On Jun 9, 2011, at 7:24 AM, PICdude wrote:

> I can't understand what's supposed to bridge the gap for others.

Well, things are improving.  Sort of.  In California, for instance, if =20
you're under 18 (when most people learn to drive), you're required to =20
take an approved classroom (or online) class, complete about 8 hours =20
of on-the-road training with an approved instructor, and complete an =20
additional 50 hours of adult-supervised driving (including 10 hours of =20
nighttime driving) before you can get take the road test (which is =20
actually on-road (but doesn't go on-freeway)) to get your license. =20
Then there are additional restrictions for the first year after you =20
get your license.
(Of course, if you're OVER 18, none of this applies.  Just go in and =20
take the road test.  Everyone knows that being over 18 immediately =20
gives one better driving skills!)


> I always figured that when I have kids of driving age, I would get
> them into auto-crossing for some proper car-handling skills, as IMO
> when the car does things that are not normal (sliding, skidding, etc),
> inexperienced drivers get all confused and just let go.

I have mixed feelings.  I would bet that most accidents in new drivers =20
do NOT occur under adverse conditions (I wonder if insurance =20
statistics would say?)  And the world certainly doesn't need a bunch =20
of overconfident drivers thinking they can treat the road like an =20
autocross track, just because they got some training to do so.  A new =20
driver needs training in the sort of circumstances that they're =20
actually most likely  to see when they start driving on their own.  =20
Mostly that means paying attention to other drivers.  (at least here, =20
where we don't often have anything that would be termed "bad weather.")

My daughter passed her driving test about a week ago...

BillW

--=20
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