>U.S. driver licensing program in majority of our states is severely lacking
>in driver-skill emphasis.  Combine that lack of training with your average
>US-behemoth-SUV design and you have recipe for disaster.  Add a cell phone
>wedged between the neck and the shoulder and you have an almost certain
>accident.

To be honest, it's much the same here... and everywhere else... as far as
driver ability/education is concerned. governmental "speed kills" mentality
(revenue-collecting), instead of concentrating on the things which REALLY
cause accidents, is the major factor (allowing incompetent ignorant
"drivers" on the road).

>I don't think U.S. car manufacturers are totally to blame for the hopeless
>designs they produce.  After all, they are only attempting to meet the
>expectation of the market.  In a land where safety is synonymous with size
>and car handling is a foreign word I am glad our speed limits aren't any
>higher.

Yup. But those manufacturers pushing their "sporty" cars on the US market
(Transom, Cramoro, Cravatte, Golf GTi) as handling well, the manufacturers
ARE to blame for pulling the wool over the ignorant/gullible publics' eyes.

>Our Vanagons, with the lower center of gravity than most vehicles their
>size, with proper shocks, tires, and a well-maintained suspension are much
>more adept at handling emergency situations.  Unless, of course, you are
>fully loaded.

Yes (though I haven't had the opportunity to push a loaded Vanagon on a
twisty road yet).

Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand
fax 64 (3) 479-7527
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
VW van (something for every man), Toyota diesel & seashell nut
*Even though Mac Users may be only 10% of the market,
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