Sorry ... can't resist any longer ...

On Wed, 1999-03-31 20:20:47 -0800, Steve wrote:

> I forgot...i do know someone who was murdered.

I, too, forgot.  I, too,  did know someone who  was killed in a  traffic
accident on  the highway.  I still drive,  even on highways.   Let's not
get paranoid (the  more paranoid you get, the  more you'll need a gun to
protect yourself).  Please  keep  in  mind that  this all  started  from
advice regarding a  coast to coast trip  in a vanagon.   And all you can
think of is to keep risk at bay by means of a handgun ...

It's  _your_ America ...  but if  you're really thinking  the risk of an
umpteen thousand miles trip is in road stops and  camping rather than in
normal driving ... then all I can say is, poor America :-(

Anybody having any real  numbers on how many  people  get murdered in  a
certain time and area versus how many get killed in traffic accidents in
the same area and time?

Don't get me wrong, please.   I'm not suggesting to  Kari not to do this
wonderful trip.  I'm  only  suggesting not  to overprepare for  a rather
miniscule  risk and at the  same time to disregard  a risk which is more
than a hundred times greater (at least here in Germany).

So to add more to Kari's list:

N+1: By all  means, leave the handgun at  home for the plenty of reasons
already outlined on the list.

N+2: Don't drive  when you're tired.   No "Keep  on going  ... it's only
twenty more miles to this campground ..."

N+3: No alcohol (and other drugs :-) before and while you're driving.

N+4: No smoking  while driving  ...  it detracts your attention  in many
ways.  If you have to smoke, have a break.

N+5: No chatting  and gossipping while  driving.  It, too, detracts your
attention in many ways.  While in the driver's seat,  your hands are for
the steering wheel and the shifter only, not for gesticulating.  And, of
course ... keep your eyes on the road, not on your passengers.

N+6: If you happen to have a van with captain's  seats use the armrests,
at   least while driving  on highways.  It  makes for  much more relaxed
driving.

N+7: No Heavy Metal  "music" and similar  noise while driving.   It only
makes for aggressive driving.  Rather,  get a set  of classic CDs or MCs
and listen to them.

N+8: If you have to  consult a map, either  stop or delegate this job to
your passengers (I _have_ seen people overtaking  me on the highway with
a map  unfolded across  the  steering wheel  ...  I hope  they're  still
alive).

Well, that's  my two  Deutschpfenning's worth,  and as  allways --  your
mileage may vary ...

Have a nice Easter weekend, everybody.

Sincerely
 Rainer

'89 Caravelle GL Syncro 16"

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