It's nice to be apart of the responsible 10%

[Fox Body]

Originally posted by MustangNewb
Well our system of roads is designed for just that. So where as most of the people on this board consider driving one of their passions and know what something like oversteering means, when they put the petal to the metal you have much less to worry about. The 91% is actually a significant number and not a number based on worthless driving laws. If all you do is put her into drive, throttle, brake and turn then I think the laws on the books make sense. Proof is in the pudding, how many SUVs you see in car accidents during winter snow because they think they are snow warriors and really have absolutly no clue how to control their vehicle? Subsequently, how many Mustang owners between the ages of 25-40 total their cars? I guarentee that number is much less then most other cars.

Things that should be added to driving requirements for a license:

1) A demonstration of knowledge reguarding how gears work in a car, possibly requirement to be able to drive a stick for further understanding.
2) Braking techniques in non ABS brake systems and another class of license that requires you to demonstrate braking techniques in ABS systems if you own one.
3) SUV Class license. End of story. If you wanna own the biggest things on the road you need to know how to control them and how they are meant to be driven. Mainly aimed at all those clueless soccer moms out there.
4) Staged licensing from ages 16-18. Becoming 16 and passing your drivers test does not mean you know how to drive by any stretch. Some states already have this and insurance rates are dropping and accidents are on the decline in these areas.
5) When you file for social security, your license should be revoked unless you can repass the road test.
6) Basic automobile maintence. The number of accidents from an underinflated tire having a catastrophic blow out and an unoiled engine seizing up need to be at aproximately ZERO. There is little to no excuse here.

This is a good thread. I very much agree with your points, MustangNewb. I'm not so sure about the SS thing, though. It is a bit harsh and not completely just to revoke someone's driving priviledges just b/c they file for SS (which is, of course their age we're talking about, something that may greatly vary from person to person). It seems descriminatory whereas the other points are for all drivers. Maybe we could say "beyond the age of 70, a recheck process is required (vision and hearing test)." What do you think?

I would also like to add a point to #4) which puts stipulations on FIRST time drivers of ANY age, just not as harsh as stipulations for first time drivers of 16-18 years old.

Allow also me to add to your wonderful list:

#7) Required Drivers License renewal (which includes a mandatory written and road test of a distance of at least 5-10 miles at low, medium, and hwy speeds) for anyone who has been involved in an accident more than 2x in one year with at least one other vehicle in which that person is found to have caused the accident both times.

#8) Wet and dry traction, safety, advance braking, and defensive/offensive driving classes/courses for those who would like to pay the extra fee. These courses could be offered in different stages so one could pick what is suitable for him/her (pricewise or in accordance with their normal driving habits). I would rather like to have people around me driving who had some insight into what not to do or how to correct a vehicle if it lets loose in adverse conditions.

Originally posted by mustangII460
People act like cattle, they have to be told constantly who, what, where when and how to do every day tasks. If you don't, these same people will kill you. Because they can't think for themselves.

mustangII460, I strongly agree with you as well.

What kind of sense does it make to pull out onto a 2 or 3-laned hwy into the lane that has a vehicle quickly approaching instead of pulling into the empty lane??? Why not merge over when you see someone coming off an exit ramp (even though you have the right of way) if possible? Why when the speed limit is 55mph, this dork in front of me is going 45, then 55, then 50 then 55, then 45, etc, etc???? Why is this young punk trying to race me or showing off with his stupid little car in the middle of noonday traffic? Why are these punks doing burnouts and doughnuts in the middle of the crowded parking lot to show off and messing up the local cruise spots for all the decent people? The list goes on and on even outside of normal driving courtesies.

It is absolutely amazing how mindless some people can be. When I see this crap, it really makes me want to join the sheriff's dept so I can write them the biggest tickets ever know to man....