Is getting a drivers license too easy in the US?

[mscher]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

My many years of experience with the state DOT etc qualifies my opinion on this. We need many more restrictions on who drives and who does not. Parents should not determine when a kid gets a car and drives but the DOT....We need enforsed laws and cell phone use should be regulated.We determine a person should not drive after he proves it by killing someone.. This approach is wrong.

With the state DMV test, a written test is adminstered, to determine if they can read signs and know the "rules of the road", etc.. A driving test is administered, for basics control of the vehicle, parking, etc.

What would the DOT do different?

Will they know the driver applicant capabilities better in 20 minutes, that the 16 years spent with the Parents?

Just curious.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

In my state those who operate public school buses require much more training and classroom time than those who just want to drive a car. There is a reason for this. Parents themselves may be poor drivers and not able to teach the safety rules and oversee the kid as he should be. Ask yourself why is it much harder to get a pilots licence than a drivers license.There is a reason for this. The problem with our system now is that you just cant evaluate as needed any person by giving them a 10 minute written test that a moron could pass and then let them drive for a few minutes around the block without wrecking. Any kid today that is 16 and his daddy has the money to buy him a car thinks he has a right to drive ....Not so.

 

[choppywaters]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

My take....anyone who is texting is a danger wether they are 16 or 60. We own a landscaping company so we're out driving 6 days a week all day and I can't tell you how many close calls Ive seen or been a part of! Two weeks ago a lady was waiting to pull out from a side road and there was no one in front of us she then pulls out about 5 car length's in front of us and precedes to go 15 mph, trying to stop a Full sized Super Duty loaded with grass and a 24ft enclosed trailer fully loaded isn't easy. We pull up next to her (with 2 baby's on board) texting away. If there was a way to disable texting while driving, except a direct link to 911 you would be a bazzilionare! It just boils down to kids and adults alike to respect the road and what a vehicle can do and think of the consequences for they're actions.

 

[ngt]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

I got rear ended yesterday at a stop light by some 40+ year old lady. Sometimes "stupid" doesn't get better with age.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Texting which has been proven to be as big of a cause as DWI for serious accidents should carry the same penalty. At least more and more the police when investigating accidents verify if anyone was on the phone. They can check even if someone says they dont have a phone. If someone causes an accident or gets a ticket he should have to take refresher driving class and prove he has the ability to continue to drive.

 

[ngt]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Texting which has been proven to be as big of a cause as DWI for serious accidents should carry the same penalty. At least more and more the police when investigating accidents verify if anyone was on the phone. They can check even if someone says they dont have a phone. If someone causes an accident or gets a ticket he should have to take refresher driving class and prove he has the ability to continue to drive.

I agree with the texting thing. A young lady and her baby were killed in my home town by some college girl texting while driving. IMO, if you even get seen talking on the phone while driving, you should automatically lose your DL for a couple of months. It would stop people from doing it.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

The over 70 age group actually has the worst deaths /mile driven ratio. Teens are next, but the survivors get better rather than worse with age.
Comparing driving in Europe vs America is apples and oranges. The Germans are famous for obeying rules and driving there is good when the weather is decent. When its not they are famous for mile long chain reaction crash scenes. Throw in some Dutchmen, Italians and some odd eastern european vegetable trucks and the autobahn can be as chaotic as any highway in the US. In Europe its generally possible to live without a car if you so desire, but that is not the case in the US outside of a few major metropoitan areas.

Moms in minivans with a gaggle of kids and driving while yakking on their cellphones scare me as much as anyone.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Having just come off a road trip this weekend, what I noticed and continue to see are 2 types of offenders and neither are kids!! The first really bad offenders are our older drivers, and it's sad when it becomes time to restrict anyone's ability to commute independently. I would suggest anyone who collects social security should be required to test every year, and this should include some form of physical road test.
The second offender has no age, color or size, but I'm speaking of are cell phones and using them while driving. It is just a terrible thing to try to do and everyone seems to do this. This driver distraction should really carry fine that includes license suspension and fines on the first infraction. Car should be impounded, license restricted, fines into the thousands, and no excuses. When driving a vehicle, consider the lives around you, we don't care about your phone friends, we just have to share the road with you.


Kids that I see driving seem to be extreemly alert, and usually very predictable.

 

[mscher]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Have you seen the driving test in Finland? I'd guess 80% of American drivers would fail it. Not saying we need to be that draconian but there has to be a happy medium in there.

The accident rate in the U.S. , is not a result, of inadequate training, or selective candidates, IMO.

It's accident causes are usually inattention, being in too big of hurry, booze/drugs, being tired, being angry, etc. etc.

Most young drivers, I know are quite good, for their experience levels, provided they are focused on driving. Slick conditions is where they really need some experience and guidance.

