----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 7:19
PM
Subject: 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.
Mark
-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Cannavale, III
<fc3subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent:
Wed, 14 Nov 2007 7:25 pm
Subject: Re: IML: Found Imperials
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
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
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