Crazy - "40 percent of deadly Illinois crashes involve drivers who don't have a license"

This is what happens when you do not fairly enforce the laws of our country. First you ignore the immigration laws. They you are forced to abandon enforcing driver licensing laws as well as drunk driving checkpoints, as special interest groups will accuse you of 'unfairly' targeting illegal aliens.

Lawmakers believe there are as many as 250,000 undocumented immigrants on Illinois roads and that more than 40 percent of deadly Illinois crashes involve drivers who don't have a license. - NBC Chicago

You can surely bet that a majority of those drivers did not have insurance either, not that is going to help any dead people. However, just how many accidents overall involve illegal aliens? 

Keep in mind that this is a group that generally has 'broken no laws' except our immigration laws, and driver laws,  and employment laws and taxation laws, and identity theft laws. It's not their fault, really. If you stupid Americans would just give them a little more..... they'll demand something else.

In the case of Illinois, they are going to give illegals drivers licenses. So that that the illegal aliens can be just like you and me, and the 9/11 hijackers.

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Helsinki Tram Accident - 1999

Here is a photo from a tram accident in Helsinki back in 1999.

I was on the tram and saw the car crossing in front and knew when I saw it coming that there was no way it was going to make it. It hit hard enough to spin the car around.

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Microcar 'Mopoauto'

Think the Smart Car is small? I have run across a couple 'microcars' here which in Finnish are called mopoauto. A mopo in Finnish is a moped, just to give you an idea of what type of car it is. As you can see, there is an orange triangle on the back because these 'cars' are limited to a max speed of 45 kilometers an hour. (Just under 30 miles an hour)

Why would someone have such a car, especially since they cost more than other cars? Well, you can drive one as young as 15 years old. You also don't need a regular driver's license in order to drive one. So older people buy these as much as young ones, if not more.

I think your crazy to take one of these things on a Finnish road, other than in one of the cities, but apparently they do. At least due to the speed restrictions, they are kept off the few Finnish highways.

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Ford F-150 Truck - 'Not for Britain' (Video Review)

Here is an amusing review of the Ford F-150 truck, from a British point of view:

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Great presentation. He pans the truck, but that's OK. The comments really balance it out. Like this one:

I actualy like that show but that was a poor review. All the fit, finish, and steering issues were caused by the RHD conversion. I've been an F-150 owner a long time, F-150's are great rucks, Lighting's are awesome trucks. The truck wasn't built for their gay country anyways.

And:

First I must say That I'am Canadian. Secondly the reason english peoples dont buy trucks is because gas is expensive they have no need for them because England is small ugly and kinda a shitty country conpared to canada or the usa...but english people are cool...but their country sucks...sorry

And just think, nobody is going to get their head chopped off over this...

Ford F150 Pickup Truck - YouTube

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2002 I-495 Beltway Truck Accident - Photos

Here are some photos from a truck accident that blocked traffic one morning on Washington, DC's Beltway.

As you can see below, the truck jumped over the concrete divider into oncoming traffic.

So I guess it is a good idea to keep an eye on traffic moving in the other direction as well.

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Overtaking on Finnish Roads

There are very few true highways in Finland where the traffic is separated. Most are located in the south leading from Helsinki.

This is what most roads leading between cities look like; a single lane in each direction where you cross over to the other side to overtake slower traffic. The summer speed limit for these roads is often 100 kilometers an hour. Some of the traffic on these roads is limited to only 80 kilometers and hour. Most are trucks but some are old US station wagons and other similar cars that were imported as trucks and therefore limited to 80 klm/hr for tax purposes. Since nobody wants to drive behind slower traffic, there is lots of passing going on. Some of it is downright dangerous.

Of course, there needs to be no immediate oncoming traffic in order to safely pass. As there is more traffic on the roads there are less valid passing opportunities. That however, does not stop people from passing anyway. This is a typical example, as we are all driving at about 100 kilometers and hour (62 mph):

"Where did that oncoming truck come from?!?!?"

'No problem, I'll just cut this other driver off.'

This last passing move below was especially reckless as it was not possible to see what was coming from the other direction due to the hill. As can be seen from the bottom photo, the passing area had ended for that very reason.

