Merv's Politically Incorrect Audio Blog

The difference is that those 12 states above for the large majority are extremely rural. Lax gun laws in heavily populated areas = more gun deaths.

 

No doubt. I'll vote in the state I live in, and respect people's votes just the same, whether I agree with them or not. I'm also all for a DMV-like process, nationwide, for guns. And agreed also on DMV flunking more people. Can't drive a manual? No license for you.

 

It's the European snob in me

 

We had exchange students at my high school from Germany (back in the late 80s) and they asked about our driver training classes when they saw some of the kids driving around cones in the school parking lot. Three things made them incredulous:
1) They allowed us to learn to drive on automatic versus manual transmissions.
2) How short our training program was (a few weeks versus many months)
3) We didn't have to learn how a car works and how to do at least minor maintenance.
I specifically remember them using the term "wimps" and a few other choice phrases. Can't say I blame them.

 

Yeah typically in Europe you don't drive an automatic unless you have some sort of disability. It was weird for me driving for the first time in America. Now, living in Phoenix especially where it's a lot of straight flat roads, I understand why people get automatics a little more.

 

The car in my avatar is a 5 speed manual. I drove a 6 speed diesel wagon when I lived in Detroit for 6 years. Even in stop and start, bumper to bumper traffic never did I want an automatic. Traded it in for a 6 speed Jeep Wrangler 2 door. Put a lift on it and went full on redneck. I would've continued the trend, but couldn't find the right replacement. I need AWD or 4WD for Michigan winters and my profession.

I guarantee if we started new drivers rowing their own gears, you wouldn't have all the distracted driving. I once passed someone reading a book while driving. WTF.

 

No that's true, it's also the case in France. You can't pass on the right or hog the left lane unless you're passing.

In France getting your driver's license is a 6 months, 3-4000 euros ordeal. You have to study hard to pass a test first which is full of tricks (if you get 5 or more wrong out of out 40 questions you fail). Then once you've succeeded the written test you pass a driving test in a special car where the guy sitting next to you has their own set of pedals so he can slam on the brakes if needed. Any little mistake = a fail, such as forgetting your blinker, or not being able to get the car started/moving without going backwards when parked uphill for example. That strictness + European roads which are much harder and confusing make it a fairly hard ordeal for most 18 year olds.

70% pass the written test on their first try, 59% pass the driving test on their first try.

 

I'm all for that approach. In the US, with our car culture, driving seems to be taken as a right versus a privilege that has to be earned and maintained. For all the costs of living in a downtown area, I'm happy I don't have to drive everywhere.

 

It's cool you all are "stubborn". My fiancee bought a Mazda MX5 a couple years ago and never entertained the automatic version. That car is an absolute blast to drive. I got 40 mpg when I borrowed it for a weekend.

Yeah, it's going to get harder and harder to get high performance cars with manuals. I think Porsche will hold out the longest. Paddle shifters just aren't the same. Add a hybrid drivetrain and fuggedaboutit.

I loved the Wrangler with the 6 speed. Blew out a clutch wheeling it up in northern Michigan. Apparently, when you clutch in while in a mud hole, the open clutch will suck up mud and game over. Still had a blast.

The driving rules of the Autobahn is as your friend described. Supposedly in Michigan, you'll get pulled over driving in the left lane and impeding traffic. I've not seen it. But I've heard plenty of stories getting pulled over for passing in the right lane.

 

Yep all this of course in a manual. I had to pass my driving test twice for not looking obviously enough in my side mirror the first go around. It's a little extreme if you ask me but we do tend to have safer roads because of it.

 

Drove a manual transmission while I was in Australia 15 years ago. Wasn't too bad using my left hand to shift, as luckily the pedal positions are universal. Hardest part was remembering what side to stay on when there were no other cars around. In traffic it was really easy.

 

I whole heartedly agree that the US driving requirements are pitiful. We got rid of public school sponsored driving programs several years ago. The private driving schools aren't nearly as good as the public funded ones used to be.

To be fair though, Europe in general has much better public transportation. So, driving is not as vital to survival. Not an excuse by any means.

 

Reading? Amateur hour stuff.

I once saw a guy eating a plate of spaghetti on the 405 in rush hour. While driving a mid-60s VW Beetle (that I presume was a manual transmission). Using a ceramic plate and metal utensils.

Maybe that should be the LA driving test.

 

Keep seeing FL on these lists a lot. You can say that due to the Republicans have full control of the State Gov, they will not go hard on the gun laws. Even with our shootings, the Republicans don't push hard for gun laws, or else they lose their NRA money.

It's another topic for another time.

 

Come to California and see what you get when the Democrats have complete control. You don’t have it at all bad in Florida. In fact when my wife retires, we will be out of here faster than you can say “bye”. 20 years ago we never would have thought of moving out of California.