Should drivers ed be more expensive and difficult to pass in the US like in Europe?

Question

When I was in europe, drivers ed was very expensive, required for a drivers license, longer, and more difficult to pass. Should we institute the same kind of thing in the US to try to make the roads a safer pace?

Answer 1

Yes - it would make the roads a safer place period. Having lived for 34 years in europe then emigrated I find the driving in North America appaling, you drive too close , pay no attention weave all over the road and there are a lot of factors to blame.

You have a lot of stop and red light running crashes , rear ends leaving the pavement , I am sure it is in part due to predominance of automatic transmission, and long straight roads. They do narcotize the brain and although roads are winding , speed limits are higher, and often weather is poorer we dont tend to get these inattention crashes nearly as often.

Yes , its way to easy to get a license , and you get them too young as well. I dont mean this to be insulting but I think if you compare kids of the same age in europe to the US , the US kids are not as mature , a lot of this is down to less responsability (think in terms of crossing the road - you get out of a bus in europe, its up to you to look before crossing, no traffic halting and kids dashing across the road. )

Another factor is percieved value - if somebody gets something for nothing - they see it as worthless. Pay more = pay attention.

Europe is also raising standards to legislate users off of the road due to ongestion.

This meant that when I emigrated , although I had a Full Motorcycle Licence, I couldnt swap it for one here. The reason, Europe considers north american motorcycle licensing so poor they wont enter into a reciprocal agreement. Look into it , its way tougher and restricts engine power output at ages and experience levels unlike here.
1 Pass (simple)
2 Jump on 1000cc superbike
3 Donate organs

Answer 2

It is expensive because of the following. The cars cost money. Most of the cars are modified so that the teachers have some control of the car (mods cost money), Insurance is outrageous for a drivers ed car. The teachers get a small anout of money. The videos and study material cost money. Think of the money in this way. If it prevents you from having even 1 accident throughout your lifetime, it has payed for itself. Drivers ed is one of the best ways to get familiar with driving a vehicle and learning how to anticipate the actions of other drivers. Another way to look at the cost is a typical public school spends ~$10,000 per student, per year. If you consider a typical school is in session for 180 days a year at 5 school days per week, schools are in session for 36 weeks/year . That equates to $278 per week, per student.

Answer 3

I was going to say yes because it would help to cut down on the number of traffic fatalities. BUT- we live in America and realistically we can not do as the Europeans. Our country is much too big and public transportation is not widely available. Sometimes my husband has to drive 2 hours (one way) to a job site and in many European countries, if you drive for 2 hours in any direction, you have left the country.. I think there should be stricter driving regulations on younger people and older people and also on anyone that has exhibited behavior that would suggest they are a risky driver (like too many accidents or a DUI)

Answer 4

Expense has nothing to do with it. Driver training courses and license exams should be more difficult to pass anyway. Americans in general are not all that talented behind the wheel.

Answer 5

Here in the US most Driver's Ed programs are taught in local High Schools. Where the system fails is parents letting that be the only training their kids get, instead of going driving with them and teaching them along with what is taught at school.

Answer 6

God I Wish It Would Be! Drivers in America are some of the worst in the world. I cannot stand drivers with road rage.

Answer 7

I don't think the cost is relevant. I think they should teach students by showing films, the effects of bad driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs! Plus, a field trip to the local morgue might wake some of them up before they end up there!