I think you may be overlooking the physical and financial restrictions of your
theory.  Sure, it would be nice to license people according to their ability,
but you cannot have 100mph and 60mph on the same roadway without the same
frustration you feel at the speed limit.  You are just transfering your
frustration to the driver in front of you who is limited to 80mph.  Building new
'high speed' roads is not an option, it comes out of all our taxes, even the
taxes of those who can't use them.  This would cause a greater outcry than
yours.

There are numerous other limiting factors.  Bottom line, while the statement
"All men are created equal" is ideal, the actuallity adds, "And if they aren't
we're going to try our best to make them appear equal where some things are
concerned"  (now please only apply this in the context of speed limits and
driving priviledges!!  I don't want to start with that can of worms!)

Personally I think we ought to have a computer in each car which communicates
with the cars in front and behind.  Using a few algorithms it would be easy to
implement a system that would eliminate jams, speed up traffic in general,
simplify merging, etc, etc.  You would still be driving, but your speed would be
controlled by the computer, and braking and turn signals monitered by the
computer, and sent to others around you.

Or, alternately, have the lanes marked.  Far left on a four lane is 70-80MPH,
middle two lanes are 55-70MPH, and far right is 45-55.  Put small sensors in the
pavement which tell the car's speed, and if the driver doesn't stay within the
range (give them a few seconds to allow for lane changes) then use a buried EMP
coil to disable his/her car.  s/he will have to coast off to the side and wait
for a tow truck (which will already be on its way).  The cost of towing and
replacing certian modules will be enough incentive to encourage them to stay
within the bounds of the lane speeds.

All controlled by a lot of PICs, of course.

-Adam

All opinions expressed herein are my own, and not those of my employers, who are
appalled.

Daniel Hart wrote:
> I can't resist anymore.
> IN MY OPINION, the REAL PROBLEM is that we have a "one size fits all" licensing system in a real
> world where people have different levels of ability.