Distracted Driving

[Widewing]

Maybe it's just my perception, but it seems that the worst drivers are now driving hybrids... Especially the Prius.

The problem with green cars is that they cost a lot of greenbacks. How many years would one have to drive a Chevy Volt to offset the $40k price (after Federal rebate) as compared to a 40 mpg Hyundai that set you back just $16k? My thought is that folks who buy these things have lousy accountants...

Can anyone explain what is smart about the Smart car? Fuel mileage isn't nearly as good as that of Honda Fit. You can't even call it a golf cart, because a golf cart can carry a golf bag, even two, without chasing the passenger out.

I have observed that a significant segment of the population buy cars like I would buy a refrigerator. Buy it, take it home and forget about it. That's because many people don't particularly enjoy driving. That falls within the concept that people who don't enjoy a task seldom perform the task well. This supports my observation that the Corolla is the number 1 poop-mobile on the public roads, largely because it's purchased as an appliance by folks who don't enjoy driving and want to make their driving as painless as possible. The Camry... It's what Corolla drivers aspire to when they have more disposable income. The ultimate goal is the Lexus ES, a Camry dressed in a Brooks Brothers suit. $40 grand of concentrated dull.

Me, I drive a big, moderately modded Jeep JK Wrangler. The total antithesis of the Corolla/Camry. My wife, however, drives a mid-size Japanese sedan. And the truth is, once in a while, a quiet, soft ride is welcome. My kidneys say "thank you". Of course, I could not leave her car stock. Bilstein struts, aftermarket wheels and 17", 40 series gumball Kumhos elevate the driving experience from dull as Texas dirt to something not far from actual fun. Ultimately, I can only drive it for a short while before my testicles begin to shrivel and it's time to climb up into the JK to restore my sense of being...

[Widewing]

Heres a fun one.
When does a tire have 100% traction?
Another one after you get this one.

I would say, when it's not rolling.... Once rolling, there is slippage.

[MiloMorai]

Heres a fun one.
When does a tire have 100% traction?
Another one after you get this one.

When the vehicle is parked in the driveway.

[MarineUS]

Heres a fun one.
When does a tire have 100% traction?
Another one after you get this one.

never - the only way for 100% of the tire (outer surface) to have 100% traction is if it was laid out flat so that all of the outer surface were touching the ground, even then the inner parts of the treads would need to be flat, so it would to be one flat piece of rubber.

[Widewing]

never - the only way for 100% of the tire (outer surface) to have 100% traction is if it was laid out flat so that all of the outer surface were touching the ground, even then the inner parts of the treads would need to be flat, so it would to be one flat piece of rubber.

I think the concept is maximum available traction....

[Buzzard7]

100% traction is when the tire is not moving.
How much of that traction is retained once your start rolling the tire?

[MarineUS]

I'm just here to over-complicate it

[Widewing]

100% traction is when the tire is not moving.
How much of that traction is retained once your start rolling the tire?

Impossible to determine without additional information... It will be substantially less than 100%.

[Buzzard7]

In most cases the now moving tire only retains 35% of the original 100%.

[Widewing]

In most cases the now moving tire only retains 35% of the original 100%.

To determine that, you would need to know:

Material composition, both of the tire and the road surface. You would need to know the weight applied, and any torque applied. You would need to define surface contamination (sand, water, dirt, etc). You would need to know the vector slip angle (always present to some degree), and these are only some of the many factors that will cause deviation from ideal.

[Buzzard7]

Very true. This is only meant as an idea of what really happens when your driving.

[phatzo]

here's something to consider.

 there is no such thing as an accident. 99.9999999% of all auto accidents are due to negligence. this makes them not an accident.

I stopped reading the thread here because this is the crux of it. Anyone who has done any defensive driving/riding courses knows this and that driving defensively you can avoid the idiot behaviour of others. There will be the odd occasion where there is nothing you can do or could have done to prevent a bender but they are rare.

[MiloMorai]

Last night on the late news it was reported that the OPP pulled over and ticketed a woman on 401 for reading a book while driving. The officer noticed was she had her dome light on, so he began following her. After crossing lanes a few times he pulled her over.

401 is the main highway (multi lane) between Montreal and Detroit.

[CAP1]

Heres a fun one.
When does a tire have 100% traction?
Another one after you get this one.

i'd say only when stopped.

dunno what the numbers are, but it's gonna go down a lot when you're driving.

[CAP1]

I stopped reading the thread here because this is the crux of it. Anyone who has done any defensive driving/riding courses knows this and that driving defensively you can avoid the idiot behaviour of others. There will be the odd occasion where there is nothing you can do or could have done to prevent a bender but they are rare.

 it's still kinda fun to read it though.