Just heard a car wreck

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

A lot of people who buy large SUVs do so because they assume a major collision is inevitable.  In that case, I would posit that they are intentionally colliding with other traffic because they assume that it isn't possible to not have a collision.

Everybody wins in an arms race, right? That's why it's such a popular approach to so many problems?

Had something like this happen many years ago.  Turns out I was hearing a friend die.  Not good.

Jesse Ransom said:

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

A lot of people who buy large SUVs do so because they assume a major collision is inevitable.  In that case, I would posit that they are intentionally colliding with other traffic because they assume that it isn't possible to not have a collision.

Everybody wins in an arms race, right? That's why it's such a popular approach to so many problems?

The most common reason I used to hear was "I like being able to see over traffic."

Can you still see over it now that 90% of traffic is SUVs and pickups?

In reply to Duke :

Well... I definitely have an easier time seeing through traffic when driving my minivan vs. my R53.  Of course, driving my Spitfire has different benefits - I can often see under the cars ahead of me. Not that I really makes me feel all that safe... 

I've been trying to figure how to add 3rd brake lights to my classic cars since most drivers are subconsciously conditioned to see them and when they don't that split-second it takes for them to recognize the car is stopped can be the difference between a near-miss and not-a-miss. 

In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :

Sure you do.  But it's like being at a concert:  once the idiots in the front row stand up, EVERYBODY has to stand up to see over them, and the short people no longer get to see anything.  But if the idiots just stayed in their seats, everyone else could also stay sitting and still see the show.

Ain't nobody seeing over a semi truck no matter what they're driving.  But if all the SUVs getting used just for car things were actual cars, those drivers could still see the same as they can now... except those of us driving short cars could also see.

The Manic Miata has the usual CHMSL in the trunk lid, but I also added a fourth brake light to the middle of the roll bar for when the top is down.

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

Growing up, our house was about 100 yards from the only traffic light on about eight miles of highway. We would regularly hear skidding tires, followed by the crash. Ours was about the only house near there, so we would call it in, then go back to what we were doing.  

I vividly remember the time an exceptionally loud crash preceded the skidding. 
 

Altamonte Springs, FL. It's grown up massively since then. Not one building in the photo was there then. 
Our house was on Park Place. 

 

Yeah, I lived about a mile from there for about 15 years, moved away 20 years ago, but still have family I visit often. Lot's of changes, and a hellofa lot more traffic now.