Random As Rhyme

Yesterday I saw an article with the headline:

“Ride Stats shoot up. Cops Don’t Get it: Why are more people drinking and driving?”

“We talk to people all the time about how bad drinking and driving is, but it seems some just keep on making bad decisions,” Haines said.

The answer, to me is quite simple. Less talk more action.

The existing punishments are not see as strict enough, so they need to be toughened up.

“The 12-hour suspensions jumped from 97 in the 2007 RIDE program to 208 in the most recent campaign — a hike of 114%.”

The 12 hour suspension charge is a wrist slapper for something as dangerous as drinking and driving.

One could go home, drink to the point of oblivion, sleep off the entire next day, then wake up the day after with their license back like nothing ever happened.

When I got my first car, in around 2002 or so I wanted to see how fast it went, so I went on a 400 series highway late one night and dropped the hammer. I got it up to around 180 before its brick aerodynamics wouldn’t let it go anymore. My current car however has not seen over 140.

Why, Did I get smarter?
No, not really.
Did speeding fines get harsher?
You bet.

Anything over 150 these days warrants a possible ’street racing’ charge which comes with a large fine, the loss of my car for 7 days, 7 days worth of impound fees, and absorbing any damage my car receives during the tow and storage. Not to mention the amount my insurance would spike (if I was not dropped) after they caught wind of the incident.

It’s simply not worth it to me to go over 140 because of the penalties associated with it.

If the punishment associated with being over the legal limit (an argument for another day or another person) was not worth it to do so logic dictates the amount of people doing so would decrease.

While everything is not black entirely black and white, and some people would continue their actions regardless of any new laws or punishments it would at least be a step in the right direction.

Unfortunately for whatever reason the government is still not ready to REALLY put a stop to drinking and driving, and thus it shall continue.

This video which I wish I could embed, has nothing to do with drinking and driving but has to do with dangerous driving, but I have been holding onto it for awhile. It’s worth a watch if you can handle graphic imagery.

I know this isn’t a Tuesday or a Thursday but what’s the saying? A day late and a dollar short… or something. Anyway I have been sick with a stomach flu since new years eve so I spent a great deal of time horizontal, actually, I just ate my first meal of 2009 a few hours ago. But while lying around I did get a chance to think of today’s thing I always wanted. The Lamborghini Countach.

This car was the postercar (literally) for anyone male (and some females) born anywhere around 74 to 84. I still have die cast models and posters of this car up in my room at my dads place, and had a few remote control cars of it over the years as well.

This car was regularly featured in movies, tv shows, and promotions until they mid 90s. Even Barbie had one (what did Ken drive though?).

The car had quite a few distinctive features which made it timeless and desirable, low cheese wedge design, insanely wide rear tires, 345s (your average car has 195s), a v-12 motor and the iconic scissor doors.

Funny enough, while I have sat in 2 replicas (one I helped build) I don’t think I have ever been within spitting distance of a real one.

But working on the replica made a few practicality issues about this car very clear.

The first, rear visibility is pretty much non existent due to the kick ass wedge shaped design, try finding the rear window in the image below and you will get a good idea of what I mean.

Backing out one of these bad boys meant opening the door and sitting on the door sill while working the pedals on the inside. Pretty unorthodox, but you gotta go what you gotta do, can’t always drive forward.

The second issue is that as you look while driving a Countach it is extremely difficult to look cool getting into or out of a Countach. Due to the low height of the car and the door design you basically fall into, and roll out of them. If you happen to be over weight.. well…

But impracticality issues aside the car was still named number 3 on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1970s and number ten on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s by Sports car International, and is still something I always wanted.

Here are some pop culture Countach’s to finish this post out.

Cannonball Run

Miami Vice (note trying to get in while looking cool)

Sideswipe and Sunstreaker from the Transformers

Judge Dredd Future concept