HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost)
Subject: Re: Laser Detectors - How do they work?
Organization: CenterLine Software, Inc.
Distribution: rec
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 13:18:27 GMT

f4ax@vax5.cit.cornell.edu writes:
>> Also most lasers also use two speed checks (four dist) so that an error will be displayed if they try and "paint" your car!

>Ok, so does this mean that they have to clock you twice to get your speed?
>If it does, what kind of protection would a laser detector offer you?  How 
>long are the intervals from being zapped the first time to the second?
>Would it be ample time to slow down?

The laser gun pulses quite a number of times in under a second and
then uses the responses it gets back to calculate a vector.  If it
fired only twice (particularly if the firings were widespread
timewise) it would be *really* unreliable, especially since you can't
count on every pulse getting a return.  You could not possibly slow
down between the pulses, although it can take awhile before the gun
starts getting reliable returns back from the car -- so even if you're
being directly illuminated you're not necessarily caught yet.  Of
course, if you slam on the brakes the cop can (and IMHO should) stop
you for driving dangerously.

jim frost
jimf@centerline.com
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan)
Subject: Re: Who gets to buy a sports car?
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 17:59:22 GMT


In article <1992Jul17.173301.25739@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> jrd@po.CWRU.Edu (John R. Daker) writes:
>
>
>I am proposing a new law to determine what kind of car a person can
>buy.  For example, it really pisses me off to see some uptight, poser
>in a 1992 Corvette Convertible who pulls away from a red light slower
>than the 1976 rusted out Chevy Malibu and then proceeds to let traffic
>whiz around him and get stuck behind him while he talk on the damned
>cellular phone.

Although patently stupid and obnoxious, the cell phone has nothing to do
with the Vette driver's speed. It's a fact of American driving life that
the actual speed your car will be capable of travelling is inversely
proportional to how fast it LOOKS as though it will travel to a cop.
Translated into layman's terms, this means that Vettes, Porsches,
Mustangs, and other cars with triple digit top speed capability get
hassled by the cops so often that their drivers are usually forced to
drive 25MPH at all times just to be safe (and sometimes even that
doesn't help).
From: nicos@cs.bu.edu (Nicos Kontopoulos)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Accommodations at Lime Rock Park, CT
Date: 27 Jul 92 00:55:08 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Computer Science Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
Originator: nicos@csa


I am going to be spending a couple of days in Lime Rock Park, CT next
week and I would appreciate some information about accommodations from
people that have been there (it is my first time...)

Since I am making this trip alone and will not have too much time to spend
in the area, I'd be more interested in a cheap but decent place, as opposed
to a very nice but more expensive one...


Thanks in advance,


-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Nicos Kontopoulos                             Voice: (617) 787-1780
   INTERnet: nicos@cs.bu.edu                    BITnet: ecolpqc@buacca
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: dos@major.panix.com (Dave O'Shea)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Who gets to buy a sports car?
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 92 23:21:13 EDT
Organization: Surely you jest

kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup) writes:

> >I believe the poster who said these rantings are a release for some who 
> >really, really, really want a sports car, but can't have one.
> 
> Please explain what my Merkur XR4Ti is. (No points for "Subject to frequent
> breakdowns". A whole lot of Brit and I-tal-yun sports cars beat mine to that.

They couldn't figure out a name, and someone slammed their hand on a 
keyboard in frustration: h2f5T asdfX4% XR4Ti #r&H5. Lo and behold.

--
55: It's not a good idea - it's just the law.
The country needs them more than ever: Bill 'n' Opus in '92!
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: csroach@eng.clemson.edu (Shane Roach)
Subject: Re: Alternatives to AAA?
Organization: Clemson University
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 17:15:45 GMT

From article <1992Jul31.125451.12728@cbnewse.cb.att.com>, by waco@cbnewse.cb.att.com (john.l.broughton):
> 
>>I've been less than thrilled with AAA for some time, especially
>>in light of their reputation as an auto insurance company. I
>>switched my auto insurance to Kemper several years ago, but I 
>>am still a member of the AAA auto club, primarily to have
>>emergency road service.
>>
>>Are there other large, well-established auto clubs offering
>>this kind of service throughout the U.S.?
>>
> I have belonged to the Amoco Motor Club for many years.  In my personal
> opinion it offers better services at a much better rate than does AAA
> (to which I did belong at one time).  Emergency road service is just one
> reason to belong to a motor club; most insurance companies provide
> towing service coverage.
> 
> One of my main reasons for belonging is that the club provides a up to $1,000
> guaranteed arrest bond*.  My insurance company provides something like $50.00.
> 
> You may get information from the club by calling 1-800-334-3300.
> 
Citibank offers a similar thing to their credit card customers.  Sorry, don't
know a number to call off the top of my head.


