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Re: driver's ed. is a joke
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Subject: Re: driver's ed. is a joke
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From: video@pgh.nauticom.net (jd)
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Date: Thu, 20 Jul 1995 07:16:26 GMT
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Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
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Organization: 3D RESEARCH
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References: <DBvJ1s.Fpr@pgh.nauticom.net> <3ubr2o$ics@khis_news.khis.kodak.com>
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Sender: -Not-Authenticated-[4556]
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Xdisclaimer: No attempt was made to authenticate the sender's name.
In article <3ubr2o$ics@khis_news.khis.kodak.com>
king@khis.com (Robert King) writes:
> In article Fpr@pgh.nauticom.net, video@3DRESEARCH.nauticom.net (jd) writes:
> >In article <3u9mgf$11u@ixnews5.ix.netcom.com>
> >lily1@ix.netcom.com (J. Hale ) writes:
> >
> >> How can we even think of raising the speed limits to a reasonable level
> >> with the current lack of skill displayed by most drivers on the road
> >> today? It seems to me that the whole driver's training system needs to
> >> be revamped and all who are currently licensed need to be recertified
> >> under more strict regulations before any other changes to driving laws.
> >> It's just too damned easy to get a license in this country. Opinions?
> >> Comments?
> >>
> >> Eric
> >
> >I don't think we should expect that the 'system' (any system) could
> >prevent unskilled, irresponsible and lousy drivers on the road.
>
> On which road? If I own a road, (racetrack, whatever,) I have a
> perfect right to demand anyone using it to show me proof of competence
> before I let them on it. The Government has that same right. Driving
> on public roads is a previlidge extended to us by our government.
>
>
If you, a private entity, owns the road, you make the rules, no
question. It may be somewhat different with a 'government-owned' public
road, paid for by tax dollars, since restricting usage appears to
collide with your right to travel (one of your not-emerated rights in
the 9th Amendment). But check out
<http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~karl/govt/driver.html> for more on this.
> >I don't think much will change that some states increase their speed
> >limits to a breakneck 65.
>
> Agreed. People tend to drive at a speed they are comfortable at.
> That speed happens to be higher than 65 on interstates.
>
>
> >But indeed, it would be better if people could drive better. So here is
> >an idea:
> >
> >Most people, when asked, would say they consider themselves good or
> >great drivers. Some are, and most are not. Most of them would resist
> >the idea of (additional) driver education & practice.
>
> If nothing else, its an additional hassle for them.
>
>
> >Today, speeding fines and fines for other traffic infractions go into
> >state and local coffers. What if laws were changed that these dollars
> >would be returned to the cited drivers in the form of vouchers good to
> >professional driving schools (such as the ones that advertise in
> >Autoweek)?
>
> I have a problem "rewarding" cited drivers like this, but I think
> you're looking in the right direction.
>
>
I really don't think most people would perceive having been sent to
driver education and made pay for it as a 'reward'. This is still a
'big brother' approach just a tad more sensible than spending the money
on more radar guns.
> >I realize that such a change would still be troublesome for those of us
> >who think speed is best regulated by your own responsible judgement.
> >This is certainly not a solution that would cure all problems but at
> >least would connect traffic fines with traffic safety. As a side
> >effect, such a re-routing of dollars might just decrease interest in
> >writing traffic tickets.
>
> I agree. It would be nice (although impractical at present,) to have
> limited access roadways (like a tollway,) that would have essentially
> unlimited driving speeds (an American Autobahn, if you will.) Access to
> this roadway would only be granted to DRIVERS who have exhibited competence
> at driving in general and at high speeds, and to vehicles who have been
> certified to run safely at these high speedsi. (Both would be subject
> to recurring certification fees to help defray the cost of setting this
> thing up.) The technology is already there for this kind of non-intrusive
> monitoring. Two "tolltag" like devices would be needed. One permanently
> affixed to the car, and one in the posession of a certified driver. These
> tags could be moonitored as the vehicle enters the roadway.
>
>
>
> ---
> +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
> | Robert A. King | |
> | Systems Software Engineer | |
> | Kodak Health Imaging Systems | "I drank WHAT?!?" -- Socrates |
> | | |
> | king@khan.khis.com | |
> +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
> | The opinions expressed here arn't even mine, much less my employer's! |
> +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
>
Wouldn't it be nice to have such highways? I don't expect government to
build them. But private enterprise could one day.
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