- Driving Stupid : )
#1
02-12-2008, 03:39 AM
- Driving Stupid : )
Driving Stupid
[align=center]
[/align]Poor driver education is a growing problem, where is it worst?
[align=center][/align]" Is it just your imagination, or do many of your fellow motorists lack even a rudimentary grasp of traffic laws?"
Is it just your imagination, or do many of your fellow motorists lack even a rudimentary grasp of traffic laws?
Well, if a test administered by GMAC Insurance is any indication, one in six people cruising our highways and byways -- roughly 36 million licensed drivers -- would flunk their driver's test if they had to take it today. Based on the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, the state with the most road-going dummies is New York, while the most knowledgeable ones are in Idaho.
The following state rankings were released for the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test:
States with Best & Worst Drivers Test Rankings
Top Five States*Worst Five Sates*
1. Idaho 46. Rhode Island
2. Alaska 47. Massachusetts
3. Minnesota48. District of Columbia
4. Wisconsin49. New Jersey
5. Kansas50. New York
*Listed in order of best to worst. The complete list can be viewed at gmacinsurance.com.
[align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align]"The results were pretty eye-opening to us," says Gary Kusumi, president and CEO of GMAC Insurance Personal Lines. "Not only did they indicate that there are wide differences in terms of state scores, but there were significant trends that demonstrated the general public might have forgotten must-know items from when they first took their driver's test."
"Two questions consistently sent respondents skidding into the weeds," Kusumi noted. The first has to do with the correct action to take when approaching a steady yellow traffic light (answer: stop if it is safe to do so). A whopping 84 percent of respondents spun their wheels on that one. The next biggest puzzler had to do with the proper following distance from a car in front of you (answer: two seconds).
Also of interest from the GMAC Insurance test:
"Two questions consistently sent respondents skidding into the weeds," Kusumi noted. The first has to do with the correct action to take when approaching a steady yellow traffic light (answer: stop if it is safe to do so). A whopping 84 percent of respondents spun their wheels on that one. The next biggest puzzler had to do with the proper following distance from a car in front of you (answer: two seconds).
Also of interest from the GMAC Insurance test:
Drivers 35 and older were more likely to pass
[ul][*][align=center]Illinois, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts were the least knowledgeable states overall, with average scores under 75 percent [/align][*][align=center]Fifty-five percent of the respondents didn't know how many feet before making a left or right turn to activate their turn signals [/align][*][align=center]The national average score was 77.1 percent[/align][/ul][center][b]"We believe that the adoption of a uniform driver curriculum will significantly improve the driving skills of Americans," said Adele Kristiansson, a spokesperson for the National Road Safety Foundation. "Some states do not require mandatory education for novice drivers, and some states require it," adds Kristiansson. "My organization is concerned because driver education is an o
#2
02-12-2008, 03:46 AM
RE: - Driving Stupid : )
[align=center]Weapons of Mass Distraction
What drivers really do behind the wheel
" Many of us loathe seeing the driver who is trying to steer and stuff their face at the same time." [/align][/align][/align][/align]
If every accident report filed with insurance agencies were true, America's roads would be a wild freak show of deer large enough to span four lanes and rockslides that toss boulders and trees into the path of traffic about every five minutes. It seems that, like the cast of 'Heroes,' almost every driver has the secret ability to do complex tasks while driving, and when things go wrong there's a shroud of secrecy. We unearthed information from the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) and, for fun, conducted our own survey. We wanted to determine the number of gifted individuals in the U.S. who are too advanced to just drive when behind the wheel. The scary thing is that no matter what your dark little secret might be, driver, you are far from alone.
Watching the road can be monotonous when behind the wheel. Some 32 percent of drivers who responded to the NETS survey have an interesting way to liven up the experience a little -- they read! The survey didn't account for whether the driver was reading a map or mystery novels, but according to a recent study completed at Virginia Tech's Transportation Institute, it doesn't really matter. Your chances of a near-accident or crash are 3.4 times greater when you try to determine done it or which way it is to Albuquerque.
[/align]
Rankings provided by The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
[/align][/align][/align][/align]Many of us loathe seeing the driver who is trying to steer and stuff their face at the same time. Strangely enough, NETS reports that 70% of their surveyed drivers do it. We looked up this habit in the Virginia Tech study to asses the risk of living the meals-on-wheel lifestyle and didn't find it specified. The study does mention that habits requiring multiple steps and/or involving several glances away from the road up the chances for danger by two to three times.
Think those folks you see behind the wheel combing their hair, applying makeup or shaving are part of a very small, lunatic fringe? Think again: 18% of respondents to the NETS survey 'fessed up to these behind-the-wheel primping techniques. They also gamble with three times greater odds of being in an accident or narrowly avoiding one.
