SUV rampage poses big question: Why? (My question: did SUV drive itself?)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | July 17, 2003 | Michael A. Fuoco

[mountaineer]

I really did think this was a case of a driverless vehicle run amok, based on the headline. Darn those evil SUVs!

The perp:

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[Pearls Before Swine]

Pretty weird. I bet the vehicle turns out to be stolen.

Mountaineer -- does your screen name have anything to do with why this article caught your eye?

[mountaineer]

Violent predator vehicles prowling the streets of the Burgh ALERT! 'n'at.

[xm177e2]

He got a partial license plate number while noticing the license was a D.A.R.E. -- Drug Awareness Resistance Education -- plate.

I'm shocked, shocked, that jack-booted anti-drug fascists would enjoy smashing other peoples' property.

[Fudd]

This reminds me of the Stephen King story in which the trucks run amok without drivers.

[mountaineer]

Nah, I was just perusing the newspaper from my hometown when I noticed this very scary story. (I drive an Escape, kind of a juvenile delinquent version of the Expedition).

[xm177e2]

Pretty weird. I bet the vehicle turns out to be stolen.

Actually, that does seem more reasonable than the "DARE fascists go on rampage" theory...

When French kids steal cars, they have what they call a "rodeo," which is where they pour gasoline and light it on fire (do they do donuts too? I don't remember?).

Seems a lot more likely than someone smashing their own car.

[CJ Wolf]

Too much GTA3.

[mommybain]

There was also that weird movie 'Duel', Spielberg's first theatrical directing attempt. Starred Dennis Weaver, a car and a Peterbilt.

[Willie Green]

Violent predator vehicles prowling the streets of the Burgh ALERT! 'n'at.

There used to be a time when the neighbors would've just dumped these jagoffs in the Mon, BEFORE they had a chance to harass other people.

[MineralMan]

Probably the first guy was driving the speed limit, which ticked off the SUV driver to the point he decided to go on a rampage.

Shoot, I've had people here on FR screech at me because I won't drive over the speed limit. Who knows what might happen?

Wacky road rage ninjas.

[MineralMan]

"Charged were Herman Girvin, 28, of Gebhart Street, and James Davies, 25, of High Street. "

Yeah, probably illegal immigrants. You know how they are.

[Sloth]

'Duel' is one of those movies that I have *never* watched from the very beginning, but always stop and watch whenever I catch it in progress while flipping channels. 'Tremors' is another one.

[jjm2111]

Do you have those dopey, we're gonna set the speed limit so low it isn't funny roads in Cali?

[MineralMan]

"Do you have those dopey, we're gonna set the speed limit so low it isn't funny roads in Cali?"

Not really. Most speed limits on most roads I drive seem pretty reasonable. Not that you'd know it from the other drivers. Apparently a two-lane freeway posted at 65mph should be posted at 85, based on all the folks passing me over in the left lane.

And boy do they get ticked if someone's only driving 70 in the left lane...riding their bumper and flashing their lights.

Me, I'm over in the right lane, doing 65, exactly, on the cruise control.

[steplock]

Michael A. Fuoco can be reached at mfuoco@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1968.


It's always fun when these DUMB-A** reporters leaves a contact email/phone! :>)

[jjm2111]

I NJ we have quite a few graded highways w/ speedlimits of 50mph where 65 would be more reasonable.

I was doing 80mph in the left hand lane once and this ass comes roaring up behind me at like 100mph flashing his lights, blowing his horn, etc. I pulled over and he passess me and then slows down. I don't get some people.

I hate the people that drive in the shoulder for traffic jams. The "Rules don't apply to me" types. I blocked the shoulder w/ my truck once and fags in a Beetle convertible couldn't get around. They were pissed.

[bicycle thug]

Perhaps instead of burning SUVs, some are stealing them and using them this way to generate bad PR to help regulate or kill these vehicles. Just a thought.

Link to SUV arsonist's website

[Polycarp]

Most speed limits on most roads I drive seem pretty reasonable.

Not around here.

So I just take the posted speed limit, double it, and subtract ten, as a good estimate of safe driving speed...