# Assholes drive cars too. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 5, 2004, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686 "2004-10-05T18:06:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/61 "2004-10-15T20:22:56Z")
Based on the link posted by **Lute Skywatcher** This guy is for sure as full of shit as a Christmas goose > [@](#): > > The car went up to 120mph and I couldn’t stop it. The brake pedal went slack and the gear stick jammed. So for this to have occured the way this jackass is describing it the following would have to have happened in this exact order: [ol] [li]brakes have a hydraulic or mechanical failure which somewhow does not illuminate any warning lights on dash[/li][li]Gear shift becomes mechanically jammed into gear[/li][li]Throttle gets jammed WFO (wide fucking open)[/li]Then as the driver approaches a tool booth the following happens [li]Brakes fix themselves (leaving no trace of a fault)[/li][li]Gearshift fixes itself (leaving no trace of a fault)[/li][li]Throttle system fixes itself (leaving no trace of a fault)[/li][/ol] You can make the arguement that an electronic system can fail intermittly, and not leave a trace. The same cannot be said about the hydraulic braking system or the mechanical gear shift. Nor can you make the arguement that a purely mechanical or hydraulic system can “repair” itself, leaving no trace. Soory this boy is a lying scumbag. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/62 "2004-10-15T21:23:39Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > Based on the link posted by **Lute Skywatcher** This guy is for sure as full of shit as a Christmas goose > > > [@](#): > > > > The car went up to 120mph and I couldn’t stop it. The brake pedal went slack and the gear stick jammed. That’s from The Mirror, a rag slightly more respectable than our National Enquirer, from what I understand. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/63 "2004-10-16T00:00:40Z")
Hey, guys, what if Monsieur Dequiedt’s Wild Ride never really happened? Is it at all possible that this is some elaborate hoax? Think about it: [ul][_]There hasn’t been anything new since last Friday.[_]This whole thing apparently stemmed from a single La Parisian article.Every article is slightly different - the only constants are Monsieur Dequiedt’s high rate of speed his claim about passing a truck.[/ul]Is this normal? ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/64 "2004-10-18T08:22:18Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Then stop acting so dense. Ooooh, good comeback. :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > Nice strawman. Translation: That _was_ the best you’ve got. 😃 > [@](#): > > For that to be true, there must be some that _aren’t_ driver error. I’ve been saying for this _entire fucking thread_ that this _could be_ the case here. > > Sheesh, I feel like I’m pullin’ teeth. Boy, you’re dumber than dirt, aren’t you? There ARE cases of unintended acceleration that are not driver error; in fact I gave an example that happened to ME. But I was able to stop the car, because I am not a fucking dumbass. For all the things to go simultaneously wrong that our “hero” claims, and then leave no trace that those things had ever failed, is a virtual impossibility. How many times do we have to say it before it penetrates that thick skull of yours? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/65 "2004-10-18T15:22:29Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > For all the things to go simultaneously wrong that our “hero” claims, and then leave no trace that those things had ever failed, is a virtual impossibility. You are aware what you’re saying is “almost but not quite” impossible, right? 🙂 The problem here is that we only know what’s been reported but with so many articles on the subject giving different details, there’s no way to know exactly went on.[ul][li][Associated Press](http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041005/NEWS/41005003): Picked up story from La Parisien. 120MPH, passing truck, brakes wouldn’t work until 125 miles later when he stomped on them to avoid a toll booth.[_][Reuters](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=1&u=/nm/20041005/od_nm/driver_dc): between 110 and 125MPH, passing truck, neither brakes nor gearshift worked. No mention of stomping the brakes, simply cut the engine.[_][Ireland Online](http://212.2.162.45/news/story.asp?j=79520357&p=795zx8z6&n=79520856): quotes the La Parisien then mentions “When magazine Auto Express tested the luxury car it warned:’“Look out for electrical niggles …. Numerous faults can arise here, so check the climate and cruise control systems.’”[_][The Register](http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/07/satanic_renault/): 200KPH, passing truck, mentions being unable to stop but no details. Finally stopped by pulling out the card ignition key.[_][Expactica](http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=58&story_id=12605&name=Renault+car+%91goes+berserk%92+while+cruising+French+motorway): 190-200KPH, passing truck, mentions being unable to slow down but no details. Finally stopped by cutting his engine.[/ul]More recently,[/li][ul][li][Expatica](http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=58&story_id=12652&name=Renault+to+sue+over+'berserk+Vel+Satis'+claim): Mentions Renault tested the vehicle and found nothing. Executives were skeptical from the start but the police believed him.[_][Associated Press](http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2004/10/06/ap1578811.html): Renault said a detailed examination of his car by an independent expert contradicted his story. Repeats claims of being unable to apply the brakes for nearly an hour.[_][Reuters](http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=6442270): Renault’s engineers inspected the car, not an independent investigator. They want a Judge to hire one.[/ul][/li] Can you see why I’m having trouble believing _anyone_ here? ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/66 "2004-10-18T18:57:27Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > You are aware what you’re saying is “almost but not quite” impossible, right? 🙂 I’m sorry, did you have a _point_? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/67 "2004-10-18T20:19:15Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > I’m sorry, did you have a _point_? Do you always answer a question with a question? 😃 All joking aside, saying something is “a virtual impossiblity” means it’s not _totally_ impossible. Which is what I’ve been saying all along. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/68 "2004-10-18T20:52:00Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Do you always answer a question with a question? 😃 > > All joking aside, saying something is “a virtual impossiblity” means it’s not _totally_ impossible. Which is what I’ve been saying all along. It’s _possible_ that Rush Limbaugh will go on the air tomorrow and endorse John Kerry; that doesn’t mean there’s any point in giving consideration to the idea. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/69 "2004-10-18T21:46:14Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > It’s _possible_ that Rush Limbaugh will go on the air tomorrow and endorse John Kerry; that doesn’t mean there’s any point in giving consideration to the idea. Hey, no need to go to extremes. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/70 "2004-10-18T21:55:41Z")
