One in Five not fit to Drive

[WolfeMacleod]

Saw this today. Scary


Americans don't know rules of the road - Yahoo! Finance

Reading the comments might be interesting...



Americans don't know rules of the road
Charles Riley, On Thursday May 26, 2011, 4:04 pm EDT


More than one in five Americans -- some 36.9 million -- are not fit to drive and would fail a driving test if asked to take one today, according to a new survey of the nation's drivers.

Shocking as that may be, it's actually an improvement. Last year, 38 million received failing grades. Nationwide, the average score this year increased to 77.9% from 76.2% in 2010.

According to GMAC Insurance, which conducted the survey, the results mean that a great number of people on the road still lack basic driving knowledge, an ignorance that leads to dangerous driving habits.

For example, a full 85% of those surveyed could not identify the correct action to take when approaching a steady yellow traffic light.

And only one in four knew safe following distances.

But, the survey suggests, you can avoid some of these drivers if you know what to look for: Young people, women and motorists who live in the Northeast.

Twenty-seven percent of women failed the test, while males had a failure rate of 13.6%. The oldest drivers tested -- ages 60 to 65 -- had the highest average test scores at 80.3%.

Drivers in the Northeast scored lowest, while respondents in the Midwest fared best. The worst place, no surprise to anyone who drives there, is Washington, D.C.

Wyoming, where less than 5% of the population failed the test, took home the top prize for states.

The annual GMAC Insurance National Drivers test polled 5,130 licensed drivers from 50 states and the District of Columbia with a 20-question test derived from state department of motor vehicles exams.

[dhoward]

As a motorcyclist, this comes as no surprise.

[Paul_Heery]

Take the test and post your results

GMAC Insurance - National Drivers Test

[masraum]

Honestly, I suspect their numbers are wrong. I'd be surprised if 4/5 of drivers could pass the test.

[dhoward]

95%
Stupid fog lights.

[Amail]

95%, *****es!
I've never seen a steady yellow light before - I had no idea what to do. Too bad they didn't list "Blare horn and burn donuts thru the intersection" as an option. I'd have much rather failed choosing that.

[rcecale]

Originally Posted by dhoward

95%
Stupid fog lights.

HAH! +1

Randy

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

Take the test and post your results

GMAC Insurance - National Drivers Test

85%, erring on the side of caution.

You may pass on the right of another vehicle when:

When traveling on a multi-lane highway carrying two or more lanes of traffic in the same direction

>> My answer The other vehicle is making or about to make a left turn, when a lane is provided to pass on the right

>>actual answer Both answers are correct
(What happened to no passing on the right?)

--------------

When you are merging onto the freeway, you should be driving:
>>actual answer At or near the same speed as the traffic on the freeway

5 to 10 miles per hour slower than the traffic on the freeway

>>my answer The posted speed limit for traffic on the freeway

(traveling under "near" the speed limit could cause others to have to slow down.)

------------------

When you approach a traffic signal displaying a steady yellow light, you must: Go through the intersection before it turns red

>> actual answer Stop if it is safe to do so

>> my answer Be prepared to stop

Slow down and proceed with caution

(I gave my answer because the person behind me most likely will not want to stop for a yellow light. During Driver's Ed, we were taught "Be prepared to stop")

[pwd72s]

Hmmm...older drivers fared/tested better? Interesting. Flies in the face of the "old drivers are dangerous" line of thinking. I'm nearing my 68th birthday.

BTW..."You scored: 100%" Also, I definitely unclicked the box asking for info on GMAC insurance.

Boy do I ever agree on the fog lights...hate folks who use them when it's not foggy. One reason I wanted a Bullitt model...no fog lights cluttering the grille.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by rcecale

HAH! +1

Randy

95%

I missed the triangle sign thingy.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by WolfeMacleod

85%, erring on the side of caution.

You may pass on the right of another vehicle when:

(What happened to no passing on the right?)

--------------

When you are merging onto the freeway, you should be driving:

(traveling under "near" the speed limit could cause others to have to slow down.)

------------------

When you approach a traffic signal displaying a steady yellow light, you must: Go through the intersection before it turns red

>> actual answer Stop if it is safe to do so

>> my answer Be prepared to stop

Slow down and proceed with caution

(I gave my answer because the person behind me most likely will not want to stop for a yellow light. During Driver's Ed, we were taught "Be prepared to stop")

I think the no passing on the right thing is primarily directed towards roads with a single lane going each direction. They don't want you to pass on the shoulder or off of the road. If there's a lane, it's different.

Merge at or near the speed of traffic. The "gotcha" with your answer of "the speed limit" is that you are screwed if the traffic is going slower than the speed limit because of traffic, weather, etc.....

I scored 100%. The yellow light question was close, but I think that you're supposed to stop if you can. If you're going to be rear-ended, the. You can't stop safely.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

95%

I missed the triangle sign thingy.

That's because the sign was a diamond.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by WolfeMacleod

85%, erring on the side of caution.

You may pass on the right of another vehicle when:

When traveling on a multi-lane highway carrying two or more lanes of traffic in the same direction

>> My answer The other vehicle is making or about to make a left turn, when a lane is provided to pass on the right

>>actual answer Both answers are correct
(What happened to no passing on the right?)

--------------

You maybe didn't think of those traffic jam situations where one lane goes faster, then the other? To not "pass on the right" then would jam things up even more.
I did consider it a "trick question" though...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Hmmm...older drivers fared/tested better? Interesting. Flies in the face of the "old drivers are dangerous" line of thinking. I'm nearing my 68th birthday.

BTW..."You scored: 100%" Also, I definitely unclicked the box asking for info on GMAC insurance.

Boy do I ever agree on the fog lights...

Knowing the rules doesn't necessarily mean you can perform better. You may know the rules of basketball, soccer or football better than a youngster, but that doesn't mean that you should square off wi them on the playing field. There are of course always exceptions.

[Targa Me]

85%...WTF....i thought i aced it. shows you how much i know. lol

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by masraum

That's because the sign was a diamond.

Ouch!

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by masraum

Knowing the rules doesn't necessarily mean you can perform better. You may know the rules of basketball, soccer or football better than a youngster, but that doesn't mean that you should square off wi them on the playing field. There are of course always exceptions.

apples & oranges...sure, overall, I'll give youth quicker reflexes, more strength, & better eyesight...but that doesn't translate to the young being safer drivers in real traffic conditions. I think that is what the test was about...

One of the scariest drivers to me? A young female, hair usually tied in a ponytail, driving a japanese pocket rocket like she's trying to qualify for Indy...

[MRM]

I got one wrong too. Signal 100 feet before the turn, I put 50.

[sjf911]

LOL, 100% but it's only been 3 years since I got the last kid through drivers ed.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by WolfeMacleod

Twenty-seven percent of women failed the test, while males had a failure rate of 13.6%.

Like I've always said:

Lady drivers? No survivors.