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Smart Tipping (it's probably not what you think)
Gadling ^ | July 27, 2009 | Scott Carmichael

Posted on 07/28/2009 11:59:54 AM PDT by Egg

Amsterdam becoming the car tipping capital of the world?

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.

Smart car owners in Amsterdam may be starting to have second thoughts about their little cars, because of an alarming new trend.

"Smart Smijten" is the Dutch name for it, and it translates to "Smart Tipping" - the "sport" of tipping the vehicle into a canal. If there is one thing Amsterdam has no shortage of, it is canals. And since many owners park their car with the rear facing the water, it is easy for a couple of drunk hooligans to pick the car up from the front, and dump it into the canal.

Of course, the cars are a total loss when they have been in the filthy water, and the crane required to lift them out probably doesn't do them much good either.

Apparently, the Dutch police have known about he phenomenon for some time, but tried to keep it quiet, to prevent copy-cat criminals. It is probably only a matter of time till other cities try to compete. So, if you own or rent a Smart (or other small vehicle), keep it away from any canals when you park!


TOPICS: Humor; Society
KEYWORDS: amsterdam; schadenfreude; smart; smijten; tipping
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Original Article (in Dutch)
1 posted on 07/28/2009 11:59:55 AM PDT by Egg
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To: Egg
"Of course, the cars are a total loss when they have been in the filthy water..."

You'd think the water wouldn't be that polluted with all the cleaner burning smart cars running around Europe...

2 posted on 07/28/2009 12:03:01 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: Egg

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.


3 posted on 07/28/2009 12:03:09 PM PDT by Houghton M.
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To: Egg

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


4 posted on 07/28/2009 12:05:12 PM PDT by BubbaJunebug (s)
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To: BubbaJunebug

Hell hath no fury like a “can’t-we-all-get-along” liberal scorned.


5 posted on 07/28/2009 12:07:39 PM PDT by Egg (The nationalizations will continue until the free market recovers)
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To: Houghton M.

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.


6 posted on 07/28/2009 12:07:49 PM PDT by BenKenobi
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To: Egg
This is a deed popularized by Ted Kennedy...


7 posted on 07/28/2009 12:13:41 PM PDT by Sgt_Schultze (Si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: Egg

Perhaps they should use bicycle lock chains.


8 posted on 07/28/2009 12:13:45 PM PDT by SampleMan (Socialism enslaves you & kills your soul.)
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To: Egg

9 posted on 07/28/2009 12:14:25 PM PDT by Stimpson_J_Cat
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To: Egg

I guess this proves that redneckism knows no national boundaries. And that’s a good thing.


10 posted on 07/28/2009 12:15:12 PM PDT by Disambiguator
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To: Egg

One more reason to call them “Dumb Cars” (the other being the obvious injury risk if in an accident).


11 posted on 07/28/2009 12:16:11 PM PDT by Born Conservative (Working hard so those on public assistance don't have to.)
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To: Born Conservative
As seen on another thread:



You just know we're going to be seeing more and more interesting pictures involving these mobile death traps in the near future.
12 posted on 07/28/2009 12:24:50 PM PDT by Egg (The nationalizations will continue until the free market recovers)
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To: BenKenobi

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.


13 posted on 07/28/2009 12:34:49 PM PDT by absolootezer0 (thank God for Chicago: makes Detroit look wholesome by comparison.)
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To: Egg

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.


14 posted on 07/28/2009 12:42:31 PM PDT by rwfromkansas ("Carve your name on hearts, not marble." - C.H. Spurgeon)
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To: Egg

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.


15 posted on 07/28/2009 12:53:35 PM PDT by Flying Circus
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To: Egg

Is that a periscope on top, for when it gets “tipped” into a canal?


16 posted on 07/28/2009 12:54:14 PM PDT by Born Conservative (Working hard so those on public assistance don't have to.)
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To: absolootezer0
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.

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!

17 posted on 07/28/2009 1:00:36 PM PDT by TC Rider (The United States Constitution - 1791. All Rights Reserved.)
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To: absolootezer0
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.

With friends like you, who needs...

;^)

18 posted on 07/28/2009 1:10:36 PM PDT by JimRed ("Hey, hey, Teddy K., how many girls did you drown today?" TERM LIMITS, NOW AND FOREVER!)
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To: Born Conservative
Is that a periscope on top, for when it gets “tipped” into a canal?

No, it's just happy to see you.

19 posted on 07/28/2009 1:12:55 PM PDT by webschooner (“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” Mahatma Gandh)
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To: Flying Circus; Born Conservative
It's Big Brother (in Australia):

------------

CCTV on wheels

Date: 19/3/07
Author: Natalie Fahy
Source: Richmond & Twickenham News

Periscope camera carA 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.


This article may be reproduced as long as the Original source and Footprint Security are provided as as links.

20 posted on 07/28/2009 1:13:09 PM PDT by Egg (The nationalizations will continue until the free market recovers)
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