On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:16:17 +0200, andrel wrote:

> Question to check how your link with reality is: a Dutchman going to the
> States for a couple of years or an American coming here. One has to do
> an exam to convert to a valid local license: which one?

Very likely you have to take the US exam.

In the US, the MN state driver's license test is (was) one of the most 
difficult in the country, supposed to be good for everywhere.  Well, not 
Utah, I had to take the Utah written exam (but not the behind-the-wheel 
exam).

Less than 40%, though, doesn't say much until you know the difficulty of 
the questions, too.  10 questions that show you an octagonal sign with 
the word "STOP" on it asking you what the sign is for wouldn't really 
count. :-)

Jim

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On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:35:25 +0300, Eero Ahonen wrote:

> (I did drive and get
> more lessons than average driving student, as my father teached me)

I didn't ahead of getting my learner's permit, but similar to you, I had 
both classes and behind-the-wheel lessons (in an automatic) and my dad 
taught me because both of our cars were manual transmissions.  The 
driving school uses automatics because replacing transmissions is 
expensive.

Jim

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On Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:30:06 +0100, Stephen wrote:

>>80% of drivers think they're above average.  What scares me about that
>>statistic is that 20% think they're below average and they're still on
>>the roads.
>>
> Average?
> Besides that not being above average does not mean being below average.
> And even if you think that you are below average that does not mean that
> you should not be allowed to drive or 50% of drivers would loose their
> licences. Then 50% of the remainder would be below the new average
> u.s.w.

Now you're bringing logic into it - but technically only one person could 
be at the 50% mark. :-)

>>> "tend to get off the phone" Does that mean that sometimes you don't?
>>
>>Depends on the route I'm driving and how busy the road is.  I usually
>>get to the city after rush hour is over, so the surface streets are not
>>all that busy.  I also use a headset, both hands on the wheel at all
>>times.
>>
>>
> Better than using a handset, I admit, but your concentration is still
> not 100% on the road IMO.

Nobody's is at all times anyways.  You've had a crappy day at work, you 
get in the car and you're still thinking about work.  Some guy cuts you 
off doing 85 in a 65 and nearly runs you off the road; most people tend 
to think about what a jack*ss he is for at least 5-10 minutes afterwards.

Like I said, I restrict my attention to the things that are important and 
don't overload my mind.  Rather than seeing the stupid billboard at the 
side of the road, I'm having a conversation.

>>That said, a good friend of mine (who lost his license as a result of
>>the incident) ended up with a shattered ankle after a head-on collision.
>> He was over the legal limit, and the other driver died in the accident.
>> But being the freak he is, it was 100% the other guy's fault - the
>>other car was over the centre line on a long curve and there's no way my
>>friend could've avoided hitting him.
>>
>>The constables on the scene - as well as the dead driver's family - felt
>>badly for him because his license was suspended.
>>
> I suppose that you had to be there.

Very likely.

>>The guess is that the main reason he didn't die in the accident was
>>because he was relaxed as a result of the alcohol.  If he hadn't had a
>>few pints ahead of time, his injuries would probably have been more
>>severe or he might've died.
> 
> From my understanding of the way alcohol relaxes you he must have been
> blotto then. That does not add up. If he was so relaxed then he would
> not have been able to react swiftly and correctly. I presume that he was
> wearing a seatbelt and in a safe car to escape serious injury.

Ford Mondeo, and yeah, seatbelt was on.  But no, having seen how he 
drinks, he is generally pretty relaxed when stone cold sober anyways, so 
it wouldn't have taken a lot.  His account was that he was just over the 
limit.

Jim

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On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:20:56 +0200, andrel wrote:

> On 29-3-2009 20:37, Jim Henderson wrote:
> 
>> 80% of drivers think they're above average.  What scares me about that
>> statistic is that 20% think they're below average and they're still on
>> the roads.
> 
> I assume they think that they are below average but still better than
> that 40% of morons that they normally see on the road.

LOL

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On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:39:29 +0300, Eero Ahonen wrote:

> I still haven't seen any document, which says what those people think is
> an average. Those 20 percent might think they are slower and always
> harassing someone, while they actually are driving safely in theier own
> limits.
> 
> Plain numbers are just plain numbers. That 80/20 -sharing proves nor
> says nothing, 'cause they don't say, which kind of driver (economic,
> safe, fast...) is the best one.

