RE: 3 teens + driver killed - Dodge Dakota Forum

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McCracken Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 10/23/2002 23:35:24	Subject: RE: 3 teens + driver killed IP: Logged Message: You hit the nail right on the head. Driving is supposed to be active, not passive. I see too many people driving like it's not the first and foremost thing on their mind.
Marv Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 10/24/2002 09:30:52	RE: 3 teens + driver killed IP: Logged Message: I must admit I'm very surprised at these responses. When I first posted this story a few days ago, I assumed there would be comments from both sides of the coin. Seems everyone who answered is on the same side as me. I think we'd all like to hear from the street racers. I'm definetely not trying to stir up any arguments, but I would truly like to hear some responses from those of you who like to street race. The silence from the racers is almost deafening.
DakGuy Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 10/24/2002 10:51:48	RE: 3 teens + driver killed IP: Logged Message: First of all I agree with most of what's been said, but don't think that all people that street race are irresponsible Kids. I'm 24 with a good job, a family, and a clean driving record, and I Street Race sometimes. The accidents are caused because someone who was street racing in the wrong place and being irresponsible. I'm not trying to contradict anyone because your all right, but there is a time and place for everything. Kids are a product of their Parents, or a lack there of !!!!!!!!
xplikt GenIII 10/24/2002 12:07:43	RE: 3 teens + driver killed IP: Logged Message: I do it on the highway and it's only a race to the speed limit ~50. It's still pretty bad on my part, but what can I say, it's fun. It's my only fun time during the week really. With going to school 14 hours a week and going to work 40 hours a week, play time is minimal. You have to remember it's competition. It gives a feeling of superiority of another person. If that isn't human I don't know what is. It's pretty barbaric when it comes right down to it. What makes street racing very interesting is what it's composed of. This just isn't a community park football game, or quick match of UT, this is with powerful machines. Machine you can FEEL the force from. The sounds, the smells, the force of torque twisting your gut. It's all there, where a lot of other forms of competition lack. It is a rush. The people who seek these thrills, for the most part, are teens. You might have a child, wife, house, and weekend boat, but some HS senior might just have his car. Does it make it right? Of course not. You must understand the very fundamental reason for people racing. Then, once you find that, you can start on a solution. -Mike http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/ 2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip Hotchkis swaybars and springs Bilstein custom tuned shocks Roadmaster Active Suspension Shaved emblems and antennae
Marv Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 10/24/2002 12:55:56	RE: 3 teens + driver killed IP: Logged Message: xplikt I spent 32 years as a big city fireman and believe me you have no idea what barbaric is. You talk about the sounds, the smell, the force of torque twisting your gut. Your right: The sounds are the screams of agony from the innocent people you just slammed into and the smell is the smell of gasoline just before it explodes and burns a whole family to death. The torque twisting your gut tells it all, as the force of the crash rips somebodies legs off. You also talk about the rush...that's the rescue guys rushing to get the victims out before they all bleed to death. I hate to come down so hard, but when people look at street racing with your attitude it makes me want to scream.. If you could see 1% of what I have in the last 32 years you would never race again. As part of driver ed. I'd like to see all kids spend a week riding on a fire dept. rescue truck. Please think about this the next time you rev your engine at a red light. The next red light you see may be on an ambulance.
