Woman driving SUV hits 16 vehicles, utility pole

"Dunnik" (dunnik) 10/27/2013 at 16:34 • Filed to: ACCIDENTS, PILE-UPS, LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

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In what the local media is calling a "bizarre" accident, a 62 year-old woman driving a black Lincoln Navigator (pictured) in downtown !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , Ontario during the evening rush hour crashed into 16 other vehicles like some automotive pinball, finally coming to rest when she hit a pole. Luckily, no one was seriously injured and all were discharged from hospital same-day with only bumps, bruises and scratches (mostly from airbag deployments, police have said).

Peel Regional Police are investigating, but have already ruled out impairment due to alcohol or drugs. The woman, whose name is still unreleased, is said to have no pre-existing medical condition. One wag on a local news site said that she may have been "updating her Facebook status to 'about to have a crash'", but while texting while driving (which is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to result in a crash compared to drinking and driving) may explain one, or even two of the collisions, it's difficult to see how it could explain away all sixteen .

"It was like !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Grand Theft Auto", one witness reported to CBC Radio. A CityTV news anchor, somewhat predictably, said that it looked like a movie set. Always with the "it was just like a movie" comments."They couldn't have constructed this in a movie," said one of the drivers who was hit to CityTV News, "Seventeen cars...mine was #13."

But another witness - there were hundreds of them, with lots of high-rise residential buildings and a large suburban mall nearby - provided a possible clue, telling CityTV News "I see this gigantic black SUV start ramming through everyone, reverse back and ram again until...this happened", pointing at the vehicular carnage.

As brake failure obviously might be a cause, police have said the Navigator will undergo a mechanical inspection, likely conducted by the provincial Ministry of Transportation. As of yet, no charges have been laid against the driver of the SUV.

Ironically, the Navigator crashed into a utility pole that had a "No Trucks" sign attached to it.

Photo Credits: The Toronto Sun/QMI Agency.

Sources: The Toronto Sun, CBC Radio, CityTV News, 680 News Radio, The Toronto Star

lepie > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 16:39

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Maybe the saudis are really on to something, huh?

Blondude > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 16:41

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I'm impressed that the Lincoln could hold up to that many hits.

Baber K. Khan > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 16:43

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I think it should be made compulsory to teach evasive tactics in such cases where driver messes up pedals and blames brake or unintended acceleration, if that happens, then turn the engine off and pull the handbrake........wait! Does it even have one?

lepie > Baber K. Khan 10/27/2013 at 16:46

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I'm sorry, but this whole unintended acceleration thing is pure and utter bullshit. Just turn the ignition off. For all the fly by wire shit that's in cars today, the brake still remains a relatively simple hydraulic setup, just mash it. Pretty much any car in production today can stop when the engine is churning out max power/torque.

scoob > Baber K. Khan 10/27/2013 at 16:47

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Maybe the average person that automatically blames the pedals is the type of person that doesn't know shit to do with cars and most likely should not be driving at all?

At least, that's how I see it.

Baber K. Khan > scoob 10/27/2013 at 16:49

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My mom has permanent damage to her hand-to-elbow after a woman mixed up the pedals and accelerated fast. So you can understand how much I believe in your thought.

N/A POWAAAHH > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 16:53

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Ah, I saw this on the news last night. The way they portrayed it made it look like it was road rage.

Brian, The Life of > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 16:55

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If this happened in Russia there'd be at least a dozen dashcam videos of it on YouTube by now.

m2m, apex detective > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 16:57

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As usual, the answer to this is Miata . With less mass in motion, she would have caused much less damage. She might also have come to a stop earlier. Granted, a Miata might be a bit uncomfortable for a 63-y.o., but she's free to bring a cushion, right ?

Blondude > m2m, apex detective 10/27/2013 at 17:00

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My grandma was in her late 60s when she drove cross-country in a Miata with a friend. So maybe it's not the impractical after all!

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 17:03

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That poor Subaru...

EDIT: Screw you, Kinja.

Dunnik > Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS 10/27/2013 at 17:06

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Yep. There's an E46 in there somewhere too.

Most of the rest are standard issue commuter DD's; Corolla, Civic, Regal (could have been an GS with the supercharged 3800 SII, however) and, somewhat amazingly, a Mercury Mystique.

