<VV> Re: Unsafe At Any Speed

[airvair]

Interesting thread. I'd like to toss out an observation.

While auto safety would probably have progressed under "market pressure"
without government regulations, it certainly would have done so at a
comparative snail's pace for the simple reason that big business REALLY
doesn't listen well to consumers. Never has, never will, without
coercion from the "law of the land."

Point of example: Did you know that the technology exists (and has for
at least several years) that would make cars virtually theft-proof. I've
actually seen it demonstrated! Would you pay the small amount (probably
only a couple of hundred dollars, if that) for even an OPTION that would
all but guarantee that your vehicle would be theft-proof? I know I
would, and I don't even live in a high-crime area! But do you see even
ONE manufacturer offering such a package? NO. You know why? Because it
isn't in the manufacturers' best interest to do so, and NOT because
there's no market for it. Think of it. For every car stolen and/or
stripped to the point of being totalled, the manufacturer gets to sell
another car to replace it. And the insurance companies don't care,
really. They can just charge more in premiums to cover the costs. So as
a result, we the consumers don't get that technology even as an OPTION.
Same story with auto safety.

Sometimes, it takes a good, "legal" kick-in-the-seat-of-the-pants for
good things to happen, even if it grates against your "capitalist"
heart. And don't think for a minute that I condone runaway socialistic
government, either. Just pointing out a "fact of life."

-Mark