Quote:
Originally Posted by shakran
*snip* Driver training in the USA is attrocious. We have kids drive slow in parking lots and then drive slow on the streets. Many if not all states don't even requrie basic evasive maneuver practice. Then we give them a test where the only failure point for anyone that has an IQ greater than oatmeal is parallel parking.
If you look at the statistics, the autobahn has fewer deaths per vehicle mile driven than the US interstate system, even though you can go 200+mph on the autobahn. Clearly one of the most common scapegoats - "speed kills" - has a logical flaw. If speed really kills the Germans should be dropping like flies. Since they're not, there must be another factor at work - one which can make driving safer no matter what the speed.
*snip* In short, Germany takes driving SERIOUSLY, while Americans do not.
*snip*
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Snipped to avoid copius reposting, but good lord I agree with this 100%. It was such a joy to drive in Germany, where there are rarely, if ever, more than 2 lanes (one way) on the autobahn (well at least in Bavaria, which is where I spent all my time).
I'm serious, being in Germany changed my driving life! Being a Californian, I spend quite a lot of time on the road, and I very frequently fantasize about what our freeway system would be like if we were trained to drive like the Germans. I know I'd vote for Arnold if he instituted something like that! Imagine--a driving lane and a passing lane! Imagine a driver pulling into the right lane when someone faster than them is pulling up behind them! And I had never been trained to think about driving that way, ever.
Now I really want to know how I could get this idea directly to the governor...thsi could improve the quality of life for all of California, not kidding.