"Aw, that poor Porsche" nobody will say.

Mason-Dixon > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 17:08

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davedave1111 > m2m, apex detective 10/27/2013 at 17:11

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Miata? She deserves a Peel. With a spike pointing out of the steering wheel.

m2m, apex detective > davedave1111 10/27/2013 at 17:14

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Kinky!

Manuél Ferrari > Baber K. Khan 10/27/2013 at 17:15

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Also buyers of massive SUVs should have to go through extra drivers education. They need to understand that they are driving massive tanks that can cause mass carnage.

Any vehicle that weighs over 5000 lbs should require extra training to operate. Commercial trick drivers have to get a special license, why shouldn't regular drivers that operate massive vehicles?

Manuél Ferrari > m2m, apex detective 10/27/2013 at 17:21

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All small vehicles should be encouraged. Insurance companies should discount rates for small and light vehicles.

The Miata should be extra discounted cause you have to be very careful when driving a small convertible. Insurance companies should have a special "because Miata" discount.

SpeedSix > m2m, apex detective 10/27/2013 at 17:25

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Don't let the Miatas get destroyed!!

Victorious Secret > Brian, The Life of 10/27/2013 at 17:35

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There would be a dozen high quality, HD videos.

In America, people see something amazing and they manage to pull out the SHITTIEST cameras to capture it.

Hifrequency > Victorious Secret 10/27/2013 at 18:01

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That is the funniest & truest thing I have heard all week, here is a award.

TheDoubleClutchBandit > Blondude 10/27/2013 at 18:08

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Your grandma is fucking awesome.

milanst666 > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:10

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F=MA

That is how she managed to hit 16 vehicles. If it had been a civic or focus, she'd have probably only managed 4-5.

I_AmDeath > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:10

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Nah its actually pretty amazing that enough people bought the Mystique for it to be in a one in a billion collision like this.

FCV-8311 > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:19

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Huh; I never knew Ontario was in Florida.

pfftballer > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:19

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Diabetic with low blood sugar or unintended acceleration. Either way. Thanks Obama.

Dunnik > FCV-8311 10/27/2013 at 18:21

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There's an Ontario, California , but yea, no.

m2m, apex detective > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 18:21

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People would intuitively drive slower for fear of ending up in a kind of unwanted NFS truck trailer maneuver. :D

M54B30 > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:24

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Witnesses said she reversed and rammed a second and third time... Suicide?

Manuél Ferrari > m2m, apex detective 10/27/2013 at 18:28

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And if an old person did fall asleep behind the wheel of a Miata and run into a crowd of people there would be less injuries and deaths. The Miata is so light that the pedestrians could pick it up and wake the driver so their foot would come off the gas :)

PLUS if the Miata has a MT then it would probably stall out before causing any injuries if the driver fell asleep

notavirus > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:28

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This is a case for the self driving automobile. If they were available now for a decent price she would be forced to use one.

FCV-8311 > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:31

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Do note that I was poking fun at the large frequency of insanities [such as the event that occurred in the article] that occur in Florida, and was not actually questioning where Ontario was geographically located.

Sergio526 > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:32

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All multi-car accidents are the result of playing GTA. She's obviously played it quite a bit. Why are these games still on the shelves?!

MooseKnuckles > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:35

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Title correction: Woman Driving*

i kid, i kid

Dunnik > FCV-8311 10/27/2013 at 18:40

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I know :)

Dunnik > notavirus 10/27/2013 at 18:41

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But if it was road rage, which seems like a possibility, then she could have just turned the system off, as presumably all self-driving cars will have a kill switch, likely mandated by law/consumer demand.

notavirus > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:45

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That is true.

Adrian Dolghii > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:47

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this was like a couple kilometres from my house....was wondering what the fuck was wrong with the fire trucks and ambulances going off like bat shit crazy. hah

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > Victorious Secret 10/27/2013 at 18:48

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Oh hey let me just pull out my cell phone and keep it in a vertical position...

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 18:48

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Ironically, the Navigator failed to do just that.

elvinrivera > pfftballer 10/27/2013 at 18:50

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Obama?? This was in Ontario Canada, not Ontario California. How is the Prez involved or was this a poor attempt at humor?

