Rant: Safty BS

Kelly · Post by **Kelly** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 10:56 am

Id like to start off by saying, I respect this forum and its members. Its a good group, and I really feel sense of community here, but.

The safety lectures gotta stop.

I feel safety is the number one concern of many of us already. This is after all a Subaru community, and not a street bike group. Its pretty much the Japaneese Volvo.

As car enthusiests, we already pay assloads more of attention behind the wheel, then probably the good majority of drivers.

Please give it a fucking rest. If your so concerned about everyones safety, then why are you modding your car in the first place? Is your turbo spooling up quicker helping the family minivan next to you?

Tleg93 · Post by **Tleg93** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:41 pm

I agree that lectures on being safe aren't needed and can be a little insulting. For one thing, it's not really going to prevent anyone from driving a certain way or doing a certain thing. It's not like anyone is going to be like "So and so on the BBS said I shouldn't do this" and then not do it, whether it's speeding or whatever. Now, I don't know what thread this thread is in reference to but there's been some times when people spoke out about things they felt were unsafe and everyone has a right to speak their mind. I'd just hope that people would know when it's time to speak up and when it's time to just say "Be careful". We all should be careful when we can.

That said, I think that some credit should be given to our ability to make decisions and our ability to decide when not to do something. In my opinion that's one big thing that's wrong with America or at least PA. The lawyers and government have made it so every little thing has to be safe. C'mon man, life is a risk!!! It makes me wonder how previous generations ever survived with all the unidentified dangers they faced each day. Fuck, 18 year olds were flying B-52's and fighter planes 50 years ago and now you can't even dive off the damn edge of the pool.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 6:06 pm

Life is no fun without some risk. Love is a risk, driving is a risk, sports are a risk, theme parks, ,,, You get the idea. Some of our brains are hardwired to reward risk. Plus if we lose a few people, oh well, there's alot more where they came from.

Not that I advocate smoking crack, putting a brick on the accelerator and trying to steer with your feet through the sunroof. I think pretty much everyone on here is intelligent enough to make the distinction between that and a short street race in a non-residential area with no one around. I'm not moddiig my car to race everyone, but occasionally will shut down someone.

Steve

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:02 pm

Just my 2 cents.... I also have noticed the overwhelming stress on safety in this forum. I think its more of a parental type concern because nobody on here wants to see anyone else get hurt. Its like when your mom or dad would lecture you to be carefull and you thought yeah whatever but you know inside they only say it because they love you and dont want you to get hurt. I think that it only shows the level of maturaty on this forum.

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:18 pm

Not knowing what thread in particular this is refering to, I have to agree with magicmike. Its better to warn someone about something just in case. Whats the real harm? I'm sure whenever anyone gives safety advice they are not assuming you don't know, it's just a friendly reminder IMO.

skid542 · Post by **skid542** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 9:01 pm

The fact is, we are all adults here ( a few lucky hs kids with nice legacy's around, bastards....

). We are the ones in charge of driving our cars how we want. I doubt there are but a few here who haven't street raced their car or taken a inner-town turn with tires squeling and engine reved. But I think Mike is right, it's a type of parental thing. We all respect each other here and simply don't want to see fellow enthusiasts hurt. That being said, drive safe but it's a Legacy...have fun too.

simonasaur · Post by **simonasaur** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 9:19 pm

I agree w/ralliteknician.

Just because someone lost there front blinkers on their track car, doesn't mean they deserve a lecture. After all we are moding cars here.

On the other hand, if little billy thinks removing his rear brakes to save weight on his daily driver will be worth the gains, we owe it to each other as humans to express concern.

In my opinion just keep it light, everyone can tell who's making snide insulting remarks, and thats not good for any forum.

Sam

Nomake Wan · Post by **Nomake Wan** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:12 am

Woot, I got called a bastard before even saying anything. XD

Anyway, I've noticed it, too... but there are certain times that call for it. For instance, there was the time that somebody started a thread about the time they were going 100 MPH on an icy road and did a 360 off the road or something like that... you've got to agree that's worth mentioning a bit of safety about.

Street Race in unoccupied non-residential area: If you want
Going 100 in a 30 on snowy/icy road: Fool-hardy

Kay? So what I mean is, the over-safety stuff is kinda annoying, but there are times when trying to hammer a little safety-oriented sense into people is called for.

