Posted on 07/28/2009 11:59:54 AM PDT by Egg
Ever seen one of those little Smart cars? They may be pretty rare in the US, but in Europe you'll have a hard time not being able to find the little buggers. Especially in the major cities of Europe, the small cars are extremely popular, as they are a breeze to park. In fact, they are so easy to park, that many owners can fit two of them in a single parking spot. You'd think the water wouldn't be that polluted with all the cleaner burning smart cars running around Europe...
I figured it was someone looking for a parking space flipping the car already there out of the way so he could park his own car. I was surprised that it’s only hooligans who do this and only tip into canals.
Amazing how one’s education can be expanded on FR.
We should try Smart Stacking here...3 or 4 one on top of the other would be fun to try....not to mention the joy of pissed off looks by the stupid libs who buy them
Hell hath no fury like a “can’t-we-all-get-along” liberal scorned.
I’ve done it before as a prank, turning around the smart car so that it’s horizontal in the parking spot. :)
They are surprisingly light.
Perhaps they should use bicycle lock chains.
I guess this proves that redneckism knows no national boundaries. And that’s a good thing.
One more reason to call them “Dumb Cars” (the other being the obvious injury risk if in an accident).
so are fiats and some smaller VWs. we used to pick up a friend’s fox and turn it around, then park our cars to either side so he’d be stuck.
Amsterdam has canals and water everywhere...definitely a big problem. Scary for the car’s safety how easy it is to tip. Can’t imagine being in a wreck with the thing, and I am not one who attacks compact cars for that reason. But, this tiny little thing is an exception....I wouldn’t ever drive one.
Why does that car have device sticking out of the roof? Looks like that installed something abnormal on the car than drove it under a barrier that was too low.
Is that a periscope on top, for when it gets “tipped” into a canal?
LOL, in '69 we picked up our English teachers Fiat 850 and placed it between two flagpoles with about an inch to spare.
Sorry Willa!
With friends like you, who needs...
;^)
No, it's just happy to see you.
A high-tech car fitted with a CCTV camera on a periscope will be deployed to spot motorists who park irresponsibly, Richmond upon Thames Council has announced.
The specially modified Smart car will begin a two-month trial in the borough from April.
It will target known hotspots, homing in on motorists parking on pavements and illegally parking around schools and pedestrian crossings.
It will also enforce traffic and parking restrictions on rugby match days around Twickenham Stadium.
Motorists caught flouting the rules will be issued with a fixed penalty notice.
The cars are already being used by Westminster, Enfield, Camden and Islington Councils and have proved effective in improving pedestrian safety and reducing traffic accidents and congestion.
Coun David Trigg, cabinet member for traffic, transport and parking, said: "Indiscriminate parking around schools and pedestrian crossings is highly irresponsible and poses a real danger to pedestrians.
"This new technology will enable us to focus on problem areas quickly and efficiently, in a way that parking attendants are unable to do.
"The car is also visually distinctive and I hope it will prove an effective deterrent to motorists. Similar vehicles have been successful in other London boroughs and this trial will determine how well it works in Richmond upon Thames."
The car will be operated by trained staff and fitted with analogue and digital CCTV recording and monitoring equipment.
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Can you say ‘Yugo’?
You don’t want to take one of those things on a cross-country trip, but they are a welcome alternative to a scooter or walking in an urban environment.
If I lived in downtown DC, I would probably park my Buick Roadmaster near a Metro station in the suburbs and get one of those dishwashers on wheels to putt around in.
I prefer cow tipping. It takes some stealth and cunning.
Or a deeply buried nuclear device.
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