Remember when we were kids and would fight for the front seat? After a movie with some friends this past Thursday night, I watched one of the guy's the two young daughters race to the family van to get the "better" seat. Our conversation fell to why neither of the girls could actually get the front seat like we used to do. Aside from it being against the law, (at least here in Ontario it is), it’s also unsafe! Cars will KILL our kids now!
Why is it so dangerous? The cars are designed to collapse in accidents so that the metal of the car will absorb the crash energy and not kill the occupants. The “body” of a car is designed to be a crash cage, and there are improved seat belt systems to better restrain and not kill the occupants. Forward air bags to soften the impact so as not to kill the occupants; side air bags to soften the impact so as not to kill the occupants; black box computer controls, (they've been in our cars for years), anti lock brake systems, traction control and even anti skid systems, all of which are supposed to make a car "safer".
Still, with all these technological marvels it is more dangerous than ever for kids to be in a car. The seat belt systems STILL don't account for the size of a child and the forward air bags will actually kill!
The "industry" solution number 1: put the kids in the back seat where there is no air bag to blow up in their face and break their neck.
Um, ok? Wait...the seat belts aren't designed to accommodate a kid so now it’s the seat belts which will break them in half!
The "industry" solution number 2: use "booster" seats; make the kid fit the car!
Yeah, make the kid fit the car!
Now, this seems a little messed up to me.Here's a thought …automotive manufacturers should incorporate more family friendly measures in their offerings. Something like kid friendly seat belts and air bags - maybe supply the booster seat with a vehicle.
Just something to think about, and something else for me to bitch about!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Newfie - not!
Hows 'bout dat Nissan XTRAIL "Bon'vista" ting dere budd'ai?
whatta rig bye!
ya, ain' she sum'in!?
So...when is a Newfie not a Newfie? When he's a Cape Breton actor!
I'm thinking that if Nissan went as far as the end of Canada to get an actor to play the part, they might as well crossed dagulf t'get dareal ting!
Hows 'bout dat guy from Glovertown...you know...buddy...buddy whasiname!
Republic of Newfounland
whatta rig bye!
ya, ain' she sum'in!?
So...when is a Newfie not a Newfie? When he's a Cape Breton actor!
I'm thinking that if Nissan went as far as the end of Canada to get an actor to play the part, they might as well crossed dagulf t'get dareal ting!
Hows 'bout dat guy from Glovertown...you know...buddy...buddy whasiname!
Republic of Newfounland
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Rush Hour traffic - the WTF factor
Anyone who’s been in a car when I am driving will attest that I can be rather verbal - it’s not so much road rage, just verbally deriding the other drivers, (especially when they have out of province plates). Of course, it is easy to critique everyone else’s driving from within the safety of my own car.
Before starting in my IT career, I worked about 14 years for courier and trucking and for about 9 of those years, I drove delivery. No accidents or incidents and even received a safe driver award, so…I kind of consider myself to at least be a capable driver.
The Ottawa River Parkway is a 4-lane scenic parkway along the Ottawa River and is my preferred route to get downtown. It has a posted speed limit of 60 km/h but we all seem to do 70 k!
This particular morning, some dumbass came flying through traffic, cutting lanes and generally being an ass and when he got to me, laid on the horns, giving me the “get the #$%^ out of the way you slow #$%^”!
Huh! WTF!
I was already speeding along, 10 k over the limit and this dumbass gives me that! The ensuing verbal barrage was a great distraction from the building downtown traffic!
I was hoping dude would be caught up in the road work congestion so I could give the “F U” horn on the way past but it was not to be! Nor was my driving excitement done just yet either! Coming off the Portage Bridge from Gastineau, the lanes kind of merge together but during rush hour, traffic is pretty crazy here. Usually, the drivers from Quebec run the lights to get through the intersection and typically get caught out in it and then everyone gets backed up.
I thought I was through unscathed when an ignorant Quebecois cabby decides he moving over!
WTF!
He was actually side by side with me, not ahead of me but still the dumbass just turned the wheels and moved over, no lights, no passengers, no rush, just a cut and run!
He did get the “F U” horn!
Before starting in my IT career, I worked about 14 years for courier and trucking and for about 9 of those years, I drove delivery. No accidents or incidents and even received a safe driver award, so…I kind of consider myself to at least be a capable driver.
The Ottawa River Parkway is a 4-lane scenic parkway along the Ottawa River and is my preferred route to get downtown. It has a posted speed limit of 60 km/h but we all seem to do 70 k!
This particular morning, some dumbass came flying through traffic, cutting lanes and generally being an ass and when he got to me, laid on the horns, giving me the “get the #$%^ out of the way you slow #$%^”!
Huh! WTF!
I was already speeding along, 10 k over the limit and this dumbass gives me that! The ensuing verbal barrage was a great distraction from the building downtown traffic!
I was hoping dude would be caught up in the road work congestion so I could give the “F U” horn on the way past but it was not to be! Nor was my driving excitement done just yet either! Coming off the Portage Bridge from Gastineau, the lanes kind of merge together but during rush hour, traffic is pretty crazy here. Usually, the drivers from Quebec run the lights to get through the intersection and typically get caught out in it and then everyone gets backed up.
I thought I was through unscathed when an ignorant Quebecois cabby decides he moving over!
WTF!
He was actually side by side with me, not ahead of me but still the dumbass just turned the wheels and moved over, no lights, no passengers, no rush, just a cut and run!
He did get the “F U” horn!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Kids and school.
My kids are going back to school today.
I called yesterday to talk with them; they are apprehensive about it but both are playing it down! They are dealing with it very well. I guess, in part, they are excited, looking forward to seeing their friends and all that, (although I don’t think they will admit to wanting to go back to school).
I find I am anxious for them both, doubly so I think. It’s hard for me - I am not there. They are heading out with their new clothes, supplies, and stories of summer; and the excitement and energy only a child can contain, and I am here, probably as excited as they are but with nowhere to direct it! I know they will have a good first day on their own, but I’d like to be sharing it with them – it’s a big day!
My thoughts are with them – I’ll call them again this evening.
I called yesterday to talk with them; they are apprehensive about it but both are playing it down! They are dealing with it very well. I guess, in part, they are excited, looking forward to seeing their friends and all that, (although I don’t think they will admit to wanting to go back to school).
I find I am anxious for them both, doubly so I think. It’s hard for me - I am not there. They are heading out with their new clothes, supplies, and stories of summer; and the excitement and energy only a child can contain, and I am here, probably as excited as they are but with nowhere to direct it! I know they will have a good first day on their own, but I’d like to be sharing it with them – it’s a big day!
My thoughts are with them – I’ll call them again this evening.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Watch for the Finger, horn doesn't work!
I'm currently looking for a new car, (well, new to me anyway), and I've looked at quite a few lately but none have this particular option that I just got have!
I want a car with optional signal lights! I know they're around, I see them all over the city!
I want a car with optional signal lights! I know they're around, I see them all over the city!
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