Driving in the US

[Dave_O]

A friends Facebook post got me curious about what people believe are the real issues behind driving in America. People who drive slow, erratic, stupid, etc. So I started a poll to see what people thought. I would like to keep all results together, which is why I do not have this thread as a poll, but I would like everyone to take part.

http://www.snappoll.com/poll/351941.php

If you take the poll here, I would appreciate if you also took it at the link.

Ease/Cheapness would equal stupidity of people.

[Jay_LHD3]

[Dave_O]

Originally Posted by jfaber99

Thank you sir!

[Brokinarrow]

I would also add an overall lack of PROPER driver education. Proper driver education does NOT consist of never allowing your child to touch a steering wheel until age 16, sending him/her to 'driver ed' class, passing a written test and then unleashing them on the street.

A good approach that I would like to see taken: regular trips to a go kart training track. Have the go-karts scaled to the children's age (really young get low powered carts, moving up in power with age until you reach the full sized cars like current drivers ed uses). I think this would go leaps and bounds to improving driver awareness and skill in this nation.

[BigMatt]

all of the above

[Dave_O]

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

I would also add an overall lack of PROPER driver education. Proper driver education does NOT consist of never allowing your child to touch a steering wheel until age 16, sending him/her to 'driver ed' class, passing a written test and then unleashing them on the street.

A good approach that I would like to see taken: regular trips to a go kart training track. Have the go-karts scaled to the children's age (really young get low powered carts, moving up in power with age until you reach the full sized cars like current drivers ed uses). I think this would go leaps and bounds to improving driver awareness and skill in this nation.

Your first paragraph is what I am getting at with the Ease of obtaining a license. I do however LOVE your go-kart idea. That is extremely neat! And gives me some ideas!!!

[Brokinarrow]

Originally Posted by Dave_O

Your first paragraph is what I am getting at with the Ease of obtaining a license. I do however LOVE your go-kart idea. That is extremely neat! And gives me some ideas!!!

Glad I could help

[Dave_O]

Originally Posted by BigMatt

all of the above

hahaha, can't argue too much with it, on the stereotypical aspect anyhow. I could definitely argue it, but not going to! I just think its the ease of obtaining a license, which goes along with what Brokinarrow said regarding lack of proper training.

[CamaroCowboy]

I make my teenagers pay the $400 for the class then they get two lessons....Responibility and the fact that driving is a privilage not a right. At least in Texas the parents have the right to remove said drivers license until age 18 for ANY reason.

[Dave_O]

Originally Posted by CamaroCowboy

I make my teenagers pay the $400 for the class then they get two lessons....Responibility and the fact that driving is a privilage not a right. At least in Texas the parents have the right to remove said drivers license until age 18 for ANY reason.

I did not know Texas did that... I like that... Although mine would have prolly gotten taken away... I like to speed... But then again, WHO DOESN'T!?

[CamaroSkooter]

Poll taken, and taken

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

I would also add an overall lack of PROPER driver education. Proper driver education does NOT consist of never allowing your child to touch a steering wheel until age 16, sending him/her to 'driver ed' class, passing a written test and then unleashing them on the street.

A good approach that I would like to see taken: regular trips to a go kart training track. Have the go-karts scaled to the children's age (really young get low powered carts, moving up in power with age until you reach the full sized cars like current drivers ed uses). I think this would go leaps and bounds to improving driver awareness and skill in this nation.

I really like this idea. And not just limited to go-karts. By the time you're 16 you should be in something slightly smaller than a mazda miata

The only problem would be implementation. And there would have to be a SERIOUS re-evaluation of the individuals that currently have licenses...

I also believe that you should have to take a driving test every 2-5 years. There are too many people that get through driver's education, and then everything they "learned" goes right out the window and they drive like idiots. Continual "refresher" courses would possibly alleviate some of the stupidity as well...

[Dave_O]

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

Poll taken, and taken



I really like this idea. And not just limited to go-karts. By the time you're 16 you should be in something slightly smaller than a mazda miata

The only problem would be implementation. And there would have to be a SERIOUS re-evaluation of the individuals that currently have licenses...

I also believe that you should have to take a driving test every 2-5 years. There are too many people that get through driver's education, and then everything they "learned" goes right out the window and they drive like idiots. Continual "refresher" courses would possibly alleviate some of the stupidity as well...

Thank you! And I agree! There should definitely be continual evaluations of driving. I have had to take Driver's Safety Courses due to speeding tickets, so they wouldn't go on my record, and they do a "decent" job but they still suck. They are only there so you can keep/get back your license.

Another thing, back to CamaroCowboy, in IL, driver's ed is included in the curriculum, so there are not costs associated with it. I even believe it is free to obtain the actual physical license for the first time with renewal at like $30... too cheap

[PoorMansCamaro]

Not sure if making it harder or more expensive to get the license is a good answer.

Let's say everyone had to pay more AND it was really tough to get a license...I'm still pretty positive most accidents would occur from young people. Young people with the attitude that they can't get hurt, can drink and drive, don't need to wear a seatbelt, can text and drive, etc is the real problem.

[Brokinarrow]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

Not sure if making it harder or more expensive to get the license is a good answer.

Let's say everyone had to pay more AND it was really tough to get a license...I'm still pretty positive most accidents would occur from young people. Young people with the attitude that they can't get hurt, can drink and drive, don't need to wear a seatbelt, can text and drive, etc is the real problem.

And that's why I think a multi-year driver's education system would really help out. It will instill a sense of respect for the vehicles in the children at a very young age, and that will grow with time (if done properly).