How Not to Parallell Park

[scottbergerphoto]

This car wreck happened a block from the shooting two weeks ago.

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http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/47622200.jpg

[jfrancho]

Lincoln vs. Yukon! Looks like the Yukon won. Was everyone OK?
Antway, these are great pictures. That last one is really great.

[Ballen Photo]

Scott, This is EXCELLENT documentary work! I like that you included the faces of the emergency workers as well. Good stuff. :D :D :D
-Bruce

[scottbergerphoto]

Thanks Bruce, JF. I make it a habit of carrying my camera everyday to work. Weeks go by and nothing happens. Then it just does. I used to kick myself for not having it with me.

[DwightMcCann]

How can these guys go fast enough for this kind of damage in the middle of downtown? I guess you're getting to know the firemen by name now, eh? :-) Great images ... better than we ever see in the local papers.

[scottbergerphoto]

How can these guys go fast enough for this kind of damage in the middle of downtown? I guess you're getting to know the firemen by name now, eh? :-) Great images ... better than we ever see in the local papers.
You've obviously never driven around gypsie cab drivers from the West Indies. These are men, uasually from the West Indies-Trinidad, Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana, etc., who drive older Lincoln Town Cars and illegally pick up fares on the street. They drive like maniacs. People drive thick metal poles in the ground around corner homes and fill them with concrete to prevent them from crashing into their homes.

[DwightMcCann]

Holy cowabonga! Guess we need a documentary on crash proofing ones home! :-) Yup, I think the step up to a population of 5000 will be completely adequate for me. I'll just visit, thanks!

[Ballen Photo]

Guess we need a documentary on crash proofing ones home! How about a documentary on just WHO these Gypsy cab drivers are, why they're allowed to carry on like that, and Who their customers are. :evil:
-Bruce

[scottbergerphoto]

Their customers are usually hard working, blue collar people, West Indian and African American, trying to get back and fourth to the subway station and other places. They go places legal cabs won't (high crime areas, black neighborhoods). They are often easier to catch then a city bus. For those reasons they exist and are tolerated.

[DwightMcCann]

Scott, nicely worded and succinct ... Capitalism in action! And I'll bet the benefit to the community far outweighs the cost of regulating, licensing and monitoring them and probably exceeds the cost of whatever damage they do in the bargain. All this at no charge for the excitement.

As far as the photos go, I cannot imagine a better place to get clobbered than in front of BOTH a medical surgical center and a church! [I know it's a foot surgery place.]

[4nR]

nice captures. im not surprised it was a gypsy cab. i rode in one once and only once. im surprised they let you in so close. i figured they would have contained the area or at least kept people away.

[scottbergerphoto]

nice captures. im not surprised it was a gypsy cab. i rode in one once and only once. im surprised they let you in so close. i figured they would have contained the area or at least kept people away.
One of the secrets to getting PJ shots in NYC is to act like you know exactly what you are doing and move around like you have license to do so. Usually no one will bother you. The police don't treat you like a bystander but as if you belong there.
Another secret is that you never stop to chat with the police. That leads to them asking for your Press Credentials. Shoot and move.

[Coco-Puffs]

it'll buff out :p
and i really like the second to last pic.

[JMHPhotography]

I find it difficult to believe that gypsy cab drivers would be driving around NYC with Massachusetts tags, but nice PJ work none the less.

[scottbergerphoto]

I find it difficult to believe that gypsy cab drivers would be driving around NYC with Massachusetts tags, but nice PJ work none the less.
Your plucky skepticism aside, you obviously don't spend much time in NYC. Any other state with cheaper auto insurance is very popular. These are not TLC licensed vehicles. People take their own personal cars and pick up fares. The ease with which you question my journalistic integrity is disturbing. Spend a few minutes on Church Ave. or Utica Ave.in Brooklyn, then send me your apology. :rolleyes:

[NYC2BGI]

Your plucky skepticism aside, you obviously don't spend much time in NYC. Any other state with cheaper auto insurance is very popular. These are not TLC licensed vehicles. People take their own personal cars and pick up fares. The ease with which you question my journalistic integrity is disturbing. Spend a few minutes on Church Ave. or Utica Ave.in Brooklyn, then send me your apology. :rolleyes:It is quite obvious that he is not from NYC. New York is a great and unique city like no one other in the world. I run up and down Flatbush, Nostrand , Church and Utica Ave so I know what it is like.

[BottomBracket]

Great captures Scott! I do pass by that neighborhood on my bike sometimes, when I go to Propect Park. It is an interesting place teeming with people on the streets. Closer to home at Queens, I do maintain ties with several gypsy cab drivers for those times when I need a ride. They know the ins and outs of the city, and they all drive fast and a bit reckless.

[scottbergerphoto]

It is quite obvious that he is not from NYC. New York is a great and unique city like no one other in the world. I run up and down Flatbush, Nostrand , Church and Utica Ave so I know what it is like.
Word up my brother. ;)

[mdmedicgod]

How can these guys go fast enough for this kind of damage in the middle of downtown? I guess you're getting to know the firemen by name now, eh? :-) Great images ... better than we ever see in the local papers.

Today's vehicles are designed to crumple and absorb the impact of the crash.. Thats why MVC's today look far worse than a crash of the same magnitude 15yrs ago

[DwightMcCann]

So, md, are you suggesting that I am of an older, out moded, generation? I'll have you know that when I was a boy and member of the BCC Rescue Squad that vehicles driven into bridge abutments looked every bit as bad as these vehicles! Harummmph! And that was only about 40 years ago or so.

Seriously, they still have to be traveling more than 15mph to get this crushed.

[mdmedicgod]

Wow a pissing contest on POTN.... I never said anything directly about your knowledge of crash kinetics. I was just making a statement on how cars a designed to fall apart and crumple. 40 yrs out of the game you have missed a lot of changes in the fire service. Anyway, Just messing with ya. Anyone who has been to NYC knows that no one drives 15mph in that city...

[Niall]

I think you missed his sarcasm in that post :p

[DwightMcCann]

Goodness, md, I was just kidding ... actually making fun of myself for being 60! Slow down, dude ... I'm on your side!!! :-) I am sure they were doing well over 15 mph. Besides, I try not to piss in public at my age ... I tend to get too wet. Phew ... man, I am sorry.

[mdmedicgod]

I completely got the sarcaism. When I add to it everyone tells me to slow down.. calm down.....

[DwightMcCann]

Oh, it wasn't obvious from the tone of your post or response ... oh well, very hard to be sarcastic on the web as we all know.