Narrow escape

[Michael Riebs]

----- Original Message -----
From: "ccohen5" <ccohen5 at compuserve.com>

> Seriously though as many of the drivers on this list are quite serious
about
> safety, Doyt's account is exactly why the TUV and other Euro agencies are
> unable to sanction the concept of imbibing, eating or holding a phone
while
> driving.
>
> Are things that much safer in the US or are Us drivers just selfish, dumb
or
> both?

Actually in my experience - having lived on both sides of the pond -
{Western} European drivers are much more educated in general on driving
safety, defensive driving, traffic regulations and laws, etc., than the
general American driver, who basically "pulls the driver's license from a
dispensing machine". Quite literally in some states, and almost so in most
of the rest.

If you can pass a 50 question multiple choice test, you know enough about
traffic laws and driving theory to be allowed to escape into the 20 min.
driving test around the block.

Example of test Q:
When changing lanes, you must:
a) Blow your horn.
b) Brake hard, then look to see if it is safe to change lanes.
c) Use your turn indicator, look over your shoulder to see if it is clear,
before safely making the lane change.
d) All of the above.

No wonder we have such poor drivers here (present company excepted - except
Huw the speed-demon). "The iniquities of the Fathers are passed on for 3
generations". Nowhere is that more evident than in our current system of
"Hey! I'm 16 now - Dad, can you teach me how to drive please?" And after 2
months of this, Junior can take the road test, and be driving among the rest
of us... With all of Dad's driving flaws passed on to Junior! Thanks!

Michael Riebs
Grand Rapids, MI
'90 V8Q
'98 A6QA

www.1stchoicegranite.com