To obtain a driver's licence you have to enroll to a licensed driving school, learn all the laws and regulations that might be relevant, take several driving lessons with a licensed instructur, pay at least $ 1100 for the course and the exam. I have been driving in Alaska / Anchorage and around the city. In areas with more traffic it might be an issue for European drivers, but we have idiots and speeder in Austria and Germany as well. And as you are allowed to drink alcohol legally under the age of 18 there are a lots of accidents with drunken drivers and high speed involved especially at weekends where manly people between 18 and 25 are involved. Our motor clubs in Austria and Germany offer special advanced driver trainings where you can experience the behaviour of an vehicle at its physical limit. You learn how to drive fast and save, how to deal with oversteer and understear or the best evasion tactics in dangerous almost crash situations. The vast part of the training is done in your own car on a prepared course with sections that let you experience dangerous situations on a real road. These trainings are mandatory for young drivers and optional for more experienced drivers. I enjoy attending such trainings due to the drivings fun. I think the trainings should fit the need of the people and the situations. When it is fine for the people in Virgina to use a pro forma road test to obtain a driver's licence then so be it.
This should be strongly recommended in North America. There needs to be a minimum standard of knowledge of a vehicle's physics and what happens under different conditions. Drivers should not find out on their own (or never bother to learn even after it happens). If you understand the outcomes of your actions, you're less apt to make an error (like braking in a corner on an icy surface that will send a car spinning because the driver doesn't know that braking upsets the balance of the car, making the rear lighter, thus swinging the car around).
I've lived here in the USA since 1983, having learned to drive in the UK where I was born. I was not, and am still not very impressed by the general standard of driving on this side of The Pond. My first mode of transport was a bicycle, then graduating to a motor-cycle, then getting a license to drive a car when I was 18. I took the Motorcycle Safety Training course over here, and am surprised that it's not a general requirement for all drivers to take a similar course. Although I already had a UK license, I found that course renewed my appreciation of other road users, and reminded me of just how important it is to be totally aware of your environment, not just road/traffic/weather conditions, and the importance of planning ahead. Although I'm licensed to ride a motor-cycle over here, the arrogant, rude behaviour of 99% of other drivers shows me it is just not worth the risk!
Riding a motorcycle is fun, as you've written one must be totally aware of the environment. I stopped riding a motorcycle for the same reason, it is very dangerous, especially when other drivers are on the street. Even in a car you can be as careful as possible, some dangerous situations cannot be fully avoided. With the upcoming Prius Gen 4 there seems to be even more support from the car to protect one's health and safety.I appreciate this development despite the fact that I want to be in full control of the vehicle all the time. It is a pleasure to participate in this contact point to exchange experiences, opinions, news and know-how.
Some side comment on the thread "Gas Prices Shrink as Inventory Swells" Gas Prices Shrink as Inventory Swells | Page 2 | PriusChat To fill up the tank of an Prius you can spend easily $45 , the price for a gallon of gasoline is about $ 4.40
Diesel prices are about $ 4.14 per gallon. It is cheaper because taxes are lower than on gasoline. Pale Fox
Gathered some of my Prius related pictures. 1000 kilometer with an 4.0 l/100km average. Translates to 625 miles with 58.8 mpg. 625 miles - 58.8 mpg 94 mpg (2.5 l/100km) - more meditation in slow motion than driving. 94 mpg - possible but beyond good and evil Prius logo with a hint of courage. Prius logo dipped in Red
