RE: Idiots? BTDT

[SOP8920@Siena.edu]

>  Young folks simply haven't 
>had enough exposure to driving conditions to LEARN (and I'm using 
>actual learning constructivist learning theory here) what can happen 
>in a variety of ever-changing circumstances.

Definately on the money. Except it's not just the young people. I don't
consider myself "experienced" in the skip=barber sort of way, but I do realize
that I've been saved by experience on more than one occassion. Those occassions
weren't reckless driving extremes, they were random events. (1) Hit a snow
patch at ~30 mph a few years back, heading uphill.. driving my mom's old 86 GMC
jimmy (the baby one) while in RWD. If it hadn't of been for all those years of
playing skid/recovery games in the snow with the ATV/snowmobile, I would have
lost it big time. I was very surprised that I brought her under control (short
wheelbase RWD!!). (2) At ~60mph on a dark dry evening, swerved to avoid two
woodland creatures who darted out in the road. Had our Full Size Chevy Van all
over the place.. crossing the line.. brakes locked (at first), after three near
180s, skidded it into the ditch at ~15-20mph. Damage.. one leafspring clamp on
the rear suspension. Could have been worse, could have been a roll-over or a
head on with traffic coming the other way. 

There have been dozens of others.. and I strongly attribute it to the years of
experience, and attention to the road.. that  I haven't had a accident yet..
well.. besides rolling a p/u into my pond from my front yard.. but that was one
big damn bee!! :) In other words.. I wasn't in the thing when it hit the
water..(too off topic of a tale and knock on wood)

I do drive fast, but not excessive. I only drive fast when it's safe, and truly
hate the people who create dangerious situations. Like those morons who
tail-gate me at 80mph when there is NO place for me to move out of the way..
There is a certain safety margin, and for me.. that margin rarely exceeded the
limits of my car. Then again.. I've had the privledge to be behind the wheel of
some cars with respectable limits of performance. 

As for other youngins like myself (21), I don't think many of them have much
experience behind the wheel. I don't think many of them can control their
vehicles at the speeds they drive. That goes for many of the older folks out
there as well, but it does seem like the young people drive more recklessly
than the old. Seldom am I at ease when my friends are driving, their attention
and behavior on the road makes me nervous.

The first thing I say to friends of mine, when they get behind the wheel of a
new or new-used car.. is that on the first snowy day.. take it to an unplowed
parking lot and play. Make sure it's a big lot, and don't be idiotic. Just play
around.. feel what your car can do and what it can't. Throw yourself into some
skids and try and correct them. Get a feel for the vehicle, that way when you
skid.. and you WILL lose traction in the NE even in a Quattro.. you won't be
completely surprised and out of sorts. I doubt any cop will give you a ticket
for that one.. especially if you tell them WHY. Besides.. it's fun. :)
First chance I get, I'll be telling kid-brother the same advice. It's his first
year behind the wheel.. he's already had one bad accident, and I don't want him
to have the same experience unneccesarily. He didn't have the fun that I did as
a kid, and I can see the effect now.

I think that the learing experience shouldn't have to come at the cost of other
innocent people. The learning experience should take place in an environment
where it belongs. Namely, the class-room and the track.

With the average price of a new car being, what, twenty K or so these days.. I
think that a reasonable program costing $500 or so per student is acceptable. 
It would lower the amount of $ spent on medical treatment for accident victims,
and the insurance costs for the damages done to vehicle/body/and soul. Looking
at it like that.. the cost is trivial. The point is.. that if we want to pay
for it.. then we will find a way. To me.. this is the first step in bringing us
safer.. not mundane traffic laws. Driving IS a privledge, and if that privledge
costs more $$$ and means that I have to save up before I can get a license.. so
be it. If it means subsidies for people who can't afford the cash.. then so be
it. Besides.. right now, drivers aren't even armed with the knowledge of how to
control their vehicles. The cost of producing a thorough book on
vehicle-control cannot be that expensive, and even that.. if tested properly..
would increase safety on the roads. I learned much from the racing/performance
driving book I read.. and it's made me a more sensible driver. I still drive
for fun.. I still have a blast.. but I understand the limits much better now. I
just wish I could get some real track time!!

can you tell I'm studying for a histology practical tommorow. ? :) Sorry to be
so long winded! 

                               -Osman Parvez
                                89 200q
                                Siena College
                                Albany NY