Driver's training should be re introduced into the schools. AND it should take alot longer than 1 month. At 16-17, I was pretty safe for the first year, but in my second year of driving my immaturity caught up with me. I got 4 tickets that year, all for speeding (and 3 more the next yr), at least a dozen parking tickets, for not caring..but thankfully no accidents. I had friends that weren't so lucky and did not make it to see graduation or to drink legally.

After seeing good drivers internationally, in large metropolitan areas where traffic is a mess, I gotta say that most NorthAmerican drivers dont understand some of the basic rules of the road and often cause problems and accidents due to this lack of knowledge. Personally, I am all for refresher courses to update drivers on existing and new traffic laws...and I dont mean traffic school b/c we got caught speeding either.

 

The improved the driving test a few years ago in the UK, but it's a bit early to see the effects. IMHO we should run a similar system for cars, as for Motorbikes at least. (In the UK Motorcylists have to pass a compulsary basic training before being allowed on the road with 'L' plates. It means that before they hit the road they have enough basic control of clutch, brakes, steering etc, that they can concentrate on awareness.)

When I got my bike licenese, I went through a lot more training afterwards - made me a better biker, and meant that I could afford insurance on a nice bike.

I'm still in the process of upgrading my driving. Certainly the biggest area for improvement with my S2000 is me!

-Brian.

 

I'm not trying to through flames at simon2000!
As many others have said "lucky" is a relative term.
I understand the idea of the thread - to indicate that we should be happy that it does not cost as much to get a license here as it does in other places.
However, I think our educational system for getting a license in this country is a joke, a pathetic joke. It is way too easy and we let some of the most unskilled people out there on the streets, the same places our parents, spouses, family and friends are driving. This country needs to radically change our process of getting a license. I will end my rant here.