Another group of drivers facing the same risk factor are the 10% who prepare for work while driving. What are they typically doing? You know, work stuff -- reviewing notes, talking on the phone, making lists, or using a computer -- while piloting a two-ton-plus machine during rush hour.
Much more understandable than using a computer while driving, are the poor souls who have to deal with rambunctious kids in the backseat. The NETS survey showed that 39% of drivers tend to their children while they drive. Unfortunately, the statistics aren't quite as compassionate. At best, those who look away from the road for long glances at bad behavior double their risk for an accident. Reaching for a moving object while driving increases your chances of a near miss or accident nine times. That same risk applies to swatting at the occasional bee that gets through the window.
[b]Things get interesting when it comes to cell phone usage. Of those surveyed, 51% say they use a cell phone when driving, but the specifics of those who use a handheld versus t
What drivers really do behind the wheel
" Many of us loathe seeing the driver who is trying to steer and stuff their face at the same time." [/align][/align][/align][/align]
If every accident report filed with insurance agencies were true, America's roads would be a wild freak show of deer large enough to span four lanes and rockslides that toss boulders and trees into the path of traffic about every five minutes. It seems that, like the cast of 'Heroes,' almost every driver has the secret ability to do complex tasks while driving, and when things go wrong there's a shroud of secrecy. We unearthed information from the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) and, for fun, conducted our own survey. We wanted to determine the number of gifted individuals in the U.S. who are too advanced to just drive when behind the wheel. The scary thing is that no matter what your dark little secret might be, driver, you are far from alone.
Watching the road can be monotonous when behind the wheel. Some 32 percent of drivers who responded to the NETS survey have an interesting way to liven up the experience a little -- they read! The survey didn't account for whether the driver was reading a map or mystery novels, but according to a recent study completed at Virginia Tech's Transportation Institute, it doesn't really matter. Your chances of a near-accident or crash are 3.4 times greater when you try to determine done it or which way it is to Albuquerque.
[/align]
Rankings provided by The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
[/align][/align][/align][/align]Many of us loathe seeing the driver who is trying to steer and stuff their face at the same time. Strangely enough, NETS reports that 70% of their surveyed drivers do it. We looked up this habit in the Virginia Tech study to asses the risk of living the meals-on-wheel lifestyle and didn't find it specified. The study does mention that habits requiring multiple steps and/or involving several glances away from the road up the chances for danger by two to three times.
Think those folks you see behind the wheel combing their hair, applying makeup or shaving are part of a very small, lunatic fringe? Think again: 18% of respondents to the NETS survey 'fessed up to these behind-the-wheel primping techniques. They also gamble with three times greater odds of being in an accident or narrowly avoiding one.
Another group of drivers facing the same risk factor are the 10% who prepare for work while driving. What are they typically doing? You know, work stuff -- reviewing notes, talking on the phone, making lists, or using a computer -- while piloting a two-ton-plus machine during rush hour.
Much more understandable than using a computer while driving, are the poor souls who have to deal with rambunctious kids in the backseat. The NETS survey showed that 39% of drivers tend to their children while they drive. Unfortunately, the statistics aren't quite as compassionate. At best, those who look away from the road for long glances at bad behavior double their risk for an accident. Reaching for a moving object while driving increases your chances of a near miss or accident nine times. That same risk applies to swatting at the occasional bee that gets through the window.
[b]Things get interesting when it comes to cell phone usage. Of those surveyed, 51% say they use a cell phone when driving, but the specifics of those who use a handheld versus t
#3
02-12-2008, 04:29 AM
RE: - Driving Stupid : )
[align=center]
[/align][align=center][:-][/align][align=center]When's the last time you took a written drivers test? When you were 16? How do you think you'd score if you took it again today?
For the third year in a row, GMAC Insurance set out to gauge the knowledge of the American driving public in the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, where more than 5,100 respondents were administered actual questions taken from DMV tests. And it's clear Americans need a refresher course - nearly 36 million licensed drivers would fail if retested today.
Think you're smarter than the average driver? Take the test yourself, and see if you pass with flying colors, or if you could use a little brushing up. Then compare your scores to the national average and challenge a friend to beat your score!
And, no matter how you score, review our Top Driving Mistakes That Cause Crashes to make sure you avoid these mishaps and stay safe on the road.[/align][align=center]
[/align][align=center]Casey Mears - Driving expert and GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test supporter Casey Mears is the driver of the No. 25 National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - The IIHS is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers. For over 30 years, the IIHS has been a leader in finding out what works and doesn't work to prevent motor vehicle crashes in the first place and reduce injuries in the crashes that still occur.
[:-]Click below link to take test[:-]
[:-][/align][align=center]http://www.gmacinsurance.com/safedriving/[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Kid Space
YOUR SCORE COMPARED
TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
Hello K Space,
Thank you for taking the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. Below is your score compared to the national average.
