The banner above is an advertisment - if it asks you to download software, please ignore.
Site News - 3/26 M Car Covers (by State of Nine) | 12/12 Make Amazon Pay Saabnet!
Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 07:18:30 +1000
From: Peter Wilkins <wilkinsp_nospamnospamail.com.au>
Subject: Re: Any pipe smoking 9.5 drivers in the house?


On 21 Apr 2006 07:26:47 -0700, "Michael Hudson" <mahnospamotcommunications.com> wrote : >Peter Wilkins wrote: >> On 19 Apr 2006 10:33:46 -0700, "Michael Hudson" >> <mahnospamotcommunications.com> wrote : >> >> >My '02 9.5 has no ash tray and is not exactly awash with handy spots = to >> >rest a partially smokedand possibly still burning pipe of tobacco. = The >> >little change/glasses cubby hole thingy is too small to accept a pipe >> >and I'm not sure where I could safely/conveniently/aesthetically = mount >> >a pipe holder. Would anyone with 9.5 pipe smoking experience care to >> >share their thoughts and/or solutions? >> > >> >Thanks very much, >> > >> My 9-5 has several ashtrays, all unused, so no sympathy from me! >> I don't expect there are many pipe-smoking Saab drivers around. >> If there were, they are probably all dead. No, I take that back - the >> Saab would save them, but in any other car..... >> >> Smoking a pipe while driving is akin to using a mobile phone, eating >> or drinking while driving: all very distracting to the driver and all >> very dangerous, even illegal, here in Oz. >> And there is nothing like a bit of hot ash in your eye or a red-hot >> plug from the pipe in your lap to send you off the road and on the way >> to smokers heaven. For your own safety, I strongly suggest you keep >> your pipe at home! >> -- >> Regards, >> Peter Wilkins > >Thanks very much for your concern, Peter. Boy am I lucky! In the >sixteen years I've smoked a pipe while driving I've never had a red-hot >plug from my pipe land in my lap, nor have I gotten a bit of hot ash in >my eye. Think of the odds! I drink coffee or water in the car while I >drive, too, daredevil that I am, and I have been known to partake of a >life-sustaining morsel of donut while motoring as well. Given the miles >I drive, that's more than 100,000 miles of death-defying feats of >folly! > >I tell you what, though. I have had one or two times when I was >momentarily distracted by the radio - not while adjusting it, mind >you, but while recoiling in horror to pompous commentators - and on >at least one occasion I did nearly go off the road after what appeared >to be a bumblebee found its way in through an open window and alighted >on my right upper cheek. > >I trust that, in the Merry Old Land of Oz, car radios and other audio >devices are verboten and their windows must remain sealed, under >penalty of law, unless the operator is at a toll booth (Has Oz >considered mandating the use of EZ Pass? They should, you know.) a >bank drive-through or under six or more feet of water, either running >or standing. Drive-thru fast-food windows are out of the question, >certainly. > >Thanks again for all of the unsolicited opions, Pete. It really means >a lot to me. > >Drive careful, now! > >Michael "Public Enemy" Hudson > >PS: If you're interested in off-loading some of those many, unused >ashtrays, drop me a line. Well, you did solicit for opinions from pipe smokers, and you got mine. I used to smoke a pipe before I gave up smoking, but never when driving. It means you are distracted and effectively driving one-handed and cannot react quickly in an emergency. Yes, you have been lucky so far, but will your luck continue? I would rather rely on common sense and skill, rather than luck. Recent studies show that almost 80% of car accidents are caused by driver distraction, well ahead of things like drink driving and speeding. If you don't like the opinions you receive, that's your prerogative, but there's no need for sarcasm and ridicule. Oz has banned using cell phones while driving for the very good reason that it causes accidents through driver distraction. Holding, tamping or sucking a smoking pipe while driving is right up there in the distraction stakes. No, we haven't banned car radios, but taking your eyes off the road to change channels or insert a CD is another distraction which has caused many accidents. That's why Saab put the radio controls on the steering wheel. And no, you can't have my unused ashtrays - I may not like your attitude but I don't want to contribute in any way to your possible untimely demise. --=20 Regards, Peter Wilkins

Return to Main Index
StateOfNine.com
SaabClub.com
Jak Stoll Performance
M Car Covers
Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]