French-Cdn Auto Journalist Caught Speeding

[dorin]

OK, I can accept what you are saying. Sorry for the misunderstanding on my part. We are in essential accord.  I still can not countenance such extreme speed on a public road however. I don't accept it from Snowy. I, in my much younger and more foolish days occasionally drove at highly "extra-legal" speeds on EMPTY roads. I was wrong to do so. So was this writer IMO.  BTW, I can't see any reason for those 400+ hp vehicles either. 

I made myself easy to misuderstand by being overly snarky.    I may not agree with a lot of things, but I find it easier to respect people whom I disagree with but who actually walk their talk, so to speak.  In this case, it seems to me that some of the people who are so quick to condemn this guy are also people who love to promote the kind of car he was testing.  Like I asked earlier, why make them if no one is supposed to use them?

[ovr50]

For that matter then, why allow builders to construct 5000 sqft houses when an average family can live comfortably in half or less the size? Why have a sidewalk on both sides of the street when a person can only walk on one side at any time (unless you tell me that one is outbound and the other is inbound  )?

For that matter, what's the most horsepower and torque that any vehicle needs to perform the average tasks of a family? Then, should we only have vehicles that provide that much power and ban all others are "un-necessary and wasteful'??

I live in a free-market society wherein items can be purchased that have no practical use, now and maybe never. But I can still buy them, even if that may be foolish. You tend to advocate a more controlled, socialistic society where "government" decides what's good for everyone and that's it, no choices. I like my world better that yours, thanks anyway.

The major difference between the German Autobahn and NA hiways is the education and attitude of the drivers. The physical plant is similar in many ways (assuming you are thinking of a limited access NA hiway).

AND - the fact remains, the journalist was caught at probable double plus the limit and is fined. As I said earlier, suck it up. He did it - he pays. I got no problem there. Do you?

[mdxtasy]

Let's see.  Every car made today can exceed a speed limit.  From the Smart car to the Ferrari Enzo.  I am all for a performance vehicle.  However, owning such a machine does not give anybody the right to exceed the speed limit and not be charged if caught.  I am sure that a lot of people here have exceeded the speed limit and we've also driven way past that posted number on a few occaisions.  Every car I've owned, can past the 110kph mark.  Does it mean that because my car is capable of 200kph and 1g cornering, I am allowed to use the public roadway to conduct such driving manouvers?  Not on the public roadway.  Laws are for everybody.  From the guy driving the Hyundai Excel to the guy driving the Ferrari F430. 

If you use that car for daily driving and obey the limit, then take it to a weekend event and use the capability of the car on a safe and closed course....all for it.  There's a time and place to explore the wonders of what a performance car can do.  However, if you choose to use it on the roadway, do not expect special treatment if you get caught.  Step up.  No excuses.  He was excessively speeding.  Doesn't matter if it was day, night, traffic or no traffic.  Blatant disregard for the speed limit.  If it was clear sailing with no traffic on a straight road...and the guy was doing 120, 130, 140....he may have been given the warning.....but to be posting a speed that is 100kph faster than the legal limit?  That's a bit extreme.  I've done it.  But I also knew that if I were to be caught, I'd be in some serious shiit. It was wrong of me to do so, but I did.  I've learned from it and have matured enough to understand that there is a time and place for such activities.....keep it off the streets.

[dorin]

For that matter then, why allow builders to construct 5000 sqft houses when an average family can live comfortably in half or less the size?

I agree, we're just as wasteful with our housing as we are with our cars.  Why?  Apparently because we're greedy and spoiled.

Why have a sidewalk on both sides of the street when a person can only walk on one side at any time (unless you tell me that one is outbound and the other is inbound  )?

To encourage people to stay on one side of the road when walking rather than constantly crossing the road.   

For that matter, what's the most horsepower and torque that any vehicle needs to perform the average tasks of a family? Then, should we only have vehicles that provide that much power and ban all others are "un-necessary and wasteful'??

IMO, 100-150 hp and 100-150 lb-ft is all that any personal use vehicle needs to comfortably be driven on public roads with our current speed limits.

I live in a free-market society wherein items can be purchased that have no practical use, now and maybe never. But I can still buy them, even if that may be foolish. You tend to advocate a more controlled, socialistic society where "government" decides what's good for everyone and that's it, no choices. I like my world better that yours, thanks anyway.

You misunderstand me.   I'm actually advocating a society where rules are as consistent as possible across the board.  I see this case as analogous to allowing the open sale of drugs such as crystal meth and PCP but then criminalizing their use.  It makes no sense, it's wasteful, and I'd go as far as saying that it's unethical.  Why are you so opposed to living in a rational society?

The major difference between the German Autobahn and NA hiways is the education and attitude of the drivers. The physical plant is similar in many ways (assuming you are thinking of a limited access NA hiway).

So in that case, the pertinent question as to whether he was being a social menace is whether he was driving in traffic at the time or not, wouldn't you agree?

AND - the fact remains, the journalist was caught at probable double plus the limit and is fined. As I said earlier, suck it up. He did it - he pays. I got no problem there. Do you?

I've got no problem with him paying, but I am irked at seeing people rejoicing at his misfortune or attempting to demonize him.

[ovr50]

I'm opposed to living in a rational society because I don't want some government bureaucrat making up the rules of the size of engine I can have in my vehicle?? Give me a break!!  Is that what this is all about - that you and the govt. bureaucrats know better than anyone else what is "good for them and society". 

