By Derek Loughran Santa Monica
This is regarding the article of impending restrictions on the Segway personal transportation device (SMDP, May 16, page 1).
A Segway owner, Allen Battino, is quoted as saying that since the cost of a Segway is so high ($4,000 for the least expensive model) “he believes the market will weed out those who are not serious about their Segways and therefore, would-n’t follow proper operating guidelines.”
Battino’s naïve and elitist statement implies that only those in the upper income brackets are capable of responsible behavior while operating a Segway. In that case, the owner of the recently crashed rare Ferrari in Malibu was “following proper guidelines” simply because he could afford such on ostentatious vehicle. He was apparently driving at 160 mph, so just because he had money to buy a million dollar car didn’t make him a responsible driver.
If purchasing a $4,000 piece of transportation is a huge investment for someone, rather than a splurge of pocket change just to be cool with the jet set, it can just as easily be surmised that the low income Segway owner would be even more conscientious about protecting their investment and not misuse or operate the device dangerously.
History and current events have shown that often those with the greatest wealth are capable of the most irresponsible, anti-social, and often downright murderous behavior. Read the LA Times business section on any given day and count the articles concerning crimes committed by millionaires. Consider the current trial of the heads of Enron for looting and destroying a company, and, of course, the behavior of our current president and his administration. Tom Delay and Jack Abramoff come to mind as certainly being able to afford a Segway but I wouldn’t trust them to drive a Segway around the block.
The arrogant belief that one has higher moral standards than their fellow man just because their bank account’s fat is a more dangerous concept than a Segway driven by someone with little means any day.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 22, 2006. Read the original PDF.