You gotta love it...
 

Calif Bill wrote:


They should eliminate HOV lanes!!!!! They are a pox on society and energy.
Take 25-33% of the roadway and reserve it for 5% of the cars. Why is there
huge traffic jams still at 9:59am and at 10:01 am they are gone? You just
opened up the total roadway for all the people. How many people car pool
people actually car pool because of HOV lanes? The lady taking her kids to
school qualifies, but she is going to have multiple people in the car
anyway. Is a a feel good thing by people who hate cars and people. Those
same people that want to require a bike lane on the the new San Francisco -
Oakland Bay Bridge. Spend $400 million so a few can ride their bike to
work. Instead of a rack on the bus?


Boy...I thought Californians were 'progressive'!
My wife car pools with co-workers. Makes economic sense and allowed us
to get by with one vehicle for a few more years.

A few years ago we moved a narrow sidewalk to the outside of our older
harbour suspension bridge and erected a bike lane on the other side.
https://www.hdbc.ca/macdonald_thirdlane.asp

You gotta love it...
 

On Sat, 22 Apr 2006 13:39:25 GMT, Don White wrote:

Calif Bill wrote:
" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
. ..

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
rthlink.net...

"JohnH" wrote in message
m...

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 17:23:34 -0400, "RCE" wrote:


" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
...

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
news:upfi42pl2v3m1evo576ig24un6ie9i9pid@4ax .com...

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 18:48:39 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:


"Don White" wrote in message
...

Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 14:19:58 GMT, Don White

wrote:



Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:


What's the French Battle Cry?

WE SURRENDER!!!

http://tinyurl.com/ewtvo

At least in France, you can smoke a cigar with your coffee and
donuts
and non-smokers are put where they belong - in the rear of the
place
near the kitchen door. :)


Much more civilized here. We toss the smokers out on the street.
You see them all winter, pathetically huddling on the sidewalk in
front
of major federal buildings drawing on their precious cigarettes.
I've even seen patients out there dressed in the thin blue cotton
robes
and clutching their medical hardware.

I don't smoke cigarettes...

I am a civilized smoker - cigars - finest kind - Cuban cheroots...

There's a difference.

*Then again, you probably wear seatbelts...* :)

It's the law..to wear seatbelts up here!
Let's see now.....I abide by the law of the land by wearing
seatbelts..........
You smoke Cuban cigars...which I believe is still against the law
stateside???? mmmmmm!

Probably do not speed either. I believe in seatbelts, as I used to
race
cars and walked away from a couple of majestic crashes.

I don't believe in seatbelts and here's why.

Eleven years ago now, I was rear ended by a flat nosed GMC delivery
truck. He hit me so hard that my right shoulder was broken (the one
that was recently fixed), my right hip was fractured in place - all
by
the seat belts and my left shoulder was dislocated. A fire started
at
the rear of the car and I couldn't get out - I could smell the fire
and was conscious enough to try and get out but I couldn't move my
arms.

All I remember was somebody stopping and fortunately, much like me I
might add, had a bottle fire extinguisher, got the fire out and after
that I don't remember anything except for waking up in the UMASS ER.

If somebody hadn't been prepared for a real emergency, I would have
been a cripsy critter. I had to be cut out of the seatbelts I was
told later.

In my years as a volunteer Paramedic, I've seen really bad accidents
where no seat belts were worn and nary an injury except for bumps and
bruises. I've also seen as many with seat belts and nifty things like
torn aortas, various broken bones, split spleens, etc.

There is a big difference between a four/six point, tightly cinched
racing safety harness and a shoulder harness in a private car.

Don't get me started on air bags.


That may be your experience Tom but far more meaningful statistic show
otherwise. ;-)


To use or not to use seatbelts should be a voluntary, individual choice,
not
mandated by law.

RCE


Some laws are written to protect the insane, e.g. helmet laws for
motorcyclists. Without the law, some fools would actually ride without a
helmet!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

\
And also used to raise money. Buddies stopped at a diner in Oregon.
Realized they could not see the bikes from the window. Moved them 200'
to the other side of the building via the public street. TICKET as they
did not put on the helmets. Tell me that is not just to raise money for
the state?


Another anecdotal piece of *evidence*.

Some folks were fishing from a boat and were drinking Pepsi. They stopped
at a waterfront cafe to have dinner docked the boat. They had 4 beers
during dinner and realized they could not see their boat while at the
table. One of them decided to move the boat closer and was stopped by a
local officer for a sobriety test after hitting the boat in front of him.
He was ticketed for DWI.

Tell me that was not just to raise money for the State..............;-)





He hit a boat. Drastic difference than moving your bikes from one side of a
diner to the other side. In Calif, it is $371 minimum for using a car pool
lane when less than the required number in the car, or you are not using an
electric car. You think that is not for money?



