Mail Today promotes lawless driving. Ford contributes.

SS-Traveller · 26th February 2010, 17:03

A travel article, titled "@ 140 kmph+" by Abhay Desai in the Mail Today newspaper on 25 February 2010 (Mail Today - News for the New Indian# - page 28) is extremely tasteless, because the reporter enjoys breaking a number of traffic rules without qualms, and the paper publishes the same so proudly.

First, the reporter indulges in breaking the speed limit just because he is driving a powerful car (the Ford Endeavour Automatic). The route taken, along NH1 up to Ambala, has a speed limit of 90 kmph, and Abhay Desai reports "effortlessly speeding up to 140+ kmph". Even the title of the article glorifies this fact.

Second, the paper promotes the fact that they are drinking and driving. "We surrender and stop at Captains Inn for a cold beer..."

Also, the car has a temporary registration (TN19TC 0050), which probably means that a Ford dealer will sell the car to an unsuspecting customer after the joyride and misuse are over - I hope Ford would pay attention to the same as well.

I sincerely hope Mail Today will promote safe driving habits in future, and Ford would do well not to lend them another car to play around with.

Would like your collective opinion here too.

suman · 26th February 2010, 20:06

Doc, the TN cars are normally used here for TD purposes, not for selling to unsuspecting customers.

Secondly, driving at 140 kmph on NH1 when the speed limit is 90 kmph - is he the only one guilty & why is Ford responsible? Are all vehicle manufacturers responsible when people break speed limits during Test Drives?

About publicising the drinking & driving - I agree, it is pretty stupid.

SS-Traveller · 26th February 2010, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

...driving at 140 kmph on NH1 when the speed limit is 90 kmph - is he the only one guilty...?

No, but he's the rare one guilty of publicising and promoting it in a respected newspaper. That can be considered irresponsible journalism.

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

...why is Ford responsible?

They're not responsible. They contributed the car. That's what I meant.

k-swifter · 26th February 2010, 21:24

Our irresponsible media organizations cannot get worse than this. Can anyone take a PDF copy of this article and upload as an attachment?

Corresponding authorities should register civic(?) or criminal(?) case against this newspaper editors and the reporter for violating local laws. Then such newspapers can put one more article with same excitement about how they being punished for violating rules and getting fined, at least that will promote law and educate readers that no individual/organization/newspaper is above law.

SS-Traveller · 26th February 2010, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by k-swifter

Can anyone take a PDF copy of this article and upload as an attachment?

Here you go...

Mailtoday article - 1.pdf

Mailtoday article - 2.pdf

StarVegabond · 26th February 2010, 22:05

Today i saw an advt on tv, a sedan was engaged in a street race with SUV
i think the ad was of chevvy cruze, i am not sure.

There are thousands of Test Drive & Initial ownership threads and travelogues in this very forum where owners have proudly taken photogrpahs of their highest peak speed (160-190 KMPH) on a national highway and have displayed/posted in a open forum which is viewed by every one including kids.

there are several teens in the forum as members, they will also try and do the same i.e. try to break speed limits when they grow up.

rameshnanda · 26th February 2010, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Here you go...

Attachment 296014

Attachment 296015

Really a stupid article.

JayPrashanth · 26th February 2010, 22:20

Almost every auto rag overspeeds on public roads. It's wrong but that's what is happening. If these guys are going to be pulled up, so should every auto rag in India that indulges in performance testing on public roads with real traffic. What about the records the rags try to set every now and then? That's wrong isn't it? The only thing that is pitiable is the old monk statement adding fuel to the drive, but that still doesn't mean that the said tester did actually drink and drive. And the cold beer could be for the other people in the car.

Cheers,

Jay

simply_sunny001 · 26th February 2010, 22:26

this is very disgusting article totally low on quality and then this stupid stuff highlighting 140+ speeds and drinks etc.

I dont know why Ford paid to such a monkey to TD their car and write this worthless article.

Show the Test Drive Reviews GTO and Tanveer has posted to this guy and he would jump off from the Hatu Peak.