Your Score: 90%
National Average: 77%
[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Space took the above test, & got[/align][align=center]90% [X(][/align][align=center][8D]I wonder `if I can get college credit 4 this ?
[/align][align=center]There are 20 Questions ?'s on the test : )[/align][align=center][/align]
[/align][align=center][:-][/align][align=center]When's the last time you took a written drivers test? When you were 16? How do you think you'd score if you took it again today?For the third year in a row, GMAC Insurance set out to gauge the knowledge of the American driving public in the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, where more than 5,100 respondents were administered actual questions taken from DMV tests. And it's clear Americans need a refresher course - nearly 36 million licensed drivers would fail if retested today.
Think you're smarter than the average driver? Take the test yourself, and see if you pass with flying colors, or if you could use a little brushing up. Then compare your scores to the national average and challenge a friend to beat your score!
And, no matter how you score, review our Top Driving Mistakes That Cause Crashes to make sure you avoid these mishaps and stay safe on the road.[/align][align=center]
[/align][align=center]Casey Mears - Driving expert and GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test supporter Casey Mears is the driver of the No. 25 National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - The IIHS is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers. For over 30 years, the IIHS has been a leader in finding out what works and doesn't work to prevent motor vehicle crashes in the first place and reduce injuries in the crashes that still occur.
[:-]Click below link to take test[:-]
[:-][/align][align=center]http://www.gmacinsurance.com/safedriving/[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Kid Space
YOUR SCORE COMPARED
TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
Hello K Space,
Thank you for taking the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. Below is your score compared to the national average.
Your Score: 90%
National Average: 77%
[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Space took the above test, & got[/align][align=center]90% [X(][/align][align=center][8D]I wonder `if I can get college credit 4 this ?
[/align][align=center]There are 20 Questions ?'s on the test : )[/align][align=center][/align]
#4
02-12-2008, 05:18 AM
RE: - Driving Stupid : )
Around here we have a couple major arteries that are closed for big construction projects. One of them is a major artery for truck and international traffic, in addition to local traffic. So the remaining roads are so clogged with heavy traffic, common courtesy and patience has gone out the window.
But before that construction started, it wasn't that bad. Sure we had our fair share of rude and discourteous drivers like any other place. But it wasn't a huge problem. Until the construction project from hell started.
As for distractions, I must admit that I have learned to steer with my knees.
But before that construction started, it wasn't that bad. Sure we had our fair share of rude and discourteous drivers like any other place. But it wasn't a huge problem. Until the construction project from hell started.
As for distractions, I must admit that I have learned to steer with my knees.
#5
02-12-2008, 06:04 AM
RE: - Driving Stupid : )
I remember in Overdrive Magazine, Truck Drivers rated the best and worst drivers in the nation... the wrost to them were Florida,New York, California, New Jersey, and some other state (can't remember it, or the order for that matter).
Texas, Wyoming, Mississippi, were 3 of the 5 best states with drivers
Best roads were Texas, Florida, and Tennessee (not in that order either)
Worst roads were Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Connecticutt, and Rhode Island were in there I think.
Texas, Wyoming, Mississippi, were 3 of the 5 best states with drivers
Best roads were Texas, Florida, and Tennessee (not in that order either)
Worst roads were Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Connecticutt, and Rhode Island were in there I think.
#6
02-12-2008, 11:28 AM
RE: - Driving Stupid : )
ORIGINAL: Cowboy6622
Texas, Wyoming, Mississippi, were 3 of the 5 best states with drivers
Texas, Wyoming, Mississippi, were 3 of the 5 best states with drivers
I know some towns are defiantly worse than others. Laramie seems to be better than Bozeman, MT was, but there are a lot more cars here with dings and what not in them, but that might just be because of the Wyo-Techers. Then again Laramie is horrible compared to my hometown, but then again home only has about 3065 people in it...
#7
02-12-2008, 02:06 PM
RE: - Driving Stupid : )
Good article... maybe I say that since I'm in the top 4. 
But honestly how many people do remember most of the stuff on the drivers written test. EG: Fifty-five percent of the respondents didn't know how many feet before making a left or right turn to activate their turn signals.I have no idea what it isin feet and that actually sounds pretty stupid to measure it as such.
I do it depending on my speed and probably allow about 5-8 seconds of time. 90 feet sounds good (roughly 2 house lots) at 25 mph, but how about at 55 mph in the country?!?! That is one hell of a slam on the brakes stop and then turn on the blinker.
But honestly how many people do remember most of the stuff on the drivers written test. EG: Fifty-five percent of the respondents didn't know how many feet before making a left or right turn to activate their turn signals.I have no idea what it isin feet and that actually sounds pretty stupid to measure it as such.
I do it depending on my speed and probably allow about 5-8 seconds of time. 90 feet sounds good (roughly 2 house lots) at 25 mph, but how about at 55 mph in the country?!?! That is one hell of a slam on the brakes stop and then turn on the blinker.
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