Quote:
Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous
 And another thing.......
Anyone who wants to drive a car should have to spend at least a month on a motorbike or scooter first.
Nothing in the world will teach you how dangerous a car can be, and make you quite as aware of other vehicles, as riding around on a motorbike. |
I agree.
However, FWIW I was involved in some research many years ago which surveyed motorcyclist accident histories. It seemed at the time (pre Stay Upright courses) that motorcyclists needed to gain about 12 years of regular road riding before their accident stats dropped, regardless of previous off road experience. So that was a 12 year apprenticeship to basically learn your "street smarts"... where to ride, what to watch for, how to scan, how to recognise when you haven't been seen, and how to make yourself seen, how to ride for all the idiots on the road, etc. Fortunately, I made it.
(I'm not saying that I have no risk on the road BTW).
Another developmental aid I'd like to see is all young drivers spend time volunteering with a road rescue crew. Being involved in rescue did wonders to slow me down, and make me more aware of the hazards and what silly little things can lead to disaster. I am a far better driver for it.
And on the subject of hoons on the road... well, don't get me started... it's is symptomatic of our over-regulated society!
We all need adventure, and probably the young need it more than us old f... oldies
. But we lock up our national parks, and discourage adventure sports, and make it increasingly difficult for the youth of today to have some fun, adventure and to test themselves. So what do they do? Turn to drugs, and alcohol and the "easy" adrenalin of street racing to name just a few.
I'll stop there. I don't want to hijack the thread entirely.
Al.