Finland is also experiencing traffic problems in the capital area as well. Driving in Finnish cities is interesting as people will walk into the street without even looking to see if there is oncoming traffic. However, there is good reason to look. See the following story for more details:

Traffic discipline very slack in Helsinki - Helsingin Sanomat

One problem in Finland is that cars are seen as the enemy, especially in the cities where people simply refuse to accept that there are valid uses for them. (Such as having two small children and needing to go food shopping.) So they have really pushed to keep speed limits in the cities down in the name of 'safety'.

I lived in Finland for three years, and the one thing I truly missed was not having a car. It was just truly frustrating to go to IKEA or wherever and then try to lug whatever you purchased home on the bus. At least I lived in the Capital and there was good public transport. Still, it took twice as long to get downtown than it would by car, even having to sit in traffic.

Oh, before I forget, try doing the same maneuver above with the road covered in ice! Just make sure that you have good studded tires...

88% of US Maritime Deaths Involve Recreational Boating

Merchant Mariners are highly-trained professionals. This is to be expected due to the complexity of the work they do, the remoteness of their work location which limits their access to others who might be called in to assist them, and the huge potential for damage and death if something does go wrong.

The same can't be said for weekend-warrior boaters:

NTSB – marine deaths rose slightly in 2006 - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a news release discussing transportation deaths in the United States during 2006. Marine deaths rose slightly over the figures for 2005 (from 789 to 805). Of these, 710 involved recreational boating. Marine deaths in the commercial sector were virtually unchanged. (10/4/07). - Dennis Bryant Holland & Knight homepage

That comes out to 88 percent of US maritime deaths the result of recreational boaters. There is no explanation to the reasons behind the pleasure boater deaths.

Here is how air and rail fared:

Aviation deaths rose from 617 to 779. Nearly 90% of aviation fatalities occur in general aviation accidents (698) and they account for a significant majority of the increase in aviation-related deaths from 2005 to 2006

AND:

Rail fatalities decreased slightly from 803 to 781, with declines in all categories except for pedestrian fatalities associated with intercity rail operations (559 to 585). - NTSB

Now compare that to this:

“Despite the slight decline in overall transportation fatalities this past year,” said NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker, “the annual loss of more than 40,000 people on our roads, rails, waterways and in our skies is a national tragedy. We must all work together to promote safety across all transportation modes, with the Board leading the way by continuing its emphasis on our Most Wanted list of safety improvements.”

Highway fatalities, which account for nearly 95% of all transportation deaths, decreased from 43,510 in 2005 to 42,642 in 2006. However, motorcycle fatalities not only increased five percent from 4,576 in 2005 to 4,810 in 2006, but the 234 additional deaths that occurred in 2006 when compared to 2005 made this the single largest increase in a specific category across all modes. The number of fatalities decreased or remained approximately the same in most other highway vehicle categories. - NTSB

Maybe, just maybe, the requirements for obtaining a driver license should be increased.

Look at the outrage over the EXXON VALDEZ grounding/oil spill. Our highways are the scene of no less a tragedy every year yet nobody cares. Maybe that is because they would have to undergo more training as part of the solution as well. This is one thing that is wrong with America. It is all well and good to bury others in requirements and standards just as long as that does not include you. Driving is not a right, it is a privilege.

There is the common attitude that accidents happen. That too is part of the problem.

TRANSPORTATION FATALITIES DROP IN 2006 - NTSB

Bad Driver in Maryland

This happened a couple of years ago, but the problem of bad drivers certainly has not gone away. This is an example of a person being completely careless as well as having no respect for the people around them.

You would think that there would be a little pride in owning a car. As you can see, this car has temp plates. You would think that they would be a little careful with it, if for no reason other than making sure that you have a car that operates. Had this car have a passenger, my car would have gotten a dent from the huge door opening with no room for it. I was temped to leave one myself but that is not how I do things.


(Yes, there are lots of bad drivers in Maryland)

Truck with Roof Peeled Off - Photo

Here is a photo taken on a highway in Pennsylvania the day after Thanksgiving in 2002.

As you can see the trailer met up with a low underpass, peeling most of the roof off.

Oddly enough, one of the trailer tires is missing. I think the rim is there because it is needed to secure the inner tire to the axle.

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