[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

First of kudos for that calm response. I must admit that took me by surprise as I usually get different results when trying to talk to local people about that topic (even worse with bikers...).
The way you write it now sounds much more mature than what the previous post made me expect.

I'd say the same about this. It's been a pretty calm discussion. *knocks on wood*

I know I come across as an immature kid sometimes...to most, that's what I am...but I'd say I'm at least one step ahead of most in my age group on this subject.

I know I'm a preacher when it comes to safety in traffic topics but I see too many crosses at the streets marking fatal accident sites. It's especially bad when you learn that some people died because one had to act like an idiot. It's all fun and games and then someone dies.
So many of these accidents would have been avoidable.

There's nothing wrong with being a preacher. There was a girl who died on a bad curve two years ago this April. She died the night before prom. My best friend was really close to her. I can't drive by that cross without getting goosebumps bad. A truck driver who was screwed up on drugs had crossed the center line and the trailer had turned on its side. It was across the road and two vehicles hit it...one of which had this girl and her friends.

It makes my blood boil every time because some idiot had decided to get high and drive. Mistakes pile up... I never knew her personally...but many people I knew were close to her.

It's because not enough people are aware of (or not enough care about) the dangers

And of course, this is just one of many many stories. Too many people are stupid/ignorant/careless.

OK, you seem to have understood that and I hope you'll heed it during your driving career and stay accident free from now on.

I'll certainly do my best to stay accident free. I can't control everything that goes on in other vehicles...so the best thing I can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

The Missouri Highway Patrol estimates that it's a 100% chance that you will be involved in at least one traffic crash in your lifetime. I've had 1 major and 1 minor. It's out of the way and done with now.

BTW doesn't the Focus have ABS and ESP? If so skidding is almost impossible from what I hear.

They all have ABS as far as I know. I know for a fact that my car doesn't have traction control. Not sure if it's got anything else like that. Ford Foci with manual gearboxes usually don't have traction control (AFAIK). Electronic systems might be used on the later models...but like I said...I'm fairly certain mine doesn't have any of that. The fact that it's a sport model might affect that. In 2004, I think the SVT had a traction control option but I have a 2003...so yeah.