That said, come on; is there anybody here that doesn't drive at least 5 over the limit normally? I'm goin' with Skid, here.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 7:24 am

I'll be the first to admit, I often give the "that's not safe" speech.

Driving 100mph on an icy road. That's just plain stupidity. Slice it however you want it, but unless you were trying to kill yourself, that cannot be construed as a good idea. Period.

But I will also suggest the following. I am not, usually, questioning the judgement of my fellow enthusiasts. I do not doubt that most of us have the intelligence and capability of controlling our cars and ourselves, and driving within the limits and constraints of both. What I DO doubt, is other people's ability to do so.

The best way I can describe this, is through example.

Today, I was driving home from work. Going about 55 or so in a 45. Not much traffic, me in the right lane, a truck 3 cars back in the center lane, and a 4Runner in the far left lane. Driving along, just minding my own business. When out of a McDonalds parking lot, pulls an oblivious person driving a Toyota Corolla, I BARELY got into the left lane before I was past her. Had there been someone in the center lane, I would have nailed the person and done some SERIOUS damage.

I can only imagine, had I been racing, or driving recklessly in inclimate weather, I would probably be in a hospital now instead of sitting here talking to you all.

I don't know about where you guys live, but here, there are some absolutely oblivious and inconsiderate drivers. I'm more worried about the incompetence of others, than you guys fucking up..

Yukonart · Post by **Yukonart** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 7:27 am

BAC5.2 wrote:I don't know about where you guys live, but here, there are some absolutely oblivious and inconsiderate drivers. I'm more worried about the incompetence of others, than you guys fucking up..

We have to dodge them daily in our new neighborhood, Phil. TOTALLY know what you're talking about.

These are the people who truly scare me.

entirelyturbo · Post by **entirelyturbo** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 7:58 am

I think rallitektech is annoyed because he doesn't think the safety speeches are being given with intentions of helping out their fellow man. A lot of these speeches have just been people talking down to the person who's being unsafe just to boost their own egos and make themselves feel smarter. That's what irritates me...

Tleg93 · Post by **Tleg93** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 7:22 pm

There's definitely a limit to what kind of risky behavior you should get into. I'm not in a spot to preach about safety because I've never been all that safe when it comes to my own self. I take care not to harm others though and I think that's what matters. As long as I'm not hurting anyone else then it's on me. Still, it's not smart to take unnecesary risks, like driving under the influence

, that goes without saying because when you drink you're not in control so you can't say with 100% certainty that you won't harm anyone else, either directly or indirectly.

I'm definitely not an innocent in this area. When I was 14 or 15 me and my buddies all owned dirtbikes and we would tear all over the mountains and stuff, engaging in very risky tricks and what not, going fast and taking chances. My one buddy and I would go to the top of the Rose Valley Hill Climb track, indulge and then fly down the track wide open, no helmets, no shirts, and messed up. It was a blast and I had a great time doing it but it was dumb from where I stand now. It took hitting a farm tractor equipped with a full set of plow blades at 65 mph to sober me up, I've been much more careful since then.

In my earlier post I was ranting about more about the safety field in general. There's safety guys at work who deal with MSDS, hazards and all that. Some of it is needed but I think it gets WAY out of hand, at least in the places I've worked. It gets so bad that if you listen to what they tell you to do (lock out tag out etc.) , it'll take you about four times longer to a simple job than it would if you just went ahead and did the work (electrical) hot.

Driving rules are dumb here, perhaps that's what gets in my craw. You can turn right on red only when it doesn't say you can't which means that every light is different and sometimes you can't see the signs that say no turn on red. Some of these spots are ridiculous too. If you look around where's it's marked no turn on red, a lot of times it's not apparent exactly why you can't. I think that inconsistency makes driving less safe, not more.

legacy92ej22t · Post by **legacy92ej22t** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 7:38 pm

I agree that the safety speeches can be annoying and uncalled for the majority of the time. Especially when someone is posting about a kill or something and get's called stupid, a menace, irresponsible or whatever for racing on something other then a closed course. I can pretty much just roll with it because I've never much cared what people think of me and am a grown man that can make decisions for myself.

