What's new in the street chopper world? That's what these pages will attempt mightily to cover monthly. If you know something we don't, don't hesitate to drop me a line to Bandit@bikernet.com.
Bikernet.Com Announces The Girls Of Bikernet.Com
Hang on for this one. For the first time in history, a biker website will feature the best bikes and babes from all over the country. No, it's not a porno site, but it is a biker topless bar online. K. Randall Ball will oversee the site and the bikes, and Sam Dixon, a longtime babe photographer, will take responsibility for the photographs. The modeling connection is the first Bikernet babe, Livia. She will work with models and girls from all over the globe who want to model. Check it out at www.TheGirlsofBikernet.com or www.GirlsofBikernet.com.
Imagine, Bogus Information From The Nhtsa
In a letter I received on August 15, 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has admitted that the statistics compiled by the NHTSA under the heading of alcohol-related traffic fatality are, on occasion, being misinterpreted by data users. This wasn't news to me, but still, it's nice to finally get some of my arguments validated.
Responding to my challenge, Susan White, Chief Information Officer for the NHTSA offered the following thoughtful comments:
"NHTSA uses the term alcohol-related as a term of art (emphasis added) in reporting of data for use in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
"Even in plain English, use of the term 'related' is not translated to mean cause (emphasis added).
"In addition, the panel noted that the term 'alcohol-related' is occasionally misinterpreted by data users.
"Acknowledging this occasional misinterpretation, NHTSA plans to take further actions to educate users and clarify NHTSA's use of the term 'alcohol-related.' Among these actions will be the introduction of a new fact sheet in the near future that will detail the roles and BAC levels of those killed in alcohol-related crashes.
"We appreciate your attention to the accuracy of data regarding alcohol-related crashes. We agree that information of this importance needs to be communicated as clearly as possible."
So who are these data users that might be misinterpreting the alcohol-related traffic fatality statistics? They are members of MADD, police departments, highway patrol, and insurance companies, along with some attorneys, politicians, and newspaper editors. What troubles me most about some of these data users is their apparent lack of interest in any statistical evidence that might weaken their chances of convincing lawmakers to pass even harsher DUI laws.
Isn't it the primary goal of DUI laws to reduce drunk driving traffic fatalities in the United States? If so, then why is there any need whatsoever to work with questionable, misleading, misinterpreted, or misrepresented statistics?
Why are some of these data users angered by the idea that drunk driving might not be responsible for as many deaths as they once thought? What if it were to be discovered that of the approximately 17,500 alcohol-related traffic fatalities reported in 2003, only half were actually caused by a confirmed, legally intoxicated driver?
I can see the headlines now: "Drunk Driving Traffic Fatalities Plummet 50 Percent Overnight!" Of course, on page A-16, between the horoscopes and weather map, would be this headline: "One and a Half Million People Arrested for DUI in 2003 Demand a Recount!"Rogue
New Monster Garage Show Needs Your Help
I am doing some research for a new show called Backyard Monsters. We are looking for people who are in the midst of building, or who have already built, their own unique "Backyard Monsters."
We're looking for "Monsters" that are automobile-related or not (any type of vehicle, boat, aircraft, motorcycle, train, etc.). The theme of the show is "mixed elements that shouldn't necessarily be together." One example might be a jet-powered Mini Cooper that also has a brewery that serves beer.
If you, or anyone you know of, are doing any cool projects that might be appropriate for this new show, please feel free to contact me.
Hope Moore
Associate Producer
Monster Garage
hmoore@origprod.com