SS-Traveller · 27th February 2010, 22:43

I am glad that Mail Today made small amends by publishing my letter to the editor in today's edition, regarding this issue.

Mail Today promotes lawless driving. Ford contributes.-lettertoed.jpg

McLaren Rulez · 28th February 2010, 10:30

Well most car journos speed and write about it too but the bit about the beer is totally stupid. Its just an idiot journo trying to be macho with beer and a big SUV. I'm glad they published your letter.

swiftnfurious · 28th February 2010, 18:39

I dont think there is a problem with the top speed mentioned in the article. I believe everyone [atleast 80% of people who drive] breaks the speed barrier at one time or the other. As long as its safe, I dont find a reason why we cant drive at those speeds or mention top speeds. But the beer part could be avoided!

arunsasi · 28th February 2010, 19:03

I saw this same cruze ad today and felt that it should never have been aired.

Regarding the forum - I have seen scores of proud speeders here everything from m800s to M3s. Could we have infractions put in place for people who promote / brag on speeding? High time we act responsibly. please remember that team-bhp is the fist hit in google for most search queries i have tried on indian cars. we would be doing a great service by moderating / not promoting such unlawful practices.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarVegabond

Today i saw an advt on tv, a sedan was engaged in a street race with SUV
i think the ad was of chevvy cruze, i am not sure.

There are thousands of Test Drive & Initial ownership threads and travelogues in this very forum where owners have proudly taken photogrpahs of their highest peak speed (160-190 KMPH) on a national highway and have displayed/posted in a open forum which is viewed by every one including kids.

there are several teens in the forum as members, they will also try and do the same i.e. try to break speed limits when they grow up.

punitkakri · 28th February 2010, 19:53

Well the article should have been written in better taste. Such articles tend to influence the new teenage drivers who try to replicate the "macho" feeling that is put forward by such articles. Something need to be done since the number of road accidents involving youngsters is on the rise. Somewhere or the other people need to show restrain while publishing such articles.

mayjay · 28th February 2010, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunsasi

I saw this same cruze ad today and felt that it should never have been aired.

Regarding the forum - I have seen scores of proud speeders here everything from m800s to M3s. Could we have infractions put in place for people who promote / brag on speeding? High time we act responsibly. please remember that team-bhp is the fist hit in google for most search queries i have tried on indian cars. we would be doing a great service by moderating / not promoting such unlawful practices.

I get the feeling that car advertising in India is fairly immature. There are several instances of unacceptable behavior being shown in ads. The SX4 ad with the guy starting to drive irresponsibly after being courteous when he gets into his car, the Swift ad with a guy having to look left and right with binoculars before nearly getting run over by a swift, and now this Cruze ad, which is entirely ridiculous. Advertisers seem to be taking the easy route to trying to sell a car by selling the speed aspect. Surely there is more to a car than just speed - you are alienating so many people who just want a safe, reliable mode of transportation, people with families to take around. Autoheads don't need ads to tell them which is the fastest car, we can figure that out for ourselves.

26th February 2010, 17:03	#1
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,164 Thanked: 27,132 Times View My Garage	Mail Today promotes lawless driving. Ford contributes. A travel article, titled "@ 140 kmph+" by Abhay Desai in the Mail Today newspaper on 25 February 2010 (Mail Today - News for the New Indian# - page 28) is extremely tasteless, because the reporter enjoys breaking a number of traffic rules without qualms, and the paper publishes the same so proudly. First, the reporter indulges in breaking the speed limit just because he is driving a powerful car (the Ford Endeavour Automatic). The route taken, along NH1 up to Ambala, has a speed limit of 90 kmph, and Abhay Desai reports "effortlessly speeding up to 140+ kmph". Even the title of the article glorifies this fact. Second, the paper promotes the fact that they are drinking and driving. "We surrender and stop at Captains Inn for a cold beer..." Also, the car has a temporary registration (TN19TC 0050), which probably means that a Ford dealer will sell the car to an unsuspecting customer after the joyride and misuse are over - I hope Ford would pay attention to the same as well. I sincerely hope Mail Today will promote safe driving habits in future, and Ford would do well not to lend them another car to play around with. Would like your collective opinion here too.
	() Thanks

