I can tell you what works for me - I started doing this when I was 17. Don't have to very often but still once a year or so...

When you realize you've been speeding / going way too fast for the situation make yourself pull over (preferably into a parking lot / onot a side road at least) and cool your heals for at least 10 minutes. Then get back on the road. I find I drive a lot more reasonably after that.

All that being said, I still accelerate faster and switch lanes much more in my MINI than I did in my old Ford Explorer!

/gary mc

 

Really?!?!?!?! That is so cool! I didn't know that.

A few months ago I made a left turn onto a street and right away had to pass a big slow truck so I could get over to make a right at an approaching street. I didn't dawdle...it a BIG truck with a BIG blind spot. Anyway, I got pulled over. Shocked me!! (a long story...the police LOVE this stretch of road) Anyway, the officer said I was going 62 in a 45. What??? I had no idea my Cooper was that quick (going from a stop at a street light AND turning). Anyway...lesson learned.

 

Ditto!! I admit I do the same thing on occasion but usually on a closed road or one I know very well and the speed limit is at least 55. On an open road or very busy road, 2 words come to mind: SLOW DOWN!!! One thing my dad always told me was it's better to arrive late then not at all. You don't want to end up like this http://www.car-accidents.com/pages/a...y/7-29-04.html
Grant it the Mini is a very very fun car it's even more fun when it has all 4 wheels attached and your in control. You should get into autocross where you can let loose but under controlled conditions.

2 months ago I had a really good friend who was almost killed in a similar car accident as in the link above and his best friend WAS killed when they were speeding and missed a turn and tried to make it and flipped 13 times and his best friend was ejected and the car ran over him. If it wasn't enough he killed his best friend, he spent 3 nights in jail b/c of it and had to go to court several different times but the worst thing was having to live with the thought that he killed his best friend. Enjoy your mini but do so controllably. Look at that website and read some of the other stories. That made me slow down a little once I got my mini..
Be safe[img]images/smilies/thumb-up.gif[/img]

 

Take your foot off the gas! If you go to fast, they can't stare at the toy.\

Go to the local SCCA races. They are fun, safe (one car on track), and enexpensive. There you can play and push your car to your/it's limits.

 

 

This is NO joke this guy needs help before he kills himself or anybody else. If you look this is his second thread where he talks about his driving troubles.

 

"Special Ed." may be the solution.

 

Why in gods name are you driving a mini with that little experience? My parents forced me into a slow SUV for the first year i drove so that i would learn about driving in a relativley safe place. They know everybody gets into accidents when they first start driving (happened to me ) and dont know how to controll the car. Lucky for me, i hit ice and only impacted a snnow bank. You in a mini +100 mph + semi = death.

SLOW DOWN I dont wana see a poor mini crumpled on the side of the freeway :(

 

I'm normally a very safe driver, yet I've found myself going 90 without planning to be anywhere near there--and I drive a plain old Cooper. I'm sure there are others out there who have done the same. When 80 is the norm in the fast lane, what do you expect? It's also not unusual for new teenage drivers to find themselves somewhat overwhelmed by the responsibilites of driving, especially with the possible consequences of what might happen if something goes wrong. (I guess at least some of those driver's ed films hit the spot .)

I don't see the point in bellitling or ridiculing someone who expresses concerns and asks for help as Mike has . Of course the lapse he described is potentially dangerous (as was mine, as is any driver who feels that a good car and good instincts/skills equal invincibility). That's why I appreciate that he was willing to ask for advice. Now let's hope he takes some of that advice to heart!

 

Try cruise control. It often keeps me out of trouble on flat stretches. Wait a minute -- I live in a very sparsely populated area. That's something that might not work so well in a city.

I like the soothing music idea. Chopin for my generation. Maybe John Mayer for yours? pb

 

Man I'll really have to disagree with you speed180....going over 100 mph on a freeway IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!!!!!!!

At best, ChilicooperS is going to lose his license or receive a huge fine, at worst...well Being a father I wouldn't even want to think about that result...

 

Yup...the cruise control thing is something I do as well...especially in areas that are known speed traps.

You're also right about it not being a good suggestion in heavy traffic...especially since ChiliCooperS is a new driver.