Dunnik > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 18:51

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m2m, apex detective > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 18:53

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Yup ... two adults can handle all the torque a Miata might throw. :p

Whitehouse > m2m, apex detective 10/27/2013 at 19:06

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Haahaahahaha!!!

That traffic sign was waiting for this to happen!

Whitehouse > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 19:06

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Hahaha!!!!

That traffic sign was waiting for this to happen!

Manuél Ferrari > m2m, apex detective 10/27/2013 at 19:07

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Two adults or 5 third graders :)

Beeblebrox237 > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 19:09

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Stupid people are stupid.

Porcodio > Victorious Secret 10/27/2013 at 19:14

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On vertical.

Greenmobile Supremo Commando, BRZ Extrordinare > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 19:42

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I saw this on CTV and had an aneurysm.

bainelaker > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 19:53

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TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Doctor-G-and-the-wagen 10/27/2013 at 19:55

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*golf clap*

well done sir

GreenPlease > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 19:55

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New high score.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 19:56

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Why are all the hoods open?

Edit: Screw you kinja. I clicked an open hood...

MTY85 > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 19:59

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When there's a mass shooting, the response is we have to ban all guns. When somebody goes on a rampage in a vehicle, why isn't the response that we have to ban vehicles?

TurboLag23 > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 20:02

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Maybe she just can't see the color silver....

Dunnik > TurboLag23 10/27/2013 at 20:09

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Most of those cars are silver, yes...I THINK YOU'VE SOLVED IT

BlueBMWGuy > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 20:35

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Am I the only one here who has noticed that with all the vehicles involved.. none of them have their Daytime Running Lights's on? Wasn't that a Canadian idea for safer driving?

~Sarcasm~

rabbit21787 > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 10/27/2013 at 20:36

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First responders opened them probably to cut/disconnect the battery to prevent fire/shut up a blaring horn

deanmachine14 > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 20:38

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THESE DAMN KIDS AND THEIR VIDEO GAMES, IF GRAND THEFT AUTO DIDN'T EXIST THIS WOULD NEVER HAP... wait she was how old?

Cielmer > MTY85 10/27/2013 at 20:40

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Cause she killed no one and injuries were minimal. People like you make pro gunners look idiotic.

wzzkll > milanst666 10/27/2013 at 20:40

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I believe the equation you are looking for is P=MV.

TronSheridan > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 20:42

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"Ironically, the Navigator crashed into a utility pole that had a "No Trucks" sign attached to it."

How's that ironic?

nauyop > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 20:43

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Lexus ES hatchback!

88inchesisjustenough > BlueBMWGuy 10/27/2013 at 20:45

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Yeah but then you fucked up your Dollar and made it cheaper for us to buy your cars,

Thanks Obama, no really, Thanks

88inchesisjustenough > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 10/27/2013 at 20:45

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Power Isolation

Clauss Von Sacher-Masoch > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 20:46

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16 apologies that will be promptly accepted, oh Canada.

notneb32 > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 20:48

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This might be a dumb question... but why are all the cars hoods up?

edit: someone else asked and got an answer...

Brian Thompson > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 20:49

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Don't show this to the Saudis, okay?

evil2win > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 20:50

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this happened to me once. I bet the Satnav was set in demolition derby mode. I don't know why they even have that setting.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > rabbit21787 10/27/2013 at 20:51

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ah gotcha! didn't know that

Ryoku > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 21:14

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The fact she rammed a Cheyenne makes this all better.

Shane Elliott > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 21:17

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Mississauga jalop meet?

pierrotechnique > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 21:23

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Looks like she was playing GTA...

... in the GTA.

rabidcontent > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 21:27

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Because Florid....wait this wasn't Florida? Wtf? Where they maybe from Florida?

pfftballer > elvinrivera 10/27/2013 at 21:42

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You make me sad.

TheKarMann > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 21:43

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Miata really is the answer to everything, if she had been driving a Miata she would have probably only hit 1 car, possibly 2. ....3 tops.

TheKarMann > m2m, apex detective 10/27/2013 at 21:44

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HOLY CRAP! I wrote my comment and then saw yours! Saying basically the same thing! Props man! Great minds think alike!

TheKarMann > TheKarMann 10/27/2013 at 21:44

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...Holy Crap! m2m wrote basically the exact same thing!

N/A POWAAAHH > Shane Elliott 10/27/2013 at 22:15

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How about GTA Jalop meet?