Maybe a lot of people in California need to be slapped upside the head
before they'll obey traffic laws.

I'm sure they're just as bad in Virginia! Here they don't make the news
unless their 'blow-up-doll' passenger is *really* cute!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

You gotta love it...
 

On Sat, 22 Apr 2006 18:47:23 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 22 Apr 2006 04:12:12 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:

snippage


Bill, I think the purpose is to keep the a$$holes out of the HOV lanes
when
not HO'd. Personally, I wish they'd raise the fine to at least $1000 for
the first offense.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

They should eliminate HOV lanes!!!!! They are a pox on society and energy.
Take 25-33% of the roadway and reserve it for 5% of the cars. Why is there
huge traffic jams still at 9:59am and at 10:01 am they are gone? You just
opened up the total roadway for all the people. How many people car pool
people actually car pool because of HOV lanes? The lady taking her kids to
school qualifies, but she is going to have multiple people in the car
anyway. Is a a feel good thing by people who hate cars and people. Those
same people that want to require a bike lane on the the new San Francisco -
Oakland Bay Bridge. Spend $400 million so a few can ride their bike to
work. Instead of a rack on the bus?


Here the lanes are used also by a lot of buses and motorcycles, weather
permitting. We also have several places for 'slug lines', where people
park, wait in a line, and get picked up by drivers needing a passenger or
two to qualify for the HOV lanes. During rush hour, the HOV lanes are quite
busy.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

You gotta love it...
 

JohnH wrote:

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 22:53:44 GMT, Shortwave Sportfishing
wrote:


On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 22:34:49 GMT, Don White
wrote:


Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
snip..


Neither would I, but can you honestly say that you would have been
better off with a ruptured spleen, a torn aorta or your pelvis crushed
such that the femoral arteries are occluded that you lose your legs.

We had an accident here in Woodstock when I was still on the Rescue
Squad - relatively high speed (45), head on a 90 degree curve - two
occupants of one car were thrown clear - injured seriously, but alive.
The driver of the other car, with her seatbelt on, deader than a
doornail.

The cause? Alcohol. I propose that life in prison for the drunk
driver would be acceptable for murdering the other occupant.

I'm not much of a gambler. I'd only want to bet when the odds were
overwhelming in my favour. I'll take the sure bet and buckle up.

I'd bet the odds of you dying as a result of that highway accident

from incidental damages would be higher than without.

I disagree with your seatbelt stance, but I strongly agree with your
alcohol stance. I've two brothers who are retired cops. Neither would get
in a car without fastening the seat belt. Both have been involved in
hundreds of accident investigations. For me, four and a half years in
Europe (where the law is enforced!) made it habit forming.
--
'Til next time,

John H
AOur Grandfather was killed by a seat belt. It was just a fender
bender but the seqat belt caused his spleen to rupture.

You gotta love it...
 

"Don White" wrote in message
...
Calif Bill wrote:


They should eliminate HOV lanes!!!!! They are a pox on society and
energy. Take 25-33% of the roadway and reserve it for 5% of the cars.
Why is there huge traffic jams still at 9:59am and at 10:01 am they are
gone? You just opened up the total roadway for all the people. How many
people car pool people actually car pool because of HOV lanes? The lady
taking her kids to school qualifies, but she is going to have multiple
people in the car anyway. Is a a feel good thing by people who hate cars
and people. Those same people that want to require a bike lane on the
the new San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge. Spend $400 million so a few
can ride their bike to work. Instead of a rack on the bus?
Boy...I thought Californians were 'progressive'!
My wife car pools with co-workers. Makes economic sense and allowed us to
get by with one vehicle for a few more years.

A few years ago we moved a narrow sidewalk to the outside of our older
harbour suspension bridge and erected a bike lane on the other side.
https://www.hdbc.ca/macdonald_thirdlane.asp

Does she carpool because of the HOV lanes, or because it makes economic
sense?

You gotta love it...
 

Calif Bill wrote:
"Don White" wrote in message
...

Calif Bill wrote:


They should eliminate HOV lanes!!!!! They are a pox on society and
energy. Take 25-33% of the roadway and reserve it for 5% of the cars.
Why is there huge traffic jams still at 9:59am and at 10:01 am they are
gone? You just opened up the total roadway for all the people. How many
people car pool people actually car pool because of HOV lanes? The lady
taking her kids to school qualifies, but she is going to have multiple
people in the car anyway. Is a a feel good thing by people who hate cars
and people. Those same people that want to require a bike lane on the
the new San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge. Spend $400 million so a few
can ride their bike to work. Instead of a rack on the bus?

Boy...I thought Californians were 'progressive'!
My wife car pools with co-workers. Makes economic sense and allowed us to
get by with one vehicle for a few more years.