Sorry, hit Submit too soon. I meant to ask if you’d care to comment on the rest of the post which sent us off on this tangent. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/71 "2004-10-19T09:00:01Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Sorry, hit Submit too soon. I meant to ask if you’d care to comment on the rest of the post which sent us off on this tangent. Not really. What kind of comment were you looking for? That bad reporters exist? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/72 "2004-10-19T15:06:55Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > Not really. I figured as much. > [@](#): > > _What kind of comment were you looking for? That bad reporters exist?_ Amazing. Three out of five say nothing about him stomping on the brakes, just the two that quoted from La Parisien. You’d rather dismiss them as bad reporting instead of taking them into consideration. I get the feeling it’s because I posted them instead of you finding them on your own. I suggest, Mr. Ed, that you have Wilbur remove those blinders. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/73 "2004-10-19T15:21:58Z")
Did the police ever report his brakelights coming on? Another failer in the system perhaps? Suuurrrre. The brakelight switch is a simple switch activated when you press on the brake pedal. It is not connected to the hydrolics. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/74 "2004-10-19T17:16:52Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Did the police ever report his brakelights coming on? Point taken. Just like everything else, there’s no way for us to know at this time. “Us” being everyone except **blowero** , who has decided to take La Parisien and the AP at face value. I take back my “dense” comment. He’s not dense, he just has tunnel vision. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/75 "2004-10-19T18:49:41Z")
What really bugs me about his story is that you don’t hear any stories about brakes going out and causing accidents. Brakes are the one thing that car companies seem to have down pat. That, and the other ways to stop the car (turn the engine off) make it very suspect. How long did he own the car? Does he know nothing about it? "having raced down some 125 miles of highway between Vierzon and Riom in central France. " O.K. “I stomped on the brakes as hard as I could and the car finally stopped,” he said. Good damn idea! Brilliant!!! What does the normal person do when they want to slow down? Anyone? They should take away your license just on the principal that he didn’t do this to start with. 29 years old and can’t stop a car. But can drive it for 125 miles at 120 MPH and not get in a accident. While talking on his cell to the police. Yep. Does he have any bridges for sale? ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/76 "2004-10-19T19:11:58Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > I figured as much.Amazing. Three out of five say nothing about him stomping on the brakes, just the two that quoted from La Parisien. You’d rather dismiss them as bad reporting instead of taking them into consideration. I get the feeling it’s because I posted them instead of you finding them on your own. I suggest, Mr. Ed, that you have Wilbur remove those blinders. Would you like some more straw with your strawman? You obviously haven’t read a fucking word I’ve written. Apparently, in your delusional little world, you _aren’t_ the only one in this thread who’s actually gullible enough to believe that lying sack of shit, and it _hasn’t_ been pointed out by everyone else over and over and over and over that the number of things that would have to fail simultaneously on the car in order to render it impossible to stop FOR 125 MILES, renders it a virtual impossibility (which, BTW - you fail to comprehend the meaning of). > [@](#): > > Point taken. Just like everything else, there’s no way for us to know at this time. “Us” being everyone except blowero, Wow, you’re REALLY living in a dream world, dude. Yes, there IS one person at odds with everyone else in this thread, and that is YOU, sir. The rest of us happen to be capable of recognizing the distinct odor of bullshit, while you obviously lack that ability. > [@](#): > > who has decided to take La Parisien and the AP at face value. Better save some of that straw; you might need it for your next post. :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > I take back my “dense” comment. He’s not dense, he just has tunnel vision. Yes, let’s see - you believe this guy’s story that he couldn’t stop the car for 125 miles, but then suddenly was magically able to, is possible, even though the closest case you’ve found to such a thing _ever_ happening was a car that accelerated for a matter of a few _feet_. And never mind that the vast majority of people who make such claims turn out to be wrong. And _I’ve_ got tunnel vision… 😃 But hey - keep it up. This is entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/77 "2004-10-19T19:20:22Z")
Oh, and in case it wasn’t clear to you (as many things seem not to be), the contradictory aspects of the various stories you cited, if anything, make this guy’s story even LESS credible, not more, as you seem to think. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/78 "2004-10-19T20:07:11Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > the contradictory aspects of the various stories you cited, if anything, make this guy’s story even LESS credible, not more No shit, Sherlock. The contradictory aspects are exactly why “I’m having trouble believing _anyone_ here.” > [@](#): > > _you believe this guy’s story_ Continuing to repeat that won’t make it true. I won’t believe him _or_ Renault until (if?) we get more information. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/79 "2004-10-19T20:10:40Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > You obviously haven’t read a fucking word I’ve written. Funny, I get the same impression from you. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686/80 "2004-10-19T20:22:38Z")
What I want to know (accepting that I haven’t read ANY of the attached stories) is that if the guy was having a joy ride, why on earth would he _PHONE THE POLICE TO TELL THEM ABOUT IT_. I can totally see if he was arrested because he was caught on film and then came up with some lame story, but phoning the police at the time of the chase makes me think that there really was _something_ going on with the car, even if it wasn’t as dire as the man suggested. No? BTW - **blowero, Lute** , you guys are looking kinda funny here… I’m just sayin. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-drive-cars-too/267686.md?page=5)