Quote:
Originally posted by clay1g
If they didn't occasionally monitor traffic, then drivers would do 120+ mph all the time. Can you imagine the pile-ups and death that would come from drivers running amok? As much as we dislike them, we need the cops to monitor the other idiots out there.
|
I hear what you are saying, but.....
On the Autobahns in Germany, 55% of them do not have speed limits. And I would venture to say that they have a drastically less high speed death rate per capita than we do here in the states. My point is that many folks in the U.S. view driving MUCH differently.
People say things like "I
DESERVE to drive a car anyway I like. It's my
RIGHT ." Germans view driving much more seriously there and if someone here knows, please descibe the process of getting a license in Germany. I thought I heard that it is very challenging. Not like the gratuitous drive-around-the-block-making-only-right-hand-turns-so-as-to-not-rattle-the-young-driver we enjoy here.
The mind set that feels driving is a right could not be more wrong.
To drive a vehicle on public roads is a priviledge. I think almost all of us in this community feel about the same. But its a guess.
Now, I think acquiring proper driving skills start early and should always be built upon. I think there should be continuing education incentives for drivers of all ages. An increase in driver to driver communication would be great. I mean, we can all communicate with at least 1 of our fingers to other drivers, right? but if you KNEW the intent of the other driver BEFORE they did it...
I am teaching my 15 year old daughter to drive and when we head out to the school parking lot, I get a bit of "
oh joy, here we go again ." But I try to make it fun. Difficult, but fun. Going in a straight line is pretty easy and most early drivers get that quickly. I have her do a lot of parking, (parallel as well as backing) figure 8s and hard braking. I also have her do things WHILE driving. Turn on the radio, adjust her mirrors. Why? Like it or not, we teach our kids the right way and tell them to "Don't do this or that while driving." but when they head out on their own, with friends, they will break many of the guidelines we help them to establish. When I have her multitask in a safe setting, she can see first hand what can happen. The figure 8s are done going forward for a bit, teaching to look ahead and align the car without looking at the hood. Then she gets comfortable and I have her do the same thing while driving backwards. At first she said "I can't do that" then when she did it, you should have heard the laughter.
My point is, driving attitude is everything. Everyone says "Drivers (insert where you live here) suck." If that were really the case, that means that every one of us here suck at driving. I personally feel I put forth a great deal of effort to NOT suck at driving. And I see numerous nice gestures while driving every day.
Oh, how did I get on this box.
sorry.
And I think Stephan should talk to the court AND a lawyer. Hopefully, some common ground can be attained. It does sound a bit fishy.
Good luck.