Re: IML: Found Imperials

Be that as it may, I've been a firefighter for 30 years and have seen many lives saved by things like seat belts with shoulder straps, air bags, Nader pins, side impact rails, antilock brakes, etc. I'm a firm believer in self-preservation, so when I get into a vehicle, I take advantage of every safety device available. Don't misunderstand, when I drive my old Mopars, I enjoy them even though there are some of these safety items missing. I just prefer to drive to work with those items in place.

I do recall reading those reports about government studies that say bigger is better. About that same time, there was a lot of grumbling about imposing higher insurance rates for the big SUVs because when they crash into a Datsun B210, they do a lot of bodily injury to the Datsun driver and passengers. I say "too bad" they should be driving something with more steel for their own protection.

The government did a study about a decade ago. The finding was that the injury and fatality rate is about the same for any given vehicle with air bags and any other vehicle that was about 500 pounds heavier that did not have air bags. Do a google search on crash safety, you'll find one thing repeated over and over, bigger and heavier is safer. How many MPG is your life, or being about to live without a wheelchair worth?

I am not able to find that study on-line anymore. The government was not happy with the results.

Best regards,

Frank

On Nov 14, 2007, at 1:30 PM, mrs954@xxxxxxx wrote:

Dan,

I know what you mean. For me it's just the opposite. I drive 40 miles one way to work, And I wouldn't dream of using my Imperial (or my 300H). I can't afford to put that much gas into it. My fun little PT Cruiser isn't very fuel efficient either, but when I compare the Imperial's 12 MPG to the PT's 25 MPG, it's a no-brainer. And besides, the Imperial doesn't have the air bags, the FM radio or the CD player. Although sometimes I feel safer in the Imperial with all that iron around me. The Imperial is great fun when I WANT to drive it, but not as great when I HAVE to drive it. I'll keep driving my plastic PT until the wheels fall off. It's a different fun but it's still fun.

Mark Souders

Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail!