Quote:
Originally posted by cegerer
I've often thought about how I learned to drive as a 16-year old. Being a boy, I guess taking risks and doing stupid things is how I learned. Living in snow-country was a HUGE benefit. Nothing like some nice long power slides and donuts in the parking lot to learn about car control. Or driving on the Interstate with 2 wheels in heavy slush trying to pull you into the median to learn about oversteer and understeer. Obviously, that's not the right way to learn, nor the best way.
Jim, your idea sounds interesting.
|
+1.
Preaching to the choir here. As an insurance broker in the war zone (SoCal) for 40+ years I've seen the results. Yup, we lost more 16-25 year old males each day on the highways than we did in combat during Korea and Vietnam.
But IMHO the problem rests squarely with the parents. Expecting the 'system' to keep your kids safe on the road makes as much sense as thinking the schools and churches will completely educate and moralize them without parental involvement.
My kids had lots of hours driving before they turned 16. No slush here, so used dirt roads out in the desert and pylons from soccer practice. Illegal? Kinda, but they did understand much of the physics of driving and how to change a tire.
Part 2 is tougher.. the rules. Mine included daylight hours only, window at least partially down, no tunes, situational awareness. Encourage a healthy sense of paranoia about other drivers.
Knock on wood, they both survived. That's the parents' job.