N/A POWAAAHH > pierrotechnique 10/27/2013 at 22:16

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ohhh that was good.

Patrick Shea Laking > Whitehouse 10/27/2013 at 22:17

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Bling wheels+Navigator=cocaine fuelled road rage?

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 22:17

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Everybody missed it: TOWANDA!

GrauGeist > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 22:20

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Dead Porsche SUV?

Good.

GrauGeist > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 22:20

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Noo....

Poor STi.

Kylemaro > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 22:22

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i remember the other story about a woman driving this week, this chick asian too?

captainvoorhees > GreenPlease 10/27/2013 at 22:33

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U'rz is bests.

cuts_off_prius > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 22:34

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This story is GOLD.

Yet another reason why big SUVs should go the way of the dodo.

dataPOG > Victorious Secret 10/27/2013 at 22:45

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In portrait mode no less...

Axial > GrauGeist 10/27/2013 at 22:49

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At least it was a silver one.

One less silver anything on the road is a good thing. Even if it is a 1963 Split-Window Corvette or a Ferrari F355 or a WRX STi.

GrauGeist > Axial 10/27/2013 at 22:52

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Stainless DeLorean is also "silver", and I'd be sad about that. Also bare metal aluminum.

Versus generic silver VW - meh, kill it.

Let's not use such a broad brush?

dataPOG > 88inchesisjustenough 10/27/2013 at 22:52

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I think that goes back Bush, and maybe Clinton...might be wrong though.

Ozlander > lepie 10/27/2013 at 22:59

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PJ O'Rourke wrote an essay back in the '80s about Sudden Accelerations Incidents which is worth finding which concurs with your thoughts here. And my hazy memory recalls a statistical predisposition towards middle aged women driving Saabs...having SAI's....perhaps the equivalent of luxury SUVs today?

(psst youngsters, there were no SUVs in the '80s)

And if I can find it I shall post a link, henceforth!

CompWizrd > Brian, The Life of 10/27/2013 at 23:13

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There might still be.. it's not far from Brampton, auto insurance fraud capital of Canada.. many people in the area are now using dash cams because of it.

CompWizrd > BlueBMWGuy 10/27/2013 at 23:15

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My DRL's are only on.. in the daytime... when the car is running.

Neither applies here.

WayDude > Dunnik 10/27/2013 at 23:34

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Another case of why there should be a test for the kind of car you drive. I'm a pilot, when you get your license you can only fly a small single engine plane. If you want anything that's faster. larger, more complicated you need additional training. I think you could carry this over to driver training.

When you get your license, you can only drive a small four cylinder non turbo. To drive a six or more cylinder or turbo would require additional testing and an endorsement on your license, like a motorcycle. You could add endorsements for sports car, or truck, SUV, what else? It wouldn't solve all our auto problems but it would be a start.

NipperDawg > scoob 10/27/2013 at 23:47

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ut another witness - there were hundreds of them, with lots of high-rise residential buildings and a large suburban mall nearby - provided a possible clue, telling CityTV News "I see this gigantic black SUV start ramming through everyone, reverse back and ram again until...this happened", pointing at the vehicular carnage.

But are they going to blame the shifter too?

Detroit 9000 > Blondude 10/27/2013 at 23:55

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My daughter is in third grade with a 60 something year old female teacher that drives a manual trans. Miata. Pretty awesome.

Detroit 9000 > Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS 10/28/2013 at 00:01

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Sure glad that wasn't an SVT Contour. The rest of that crap can burn in a junk yard.

Axial > GrauGeist 10/28/2013 at 00:11

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There is a distinction between silver paint and bare metal. Silver, in the automotive world, refers to what can only be described as between 10% and 20% grey with some metallic flecks thrown in.

I don't know anybody who calls a DeLorean "silver." It's usually referred to as "stainless" or, incorrectly, "aluminum." "Bare-metal finish." Or "chromed," which is actually more like silver than the DeLorean since most silverware is polished and not satin.

Thus, my brush shall remain broad until such a time when silver becomes an uncommon sight. =þ

namesakeone > Dunnik 10/28/2013 at 00:11

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And, in the far left of the Mystique photo, one Mazda Protege5.

Forrest > I_AmDeath 10/28/2013 at 00:17

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Mercury Mistake