Shane Roach
csroach@eng.clemson.edu


Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: ashaw@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (andrew.shaw)
Subject: Re: Who gets to buy a sports car?
Organization: AT&T
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 16:47:00 GMT

From article <1992Jul20.231623.16230@uwm.edu>, by naze@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Daniel J Naze):
>>>>> Nope-- the Sentra is much too nice a car for anyone who doesn't
>>>>> appreciate cars-- the bottom of the line ought to be a Hyundai Excel
>>>>> (or similiarly-unpowered car)
>>>>
>>>>I resent that!  Getting an Excel up to 70 does make you appreciative.
>>> 
>>> Yeah, of the long downgrade :-)
>>> 
>>And the tailwind...
>>
> 
>   Have any of you people ever driven an excel???????  My wife has a '91  
> Excel SE, and I like it, SO THERE!!  With 85 hp, it's got more than my
> 86 Mazda pickup, and it's kind of fun to drive as well. I have a mint cond.
> mid-engine Fiat too, so I know what great handling (and maybe underpowered)
> car s are about.  OBVIOUSLY, you all drive Ferraris, NSX's, Z's, 'vettes,
> etc. huh?  I doubt it.
> 
>  The car cruises easily and quietly at 75 mph(EVEN WITH A HEADWIND) and 
> still delivers 38 mpg. The engine pulls to 6000 no problem, and for those
> who don't know, the engine is a Mistsubishi.  I've blown off people on
> ramps and at stoplights in supposedly better cars too........ SO FLAME ON! 
> 
> P.S.  A Hyandai Scoup won in showroom stock at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb 
>       July 4, driven by Rod Millen.  Same chassis and engine as an Excel.

The model year must make a big difference.  *My* wife's '89 Excel
is nothing to brag about.  Sure, I've blown people away at stoplights
but that has more to do with driving than car.  I've been blown
away by UPS trucks in turn, even though I was trying.

Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving,rec.autos
From: kk@mcnc.org (Krzysztof A. Kozminski)
Subject: Re: Another lying police incedent...
Organization: MCNC Center for Microelectronics, RTP, NC
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 13:03:21 GMT

In article <1992Jul19.180246.5039@cbfsb.cb.att.com> ashaw@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (andrew.shaw) writes:
>From article <1992Jul18.192840.9900@Celestial.COM>, by bill@Celestial.COM (Bill Campbell):
>> I believe that it just as illegal for the cop to be driving over
>> the speed limit as it is for a civilian unless they have their
>> red/blue lights on.  Thus one could argue "Well the nice
>> policeman must be obeying the law and his speedometer is
>> calibrated so mine must be wrong....."
>
>If I were the judge and heard "I was driving in the left lane,
>passing people, and then the policeman passed me, so I figured
>that not only was my speedometer wrong, but also that everybody
>else was driving *way* below the speed limit, so I decided to
>speed up and follow the policeman, rather than cease driving
>with suspected defective equipment, and then I thought maybe he
>was going too fast after all, so I dived into the right lane",
>I would have trouble keeping a straight face.

The proper argument is: "when my speedometer was showing 55*), everybody was
passing me**), including a police car which was NOT in emergency/pursuit,
hence since he was supposed to obey the same law, and his speedometer
is calibrated ... etc"

*)  ... or whatever the speed limit is ...
**) ... in 95% of highway traffic situations obviously true ...

>Further, advancing the argument that the police are not allowed
>to speed without lights indicates a fairly sophisticated view of
>the traffic statutes.

You gotta be kidding or your standards of sophistication are unusually
low.  Like the concept of 'everybody being equal under the law' was
never discussed in the elementary school...

