Record number of motorists prosecuted for driving while using mobile phones
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From: Ret. on 24 Mar 2010 14:52 Conor wrote: > On 23/03/2010 11:11, Ret. wrote: > >>> I've tried driving simulators. They're completely unrealistic. No >>> feedback. >> >> Whatever. However, the performance of a driver on a simulator not >> using a mobile can certainly be compared to the performance of a >> driver on a simulator using a mobile can't it? >> > > No. Strange claim. Why not? Kev
From: Ret. on 24 Mar 2010 15:11 Albert T Cone wrote: > Ret. wrote: >> Adrian wrote: > >>> >>> Even though they clearly don't - or did you miss all the headlines >>> about "Snow chaos!" through the winter? <shrug> What do I know? I >>> was only using them to cross back lanes, pausing only to laugh at >>> the numpties failing to get out of their drives... >> >> *Some* drivers may have had difficulties - but in most cases that was >> more to do with their inability to drive properly rather than the >> tyres they were on. I told you about the woman in a brand new >> Insignia, in front of me at lights, who was unable to move off >> throught 3 changes of lights. I eventually gave up on her and pulled >> out and drove past her without difficulty on my 'Teflons'. > > Your Federal FD1s? The ones which are in fact M&S rated, and are in > effect, winter tyres? Hmm, how odd... From Federal's web-site: "Formoza FD1 uses Federal's latest technology, TTIC, to take everyday driving to new heights in performance and comfort. High stability, large grooves for excellent water evacuation, maximized wet and dry performance combined with low noise levels provide for a comfortable ride. The Formoza FD1 was engineered with your everyday driving needs in mind." Note - "everyday driving". Kev
From: Ret. on 26 Mar 2010 08:49 Albert T Cone wrote: > Ret. wrote: >> Albert T Cone wrote: >>>> *Some* drivers may have had difficulties - but in most cases that >>>> was more to do with their inability to drive properly rather than >>>> the tyres they were on. I told you about the woman in a brand new >>>> Insignia, in front of me at lights, who was unable to move off >>>> throught 3 changes of lights. I eventually gave up on her and >>>> pulled out and drove past her without difficulty on my 'Teflons'. >>> >>> Your Federal FD1s? The ones which are in fact M&S rated, and are in >>> effect, winter tyres? Hmm, how odd... >> >> From Federal's web-site: >> >> "Formoza FD1 uses Federal's latest technology, TTIC, to take everyday >> driving to new heights in performance and comfort. High stability, >> large grooves for excellent water evacuation, maximized wet and dry >> performance combined with low noise levels provide for a comfortable >> ride. The Formoza FD1 was engineered with your everyday driving >> needs in mind." >> >> Note - "everyday driving". > > Right, some marketing blurb, excellent. You can't have 'maximised wet > and dry performance' - there is an inherent trade off between the two. > They have large tread gaps, which are great for shifting water and > displacing compressed snow, but which give you a high void ratio and a > small contact patch. They have high silica compound, which is great > for low temperature grip, but a peak traction temperature of about 6C > and poor warm weather grip and a high wear rate on dry roads. Tyre > design is all about compromise. Merely pointing out that these tyres are not marketed as 'winter tyres'. Kev
From: Ret. on 31 Mar 2010 11:58
Albert T Cone wrote: > Ret. wrote: > >> Like cars - there is always a compromise between handling and ride >> comfort. Cars that major on handling rarely have a comfortable and >> relaxing ride. Cars that major on comfort rarely have excellent >> handling. The trick, of course, is to buy a car that provides you >> with the traits that you desire - and motorists who prefer comfort >> are rarely bothered by the fact that their car cannot be thrown >> around corners like a 'sporty' car can. Similarly, motorists who >> want a 'sporty' car are rarely bothered by the fact that it seems as >> though their car is shod with solid rubber. Horses for courses. > > I disagree with that, insofar as suspension design has a lot to do > with the ride/handling balance. Our Peugeot 306 both handles and > rides better than our VW passat. The 306 is probably slightly more > softly srung than the VW, but is vastly more nimble and agile and is > much 'sharper' to drive. > > Taken to the extremes, you are probably correct - you can't have the > absolute maximum of both comfort and handling with any conventional > suspension design, but the envelope in between is quite wide, and > certainly doesn't require a direct compromise between the two. Peugeots, like most French cars, used to be renowned for ride quality. I once owned a 309 - and that had a superbly comfortable ride. Sadly, like so many other manufacturers, everyone now (with the notable exception of Citroen) appear to want to emulate BMW and produce 'sporty' cars with over-firm seats and a hard ride. I recently test drove the current Renault Laguna. The seats were appallingly hard - whereas in years gone by Renault were well known for the 'armchair comfort' of their seats. Kev |