Another teen high speed multiple fatality.

[Dean80Z28]

I've also noticed kids in nice cars that their parents GAVE them are the ones driving like a-holes and crashing. My first car was given to me and it was a 93 saturn, just so that I'd have something to drive until I could afford my own car.

Notice he says that kids aren't mature enough or drive until they're 18 or whatever... yet he still allows his son to get a liscence and BUYS HIM A LEXUS!! What a moron!!!

[NJSpeed]

Tracks also arent free not everyone can affoard 20 bucks each night he wants to go racing + the gas u use to go to the track and race. Im 17 im on my 3rd F-body and i bought them all myself and no i dont crash them i just keep steping up to a better car. Alot of my friends cant afford to shell out the cash to go racing a few times a week to get the petrol out of there blood If there was a national Autobahn type road i think it would cut down a little on people driving like morons in crowded areas but Street racing will never go away its been around for ever.

[markd79ta]

Originally posted by NJSpeed
Tracks also arent free not everyone can affoard 20 bucks each night he wants to go racing + the gas u use to go to the track and race. Im 17 im on my 3rd F-body and i bought them all myself and no i dont crash them i just keep steping up to a better car. Alot of my friends cant afford to shell out the cash to go racing a few times a week to get the petrol out of there blood If there was a national Autobahn type road i think it would cut down a little on people driving like morons in crowded areas but Street racing will never go away its been around for ever.

Where are you conducting these races? Is there other cars that could collide with you or your opponent? Are there pedestrians who may or may not see you or your opponent coming? Are there children walking or riding bikes on the side of the road? Are there buildings or homes that an out-of-control car could collide with and kill somebody inside? If any of these questions are answered with a yes, then it is a horrible risk to take. A catastrophe may only occur 1 out of 99 times, but do you want to be a part of that one? This teenager in this story didn't think about this. There are probably grand-children who lost a grand-father. This man's kids who lost their father. And, these three kids who will not see another tomorrow all because this boy didn't ask these four questions before he drove like a maniac. There needs to be some measure of respect for people who are innocent bystanders going about their business who are not a aware of the racing contest or demonstration of speed.

[Benm109]

Street racing has always been a problem and it will always probably be a problem. Every generation has a movie like "Fast and Furious" and it makes everyone want to race their cars on the street. What do you think "American Graffiti" made people want to do after they saw it? You'd think by now people would realize that speed kills, though. Although, I think thats why you don't see 70 year olds driving Corvettes and gunnin' it around every corner, their smarter and more mature than the younger crowd.

I'm 18, and I got my license when I first turned 18. I decided to wait and I thank myself and my mom for making me wait. Too many drivers on the road are way too young or immature to be behind the wheel of a 2 ton killing machine. I own a F-body, it's not real fast (305 TBI), but I admit I have done things I shouldn't have, very stupid things, and have pushed my car to its limits a couple of times although I know I shouldn't. I'm not sure what makes me want to do this but I still try to be careful (I know that sounds wierd). Every one likes to see what their car can do, but if you're going to do it, just please be careful, mature, and if you can, do it at the track.

[Dean80Z28]

I think Ben said that pretty well. I'm the same age and have done stupid things, but as "safely as possible" also.. I know what you mean man.

[Mixedpuppy]

Everyday in an ER man

This happens often in ERs all over the US and it is bad as it ever was. The age is typical. A high School film doesn't do justic eto these scenarios. Ask a local coroner if he had any traffic fatalities. I doubt he will let your children see the body but it is testimony as to the power of what high speeds can do to a human body.

