Surprised?

[Particle Man]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Americans-dont-know-rules-of-cnnm-2213013421.html


More than one in five Americans -- some 36.9 million -- are not fit to drive and would fail a driving test if asked to take one today, according to a new survey of the nation's drivers.

Shocking as that may be, it's actually an improvement. Last year, 38 million received failing grades. Nationwide, the average score this year increased to 77.9% from 76.2% in 2010.

According to GMAC Insurance, which conducted the survey, the results mean that a great number of people on the road still lack basic driving knowledge, an ignorance that leads to dangerous driving habits.

For example, a full 85% of those surveyed could not identify the correct action to take when approaching a steady yellow traffic light.

And only one in four knew safe following distances.

But, the survey suggests, you can avoid some of these drivers if you know what to look for: Young people, women and motorists who live in the Northeast.

Twenty-seven percent of women failed the test, while males had a failure rate of 13.6%. The oldest drivers tested -- ages 60 to 65 -- had the highest average test scores at 80.3%.

Drivers in the Northeast scored lowest, while respondents in the Midwest fared best. The worst place, no surprise to anyone who drives there, is Washington, D.C.

Wyoming, where less than 5% of the population failed the test, took home the top prize for states.

The annual GMAC Insurance National Drivers test polled 5,130 licensed drivers from 50 states and the District of Columbia with a 20-question test derived from state department of motor vehicles exams.



I'm not.

:lol:

[Dave]

Its news now that women can't drive? :lol

[Gas Man]

HELL NO I'm not surprised. I have the trained eye from being a safety driving instructor and point person at work. I also have to drive a company truck with a "blow me" sticker on the back.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l311/cjclark69/BPL/IMG00232-20110523-2058a.jpg

Look how it dwarfs Uma's Fiesta... :lol: And it's onlya 250 SD

[OneSickPsycho]

Government wants more power over us... I think this is one place where I'd agree... Expand drivers licensing operations - mandatory retesting every 5 years and initial testing requiring much tougher scoring...

[Dave]

Government wants more power over us... I think this is one place where I'd agree... Expand drivers licensing operations - mandatory retesting every 5 years and initial testing requiring much tougher scoring...

Yeeeah no. Not without an upside. Dump the speed limits and we might be able to talk

[smileyman]

I have always been a fan of graduated licenses. Pass the highest level and get a blue license plate that says you can drive as fast as you want...

Anyhow I am not suprised at the study and you guys know how easy our testing requirements are now right? 25 questions, parallel park and you walk with a a license here.

So how many would fail if they used a real proficiency test? Had a decent quiz?

[tached1000rr]

I have always been a fan of graduated licenses. Pass the highest level and get a blue license plate that says you can drive as fast as you want...

Anyhow I am not suprised at the study and you guys know how easy our testing requirements are now right? 25 questions, parallel park and you walk with a a license here.

So how many would fail if they used a real proficiency test? Had a decent quiz?

I want that blue license plate!:rockwoot:

[OneSickPsycho]

Yeeeah no. Not without an upside. Dump the speed limits and we might be able to talk

After maybe 5 years, speed limits and other things could be looked at once we knew that people actually knew what the fuck they were doing on the roads.

[Homeslice]

Twenty-seven percent of women failed the test, while males had a failure rate of 13.6%. The oldest drivers tested -- ages 60 to 65 -- had the highest average test scores at 80.3%.

Drivers in the Northeast scored lowest, while respondents in the Midwest fared best. The worst place, no surprise to anyone who drives there, is Washington, D.C.

Wyoming, where less than 5% of the population failed the test, took home the top prize for states.
More proof that most stereotypes are true

[Dave]

More proof that most stereotypes are true

Ill bet Wyoming took home the teenage pregnancy award too

[Homeslice]

Ill bet Wyoming took home the teenage pregnancy award too

???

More like any big city with lots of Blacks or Hispanics

[Particle Man]

So how many would fail if they used a real proficiency test? Had a decent quiz?

A lot

[Homeslice]

One out of five seems pretty low actually

[Particle Man]

One out of five seems pretty low actually

Do a quick poll - ask people the following question:

You're on a four lane road (2 one way, 2 the other) turning left from the left lane onto another four lane road (again, 2 one way, 2 the other): into which lane do you turn?


(was a question on the licensing exam when I took my test).

Hint: at least once a day I almost get taken out by some jackass turning left while I'm making a right...

[Homeslice]

Do a quick poll - ask people the following question:

You're on a four lane road (2 one way, 2 the other) turning left from the left lane onto another four lane road (again, 2 one way, 2 the other): into which lane do you turn?

