REPORT: Michigan legislature pondering eco-friendly motoring tips in driving school
There's always a mouthful of teeth gnashing whenever lax US driver's ed standards are brought up. Yes, we need sixteen-year-olds on the road so they can get to their part time jobs at Taco Bell, but most are really lousy drivers. Or are they just uneducated drivers? Remember, even though 9 and 3 o'clock are the proper way to hold a steering wheel, kids in the US were taught 10 and 2 for generations (though in the mid-90s it was switched to 9 and 3 with the proliferation of airbags). Point is, in terms of car control and emergency handling, US drivers lag behind some other (*cough* Germany *cough*) countries.
However, rather than focusing what we think is most important while driving (avoiding accidents), a couple members of Michigan's legislature are looking to mandate environmentally friendly education into their state's drivers ed curriculum. The Detroit News' Manny Lopez nearly has a coronary attacking the proposed legislation -- "trust me, environmental activism is a religion" -- but we don't really see the big deal.
Especially as the three parts of the bill Lopez brings up are learning about the importance of car-pooling and public transportation, identifying a fuel-efficient vehicle, and recycling vehicle parts and fluids. With the exception of the public transportation aspect (that really has no place in drivers ed unless it's learning how to avoid hitting buses), all of the above is good stuff to know. A smart state legislator might even grab into this proposed legislature and help to pass it only if teaching emergency lane change and braking procedures gets added in.
[Source: Detroit News | Photo Source: Jim Gray/Getty Archives]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ben 7:10PM (11/16/2009)
I would be fine if they just taught people how to act at a four way stop...
and what the left lane is for.
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DiRF 7:54PM (11/16/2009)
If Americans were instructed thoroughly and sternly on lane-discipline, alternate-merging, and proper use of turn signals, traffic jams and congestion might be improved a bit, and without as many cars sitting, idling, in said congestion and jams, how much pollution could be avoided? Now THAT'S green.
I'm not bashing all American drivers, since I, myself, am one... I'm just bashing the vast majority that hog the passing lane, act like jackasses in merges, and swerve in and out of lanes at whim without warning... because they never properly had proper driving manners drilled into them.
txdesign 7:22PM (11/16/2009)
Having moved here from Germany I can tell you that the German driving test is expensive at about 1000 euros and difficult. Failure rates are about 35-40% for first timers. It's basically designed to fail you, while in the US...well it's a joke isn't it. I passed mine first time and I barely spoke English at the time.
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Nick 9:16PM (11/16/2009)
Agreed, the driving test here is complete utter nonsense. A chimp could pass it.
It's baffling that economical driving isn't part of the curriculum while it is everywhere else.
Patrick 7:34PM (11/16/2009)
The US definitely needs better driver education, with additional focus on emergency maneuvers, aiding in traffic flow (ie, don't wait to make a right turn until all cars are gone, if there is a spot, take it so a backup doesn't get created behind you), and better driving practices in general.
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AMcA 9:23PM (11/16/2009)
I strongly advocate this. Not because I'm an obsessive environmentalist.
It's because enviro-driving is watchful, engaged driving. You're keeping an eye on the traffic, and the lights, etc. You're thinking about whether or not to speed up further given the traffic. You're not stomping on the brakes suddenly.
In short, you're a better driver.
But I don't think they're into teaching how to be a better driver. They're just cranking 'em out, and unleashing them on the roads.
Rich 7:38PM (11/16/2009)
Sounds ridiculous until you realize eco-friendly driving is almost the same thing as defensive driving.
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Tony 9:00PM (11/16/2009)
Dang difficult ta learn how ta drive when evrabady I watch just tarns left all the dang time. Whood the heck inventad right tarns enerhow? Also how the dang heck do de expact me ta drive right when ma garl friend keeps texting me all the gosh dang time.
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xtasi 9:14PM (11/16/2009)
I think that some of the eco-friendly tips will make the road safer. Keeping your distance to the car in front of you so you don't have to slam on the brakes, not making sudden acceleration/braking. Planning your turns and merges so they are not panic moves. Not speeding.
We could improve the safety for all of us if we all become better drivers... but that has as much chance of happening as...as people learning to drive properly.
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dezoris00 10:12PM (11/16/2009)
How about teaching people how to drive in school instead of just pushing everyone through the system, even people who have no business behind the wheel.
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R56 10:53PM (11/16/2009)
Wow, imagine that! An American taught more than the bare essentials to drive on our roads.
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RockStoneSteel 2:07AM (11/17/2009)
..."whenever lax US driver's ed standards are brought up"...
We have standards?!
I'm not convinced we even have driver's training! We make all sorts of safety improvements to vehicles but now only receive marginal benefits. The biggest impact to safety by far would be to have serious driver's training, and not just pay a fee for a license. There are many people who simply should not be driving at all. Not because they can't learn, but they willingly refuse to drive in a safe and courteous manner. I would much rather see someone get busted for failing to signal a lane change, rather than for merely going fast.
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dukeisduke 9:49AM (11/17/2009)
We need something like the UK's Institute of Advanced Motorists (looks like their site is under construction):
http://www.iam.org.uk/
But, here's a Wiki article about them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Advanced_Motorists
I used to know a guy (had dual US/UK citizenship) who spent his teenage years in the UK, and attended an IAM school. He said it was tough, but after the test, you get an insurance discount, and an IAM grille badge (which came with a red bar to put across it when a driver who wasn't IAM-certified was driving the car).
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marspeed8 9:54AM (11/17/2009)
All of their objectives to make them "greener" drivers can be met by just teaching the kids some basic vehicle dynamics, if they understand how a car works and behaves they will become better and more efficient drivers. Now teaching about the kids about public transportation is just dumb; how many of us couldn't wait to get our license so we could then go take the bus?
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