This is how we learn to drive..in Italy

[Jabro]

I agree, the European way is much more logical. When I lived in Germany, I saw a lot of people driving dangerously, but usually speed was the only factor (speeding through neighborhoods etc.) Here in America it seems to be stupidity that plays the dangerous factor, weaving in and out, speed, texting, people that can't drive straight while on a cell phone, and most of all people that drive SUVs and other driver giant vehicles, who just plain suck at driving. In Germany, chances are if I was to be in an accident, I'd be hit by a sedan, or smaller more economical car. Where I live now, chances are if I get hit, it is going to be by a Ford Expedition or a Cadillac Escalade.

Driver's ed in America is so easy to the point where its creating a dangerous environment for everyone on the road, every nation has its dumb drivers, but I have to tell you New Orleans has the highest concentration I've seen, and I've lived in a lot of places in both the U.S. and abroad.

[nookandcrannycar]

Family members in California who are in their mid to late 60s learned within driver training fleets that were all automatic transmission fleets. I have never seen or heard of a driver training car in the U.S. that has a manual transmission. Sad. I think it should be a requirement to learn on a manual.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Jabro

I agree, the European way is much more logical. When I lived in Germany, I saw a lot of people driving dangerously, but usually speed was the only factor (speeding through neighborhoods etc.) Here in America it seems to be stupidity that plays the dangerous factor, weaving in and out, speed, texting, people that can't drive straight while on a cell phone, and most of all people that drive SUVs and other driver giant vehicles, who just plain suck at driving. In Germany, chances are if I was to be in an accident, I'd be hit by a sedan, or smaller more economical car. Where I live now, chances are if I get hit, it is going to be by a Ford Expedition or a Cadillac Escalade.

Driver's ed in America is so easy to the point where its creating a dangerous environment for everyone on the road, every nation has its dumb drivers, but I have to tell you New Orleans has the highest concentration I've seen, and I've lived in a lot of places in both the U.S. and abroad.

I agree with all of this, but the thing that pulls my chain the most (and is worst in Houston, Southern California, and South Florida IMO) are people who haven't been paying attention to how soon their exit is coming up, notice (from the #1 or #2 lane) their exit at the last minute, and have the 'I can't possibly be inconvenienced by going to the next exit' attitude and cut over to the exit, irrespective of how dangerous this might be. I have personally seen an accident happen in front of me (in Houston) when a person did this.