KK
-- 
Kris Kozminski   kk@mcnc.org
"55 saves lives. 110 saves twice as much"
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: dan@Ingres.COM (Daniel J. Dick)
Subject: Re: Men and Women drivers :-)
Organization: Ingres, an ASK Company, Alameda CA 94501
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3
Date: 21 Jul 92 15:45:05 GMT

00124961@ysub.ysu.edu (Chris Kuner) writes:
: In article <1992Jul20.181647.3237@pony.Ingres.COM>
: dan@Ingres.COM (Daniel J. Dick) writes:
:  
 . .
: >
: >Now that we have a little one on the way, I've slowed down and required
: >seat belts, and I refuse to drive overly fast on the way to work.  I just
: >let the racers speed ahead and think what they want.  However, as slow as
: >I drive at this time, my wife still grabs my hand or knee at times and asks
: >me to slow down.
: >
: >I guess we're turning into our parents!
: >
: >              Dan
: Just don't follow them into old age.  Hell hath no fury like me behind some
: otherwise nice elderly couple out for a Sunday drive in the middle of the
: week when I have to get to work.
:  

True.  My attitude now is more like one that is more along the lines of
going with the traffic, being courteous and respectful to other drivers,
don't slow down folks or ram your nose up the slow ones, and when you see
a driver who feels he's got the fastest Nash Metropolitain in the world,
let him go on his way thinking whatever he wants.  Winning the race on a
public road is not worth the risk.  It's smarter to know the difference
between a road for transportation and a race track.  After all, I've never
seen a loaded pickup traveling along the Indianapolis race track, so why
should I expect to travel 120+ over the freeway?

: Chris "drive safely, but in the vicinity of the speed limit" Kuner.
: 00124961@ysub.ysu.edu

Yeah!!!

  Dan

Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: csroach@eng.clemson.edu (Shane Roach)
Subject: Re: Who gets to buy a sports car?
Organization: Clemson University
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 17:33:33 GMT

From article <1992Jul21.004845.13968@fivegl.co.nz>, by derek@fivegl.co.nz (Derek Tearne):
> 
>>Or the over-makeupped rich-*itch who trundles down to the mall in her
>>spanking new and professionally maintained Ferrari 308GTS and waits
>                   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^ 
>>around to park it in the space closest to the door.
> 
> You mean you would buy a car with that many cylinders and that many valves
> and all those funny materials and esoteric components and _maintain it 
> YOURSELF_  Sheesh...
>  
What's so intimidating about eight measly cylinders?  And since when is that  
aluminum stuff a "funny material"?

> No, these cars should be driven by careful considerate drivers who only 
> explore limits on open roads with no traffic or ( even better ) on private
> roads.  Perhaps the Corvette driver who is conservative in traffic is trying
> to preserve his/her cherished car which he/she has saved up for years for. 
> They are probably uptight because they don't want the 76 Malibu too close.
> Rust is like Aids - it transfers itself to your car if the other car 
> penetrates the paint... and once you've got rust it will _never_ go away.
> 
The Corvette driver is staying away from the rusted '76 Malibu because he's
scared of rust?  Then he for damn sure doesn't deserve that car.  Corvettes
have always had fiberglass bodies, Derek.  Ever since Number 1 back in 1953.

> Derek Tearne  derek@icl.co.nz or derek@fivegl.co.nz --Fujitsu SDC,Auckland,NZ
  
Shane Roach
csroach@eng.clemson.edu
From: lewin@brokaw.lcs.mit.edu (Jonathan Lewin)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Speeding ticket
Date: 25 Jul 92 00:53:57 GMT
Distribution: rec
Organization: MIT Laboratory for Computer Science


Hi.  I just got a speeding ticket in Massachusetts,
and I had no idea that I could argue it.  Could
anyone with experience in Mass. e-mail me advice,
tips?  Thanks.

Oh, my experience with intermittent radar is that,
if you're in a fairly heavy traffic stream, the cop
will be flicking it on and off fairly regularly,
and all of a sudden (at least on my Passport) the 
detector goes beserk, and then falls silent, pretty
much identifying the problem. It's just important
not to assume that there is some source of local
interference nearby.
Organization: Washington University, St. Louis
Date:         Tue, 28 Jul 92 09:19:37 CST
From:         JMARTIN@WUVMD
To:           NETNEWS@WUVMD
Subject:      Re: Z Car vs. M3
Newsgroups:   rec.autos.driving

Why the Dodge Stealth???

What about the 3000GT??

Isn't the 300Z in a high level of performance/ luxury?????

Surely the M3 has a Dodge beat any day!

Joe Martin
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: kev@osf.org (Kevin Till)
Subject: How to fight this ticket in MA ( not speeding)
Keywords: traffic ticket
Organization: Open Software Foundation
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 14:58:50 GMT


	Hi,
	This morning I was driving to a intersection and the trafiic light
started to turn red when I was 1/4 pass the intersection. I yielded to a
vehicle on the opposite side to let him finish his left turn. And there was second
vehicle ready making his left turn. I didn't yield for him cause I thought
I should be clear of the intersection. Man, he made the left turn anyway and
both of us stopped at the intersection ,then I realized it was a 
State Police Car.

