4 ms·

The standard of driving in most places I've lived in the US is very low for a developed country. People blow through pedestrian crossings, get-there-itis, crawl

by throwaway219450 4mo ago

The standard of driving in most places I've lived in the US is very low for a developed country. People blow through pedestrian crossings, get-there-itis, crawling through stops, don't use their turn signals, make illegal U-Turns, ignore overtaking conventions. Compare to most countries in Europe where a driving test is a rigorous 45 minutes and you can fail for all sorts of minor stuff. I live in a place with decent pedestrian infrastructure fortunately. I'm more worried about being involved in a random fatal crash when I'm driving than on foot. Making right-on-red illegal wouldn't be bad either. The number of times I've almost been run over when a car is stopped in the middle/straight lane and blocks line of sight to a right-turning car that doesn't look. DUIs are at least treated seriously. It's one of the few offenses that will get a visa instantly revoked. Same in Canada I think.

mcntsh 4mo ago
45 minutes? In Germany getting your license takes most people around a year and costs thousands of euros.
- eltrain 4mo ago
  I assume he meant the actual final practical test.
  - mcntsh 4mo ago
    my point is, in germany it takes longer than a test to get your license, unlike the US.
    - Helloworldboy 4mo ago
      [dead]
    - carefulfungi 4mo ago
      Is it common in other states that you only need a test for a license. Where I live (in the US) if you are a new driver (under 18) you need 30 hours of classroom instruction, 18 hours of trainer-driving time, a 6 month learner permit period with many restrictions and then a finally test, iirc.
      - alamortsubite 4mo ago
        And if you're over 18? In my state it's 1) an easy written test, 2) a few minutes driving around a parking lot, and 3) here's your license kid, have at it.
      - daemonologist 4mo ago
        Only Florida, Maryland, and New York require adults who are new drivers to take any kind of class/instruction. (Most states require it under 18, with a few under 21 or 25.) Everywhere else you can just walk in and take the test. The perhaps greater problem though is that those tests are completely trivial.
        throwaway219450 4mo ago
        Florida is a declaration of experience for minors and nothing(?) for adults except a (computer) knowledge exam. If you turn 18, you can go and sit the knowledge exam and do a lap round the DMV. For kids, it's 50 hours of road experience, and 10 at night, but a parent can sign that off. Maryland looks the same? You've got to do a knowledge test to get a learner's permit, 6 hours behind the wheel + 30 class, and then you get a provisional which can be upgraded to full. NY is also a 50/15 hour parent declaration and maybe(?) a supervised course for a few hours. https://www.stateofflorida.com/drivers-license-steps/ https://www.stateofflorida.com/drivers-license-steps/ https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/complete-pre-licensing-requirements https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/complete-pre-licensing-req...
    - vitro 4mo ago
      In Czech Republic as well. You need to have driven certain amount of hours, have attented theory lessons, then test, followed by a test drive with a policeman.

mcntsh 4mo ago

45 minutes? In Germany getting your license takes most people around a year and costs thousands of euros.

eltrain 4mo ago
I assume he meant the actual final practical test.
- mcntsh 4mo ago
  my point is, in germany it takes longer than a test to get your license, unlike the US.
  - Helloworldboy 4mo ago
    [dead]
  - carefulfungi 4mo ago
    Is it common in other states that you only need a test for a license. Where I live (in the US) if you are a new driver (under 18) you need 30 hours of classroom instruction, 18 hours of trainer-driving time, a 6 month learner permit period with many restrictions and then a finally test, iirc.
    - alamortsubite 4mo ago
      And if you're over 18? In my state it's 1) an easy written test, 2) a few minutes driving around a parking lot, and 3) here's your license kid, have at it.
    - daemonologist 4mo ago
      Only Florida, Maryland, and New York require adults who are new drivers to take any kind of class/instruction. (Most states require it under 18, with a few under 21 or 25.) Everywhere else you can just walk in and take the test. The perhaps greater problem though is that those tests are completely trivial.
      - throwaway219450 4mo ago
        Florida is a declaration of experience for minors and nothing(?) for adults except a (computer) knowledge exam. If you turn 18, you can go and sit the knowledge exam and do a lap round the DMV. For kids, it's 50 hours of road experience, and 10 at night, but a parent can sign that off. Maryland looks the same? You've got to do a knowledge test to get a learner's permit, 6 hours behind the wheel + 30 class, and then you get a provisional which can be upgraded to full. NY is also a 50/15 hour parent declaration and maybe(?) a supervised course for a few hours. https://www.stateofflorida.com/drivers-license-steps/ https://www.stateofflorida.com/drivers-license-steps/ https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/complete-pre-licensing-requirements https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/complete-pre-licensing-req...
  - vitro 4mo ago
    In Czech Republic as well. You need to have driven certain amount of hours, have attented theory lessons, then test, followed by a test drive with a policeman.