(was a question on the licensing exam when I took my test).

Hint: at least once a day I almost get taken out by some jackass turning left while I'm making a right...

I think most people know what to do, but they're too lazy to do it. Making tighter turns requires more work. Can't have that.

[Captain Morgan]

Do a quick poll - ask people the following question:

You're on a four lane road (2 one way, 2 the other) turning left from the left lane onto another four lane road (again, 2 one way, 2 the other): into which lane do you turn?


(was a question on the licensing exam when I took my test).

Hint: at least once a day I almost get taken out by some jackass turning left while I'm making a right...

That just happened to me last night, except I was making a left and the other guy was making a right. He's the one that pulled into MY lane. I know how to turn and know which lane I'm supposed to be in. I said outloud, "There are two lanes, we each get the closest one to us. Stay the fuck in your lane, jackass!" :lol:

Awhile back, I was on a one way street, turning left onto another one way street. The weather was nice so the windows were down in my car and the car next to me, which had a woman driver. As I turned left at the stop light, I heard her say, "I'm pretty sure you can't turn left on a red light." Um, it's one way to one way, so yes, I can. Learn the rules.

[Particle Man]

That just happened to me last night, except I was making a left and the other guy was making a right. He's the one that pulled into MY lane. I know how to turn and know which lane I'm supposed to be in. I said outloud, "There are two lanes, we each get the closest one to us. Stay the fuck in your lane, jackass!" :lol:

Awhile back, I was on a one way street, turning left onto another one way street. The weather was nice so the windows were down in my car and the car next to me, which had a woman driver. As I turned left at the stop light, I heard her say, "I'm pretty sure you can't turn left on a red light." Um, it's one way to one way, so yes, I can. Learn the rules.

I actually had a cop pull me over for that once. It was funny after I pulled up the DMV info on my phone for him.

[smileyman]

I love watching people turn at intersections. Even at a 15-25 mph pace they cant hand over hand. Some having to wrestle the wheel , elbows up, to avoid their own belly...They can't keep from going thru the other lane at all, maybe they dont have depth perception or maybe cause they they cant turn the wheel...

[Corey]

I'm actually surprised that Florida wasn't rated the lowest. After seeing what little it takes to get a license here (essentially driving in a circle in an enclosed parking lot and parking between two cones), I'm surprised the highways and byways aren't 24 hours of bloody carnage.

[Gas Man]

More proof that most stereotypes are true
They always are and not just in this subject!!!

I'm all fine for testing and shit. But let's face it, most of society can't do it. Look at the current cars...

They can't backup without sensors, beeps, and cameras.
They can't check their blind spots without the car doing it for them and give them a warning light.
They can't parrellel park either so now they rely on the car to do it for them.
They can't pay attention to the road and stoping vehicles in front of them, so now the car will stop for them.
And my favorite I've noticed is, they can't drive manual stick shifts so the dealers do F'in stock them. Then look at me like I've sprouted a 3rd head when I tell them, it's a true drivers car with a stick.

Let's face it, society is F'in stupid and are making themselves stupider. At this point they are so stupid they don't even realize what they are doing to themselves.

[azoomm]

I'm just tired of everyone multitasking while they drive. And, I don't just mean phones - I mean eating that hamburger, doing paperwork and all the other crap people are so busy doing other than driving.

[fujimoh]

I'm actually surprised that Florida wasn't rated the lowest. After seeing what little it takes to get a license here (essentially driving in a circle in an enclosed parking lot and parking between two cones), I'm surprised the highways and byways aren't 24 hours of bloody carnage.

Try driving in Panama City between the early bird special hours of 4 to 6. When I first moved here I thought they had developed a remote control system. Then I started making out the blue hair looking thru the steering wheel

[Corey]

Try driving in Panama City between the early bird special hours of 4 to 6. When I first moved here I thought they had developed a remote control system. Then I started making out the blue hair looking thru the steering wheel

It's scary. They go dangerously slow as well.

[Homeslice]

Try driving in Panama City between the early bird special hours of 4 to 6. When I first moved here I thought they had developed a remote control system. Then I started making out the blue hair looking thru the steering wheel

Hmm, those early hours are mostly 20 or 30-somethings in any place I've lived in.

The retired's usually don't appear until 9:30 or so (after all the normal people have arrived at work).

[Particle Man]

They always are and not just in this subject!!!

I'm all fine for testing and shit. But let's face it, most of society can't do it. Look at the current cars...