All drivers are inexperienced, until they become experienced.

As a truck driver, I see both good and bad drivers, at all age levels.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

I watched a couple (Middle Eastern) at the gas station on Sunday and it was clear that he was teaching her how to pump gasoline. Instead of sticking the end of the pump nozzle into the gas tank, this couple just decided to squeeze the handle and lock the auto feed on. The result was about 5 gallons of gasoline all over the side of their car, (Honda) all over themselves, all over the pump, just everywhere. And had I not explained how to stop the pump they would have just left this thing running. They were just clueless on anything vehicle related, and I will bet anyone here a months pay, they have caused an accident or will soon. Yet these people have been approved by the State of Michigan to share the road with everyone else. So I will amend my previous post and add people who are new to the US, and driving.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Have you seen the driving test in Finland? I'd guess 80% of American drivers would fail it. Not saying we need to be that draconian but there has to be a happy medium in there.

The only difference I see in Finland is that you do 30 minutes of city driving. My daughter did 15 minutes of driving in a metro area with 8.7 million people and the second worst traffic in the US. I can tell you from experiance, driving in Helsink with it's 1/2 million in population is gravy in comparison.

If you want to get serious about teen death you have to go with a GDL and ban the use of cell phone and texting like Maryland and several other States have done.

Does the Maryland graduated driver licensing law affect both 16-year-old drivers and those who share the road with them?Kirley BB, Feller A, Braver E, Langenberg P.

Abstract
PROBLEM:
To assess effects of the 1999 Maryland graduated driver licensing (GDL) law on both 16-year-old drivers and other road users.

METHOD:
Calculation and comparison of crash involvement rates and non-fatal injury rates pre-GDL (1996-1998) and post-GDL (2001-2003) by type of road user, per population, and per licensed driver, with adjustment for trends among 30-59-year-old drivers.

RESULTS:
Post-GDL, prevalence of licensure decreased 24% among 16-year-olds, and rates of 16-year-old drivers involved in crashes significantly decreased per 16-year-old population (corrected rate ratio (RRc) 0.82; 95% CI (0.71, 0.96)). A significant decrease also was observed for non-fatal injuries per 16-year-old population among 16-year-old drivers involved in crashes (RRc 0.63; 95% CI (0.41, 0.98)). Similarly, decreases, albeit not statistically significant, were observed among their passengers and other vehicle occupants. Per 16-year-old licensed driver, a slight non-significant increase was observed in crash involvement rates; non-fatal injury rates per 16-year-old licensed driver suggest decreased risk (non-significant) among 16-year-old drivers, their passengers, and other vehicle occupants.

SUMMARY:
Maryland's GDL delayed licensure and reduced crashes and non-fatal injuries among 16-year-old drivers per population. Trends in injuries among other road users involved in crashes with 16-year-old drivers were suggestive of a benefit from GDL, although observed decreases were not significant. Per licensed driver, findings were not significant, but suggested little change in crash involvement and decreased non-fatal injuries. Because one-third fewer 16-year-olds were licensed post-GDL, these results may suggest a selection effect in licensure.

IMPACT ON INDUSTRY:
Because Maryland had nighttime restrictions for new drivers before 1999, this study suggests other components of GDL are beneficial for drivers and possibly for other road users. States with weak GDL laws should strongly consider revising them

 

[lncoop]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

In my state those who operate public school buses require much more training and classroom time than those who just want to drive a car. There is a reason for this. Parents themselves may be poor drivers and not able to teach the safety rules and oversee the kid as he should be. Ask yourself why is it much harder to get a pilots licence than a drivers license.There is a reason for this. QUOTE]

It's much harder to get a pilot's license or CDL because an airplane and a commercial vehicle require much more skill to operate than a car, pickup or SUV, so I'm not sure how asking oneself why it's harder to obtain these types of licenses is relevant to the conversation. Just sayin'.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Asking why getting a CDL or pilots license isn't easy can make you wonder why getting a drivers license is. The 50,000 who die each year might ask this too if they could.Even though flying a plane isn't the same as driving a car the stakes are just the same when a mistake is made. Every kid that turns 16 thinks he has a right to drive just because he is 16...This needs to be changed.Not every person has the skill to learn to fly a plane but why is it that we think every person has the skill to drive a car? We need to test the skills of people who want to drive a car and driving mamas auto shift car around the block without crashing just isn't getting the job done.

 

[mscher]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Asking why getting a CDL or pilots license isn't easy can make you wonder why getting a drivers license is. The 50,000 who die each year might ask this too if they could.Even though flying a plane isn't the same as driving a car the stakes are just the same when a mistake is made. Every kid that turns 16 thinks he has a right to drive just because he is 16...This needs to be changed.Not every person has the skill to learn to fly a plane but why is it that we think every person has the skill to drive a car? We need to test the skills of people who want to drive a car and driving mamas auto shift car around the block without crashing just isn't getting the job done.

