Re: Tougher Licensing

["Greg Koehler (Volt Computer)" <a-gregk@microsoft.com>]

I fully endorse the idea of color-coded license plates.  I don't think
testing would be that difficult:  Two tests are needed, one for skill
and one for etiquette.  For the skill portion, require a person to
complete all 4 laps of the advanced course on Sega Rally.   Yes, the
simulation would have to be modified to include RWD and FWD vehicles.
For the etiquette portion, another sim with rear and side-view mirrors
with faster cars coming up from the rear.  You need to get out of the
way before the faster car gets into a tailgating position or you fail.
It would also test merging and exiting freeways, etc.

All of this ignores the real problem however--the government should not
be in the transportation business.   No self-respecting capitalist would
run a business the way the government runs the freeways. Solution:
auction off all the interstates to private companies or individuals. 

GOVERNMENT: try to slow down the freeways and create traffic nightmares
with unreasonable speed limits to satisfy special-interest groups; scare
and intimidate people with armed cops; reward slow drivers who clog up
the system with government-mandated insurance rates; try to make
negative examples of the best cars (ie, the fastest and the
safest--sports cars and sports sedans) while encouraging semi trucks
(via anti-train legistlation) and luxury SUVs (via guzzler taxes on
cars) to "own the road" and dangerously obstruct other drivers'
visibility even though they can't take a corner.  Don't bother
maintaining the roads because even though there are massive gas taxes,
the money goes to other special-interest programs and the special
interests are where the campaign money comes from.

PRIVATE COMPANIES:  try to create the most efficient highway system
possible to maximize profit.  If you move more cars faster from point A
to point B you're going to make more money.  With safety of course--this
is in the interest of the company.  If you run an unsafe highway,
drivers are going to flock to a competitor's highway, just like a
restaurant with E-Coli.  Security officers would exist, but only to
police unsafe or uncourteous drivers.  Fast driving is encouraged
because it helps the whole system move faster.  The fastest and safest
cars are encouraged and are given special speed-rated license plates to
use the left lane.  Slow and unsafe cars must stay to the right or use a
competitor.  Slow vehicles should also be charged more money for using
the highway because they are on it longer.  Similarly, large unwieldly
vehicles should be charged more or sent to a special highway because
they take up more space on the highway, block visibility, travel more
slowly, and lessen the pleasurable driving experience of others.
Maintain the roads in pristine condition because this leads to faster
speeds (more cars moving, more money), and a competitive advantage over
other highways.

By the way, here's recent Montana auto-fatality stats from the NMA.
Note 1996 is first full year without daytime speed limit ("reasonable
and prudent").  Speed Kills?  You decide.

>Total fatalities
>1994 = 202
>1995 = 215
>1996 =197 
>
>Interstate fatalities
>1994 = 42
>1995 = 39
>1996 = 38
>
>Total Fatal Accidents
>1994 = 182
>1995 = 186
>1996 = 176