[thomas]

You know this is probably one of the toughest sujucts to discuss. The problem we face is that everyone has done it. We are all guilty to some degree. I am a Delaware fire fighter so I know and have seen what can become of these situations but I myself have done things in my car when I was younger that I should never have done and am suprised that I am still alive! I have barried the spedo a couple times on video. It is something I now will never condone. It scares me to relive it through my mind. What if this, what if that........ I still street race every now and then and I know its not really the right thing to do. But if you do there has to be some type of saftey involved. I know its a contradiction(racing, saftey) but 90 on a saecluded back road is a heck of alot safer than 90 in a 35 resid. area. Residentual area is just plane old stupid. 90mph in a 35!!! What kind of f#$%@! idiot does that? I have no remorse or respect for that kind of person. And who drives a Lexus at the age of 16?! You know its nice for there parents to what to give them everything but make them work for it. Let them learn what it is to work so hard for something and finally get it. That will help them learn to appreciate things and life a little more. But that is just my 0.2 cents not that its worth anything. I love my f-body and will always love the power, speed, recognition that stem from these cars but with that does come a great responsibility with it. The second you dont respect it IT WILL KILL YOU. These people must learn that. sorry for the long post guys.

[Dave M]

For a lot of guys (and it's usually guys) it comes down to ego, pride, and lack of maturity/experience. The male ego is a fragile thing and a lot of us feel the need to defend one's honor or to prove that we can build a better/faster car than the next guy. Of course pride, no one likes to lose or be seen as chicken (the other guy doesn't usually see you as "safe", just chicken). And the lack of maturity/experince. Boys will be boys, so to speak. Older guys have been there, done that, got the t-shirt and don't feel like they have anything to prove anymore. They know what they're made of, and what their car is capable of and don't feel the need to prove it. They also have the maturity and restraint (most of the time) to take it to the track to get it out of their system.

I think the females into street racing (primarily I've found it to be the rice scene) do so because it's "cool", and as a way to hang out/kill time. Not for the above reasons.

And of course, the first time you've tried it, there's that incredible adrenaline rush that's very addictive. In the face of that adrenaline, risks can become forgotten or seemingly smaller. The young male mind is an odd creature.

I am not afraid to admit that I partake in the occasional race. But never is it done when other vehicles are around. Nor on a surface street. My only races have been on the highway, and I always shut it down before approaching traffic. Some people simply don't have the restraint to do that. I don't have the restraint to not race completely, and some go further than me, racing wherever and whenever the opportunity presents itself. There are people that beat their wives, rape women, and kill people. They don't have the ability step back and take a rational view of what they're doing. The racing is very similar. In the moment, some don't have that ability to hold back, especially since, until you experience the pain and loss associated with racing, they're very hard to take seriously.


*DISCLAIMER* Obviously, there are people who street race that are young, old, male, female, white, black, purple. The above is my belief why the majority of street/highway racing takes place.

[Nightrage]

My grandpa is a mortician and he tells me about this stuff sometimes. He's been in the business for ages and he says it's something you can never become callous to. Just last week he had a 20 year old kid that was in a motorcycle accident and he seemed pretty depressed about it. I'm 18 and hoping to get a 4th gen Formula or Trans Am in the near future but i sure as hell wouldn't beat on the thing. I know kids that have done 140+ in their cars and they're the "cool" pot head drinker kids (and jocks). The fastest i've ever gone was 70 (i never knowingly travel faster than the posted speed limit) and that's because my Monte Carlo has a habit of accelerating without you being aware of it. Fortunately, i've never been in an accident or gotten a ticket and i hope to keep it that way.

[Dave M]

Nightrage, I think it's great that a young guy like yourself has the restraint to stay at the speed limit. I hope, for your sake, you can keep that restraint when you have the power of a 4th gen f-body under your pants. A lot of people before you said "I won't race it", then when they feel the power and handling the car is capable of that thought recedes quickly to the back of the mind. Driving these cars fast is simply fun, and it can be hard not too. I hope you always remember the stories your grandfather has told you.

And remember, just because you're driving the speed limit doesn't mean you're safe. There are a lot of other people out on the road. Obeying the speed limit is only a small part of being safe. Paying attention is the key. Learning to be actively involved in your driving, and not a passive participant, will keep you alive much longer than just "driving the speed limit." I have a favorite saying that I believe, for the most part, is true. Speed doesn't kill, stupidity does. You can be perfectly safe driving at 100 mph, and reckless at 50. Road and traffic/weather conditions and driver experience/ability are the key factors in safety (with an emphasis on the latter).