I think the point trying to be made, that most accidents are not caused by lack of driving skills, or even the level of driver experience, for that matter.

I have been a professional driver, for 26 years and before texting while driving, was illegal, if I sent a text while driving, I'd often drift from the lane and then swerve back, from the distraction, just like every body else.

Accidents are not usually an issue of skills, IMO - at any age.

 

[Davem3]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

I think the point trying to be made, that most accidents are not caused by lack of driving skills, or even the level of driver experience, for that matter.

I have been a professional driver, for 26 years and before texting while driving, was illegal, if I sent a text while driving, I'd often drift from the lane and then swerve back, from the distraction, just like every body else.

Accidents are not usually an issue of skills, IMO - at any age.

professional CLASS A driver since 1980.............. and i agree with MS and river, it is not skills, it is the lack of courtesy or COMMON SENSE............ need to get tougher on issuing licenses????

as a Truck driver, i say **** yes, and if you think i am being funny, go to ANY CDL Class A driving school, spend 2 months to get one of these licenses, and THEN you will understand HOW we feel...............

heck, i hear K-Mart is currently having a "Blue Light" special on Class D licenses right now............:facepalm:
-----------------------------------------
remember people, buying a Truck DOES NOT make you a trucker.........
just like buying A Boat does not make you a Boater.............

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

I believe a comprehensive evaluation of anyone wanting to drive is what we need that we don't have now. This should include their level of maturity along with skill or ability. Now you don't have to be mature, you don't have to have much ability and you certainly don't have to know many traffic laws. I had a CDL for many years with every endorsement . I could legally transport nuclear waste or even an atomic bomb and despise the fact that cell phone laws are little more than a joke..As a side note just last night near my home an elderly man side swiped another car forcing it off the road and ran over a teen.( in critical condition)..I wonder what the law will do to deal with him...a small fine?, suspend his licence for a few months? or just plain nothing except his insurance may go up....It isn't right

 

[lncoop]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Rivermouse, I do understand where you're coming from. When I was learning to drive it was drilled into my head by my driver's ed instructor, my parents, the gentleman who gave me the road test, and everyone else involved in the process that driving was a privilege and not a right. I kind of got it, and I kind of didn't, because I was a sixteen year old kid, but while I made my share of dumb mistakes behind the wheel (who didn't/doesn't?) I never forgot what the adults told me, and to this day I appreciate the blessing of being able to go where I want when I want within reason. I do think it's something that many drivers of all ages take for granted, and the many distractions provided by our modern society don't help. I don't know what the answer is, but I do know they've revamped the process in Arkansas to some sort of graduated program as opposed to the old learner's permit at fourteen and hit the road at sixteen. As I recall the changes have considerably reduced the tragic statistics often associated with kids behind the wheel.

 

[rbh]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Getting back to getting a licence, I would luv to see kids doing 10 hours in a 5 ton truck with 10 speed road ranger or a 5 and 2 in the diff, that IMHO would open their eyes to what its like in a big vehicle.

(and talking without a blue tooth device is illegal here, and no texting as well, but that does not stop them from driving,drinking coffee and applying makeup at the same time )

 

[lncoop]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Getting back to getting a licence, I would luv to see kids doing 10 hours in a 5 ton truck with 10 speed road ranger or a 5 and 2 in the diff, that IMHO would open their eyes to what its like in a big vehicle.

(and talking without a blue tooth device is illegal here, and no texting as well, but that does not stop them from driving,drinking coffee and applying makeup at the same time )

Agreed. I'm known as an excellent driver, and that's largely due to my young adult years when I worked various jobs that required me to drive big trucks (nothing that big, but smaller dump trucks and that sort of thing). Texting while driving is illegal here too, but not talking while driving, although I'm sure it will be at some point.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

Re: Is getting a drivers license to easy in the US?

I like that, rbh.

In Germany and other European countries the license is a lot harder to get (cost a couple hundred bux, too) and you can lose it in a nanosecond.

I think that age is not the issue. I think experience and judgement are the issue. They can be obtained by a dedicated 14 year old with correct training and supervision. Hundreds of licensed teen and preteen pilots can testify to that.

If we simply made driving licenses as hard to get as a flying license, and made it just as tough to keep we might do even better than the Europeans.

Agreed: License to drive is not a right, it is a privilege that can be easily revoked.

I absolutely agree JB.......in germany the bars are full and people get tipsy on a routine basis yet the number of DWI accidents are fairly low. Get caught driving impaired and your driving license is GONE. No lawyer,money or plea bargaining will save it...people accept the fact that they have to act responsible. I don't think we will ever see that in the U.S. because of our legal system.