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Re: driver's ed. is a joke



Robert King (king@khis.com) wrote:
: >J. Hale  <lily1@ix.netcom.com> wrote:

: Sure, driver's education and defensive driving TELL you how to recover from
: a skid, but they can't tell you how one feels, and they can't get you to
: correct instinctively, and folks, that's the ONLY way you're going to
: recover - you don't have TIME to think!

: >Seriously, I don't think changing the driver training system will get
: >you much:  most of driving is learned through actual experience on the
: >roads, with other drivers, and can't be learned any other way, at
: >least at present.

:    Then include experience in the driver training program!  When I was
: -- Robert King

Maybe you should take a look at the new system we have in Nova Scotia, 
Canada.  Around a year ago, the system was changed from what I think 
yours is: a test consisting of road signs and simple road rules which you 
recieved a (minimum) 60 day beginner's license upon completion.  This allows 
you to drive with an experienced driver.  After the 60 days, a 20 minute 
test for a "real" license.

Now, the new system is called Graduated Licensing.  Nova Scotia modelled 
it after the system in place in New Zealand, however I think other 
Canadian provinces have it as well (Ontario?).  The way it works: At 16, 
you take your test for a beginners license, and the test is now harder.  
That license must be held for 6 months before the next stage.  After 6 
months there is another written test and the usual driving test.  At this 
point you recieve a special license for 2 years.  The restrictions on 
this license are: no driving between midnight and 5 am (exception if you 
have a job requiring use of a car), zero tolerance for alcohol ie 0%, # 
of passengers limited to # of seatbelts, and if you recieve a ticket or 
any other refraction during this period you have to start over again with 
no accumulated mileage.  At the end of two years of clean driving, and 
after completing a certified 6 hour defensive driving course, you move on 
to a "real" license.  BTW, this is not just limited to teens, every new 
driver no matter the age must go through this system.

What do you think?  Does it make sense?  Supposedly in New Zealand, the 
model, statistics show a decrease in the number of crashes involving 
people between the age of 16 and 24.  Some people argue that's just 
because they aren't on the road.  In any case, that's our current 
system.  Comments?

Brad..somewhere in Nova Scotia... 


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