Laws governing driver’s licenses must be toughened up dramatically. Making it more difficult to get a permit will help weed out the bad drivers like that Texan in the Subaru (above) who lost control while… parking!. Adding to the mandatory number of hours of in-car training might just make skilled drivers out of mediocre motorists.
Getting a drivers license in the centre of the universe (Toronto, Canada) is way too easy! Despite a ‘graduated license’ system (G1, G2, G) any 16-year-old can be on the road after taking a quiz of 40 multiple-choice questions. Get 80% right, and an person with zero experience behind the wheel can legally drive on public roads (with a parent). By comparison, in Japan the theory test is 100 questions long, and in Hungary its 75 questions with only 1 minute per questions. That’s a good start!
Before the first road test in Ontario, 10 hours of in-car driver training is required (plus 20-30 hours in-class). Compare that to Australia where a driver must log a staggering 120 hours behind the wheel before the road test. And in Russia, it’s 50 hours in-car training before a road test which includes an obstacle course followed by an on-road exam. Then there’s Finland, where learners are sent out on a skid-pad to understand how to handle skidding in rainy or snowy conditions.
The problem with driver licensing standards across North America is that people think that they have a ‘right’ to drive. Far from it! Driving is a privilege that’s been extended to underqualified people who don’t deserve to call themselves motorists.
To end the carnage on the roads, revoke all drivers licenses. When a license has expired at the end of a 5 year term, the driver must pass a road test again. Those who fail must go back to driving school. It’s only through improved driver training that the situation on our roads will improve.
Great answer.
I wonder how I would do now? It’s been a couple decades since drivers-ed. I wonder if I could pull off a pass.
Out here where everything is spread out, there is minimal or no public transportation, and there are many miles between cities and towns, driving is a necessity.
I hear you. Even where I am there’s a major metropolitan centre, then hundreds of square miles of nothingness dotted by little towns. Anyone living north of the city MUST have a car.
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I just think that the licensing system is so lax, so easy, that people who have no place behind the wheel are considered god drivers just because they haven’t gotten into an accident. Too bad their records don’t reflect how many accidents they caused.
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It’s time for a rethink.
Hey! I didn’t give them permission to share that picture of me parking!
Kidding! 🤪🤣
I agree that it should be harder to acquire a license. Too many morons on the roads. Great answer.
I have a relative (will not say more than that) who’s driving skills have deteriorated over the years. Used to be the fastest MF’er in the parking lot. Now sometimes I’m afraid to be in the passenger’s seat.
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And I bet if said driver had to back to driving school, they’d break him of the bad habits he’s developed. Like not putting the car in ‘Park’ but instead just leaves it in ‘Drive’ and holds his foot on the brake pedal. A recipe for disaster.
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I think the idea that you get tested once then you’re good to go (forever) is a mistake. Some skilled trades require constant certification. I think driving should be like that.
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P.S. I knew it! When the article said ‘Texas driver Turns Topsy-Turvy on Toyota’ I just knew it was you at the Costco parking lot flipping your Subaru on its side.
I’m “always” afraid to be in the passenger seat. No one knows defensive driving anymore and it’s always the other driver that I’m worried about. I have a relative too, that makes me grip the seats in fear every time I’m in the car with her. She tailgates and comes up way too fast behind cars at lights. She only barely stops when the bumpers almost touch. Eek!
Yup …you caught me. One of the donuts I was doing in the parking lot, got out of hand and I flipped the Subbie. 😁
Being a passenger is a BITCH for sure. When I gots wives and kids in the car, I totally chill. I dtive slow, brake early and gently. I dont know why your relayive cant just yone it down when youre with her, and crank it back up later. She must notice your nails digging into the dashboard!
Oh she does and I even start begging at some point for her to “watch it!” But she thinks it’s all too funny
I am nobody to give advice, but what I did last time was just waited till we stopped at a light and got out. Stood right at the bus stop until my driver complied with my demands.
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It ain’t funny when you are the helpless passenger.
That’s not a bad idea!💡 Might have to give that a try. 🤗
Eminently sensible. Our driving laws should be revised for sure. Having been granted a license over and over for years, I wouldn’t be particularly excited to have to test again, but i’m still learning things in many areas of my life. No reason to assume there aren’t still things for me to learn about driving.
Yup, I think that ongoing testing to identify weaknesses and training to improve driver skills would have a great benefit.
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Who wouldnt want to know that their reaction time has slowed, and that braking 20′ earlier could help avoid collisions.
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But who amongst us would be willing to admit we need help?
BTW Susan, thanks for posting that picture of the Koreisha Mark (drivers 70+) the other day. I would never have looked into these symbols if it weren’t for you!
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I think it’s really interesting that all the symbols are nature relates (green leaf, four-leaf clover, butterfly) instead of brutally plain symbol of a wheelchair. Leave it to the Japanese to find beauty in something so mundane.
i noticed that as well. right about now, i’m longing for a place that values people and nature and beauty.