 

You people are blowing this way out of proportion with this "slow down; do the speed limit or you will kill yourself and other people. Speed kills"

Well, Frankly, thats BS. Its not the speed that kills, its the not paying attention to the road, the talking on cellphones, the going against the flow of traffic, and the driving drunk. In Germany, were the have the autobahn, the drivers license takes over a year to accomplish. The drivers over their take driving seriously. However, they regulary travel at speeds of 115-135mph- and the accident rate is LESS than in the U.S.

Now Im not saying he should just speed where ever he goes, Im saying he is control of his situation. (Wenzor) Chili, you dont need to freek out over anything. You are in control, nobody else is. All you need to do is watch out for the other idiots driving on the road, but just dont let yourself be one.

 

Turbogeo, are you a Pontiac Firefly?

 

you will find out the hard way with plenty of help from the local Gend'armes ,they are just aching to get their hands on young kids such as yourself and teach them a well deserved lesson.Here's something else to ponder, in MOST states 20 over is called driving to endanger, and here in massachusetts, that's called 6 months in JAIL!I'm not preaching from the pulpit here, cause this same thing happened to me and I totally know where you're coming from with these cars: it's really easy to go too fast and you'll have to maintain constant vigilance to keep yourself and others safe.Good luck, and by the way, it took stones to put yourself out to this community the way you did.Good work( and just ignore the people who don't give you what you are looking for) Jock

 

MCSwerks, I would disagree that he is in control of the situation. If he doesn't even have any idea of how fast he is going, how the heck can he be in control??
I agree with some of your other points, cell phones, etc. but on the autobahn I would thinj that the overall speed differential is way less than it would be on a freeway here in the U.S> where someone is doing over a hundred and most others are driving at the limit and switching lanes without cnsidering that someone my be blasting up on them at those speeds. And they shouldn't have to consider that, since it is so blatantly illegal. In the end, this, or anyone else for that matter, is going to hurt some innocent person or family by driving recklessly.

 

I am just worried a fellow NAM'er asks for help not once but twice on two related threads and some of us take it lightly an joke about it. I live in North San Diego and have many friends that work for the CHP and have seen and been told stories of young drivers in fast cars. I in no way am trying to belittle him. If I am off base I am sorry. I just took the info that he gave and replies to his thread and do not want to do him a disservice.

 

Im having some trouble understanding what Chili is saying to being with, however I do see your point. I would say that its not neccesary on how fast he is going, but on how he is doing it; if you understand what I am saying. I think that going with the flow of traffic regardless of speed is okay, left lane is the fast lane; make way for those faster than you. I am not saying he should weave through traffic erratically. I hate people that do that, and thats what gets people killed.
Going at a fast speed in an orderly manner is okay. But when you start swerving and recklessly driving, thats when you loose control of the situation. I hope you understand what I am saying.

 

Just basically as long as he drives responsibly and with a normal, sane head on he is fine. (and he doesnt have to set cruse control on the speed limit to do so, nor does he have to do 50mph over the limit.)

 

I agree with you. My point was mainly if you don't know how fast you're going in the first place, ya' aint in control.
I'm in agreement to go with the flow, the left is the fast, just be reasonable and don't do anything stupid while you're amongst other traffic that is obeying posted limits.

 

This is what I'd recommend as well.
I play Rod Stewart's "Great American Songbook" series and take it nice and easy with the sunroof open .

 

Getting used to real speed vs percieved speed takes a while. Especially with new drivers. So just concentrate a bit more, and when you forget, slap yourself in the forehead (preferably when saying "Doh" like Homer Simpson) to reinforce that you've been a bad boy. You'll get better.

But definantly get to know your car. This can be practicing manuvers in large parking lots when they are empty, to formal drivers traing through the likes of Bondorant or the like. Not only will it be a gas, you'll learn how to driver faster safer, but you will be a better driver at the end of it. As I do more track work, my spurts of speed are less frequent, and more limited to track time.

Matt

 

What ? (Turbogeo = Turbo George) Always been my user name.

 

Oh, I thought you meant Geo as in the car company. A The turbo version of the geo is the pontiac firefly.

 

Now there's something that would make me speed up and aim for the nearest large tree or cliff that I could find.