And if I want and can afford a 5000 sq ft house, I am greedy and spoiled?? I do not have such a house, but I still call bullcrap on that idea. Who decides what size of house is OK, and what size is considered "greedy and spoiled"?? Govt. bureaucrats again? Or maybe a Royal Commission? 

Introducing the idea of producing illegal drugs but outlawing their sale has, again, nothing to do with this discussion. It's a red herring and a diversion.

We are worlds apart in our thinking on this (and other topics on here). We can agree to disagree as I will never accept a world as envisioned by you. Nanny nation, here we come.

I need a drink - now!!  Or maybe a drive -  (But not both)

[The Mighty Duck]

I don't care who you are, where you are, or what time it is.  Driving at a speed that is more than double the legal speed limit is not acceptable behaviour.  Even if the roadway appears to be desserted, you are driving at a speed such that you have very little time to react to anything.

You said you assume the time to be between 2.00 - 6.00 am.  So now we're talking about doing 220 km/h in the dark, overdriving your headlights by an insane margin.

Next we'll be hearing that drinking and driving is okay, as long as you keep it between the early morning hours and the roads appear empty.  Oh, and the faster you go, the better.   

[Wolfe]

Dorin didn't an adult tell you when you were young that there is a time and place for everything? The place for driving that fast is on a track.

The fact that the SRT8 is capable of 200+kph speeds does nothing to negate the fact that driving that speed on a NA hiway, at any time of day or night, given other drivers, animals (particularily at night) and other risks is foolish and unlawful. On a 4 mile road course or at Mosport or any speedway - have at her, and use it up. No on public roads. Your argument that this is what the car is intended to do just is meaningless, and I would have expected a better response from you, as you often make decent points in an agrument. This position you have taken is not defensible at all. 

I think that your position is intellectually inconsistent.  Where's the consistency in allowing cars like the SRT-8 to be sold as road-legal vehicles if they are never to be used to their potential on public roads?  Certifying such cars for sale means that our society doesn't really believe in respecting our speed limits. 

Consistency?

Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rationalizing driving 220Km/h on a public road on this basis is very foolish, indeed.

[Arctic_White]

Given the driver education and mix of drivers in this country, plus no lane discipline, nor observance of slower traffic allowing faster to go by; I would say that 222kph anywhere in Canada is very dangerous business. The European Autobahns are a totally different matter and do not relate to this particular incident at all. Regardless of the safety issue, the posted speed limit is likely about 120kph max, so the fact the journalist got a serious and costly ticket is to be expected. You play the game, you pay the price. Tough.

Besides, dorin, you're the guy always harping about poor fuel economy and wasting fossil fuels. I dare say that 222kph in any vehicle will be somewhat wasteful. Thought you'd be all over the guy for being selfish and wasting hydrocarbons. 

I'm not saying he should necessarily get a walk on this, but I am saying that (for the time being) I have some sympathy for the guy.  The report says he was caught in the early morning which probably means sometime between 2 am and 6 am.  I don't know about where you live, but around here the highways are close to deserted at that time, which would make it low-risk conditions for a high-speed run.  Now if it turns out that he was doing this in traffic, then by all means I'll join the chorus condemning him.  But until we have the actual facts I'm not about to join the accusatory finger pointing.

I'm with you on this, Dorin.

Isn't it funny how people will just jump to conclusion without knowing all the details?  Just because there is a number written on a paper, people will automatically assume the surrounding circumstances.   

I, too, have sympathy for this guy getting nailed. 

[airbalancer]

Where was his radar detector?

If the road is like HWY 20(?) on the south shore the road is a divide  4 lanes hwy. flat and straight. At 7 pm it was quiet.

[The Mighty Duck]

I'm with you on this, Dorin.

Isn't it funny how people will just jump to conclusion without knowing all the details?  Just because there is a number written on a paper, people will automatically assume the surrounding circumstances.   

I, too, have sympathy for this guy getting nailed.

I don't think anyone has assumed anything.  I don't care if the roadway appeared to be empty - he was still doing twice the legal speed limit.  And at that speed, you simply do not have time to react.  For all CTC's talk of safe driving, there's sure a lot of support for 200km/h+ speeds on public motorways.

[Snowman]

222kph? That’s all you got?

[Arctic_White]

222kph? That’s all you got?

LOL.

 

[safristi]

He's FRENCH...... ..IT WOZ IN REVERSE...................

[initial_D]

Probably wearing slippers at those weeeee hours ... 

......

Apparently some of us don't really give an F or 2 about what some others think of our opinions and view points. 

222kph? That’s all you got?

 

[tenpenny]

222 k/h in Longueil is crazy.  On Route 132? 

But he was probably hoping to outrun the falling concrete. 

[safristi]

  ......QUEBECERAGUAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!....

[UDB]

This guy has already not much credibility as an automobilie journalist.  Last year on a TV show on French CBC, he trayed to nailed down all other automobile journalist in Quebec but he screwed himself instead.  Good for him.  With this event, IMO, he lost all the small credibility that he was still carrying with him.   Acting like this, that's prove the guy that's a no brainer, the road in Quebec are not bowling alley.

In the other side, it could be a costly marketing spot for him because this guy is suppose his first ever annual car review book.  But i guess, he didn't make this on purpose.