the other hand, Friday, coming back from lunch, I was signaling to
move
> > over to the exit lane (so as to not have to drive 5 miles out of my way
at
> > 1.79 a gal!) and the S*F*UV would not let me over no matter what I did.
I
> > looked up and saw the driver-and she looked me right in the eye!-and
kept
> > going! I would say that in the area I live in, 8, maybe9 times out of
10,
> > they do see me-we make eye contact, but the drivers here are sooo
arrogant
> > that their attitude is "I have the right, I'm better than you-!@#$ you!"
> >
> > Talking to friends from L.A.-they agree with my assesment of OC drivers.
> >
> > I used to have a Maverick-but I had to get rid of it because people were
so
> > rude to me-the moment of realization came when I was trying to exit the
> > freeway and a grey haired 'grandma' -wearing a Chanel suit driving a
Jag
> > Vanden Plas-flipped me the bird!
> >
> > Anyway, I use my headlights, my horn, and I'll yell-Hey!-but some of
these
> > people think they have the god given right to be there, and you don't!
> >
> > Laura G.
> >
> > Vita brevis est: rapide agite, vigore strigate!
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Banbury, Terrence <Terrence.Banbury@dnr.state.oh.us>
> > To: 'Winnie Olmer' <who@sover.net>
> > Cc: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
> > Sent: Monday, March 13, 2000 7:38 AM
> > Subject: RE: CRASH!-'79 Spit parts car for sale
> >
> > >
> > > That seems to be the most often used excuse by poor drivers...."I
didn't
> > see
> > > them!" It is true for motorcycles especially. I drive with my lights
on
> > in
> > > the Spit. I might even add a few more up front just to get their
> > attention.
> > > A high mounted (temporary, is possible, I suppose) rear brake light is
a
> > > good idea too. Driving a '60's car in the new millennium is risky
> > > Terry Banbury
> > >
> > > > ----------
> > > > From: Winnie Olmer[SMTP:who@sover.net]
> > > > Reply To: Winnie Olmer
> > > > Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2000 1:44 PM
> > > > To: 'Graham Stretch'
> > > > Cc: 'List Spitfires'; 'List Triumph'
> > > > Subject: RE: CRASH!-'79 Spit parts car for sale
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for the sentiments. Hopefully someone picks up whats left of
the
> > > > Spit
> > > > and can give it a second life in another car. It's a strange feeling
to
> > > > not
> > > > really bum out about losing the Spit. While I wish I still had it..
> > > > especially so close to Spring... I am simply so thankful to have
come
> > out
> > > > of
> > > > it OK that I'm counting my blessings. It makes me "weak in the
knees" to
> > > > look at how caved in the driver door and windshield are. I have no
idea
> > > > how
> > > > I came out with a few cuts and a badly bruised side. Just bruises! I
> > dont
> > > > get it! The "Triumph Gods" wanted me to finish the TR6. It's not my
time
> > > > yet. When I can figure out how to get a picture of it on line it
would
> > be
> > > > very sobering to others to take a look. My lesson learned is.. drive
> > with
> > > > my
> > > > lights on at all times!! Just like motorcyclists do to be more
visible.
> > In
> > > > all my cars actually. Especially with all the "cell phone while you
> > drive"
> > > > drivers out there. Maybe I'll paint the 6 dayglow tie-dye. Austin
Powers
> > > > TR6?
> > > >
> > > > Take care
> > > > Winnie
> > > >
>
> --
> "If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
> -- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
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