They can't backup without sensors, beeps, and cameras.
They can't check their blind spots without the car doing it for them and give them a warning light.
They can't parrellel park either so now they rely on the car to do it for them.
They can't pay attention to the road and stoping vehicles in front of them, so now the car will stop for them.
And my favorite I've noticed is, they can't drive manual stick shifts so the dealers do F'in stock them. Then look at me like I've sprouted a 3rd head when I tell them, it's a true drivers car with a stick.

Let's face it, society is F'in stupid and are making themselves stupider. At this point they are so stupid they don't even realize what they are doing to themselves.

We had to special order our car in stick. Remember when it was called "standard" because it was, well, STANDARD?

[Rangerscott]

Three problems Ive been seeing lately.

1. People waiting for a green to turn right.

2. People too stupid to memorize a 4-way intersection light sequence so they know when to go on the turn around. Its not fucking hard to remember. A line of cars form because dumbass in the front is too fucking stupid to see which lane of cars are moving to see if they're going to be turning left in front of the turn around that they are in.

3. Nobody honks any more to tell dumbass in front to go. I dont give a shit if its rude. Get the fuck out of the way if you're too god damn stupid to see that no one is coming.

[goof2]

Hmm, those early hours are mostly 20 or 30-somethings in any place I've lived in.

The retired's usually don't appear until 9:30 or so (after all the normal people have arrived at work).

4-6pm when all the restaurants in FL have their "early bird" dinner discounts to attract old people, not 4-6am. Old people eat dinner early as hell and they are cheap too so they will get out their in their 10 year old, 10k mile Buick, Lincoln, or Chrysler and play bumper cars with rush hour traffic.

[derf]

Three problems Ive been seeing lately.



One big problem with the driving test is that its too easy and way irrelivant. The last DMV test I took, just about a decade ago for my M endorsment, the written exam was very focused on alcohol, in fact 1/2 of the test was about alcohol. 1/4 was about road signs and 1/4 was about motorcycling. Ok so whatever, the alcohol thing doesnt really apply to me, i'm a light weight, one drink yeh I can still drive fine, any more than that and I wouldnt even risk it. The DMV says that I should be good for 3!?!?

Having driven in holland though, and seen their driving test first hand I can tell you that a longer better and annually scheduled test wont fix shit. They take their driving test every decade, which consists of an hour long 85 question written test covering danger signs, and driving theory. Then once you pass that you take (for the initial liscense) a 40 hour driving class, and a 4 hour driving test. People there drive just as bad as people here. its just human nature to fuck things up.

[101lifts2]

That just happened to me last night, except I was making a left and the other guy was making a right. He's the one that pulled into MY lane. I know how to turn and know which lane I'm supposed to be in. I said outloud, "There are two lanes, we each get the closest one to us. Stay the fuck in your lane, jackass!" :lol:

Awhile back, I was on a one way street, turning left onto another one way street. The weather was nice so the windows were down in my car and the car next to me, which had a woman driver. As I turned left at the stop light, I heard her say, "I'm pretty sure you can't turn left on a red light." Um, it's one way to one way, so yes, I can. Learn the rules.

I would think since he is turning right on a green he has the right of way and can use either lane. If a semi is turning right, he cannot make it into the right lane.

[101lifts2]

They always are and not just in this subject!!!

I'm all fine for testing and shit. But let's face it, most of society can't do it. Look at the current cars...

They can't backup without sensors, beeps, and cameras.
They can't check their blind spots without the car doing it for them and give them a warning light.
They can't parrellel park either so now they rely on the car to do it for them.
They can't pay attention to the road and stoping vehicles in front of them, so now the car will stop for them.
And my favorite I've noticed is, they can't drive manual stick shifts so the dealers do F'in stock them. Then look at me like I've sprouted a 3rd head when I tell them, it's a true drivers car with a stick.

Let's face it, society is F'in stupid and are making themselves stupider. At this point they are so stupid they don't even realize what they are doing to themselves.

It has nothing to do with safety, but rather something marketing can push to sell cars; OR government regulation designed to promote the corporate welfare.

[Rangerscott]

Had a precher that lived in Australia before. Took him a few tries to pass. He said it's extremely hard. They nit pick everything you do.

[Particle Man]

I've come up with the ultimate feature: a car that senses you're sitting in the left lane while not passing people. This feature shocks the fuck out of the driver while simultaneously blasting, "MOVE THE FUCK OVER, FUCKSTICK" and sounding a klaxon unil said fuckstick moves over.

[Gas Man]

I've come up with the ultimate feature: a car that senses you're sitting in the left lane while not passing people. This feature shocks the fuck out of the driver while simultaneously blasting, "MOVE THE FUCK OVER, FUCKSTICK" and sounding a klaxon unil said fuckstick moves over.
This should be the next fed requirement of auto manufactures.