	He instructed me to pull over and give me a citation:
		"Failure to yield at intersection;
		Cut off vehicle making left turn
		and cut off police vehicle making turn."

	Although the fine is only $35.00, there will be heavy insurance surcharge for the next 3 years. I don't think I violated any traffic rule, I may have made a mistake by not yielding to a police vehicle though. Moreover, I suspect that he made the turn after the traffic light turned red.

	Do I have the right of the way in that situation? Should I appeal? If 
yes, what should I say in the court?
Please help!!

	Thanks !
PS. the incident happened in Quincy, Massachusetts. And the violation is of
    Chapter 89 section 9, what does that section say??		

Kevin "with clean driving record sofar" Till	

kev@osf.org
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: ratter@b8.ingr.com (Ray Ratte)
Subject: Re: Choosing anti-theft device
Summary: Choosing anti-theft device
Organization: Intergraph
Distribution: rec
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 19:10:59 GMT

I need some help choosing an anti-theft device for my wife's '89 Cougar.

I read in consumer reports that the CLUB is no longer recommended because

the steering wheel can be cut to remove it.  What I am considering are;

engine disablers  or _super_nuts wheel protection_ which I know nothing about.

Any comments and recommendations would be appreciated.

Thank you
 _ __                _ __
' )  )              ' )  )     _/_ _/_
 /--' __.  __  ,     /--' __.  /   /  _
/  \_(_/|_/ (_/_    /  \_(_/|_<___<__</_
             /
            '
Ray Ratte @ Intergraph Huntsville
ray@rayr.b25.ingr.com.




Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: jrd@po.CWRU.Edu (John R. Daker)
Subject: Re: Who gets to buy a sports car?
Reply-To: jrd@po.CWRU.Edu (John R. Daker)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 92 16:47:39 GMT


In a previous article, derek@fivegl.co.nz (Derek Tearne) says:

>In article <1992Jul17.173301.25739@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> jrd@po.CWRU.Edu (John R. Daker) writes:
>>
>>I am proposing a new law to determine what kind of car a person can
>>buy.  For example, it really pisses me off to see some uptight, poser
>>in a 1992 Corvette Convertible who pulls away from a red light slower
>>than the 1976 rusted out Chevy Malibu and then proceeds to let traffic
>>whiz around him and get stuck behind him while he talk on the damned
>>cellular phone.
>>it.  Yeah, that's the ticket.  
>

>Sounds to me like you are the _last_ person who should be given such a 
>permit.  Having a sports car doesn't give you the right to drive recklessly
>etc. etc.   The permits for a desirable car should include how many accidents

Sound to me like you should KISS MY ASS!  Did I say that owning a sports
car entitles yo to drive like a Derek?  No.  Now if yo think owning a
sports car makes you drive like some post-pubescent teen-ager in a 
jacked up Camaro, then that's YOUR FU**ING PROBLEM.
>
>What pisses me off is to see a crashed and burned Lotus Esprit or Jaguar 
>E-type or some rare classic car - destroyed for ever by some fly-boy
>who thought he was gods gift... Like the guy who crashed his brand new
>Porsche 959 45 minutes after picking it up from Stuttgart!
>
>roads.  Perhaps the Corvette driver who is conservative in traffic is trying
>to preserve his/her cherished car which he/she has saved up for years for. 

Or maybe he's some over-the-hill rich old fart who can afford a new way
to pick up blonde bimbos with bigger bra sizes then I.Q.'s.

>There are _lots_ of small Honda commutacars around out there for you Mr 
>Daker. So I'm sure you won't have to wait to long for the car you deserve.


Yes, Derek Tearne, there are "_lots_" of small Honda commutacars out
there.  But they're not for me.  I'll just settle for my Audi Quattro and
Ducati for now.

Alas, now I am depressed.  To have it verified that being a loud-mouthed,
over bearing, self-important ego-maniac is not partial to the United
States.  It seems to be a world wide epidemic.  The end is nigh for all.

