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Re: Proposed Government Driving Restrictions!
In article <3um8q7$jjd@news.cais.com>, elandau@cais2.cais.com (Eric
Landau) wrote:
> CVC411 (cvc411@aol.com) wrote:
>
> : • Increase CAFE Standards: Raise government fuel economy
> : requirements for passenger cars to 45 mile per gallon and 34 mpg for
> : pickups, vans, minivans and sport utility vehicles. Absent any technology
> : breakthroughs, the government would be forcing consumers into much
> : smaller, less safe vehicles with reduced performance. Most models would
> : have to come without popular options such as air conditioning and
> : four-wheel drive.
>
> History suggests that absent increased CAFE standards there won't be any
> technology breakthroughs.
Sad but true. Unfortunately there may not be any breakthroughs even *with*
higher CAFE standards. Fuel economy can certainly be increased, but
indefinitely? I doubt it. One day, the CAFE standards will be raised to
the point where it *cannot* be done. Many politicians seem to forget that
wishing (or legislating) don't make it so.
Re safety, I would humbly suggest that perhaps in most cases the driver's
actions have a greater bearing on safety than does the size of the
vehicle.
> I love those big comfy gas-guzzlers too,
I don't. Even the powerful ones handle like pigs and are a pain to park,
and I don't find them all that comfy; a car seat should *not* feel like a
couch. Those popular 4WD trucklets (why aren't they subject to the guzzler
tax?) add the insult of blocking everyone else's vision. Even a minivan
driver can't see over/around the minivan in front of him.
> but I wouldn't want to see my
> kids forced to buy all their gas from the Ayatollah.
They will, just as you and I do :-(
---
Chris jchill@gueuze.dgsys.com
Think I need another cup of depresso...
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