RANT: BAD Laws and Rhyming

[thop]

I'm not sure how much 0.08 BCA is or what it means but here we have two steps, first is 0.4 ‰ which will only get you a fine i believe ... unless you are involved in an accident then you're in deep shit even if you did not cause the accident. the next one is 0.8 ‰ which will get you problems either way.

Seatbelt is mandatory, even on the back seats. Fine is 40 or 60€ i believe ... using the cell is 20€ or so, so everyone does it anyway.

[az]

There is discussion that using the cell without hands-free will get you one point on your driver's record.

I think we should have a 0‰ threshold for driving. That way people will know for sure when they aren't allowed to drive. Sadly, this is necessary, because the majority of the populace tends to overestimate themselves too often. And there won't be arguing like "I can still drive after I had three pints, no matter if it's over the threshold" (which might well be true, but it would get quite complicated if the police had to test the drunk driver's driving abilities everytime they catch them).

AZ

[thop]

One point won't really scare anyone away ... also i'm against 0.0 ‰. I'm pretty sure that won't happen too soon anyway, if at all, the auto lobby is strong in germany ... that's also the reason why there is still no general speed limit on the autobahn

[rylan]

Another problem is that some people drive like they're drunk even when totally sober and awake

As far as I'm concerned, there should be some sort of drunk driving laws. But other stuff like seatbelts and helmets etc should only be required for children. One you're an adult its your responsibility.. and if you're stupid and don't use then insurance shouldn't pay, and neither should the governement.

[Gurm]

Pretty much. Also there should be some SERIOUS driver testing. Right now we give licenses out like they're candy... but we somehow expect people to take driving responsibly SERIOUSLY?

Pffft.

- Gurm

[The PIT]

Drunk on drugs presecribed or otherwise too old. Yup to many pillocks on the road.
A lot of people drive without licenses as well.

[Byock]

Originally posted by The PIT
Drunk on drugs presecribed or otherwise too old. Yup to many pillocks on the road.
A lot of people drive without licenses as well.

Pillocks? You my friend, are a treasure trove of linguistic anomalies. Just out of curiosity, are these words considered slang in the UK?

Keep them coming!

[Kooldino]

Originally posted by Gurm
Nor do we have a "cold medicine driving" law.

Yeah, codine, etc is under a DUI...perscription drugs, alcohol, etc fall under that.

Or a "being distracted by your girlfriend driving" law.

You might be able to get a reckless driving for that one.

[thop]

Originally posted by Gurm
Pretty much. Also there should be some SERIOUS driver testing. Right now we give licenses out like they're candy... but we somehow expect people to take driving responsibly SERIOUSLY?

I heard stories you need to drive around the block once and that's it in the US

[KRSESQ]

Depends on how overworked the testers are, how many tests are scheduled, day of week and time of day, etc.

When I took my behind-the-wheel test I was just required to drive around the block. No parallel parking (lucky!) or backing up or anything else time consuming. It helped that there were about 20 other people taking their test that same day. I got docked three points for turning my wheels the wrong way parking on a hill.

My wife and my son, on the other hand, got the full treatment. 30 minutes each for their driving tests. My wife got docked ten points for not looking over her shoulder when backing. She still does that (only uses the mirror when backing) and it bugs the crap out of me.

Kevin

[thop]

30 minutes each for their driving tests.

Kinda funny to read that when here the average is ~30 hours (15/20 lessons)

Actually i read again and realized that this is only the driving test that takes 30 minutes. It is 45 minutes here. So are there any lessons before the test and if yes how many?

[Gurm]

The lessons are NOT mandatory, although they will lower your insurance costs and allow you to get a "real" license rather sooner than without.

But the lessons are all useless garbage like "how close can you follow a fire truck" and "what does a flashing purple light mean"...

There is NO REAL DRIVER TRAINING in the United States unless you pay for it.

I've seen girls go to their driving test with a short short skirt and a miniature tube top... run over curbs and back into cars, and pass.

That's SAD.

- Gurm

[High_Jumbllama]

I laughed after I got my license. It was all driving at bout 10mph tops through a smallish obstacle course with parking and turn around. Of course in real life you only go 10mph.

[Jessterw]

I took driver's education my freshman year in high school and it was actually a good course. We had the text book lessons in addition to driving lessons both on an obstacle course and in the "real-world" (highways, etc.). Had to pay a $10 fee in case we wrecked a vehicle, but that's a minor cost considering how much other school related items/activities can cost.

And to think, this was at a school located in a low-income (think projects) housing area.

[thop]

So does that mean no practical lessons at all or what? So you tell me it is possible that you're sitting in a car (on the drivers seat) for the first time when you take your driving test? Rather amusing thought

But there is a big plus i guess because licenses must be really cheap in the US ... you have to pay for all the lessons here of course. 10 theoretical(?) (signs, traffic rules .. that stuff) hours and ~30 practical hours where you are driving around. Actually i don't remember if that's 30 with the theoretical already included or not.

So you end up paying ~1000€ for a license.

A reason for the difference might also be that everyone is learning manual gear here and that roads in the US are generally wider and there are more free foads to drive on (and more space in general).