[TheForge] OT - The science of driving.

[Burch]

I was amazed at what the Czech Republic requires to get a driver's license. 
To quote from my older sister, who is attempting to get her's:
"For the exam, I apparently will need to explain the
major systems of the car, such as the differences
between drum and disc brakes and what the advantages
and disadvantages of each are, what "anti-block"
braking systems do and how, how tire pressure affects
fuel efficiency, how to check brake fluid, what to do
when your car overheats and all you have is drinking
water to add, how to change a tire, the differences
between diesel and gas engines,  what emergency
supplies are mandated (extra fuses and an extra bulb
for each type of light are part of the list), and how
to administer various types of first aid (burns, heart
attack, fractures, etc). "
I note that she also is required to take driver training course (road 
training) for a cost of about US$560.  She is being allowed to take the 
written exam using a translator, but has to be able to understand all the 
road signs.  (She is having a rough time learning Czech.)

I think the state-by-state variation in the US makes this type of exam 
impossible to enforce.  That's not to say that it isn't a good 
idea.  However, one thing that would be very difficult to address is the 
learning curve of on-the-road experience.  Learning in Boston is a steeper 
curve than learning in Red Lodge, Montana.  Simply having a uniform period 
of time when a driver is considered a "learner" doesn't address this issue.

Terry (who learned in the cane fields of Hawaii)


>Reis wrote:
>Sorry, but  I think this is one of those problems whose answer costs more 
>than we as a society are willing to pay. In europe, the test to get a 
>drivers licence is actually hard- many people fail it several times, even 
>after actually STUDYING! Then, in some countries, they make you have a big 
>red "L" for learner on your car for a year or so, so others can get out of 
>your way.
>We would never subject our citizens to the indignity of actually having to 
>learn how to do it right.