Should We Have better Driving Tests?

People often tell stories about the dangerous driving one can encounter in third world countries. But the reality is that here in the U.S. we don't behave much better; the main difference is that we drive newer, shinier vehicles.

In truth, our country's collective driving ability is a disgrace, and a dangerous one at that. Our poor driving skills are a national embarrassment made worse by the fact that so much could be done to mitigate the problem. Above all what we need is a driving test worthy of the name, and driver training to go with it. What we have today in the way of a test is a farce, a process so simple that a 9-year old could probably pass, if he or she could reach the controls.

By contrast, the rest of the first world makes people who want to acquire a driving license go through an elaborate and demanding procedure. In many European countries, for example, the training and testing process is lengthy, expensive and involves comprehensive written and driving exams. Over there, a driving license is regarded as a privilege, not a right, which is how it should be.


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Rupert - 3/28/2007 12:18:30 PM

-2 Boost

People must wear their seatbelts, if they had the option people simply wouldn't wear them, and deaths would rise massively.

no1listensanyway - 3/28/2007 6:07:24 PM

-3 Boost

I live in the metro NY metro area and have to constantly use the highways to get around. I agree its annoying that people hang out in the left lane, but even if you get passed them, the fastest you are going to go is 60 - 65. Our highways are too congested to have people going 80 in the left lane and 45 -50 in the right and center lanes. As hard as it is to swallow, I think those guys in the left lane are saving a lot of lives and thats why the cops don't bother them. Tailgating is a huge problem though. Driving in the city is very competetive, there is nothing like fighting for inches.

Traffic enforcement cannot solve all these problems, only common sense can.

njshift - 3/29/2007 8:09:44 AM

+4 Boost

It's the law. Keep right and PASS left. Very few in the tri-state abide by this law. Which is why tailgating is a huge problem, most likely because you're going too slow or just a crap driver in the wrong lane. We should enforce the laws we have and not make new ones. A more strict driving test will be an excellent idea.

njshift - 3/29/2007 9:28:19 AM

+4 Boost

no1listensanyway wrote: "the fastest you are going to go is 60 - 65"

Either you're part of the traffic problem or you have never driven on a major road in ny/nj/pa. I am not talking about rush hour either. Try going 65 in the fast lane on the NJ turnpike or any major highway, you'll end up getting run off the road.

no1listensanyway - 3/29/2007 10:18:55 AM

-2 Boost

You must be from Jersey, the Turnpike and Garden State are death traps. On those highways you have people on your ass at 85mph. I live in Westchester and Long Island, very different types of driving. Not much room to go fast.

njshift - 3/29/2007 4:23:06 PM

+1 Boost

Yes my handle must have given it away. I lived in White Plains for 4 years. It's not much different the NJ driving, just better scenary.

Rupert - 3/28/2007 12:17:42 PM

+1 Boost

My driving instructor did say Americans have the worst driving habits - he has to retrain them even if they have been driving for years.
Also, the British test is the 3rd hardest in the world.

Rupert - 3/28/2007 2:28:07 PM

+1 Boost

I get deboosted for saying Americans have bad driving habits. What a suprise.

Threepoint1415926 - 3/28/2007 4:39:49 PM

+3 Boost

I gave you a +1. The "Left Lane Bandits" are in my opinion the very worst of the worst. Tailgating, improper signaling, aggravated driving all stem from poor lance discipline. Why oh why do people feel the need to cruise in the passing lane?

jeffy210 - 3/28/2007 12:21:56 PM

+5 Boost

to requote myself from an earlier article:

"I wish we would have stricter driving tests (i.e. retests every 5 years, (every 2 years for under 21 or over 65) and then increase the speed limits everywhere. I could also see adopting some of the German style laws and limits."

M53R - 3/28/2007 12:56:50 PM

+2 Boost

The picture above was taken from the U.A.E.
As someone said before.... Landcruisers can go anywhere, even the toughest roads!!! ;)

JDMman - 3/28/2007 4:19:20 PM

+4 Boost

you can't really compare the US to the middle east. I mean if you go around the internet you see videos of thses middle easterners drive camrys sideways at like 80mph on a busy highway with half their country on the side of the highway and they're going into the crowd, most likely killing people, and going back to try the trick again! seriously i don't see that on the I95.

gsh23 - 3/28/2007 4:38:24 PM

+3 Boost

those are some of the most messed up videos i have ever seen. no one has any regard for their own personally safety. i mean its like the spanish run of the bulls except with cars going 80+mph. what do they think will happen? their screams still bother me right now, bad youtube! =P

EvoAudi - 3/28/2007 8:50:19 PM

-2 Boost

there should be a system that prevents the vehicle from moving, working with sensors in the seatbelt.

EvoAudi - 3/28/2007 8:50:51 PM

-2 Boost

so you can't go anywhere not wearing a seatbelt.