A few years ago we moved a narrow sidewalk to the outside of our older
harbour suspension bridge and erected a bike lane on the other side.
https://www.hdbc.ca/macdonald_thirdlane.asp


Does she carpool because of the HOV lanes, or because it makes economic
sense?


We don't have HOV dedicated lanes. She pays a co-worker $4.00 a day for
door to door service. To take our vehicle, bridge fare + gas alone would
exceed that figure...let alone factoring in wear & tear + costs of a
second vehicle.
Of course this has changed a bit since I added to the fleet by leasing a
Ford Ranger pickup truck end of March. Got to the point where three of
us were sharing one 11 year old mini-van and something had to give.
(real reason for lease...I needed a proper tow vehicle)

You gotta love it...
 

"Calif Bill" wrote in message news:PTu2g.11337
He hit a boat. Drastic difference than moving your bikes from one side
of a diner to the other side. In Calif, it is $371 minimum for using a
car pool lane when less than the required number in the car, or you are
not using an electric car. You think that is not for money?

Maybe a lot of people in California need to be slapped upside the head
before they'll obey traffic laws.

You obey all laws? Ever speed? The question is even if a HOV lane is
warranted most places.


It seems to me that the guy who hit the boat, should have been ticketed for
DUI and if anyone does not want to pay the $371 miniumum ticket, it is very
easy to insure you do not have to pay anyone. What is the problem?

You gotta love it...
 

"Reginald P. Smithers" ThatsMyStory.com wrote in message
. ..

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
news:PTu2g.11337 He hit a boat. Drastic difference than moving your
bikes from one side
of a diner to the other side. In Calif, it is $371 minimum for using a
car pool lane when less than the required number in the car, or you are
not using an electric car. You think that is not for money?

Maybe a lot of people in California need to be slapped upside the head
before they'll obey traffic laws.

You obey all laws? Ever speed? The question is even if a HOV lane is
warranted most places.


It seems to me that the guy who hit the boat, should have been ticketed
for DUI and if anyone does not want to pay the $371 miniumum ticket, it is
very easy to insure you do not have to pay anyone. What is the problem?


Because you have to cross the HOV lane to exit on some roads. And the law
says you can drive 225' in the lane. Now you prove you did not drive 226'
while crossing the lane. And are they warranted?

You gotta love it...
 

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 03:37:23 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:


"Reginald P. Smithers" ThatsMyStory.com wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
news:PTu2g.11337 He hit a boat. Drastic difference than moving your
bikes from one side
of a diner to the other side. In Calif, it is $371 minimum for using a
car pool lane when less than the required number in the car, or you are
not using an electric car. You think that is not for money?

Maybe a lot of people in California need to be slapped upside the head
before they'll obey traffic laws.

You obey all laws? Ever speed? The question is even if a HOV lane is
warranted most places.


It seems to me that the guy who hit the boat, should have been ticketed
for DUI and if anyone does not want to pay the $371 miniumum ticket, it is
very easy to insure you do not have to pay anyone. What is the problem?


Because you have to cross the HOV lane to exit on some roads. And the law
says you can drive 225' in the lane. Now you prove you did not drive 226'
while crossing the lane. And are they warranted?


We have that situation on I-66 west of town. There are signs posted to let
drivers know when they can start their exit.

You're right that HOV lanes can be a PITA. Maybe the law should simply be,
"All cars on the interstate during rush hour must have three people
therein."
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

You gotta love it...
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 03:37:23 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:


"Reginald P. Smithers" ThatsMyStory.com wrote in message
m...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
news:PTu2g.11337 He hit a boat. Drastic difference than moving your
bikes from one side
of a diner to the other side. In Calif, it is $371 minimum for using
a
car pool lane when less than the required number in the car, or you
are
not using an electric car. You think that is not for money?

Maybe a lot of people in California need to be slapped upside the head
before they'll obey traffic laws.

You obey all laws? Ever speed? The question is even if a HOV lane is
warranted most places.


It seems to me that the guy who hit the boat, should have been ticketed
for DUI and if anyone does not want to pay the $371 miniumum ticket, it
is
very easy to insure you do not have to pay anyone. What is the problem?


Because you have to cross the HOV lane to exit on some roads. And the law
says you can drive 225' in the lane. Now you prove you did not drive 226'
while crossing the lane. And are they warranted?


We have that situation on I-66 west of town. There are signs posted to let
drivers know when they can start their exit.

You're right that HOV lanes can be a PITA. Maybe the law should simply be,
"All cars on the interstate during rush hour must have three people
therein."
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

The law should be that if you are in any lane but the right lane and are
impeding traffic, your car will be impounded for a couple of months while
you finish drivers school.