The 100 mph up a blind hill on a snowy road thing was stupid though (if it even happened which I for one doubt

). In some cases I think the safety speech is warranted and also, not all our members are experienced drivers either. Some are people that just got their license and may not be able to make good decisions. I would hate to have someone go out and hurt themselves or someone else because they were trying to do something some of us more experienced drivers are doing. But at the same time I don't want to supress discussion about driving techniques and fun times smokin' ricers and shit either.

Arrghh, I'm at work and keep getting pulled away by annoying customers to do my job (who do they think they are? Haha) and I'm having a really hard time keeping my mind on track! So all of this probably only makes sense to me and I had a solid point but I don't really remember where I was going with all of this now.

Um, so ya, I think the general safety BS is better left unsaid but at the same time I think on some rare occasions it is warranted when it's genuinely out of concern for that persons safety.

On the other driver point that Phil brought up- I agree that the greater DC area has some of the worst drivers in the nation (steer clear of cars with diplomatic plates! ) but it's also one of the funnest places to drive that I've ever been around and I've lived in a lot of areas. You can't control other drivers and yes there is always a danger of someone pulling out right in front of you...Ok I'm back, damn consumers! Anyways, I for one am not going to drive around like a snail because someone may pull out in front of me someday. I also pay better attention when I'm driving faster. For me the best defense is a good offense. Now for a lot of others I think the best defense is to call a cab and stay the hell off the street all together!

Really though I think a lot of people out there are better of driving slow.

Wow, I'm really rambling now. Hehe. I guess I'll quit.

LedJetta · Post by **LedJetta** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 8:11 pm

lots of know-it-alls here. i prefer to be left alone with my ignorance.

Tleg93 · Post by **Tleg93** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:29 pm

I've said my peace in here but I'd still like to say that I'm not pointing any fingers at anyone even though I've had a safety speech comment directed at me. I just can't stand people telling me what's safe, as if I can't make that call and bear the consequences by now.

Yeah, there's a bunch of know-it-all, opinionated people here.

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:18 pm

I don't mind. All of you can boss me around, and tell me what to do. I like it.

HELL NO!

We should have some kind of standard for when a safety speech is warranted, or perhaps devote a whole 'nother section to it; a subsection of the Ashtray called "The Lectorium", or something. Maybe some condescending name, since that's how we all feel about it.
That being said, I agree that it's a parental-type thing; How many of you would lose sleep if something happened to a member of this forum? When you're away from the computer, do you think about what's going on here, or what someone on here is doing right now --like, if they said they were working on a project, would you stop to think about their progress, and wonder if you have time to check the board and see if there's an update?
Does that make sense? It's almost like love.. which is bad, since we're all internet friends to begin with. But at the same time, it's that comradorie(sp?) that holds us together, and what binds us as a community, and what makes us worry about / lecture each other for.
Am I off base, or what?

legacy92ej22t · Post by **legacy92ej22t** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:43 pm

Nah, I think you're on track. I often think about the going ons here even when I'm not logged in. I've also made quite a few good friends here, with some that have become more then just e-friends too.

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:12 pm

Exactly, Matt. Now wouldn't you give Phil a safety lecture if you thought he was doing something dangerous?
Or might it be possible that we could open our feelings up a bit, as weird as that may seem, to just tell someone 'Hey, I'm worried about you, meng, please be careful.'?
Right?
I'll even ref that thread where I told you guys I was gonna check out for awhile, try to get my life together... --you all (well, some of you.) were worried enough to post, and give advice, and even lecture! --And I thank you for it! Especially you, Matt. (And for sure, Laurel, Art, Phil, Vikash, Skid, Reed, Scott..)
These kinds of things happen as a result of the community we have built, and the things we've shared with each other. This is still a car-based forum, but it's also a very good sociology experience. Someone should be using this as a soc class experiment. It's that complex.
Think of it this way:
If we didn't feel the way we do about the people here, and the values we've established within this community, we probably would word our posts differently, and hence, our content differently.
Ring true to anyone else?
I'm saying the safety lectures are the by product of our caring for one another, our community, no matter who's been here how long.
Rallitek, do I dare say you were just having a bad day, and a safety lecture got the full wrath of whatever else you might have been angry about? I'm not calling you unstable, by any means, (I'm bipolar, for godssake!) but it seems like some misplaced frustration may have taken our community to another level. (Does this feel like group therapy to anyone else? I'm starting to sound like a counselor, that bothers me.)
Symbolism is strong here.
I really think our Ashtray and Misc forums are really what give this community its breath of life. We've shared ideas, concerns (like this) and funny stories, and we've had good debates, and we've demonstrated that we're quite the diverse community that holds some kind of allegiance to each other. (I have GOT to shut up, I'm starting to sound like a hippie!)
So the lectures are just a distraction, what's really there is our concern for one another, in an attempt to 'save' our community. This is OUR Town Hall, people.

