We have seen so many spectacular crashes and even slow speed crashes on Youtube. Often these videos are of people driving exotic cars like Ferraris, Lamborghinis and etc. These people have the money to buy it but many of them don't have the skill nor the experience to drive it. Having a heavy right foot can spell disaster for many of these folk who take it for granted that they can handle the car's power. Many times the problem comes with the ego of the owner. Companies like Ferrari and Porsche regularly offer driver training programs for new car buyers so that they are taught properly how to drive their new cars in a safe environment. Upon passing these driver training programs the owners are better equipped to drive their cars. However many of the new owners are too egotistical to acknowledge that they need to be taught how to drive their cars. This is especially so in Asia. Some of the buyers got rich very quickly and do not have much driving experience (especially the young ones) and it also goes the same with Americans who think they are great drivers but going fast straight and really knowing how to control the car under all conditions is a different thing.
I have a friend who is retired Porsche and Mercedes AMG instructor in the US from Asian origin, he was relating to me numerous stories about how Americans think Asians can't drive and they have no business teaching Americans how to drive. Well! Stereotyping is downright stupid since the person who came to learn can't drive well himself! My friend went on to put down a challenge that the American who came to the driving course will no doubt get better but his girl friend will beat him at the end the day. Having heard this challenge the American guy wouldn't want to lose his bet and the ego got the better of him. Instead of listening to proper instructions he would think that having more power in his car would mean that he can go faster... yes and no! To the ignorant it may sound like a fact but to the informed, there are many factors to consider. this American guy couldn't help himself and disregarded all forms of instruction and mashed the throttle hard coming out of turns causing his 500hp Mustang to lose control and spin. The final test course at the end of the day was a real test of driving ability and whether he paid any attention to the instructors. As expected he was 4 secs slower than his girlfriend and made himself look like an idiot. Instead of admitting defeat he was dumbfounded and insisted on a rematch in which he lost again. Finally he came to accept that his ego was the problem.. not his car, and not the instructor.
Having a super powerful car with a person that has no experience or skill is like giving a kid a loaded gun. Slow speed crashes may not be so serious but high speed crashes will definitely cause a lot of damage and even result in death. Many years back there was a case where a teenager crashed a Ferrari into a petrol station in NZ and killed a little girl. The parents of the deceased child was devastated and no amount of money offered by the teenager's parents would be enough. Money can never replace a life and responsibility of the driver is something that no one can take for granted.
Having money to buy a nice car is good... but one should really learn how to drive.
No comments:
Post a Comment