Oh, and go to the nearby drug store and get a sense of humor.
-- 
...............................DarkMan..................................
Trying to think of something profound to put here.  Also available for
advertisements at a reasonable cost.                       DoD# 650
From: jwc@netxcom.netx.com (Jeff Comer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Front license plates
Date: 30 Jul 92 17:18:00 GMT
Organization: The Chaos Bobs

mperlman@nyx.cs.du.edu (Marshal "Airborne" Perlman) writes:
>the cop stopped me at the intersection (they have a little command post
>set up to get rid of 'cruisers')...and said "you need your front plate by law.
>I told him..new car..look (at registration in window)... and he said..
>SORRY..and let me go..I later found out..they sit there with a computer..and if
>your car comes by 4 times (i think) in an hour..you are leagally crusing...
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Another illegal, unconstitutional law.... Geez, when will our so-called
elected representatives learn?? Has anyone actually been charged under this 
piece of trash legislation?

>but then agian..just say "HI..WE'RE DUMB AND LOST"

I have been running without the required front tags in Virginia for 6 years 
now. I was only stopped once by some yahoo on a pouring-down-rainy-day, who 
obviously had nothing better to do. I told him I had the car for many years 
and that the bracket for the front tags had rusted away and subsequent 
attempts to lash the tag to the bumper had failed. He let me go. (btw, all 
of what I told the ossifer was true) I had no tag in the front window, and 
the ossifer commented on that.

Personally, I hate tags on the front of cars. I just think they look very
ugly. None of the states south of here (at least on the coast) have front 
tags. As for the photo radar, I know I would risk the license plate rap 
for the speeding ticket: missing tags are *not* moving violations, do not 
cost points, are not reported to the insurers.

The big disadvantage to running without the tag is that it gives any road
slugs an opening to pull you over; that is, he now has probable cause 
since you are not in full compliance with the law (assuming your state 
requires the front tags). I have gone through the highly illegal road 
"blocks" (read: checkpoints) where they eyeball your car as it travels
through the flares at 2mph. I've had a few road slugs comment on the 
missing tags, but nothing threatening.

But the engineers who set up the photo guns must know there are many cars
which do not have the front tags for one reason or another. Why wouldn't
they set up the cameras to point to the *rear* ends of the cars? They're
prettier, anyway.... q:-)

---
Jeffrey W Comer * jwc@netx.com * 703-749-2369 (v) * 703-749-2375 (fax)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
From: jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost)
Subject: Re: How to fight this ticket in MA ( not speeding)
Keywords: traffic ticket
Organization: CenterLine Software, Inc.
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 14:45:52 GMT

kev@osf.org (Kevin Till) writes:
>	He instructed me to pull over and give me a citation:
>		"Failure to yield at intersection;
>		Cut off vehicle making left turn
>		and cut off police vehicle making turn."

He's at fault, I'd fight the ticket.  Unless your light was red you
have the right-of-way at such an intersection unless his lights were
on.  He didn't yield right-of-way as he should.  Since the ticket
doesn't mention that the police vehicle had its lights on and does
mention that it was making the turn you should be all set.  I'd look
up the statutes before I went in to prove your point.

As always, I'm not a lawyer.

jim frost
jimf@centerline.com
From: dos@major.panix.com (Dave O'Shea)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Who gets to buy a sports car?
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 92 18:12:49 EDT
Organization: Surely you jest

ashaw@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (andrew.shaw) writes:

> >>> Nope-- the Sentra is much too nice a car for anyone who doesn't
> >>> appreciate cars-- the bottom of the line ought to be a Hyundai Excel
> >>> (or similiarly-unpowered car)
> >>
> >>I resent that!  Getting an Excel up to 70 does make you appreciative.
> > 
> > Yeah, of the long downgrade :-)
> > 
> And the tailwind...
> 

And the heavy-duty gerbils.

--
55: It's not a good idea - it's just the law.
The country needs them more than ever: Bill 'n' Opus in '92!
Xref: sparky rec.autos.driving:4592 rec.autos:18424
From: owen@asilomar.tdd.sj.nec.com (Owen DeLong x3822)
Subject: Re: Safe Driving
Organization: NEC-AM TDD, San Jose, California
Distribution: ca
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 18:41:59 GMT

>>>Remember that 55mph doesn't make the roads safe, it saves gas.
>>  ...                                                   ^^^^^^^^^
>...mileage decrease at high speed.  I seriously doubt that any car has been
>proven to get better mileage at 65-80 than 55.  Do you have any research 
>that backs this claim?
>
Actually, it isn't so much a question of proof they get better mileage.

1.	Many cars get slightly better mileage at 65-80 than at 55.
2.	Most cars today get about the same mileage at 65-75 that they
	do at 55.

If there is not significant savings at 55 then there is no justification
for the speed limit.  The burden of proof should rest on proving that there
is a significant gain in mileage at 55 vs. 65-80.  There is not, and the
speed limit should be changed!

Owen