26th February 2010, 20:06	#2
suman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 4,589 Thanked: 279 Times View My Garage	Doc, the TN cars are normally used here for TD purposes, not for selling to unsuspecting customers. Secondly, driving at 140 kmph on NH1 when the speed limit is 90 kmph - is he the only one guilty & why is Ford responsible? Are all vehicle manufacturers responsible when people break speed limits during Test Drives? About publicising the drinking & driving - I agree, it is pretty stupid.
	() Thanks

26th February 2010, 21:24	#4
k-swifter Newbie Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 18 Thanked: 0 Times	Our irresponsible media organizations cannot get worse than this. Can anyone take a PDF copy of this article and upload as an attachment? Corresponding authorities should register civic(?) or criminal(?) case against this newspaper editors and the reporter for violating local laws. Then such newspapers can put one more article with same excitement about how they being punished for violating rules and getting fined, at least that will promote law and educate readers that no individual/organization/newspaper is above law.
	() Thanks

26th February 2010, 22:05	#6
StarVegabond Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,891 Thanked: 42 Times	Today i saw an advt on tv, a sedan was engaged in a street race with SUV i think the ad was of chevvy cruze, i am not sure. There are thousands of Test Drive & Initial ownership threads and travelogues in this very forum where owners have proudly taken photogrpahs of their highest peak speed (160-190 KMPH) on a national highway and have displayed/posted in a open forum which is viewed by every one including kids. there are several teens in the forum as members, they will also try and do the same i.e. try to break speed limits when they grow up. Last edited by StarVegabond : 26th February 2010 at 22:12.
	() Thanks

26th February 2010, 22:20	#8
JayPrashanth Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore/Goa Posts: 1,302 Thanked: 2,074 Times	Almost every auto rag overspeeds on public roads. It's wrong but that's what is happening. If these guys are going to be pulled up, so should every auto rag in India that indulges in performance testing on public roads with real traffic. What about the records the rags try to set every now and then? That's wrong isn't it? The only thing that is pitiable is the old monk statement adding fuel to the drive, but that still doesn't mean that the said tester did actually drink and drive. And the cold beer could be for the other people in the car. Cheers, Jay
	() Thanks

26th February 2010, 22:26	#9
simply_sunny001 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London & Rohtak Posts: 1,340 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	this is very disgusting article totally low on quality and then this stupid stuff highlighting 140+ speeds and drinks etc. I dont know why Ford paid to such a monkey to TD their car and write this worthless article. Show the Test Drive Reviews GTO and Tanveer has posted to this guy and he would jump off from the Hatu Peak.
	() Thanks

27th February 2010, 22:43	#10
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,164 Thanked: 27,132 Times View My Garage	I am glad that Mail Today made small amends by publishing my letter to the editor in today's edition, regarding this issue.
	() Thanks

28th February 2010, 10:30	#11
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,389 Thanked: 5,101 Times	Well most car journos speed and write about it too but the bit about the beer is totally stupid. Its just an idiot journo trying to be macho with beer and a big SUV. I'm glad they published your letter.
	() Thanks

28th February 2010, 18:39	#12
swiftnfurious Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 7,203 Thanked: 9,661 Times	I dont think there is a problem with the top speed mentioned in the article. I believe everyone [atleast 80% of people who drive] breaks the speed barrier at one time or the other. As long as its safe, I dont find a reason why we cant drive at those speeds or mention top speeds. But the beer part could be avoided! Last edited by swiftnfurious : 28th February 2010 at 18:41.
	() Thanks

28th February 2010, 19:53	#14
punitkakri BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 138 Thanked: 27 Times	Well the article should have been written in better taste. Such articles tend to influence the new teenage drivers who try to replicate the "macho" feeling that is put forward by such articles. Something need to be done since the number of road accidents involving youngsters is on the rise. Somewhere or the other people need to show restrain while publishing such articles.
	() Thanks