> > I wish we were more like Finland in this regard. I first got my
> > driver's license in the US state of Pennsylvania. The theory book was
> > all about traffic laws and nothing about physics or techniques. The
> > practical training should require, I believe, practice at full-speed
> > emergency stopping, stopping and steering in slippery conditions,
> > controlling slides and skids, etc.
>
> I suggest the new driver, cautiously, and slowly increasing severity
> (don't know if this is exactly the correct word) explore the limits of
> the vehicle. Different road surfaces, weather conditions, braking, hard
> sudden turns, etc. when traffic, road conditions (a nice wide road, no
> traffic, etc.) allow. With this experience (knowledge??) and knowing
> where traffic and escape routes are around you, one can many times
> navigate under control away from danger.

I have to admit that some summer fun driving on a paddock of dry grass that=
 had been polished by having a piece of carpet carrying kids at a camp, all=
owed me to get some experience that kept me out of trouble later. I had an =
Austin 1300 GT (I believe it was marketed in the US as a Californian) front=
 wheel drive car that had all the worst front wheel drive torque steer char=
acteristics. Driving this on polished grass, one could have the hand brake =
on so the back wheels were locked, and it was then like driving on ice.

For any NZ readers, I did this at Kiwi Ranch in Rotorua, anyone remember th=
e 'Magic Carpet' ride ... ?
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