I love you!
Who else loves? ( I know, Jesus does, Allah does.. So do Buddah and Pat Sajak)

Nomake Wan · Post by **Nomake Wan** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:02 pm

I love. You guys rock, and in the very least, it's entertaining. I love being able to be a part of all of this.

Anyway, I don't think you guys are off-base at all. I log in as much as I can to check up on the forum, and when somebody does a project, I watch it to see if I can glean ideas off of it. And even if I can't I still watch it (like Laurel's AWIC install; I don't have a turbo, but I watched anyway). And I've gotten a lot of answers for my own questions, even though some were simple things like "use more MAN on it!" *laughs*

And hell, I got to meet the omniscient Vikash! That was a bit humbling. We really do have a hell of a community here, and that's awesome. We come together through our adoration of one of the greatest car lines Subaru has done, and if not that then one of the most revolutionary. Boxer engine! 4-wheel discs! ABS! All-wheel Drive!

So yeah. I guess what I'm trying to say is... we're a community, one that isn't just there when we log on, for as has been said, most (if I assume incorrectly, correct me) of us wonder about the goings-on here even when we can't log on. It's a place to be to get definitive answers, help others, and link up. I'd like to think that the "safety" stuff is just us caring about one another. After all, we need as many fans as we can get! Represent!

Yeah... that's all. I love you guys. XD

Kelly · Post by **Kelly** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:55 pm

HA HA, quite a response! Im not a very confrontational person by nature, and I was pretty drunk when I started this thread.

I think about all the stupid dangerous stuff Ive done, mostly when I was younger. Driving crazy putting peoples lives at risk, having several major auto accidents, the list is quite long. All these acts are deffinately something that would probably give my mother a heart attack, if she knew.

We all know whats wrong. We have since our wee years, but along with maturity, comes consiquence. They say it doesnt usually kick in for people till their mid twenties.

I know we have a good handfull of members who are still quite young, and probably still free spirited. But the idea that there not gonna do something stupid, because someone over the internet baffles me.

I understand the intention behind it, and thank you, but what fun would life be with out risk?

AWD_addict · Post by **AWD_addict** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:11 am

This thread could be in the 'stuff you need to know' for new members.
I hate any sort of random lecturing as well, but helpful reminders are totally appropriate. Things like reminding someone not to test their car's max speed on Q rated tires and such.

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:20 am

you're not supposed to do that?

dzx · Post by **dzx** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:03 am

subyluvr2212 wrote:I think rallitektech is annoyed because he doesn't think the safety speeches are being given with intentions of helping out their fellow man. A lot of these speeches have just been people talking down to the person who's being unsafe just to boost their own egos and make themselves feel smarter. That's what irritates me...

BINGO

I hate political correctness. Makes me want to beat people, mercilessly. There's nothing like brownnosers to piss me off. One of the kids in highschool wrecked his talon and broke his pelvis in three places and cut his neck and damn did he milk that for all it was worth. He always sucked up to teachers and one day he got on the announcements at the end of the school day and was like I just want to remind every to slow down. Boy, did i want to haul him out of his wheelchair and beat his ass.

dzx · Post by **dzx** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:07 am

http://www.coracing.com/forum1/index.ph ... opic=30633

Third post from the top, dumbass is posting in the streetracing forum. If he doesnt like it, he shouldn't be in the streetracing forum.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:17 am

He should have reminded everyone what bad driving does and that they should learn how.

Steve

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Rant: Safty BS

Rant: Safty BS