Be safe.

[Nightrage]

I have an 88 Formula but it's got a 305 so the difference in power between that and an LT1 is night and day. I'm sure i'll want to accelerate fast every so often but still, if i get so much as one ticket, i won't be able to afford this car. Sure it's a thrill to go fast but i look at the power like a loaded gun. Sure you can use it but are you prepared to suffer the consequences?

[markd79ta]

Originally posted by Dave M
Speed doesn't kill, stupidity does. You can be perfectly safe driving at 100 mph, and reckless at 50. Road and traffic/weather conditions and driver experience/ability are the key factors in safety (with an emphasis on the latter).

To some extent...yes. but the stakes go up considerably at high speeds. The conditions and the type of vehicle matter a great deal. The condition of the vehicle does make a huge difference: roll cages, TIRES, brakes, etc. However, most street cars disintegrate when they lose control and wreck when traveling over a 100mph...most light trucks or SUVs should never go over 80 regardless of skill. Skill maters a great deal, but the best of the best loss control. The best of the best die like our beloved late Dale Earnhardt regardless of how well the car is engineered. It is a risk...no matter how good the driver is. ...at least at designated speed limits in populated or high traffic areas, there is at least a chance of stopping or walking away from a low speed collision. I think we all have the choice to make that risk with our own life...just nobody else's. Accidents happen when we follow the rules for whatever reason...there is nothing we can do about that. However, losing a loved one because of stupid irresponsibility is not easily forgivable.

On a related note, I was watering my grass between 10:30 and 11:00 last night. In that time, I heard three street races within earshot of my house...probably within a mile radius. ...NOT Cool!!! This jerk who owns a TT Supra, neighbor's friend who was running that thing at insane speeds in my neighborhood the last couple of nights during daylight hours with kids still out and about (so close as he went between my house and another neighbor's house). My neighbor's kids often lose their ball in my yard which means crossing the street to retrieve it. Well, at 80+, it is very unlikely that this yahoo would see a kid or stop in time. I am calling the police the next time he is out...my neighbor's friend or not...I hope they nail him to the wall when they catch him.

[markd79ta]

Originally posted by Nightrage
I have an 88 Formula but it's got a 305 so the difference in power between that and an LT1 is night and day. I'm sure i'll want to accelerate fast every so often but still, if i get so much as one ticket, i won't be able to afford this car. Sure it's a thrill to go fast but i look at the power like a loaded gun. Sure you can use it but are you prepared to suffer the consequences?

...that was the reality for me when I started driving my muscle cars. If I got tickets or accidents, my car was bye bye...couldn't afford the insurance. Actually, this still holds true for me today. I have the cars I have because my insurance is so low from years of responsible driving. One screw up, and the collectors policy is gone.

[Nightrage]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by markd79ta
[B]most light trucks or SUVs should never go over 80 regardless of skill.
I'm not trying to sound sexist but i've noticed that women are TERRIBLE at driving SUV's. I have to travel for about a half hour on the parkway to get to my girlfriends house and it never fails, i always get cut off my at least 2 women in an SUV of some sort tearing down the road doing at least 75. My girlfriends mom has a Nissan Pathfinder and she takes turns WAAAAAAYYYYYY too fast. There are some wicked turns out by her and her mom takes them at around 40. Hell, i wouldn't even dream of doing that and my Monte Carlo is a lot lower to the ground and probably has far less of a chance of flipping.
Another odd thing that i've noticed is that these cars with those irritating blue headlights (such as the ones on the new Infinities) never fail to speed. I swear under penalty of never driving an F- body that i have never seen a car with those headlights doing the speed limit.

[NJSpeed]

I think its kinda of funny how we all say (including myself) we street race as safe as possible like only on highways and not near residential areas i bet most of these accidents you hear about the people involved say the same thing "Id never race there thats just unsafe" its easy to say now but sometimes pride, self respect,money what ever your poison is gets the best of you. Just something to think about next time we ALL say ID NEVER do that.

Dont take this the wrong way i dont mean its actually funny that people get into accidents