xplikt GenIII 10/24/2002 13:40:54	RE: 3 teens + driver killed IP: Logged Message: Wow, you took my words to heart. You know I was, for the most part, trying to get at what makes people race. Marv, I know perfectly well what all that stuff is since I grew up around LEOs and EMTs. I know exactly where you are coming from. You are only looking one direction. You will absolutely never help street racing if you continue to look out of your hole. Look at it through their eyes, no matter how much you disagree with it, LOOK. You still havn't answered my question of WHY do people do it. Why do people do it Marv? Do you think every person who accelerates quickly is a moron who has no clue what they are doing. No. Why just street racing too. There are a hundred other things that need attention. You are focusing on one problem, not the whole picture. You can try to stop street racing with a band-aid, but you still have an underlying problem. You think telling people that they can kill someone or hurt themselves is going to stop them? Hell no. Do you know why. Because most people have not seen what you have. You are a minority. The "it can't happen" to me plays a large role here. People are going to continue to do it no matter what laws, restrictions, and fear you try to tax them with . Competition is rooted into us. You want to help the situation, you're going to need to start suporting your local track and SCCA events. -Mike http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/ 2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip Hotchkis swaybars and springs Bilstein custom tuned shocks Roadmaster Active Suspension Shaved emblems and antennae
Marv Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 10/24/2002 15:12:43	RE: 3 teens + driver killed IP: Logged Message: xplikt I only came down hard because of all the horror I've seen. You say I need to come out of the hole and look. Well I have looked more than you'll ever know. You say you grew up around EMT's then I'm sure you have HEARD lots of stories, but until you witness it first hand you can't possibly understand. You ask me WHY people do it. I guess for the thrill just like a skydiver or mountain climber. The only difference is when a skydiver is killed he doesn't take out a whole family with him. I never said a person who accelerates fast is a moron. I do think a person who races another car on a residential street is a moron. Do I think telling people that racing can kill them will make them stop? I hope so!! What if only one person reads our thread and stops racing. I'd say that was worth it. Your right when you say I'm the minority because most haven't seen what I have. That's why I would like to see prospective drivers ride around with a rescue unit for awhile. Obviously that's not going to happen, but if people could see the aftermath, you'd have a lot less racing. You say people are going to do it no matter what laws, restrictions or fears you tax them with. Well we have laws and restrictions against lots of things: rape, robbery, murder.. Does that mean we can break these laws if we don't agree with them? What's the difference between some innocent lady getting accidentally shot in an armed robbery and someones grandfather getting run down by an out of control street racer? There's nothing wrong with competition or racing. Just not on the public roads. You say if I want to help the situation, I have to support the local race track. Well I am not a racer, therefore I won't be supporting my local track, but I would certainly support YOU in your effort to get better race facilities. I am a Canadian and we have the exact same problems up here. Lots of guys want to race, but nowhere to go. I never said I had the solution, I'm just trying to save a few lives. Most men would cry if they ever saw the stuff I've seen. I've watched a lot of tough firemen cry after we get back from a run. All I ask is to please think of the consequences before you get into your next street race.
xplikt GenIII 10/24/2002 16:02:39	RE: 3 teens + driver killed IP: Logged Message: Does that mean we can break these laws if we don't agree with them? They can be good deterrents, but nonetheless, problems are still there. Problems should not be solved with simple band-aids. I don't think you would get a lot less racing with running around with units. Maybe some, but kids are dumb (myself included) and you're forgetting we're invincible and that stuff can never happen to us. People will always have to remember that cars are capable of catastrophic damage. I doubt most people realise they can ruin another person for life with a simple mistake as running a stop light. It's overwhelming to stop and think how many vehicles are on the road and it's safety lies in the hands of everyone. So few threaten so many. The time, place, and decision of street racing comes down to the individual. Many times I have been in the city limits and been reved at only to do nothing when the light turned green. I know you feel strongly against street racing, but can there ever be a time to make a quick 0-50 or 60? 70? Instead of teaching to be anti-racing, why not teach people rational thought. Marv, I try to base all my actions on consequences. You'll be happy to know it sticks to a nicely lit, clear, clean, highway. Where I can hit the speedlimit without cars blindly jumping in front of me. If I am going the other direction, my brakes come on before I even hit that 35MPH (that's ~55 kph for you) sign. However, I can't say the same for a lot of the people who race me. My brakes come on and they are pulling past 60 when they hit that 35. -Mike http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/ 2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip Hotchkis swaybars and springs Bilstein custom tuned shocks Roadmaster Active Suspension Shaved emblems and antennae
Marv Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 10/24/2002 16:18:56	RE: 3 teens + driver killed IP: Logged Message: You say your a dumb kid. Well you don't sound too dumb to me. I think were both saying the same thing, it's just coming out differently. Remember, I was a dumb kid myself awhile ago. Actually about 40 years ago LOL I'm just trying to save someone a lot of heartache. Half a second of stupidity can ruin someone elses life for ever. If some of my experience can rub off on only one person, I think you and me can say it was worth it.
Marv Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 10/24/2002 16:20:17	RE: 3 teens + driver killed IP: Logged Message: You say your a dumb kid. Well you don't sound too dumb to me. I think were both saying the same thing, it's just coming out differently. Remember, I was a dumb kid myself awhile ago. Actually about 40 years ago LOL I'm just trying to save someone a lot of heartache. Half a second of stupidity can ruin someone elses life for ever. If some of my experience can rub off on only one person, I think you and me can say it was worth it. Fair enough???
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