I've heard it said that 78.795% of all statistics are made up. ;-)

Jim

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On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:55:05 +0200, andrel wrote:

> To which my predictable response would be that they can not judge
> either. But that is so predictable that I won't do it. ;)

Well, if you did, I would probably be inclined to point out that not all 
of the parties present may have been drinking. :-)

Jim

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On 30 Mar 2009 11:15:47 -0400, Jim Henderson <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote:

>
>Now you're bringing logic into it - 

Of course, if all else fails then use logic.

>but technically only one person could 
>be at the 50% mark. :-)
>

Duh? O_O

>>>> "tend to get off the phone" Does that mean that sometimes you don't?
>>>
>>>Depends on the route I'm driving and how busy the road is.  I usually
>>>get to the city after rush hour is over, so the surface streets are not
>>>all that busy.  I also use a headset, both hands on the wheel at all
>>>times.
>>>
>>>
>> Better than using a handset, I admit, but your concentration is still
>> not 100% on the road IMO.
>
>Nobody's is at all times anyways.  You've had a crappy day at work, you 
>get in the car and you're still thinking about work.  Some guy cuts you 
>off doing 85 in a 65 and nearly runs you off the road; most people tend 
>to think about what a jack*ss he is for at least 5-10 minutes afterwards.
>
>Like I said, I restrict my attention to the things that are important and 
>don't overload my mind.  Rather than seeing the stupid billboard at the 
>side of the road, I'm having a conversation.
>

I don't want to get all religious about it so I'll say no more other than "YOU
will burn in HELL"  </Joke>

Actually that was the way of speaking some of the ministers I had at school,
when I was too young to walk out. Sad really.

>> From my understanding of the way alcohol relaxes you he must have been
>> blotto then. That does not add up. If he was so relaxed then he would
>> not have been able to react swiftly and correctly. I presume that he was
>> wearing a seatbelt and in a safe car to escape serious injury.
>
>Ford Mondeo, and yeah, seatbelt was on.  But no, having seen how he 
>drinks, he is generally pretty relaxed when stone cold sober anyways, so 
>it wouldn't have taken a lot.  His account was that he was just over the 
>limit.

That's what I drive so it is good to know that they are safe.
-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:13:24 +0100, Stephen wrote:

> On 30 Mar 2009 11:15:47 -0400, Jim Henderson <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote:
> 
> 
>>Now you're bringing logic into it -
> 
> Of course, if all else fails then use logic.

LOL

>>but technically only one person could be at the 50% mark. :-)
>>
>>
> Duh? O_O

<grunt>  (Oh, wait, wrong thread).

>>Like I said, I restrict my attention to the things that are important
>>and don't overload my mind.  Rather than seeing the stupid billboard at
>>the side of the road, I'm having a conversation.
>>
> I don't want to get all religious about it so I'll say no more other
> than "YOU will burn in HELL"  </Joke>

LOL, but really, you didn't think I'd detect the joke?  I'm hurt now. ;-)

> Actually that was the way of speaking some of the ministers I had at
> school, when I was too young to walk out. Sad really.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

>>> From my understanding of the way alcohol relaxes you he must have been
>>> blotto then. That does not add up. If he was so relaxed then he would
>>> not have been able to react swiftly and correctly. I presume that he
>>> was wearing a seatbelt and in a safe car to escape serious injury.
>>
>>Ford Mondeo, and yeah, seatbelt was on.  But no, having seen how he
>>drinks, he is generally pretty relaxed when stone cold sober anyways, so
>>it wouldn't have taken a lot.  His account was that he was just over the
>>limit.
> 
> That's what I drive so it is good to know that they are safe.

Apparently very.  I still can't find what it's called in the US, though, 
we don't use that name here as far as I know.

Jim

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On 30 Mar 2009 13:42:13 -0400, Jim Henderson <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote:


>>>but technically only one person could be at the 50% mark. :-)
>>>
>>>
>> Duh? O_O
>
><grunt>  (Oh, wait, wrong thread).
>

ROTFL

>>>Like I said, I restrict my attention to the things that are important
>>>and don't overload my mind.  Rather than seeing the stupid billboard at
>>>the side of the road, I'm having a conversation.
>>>
>> I don't want to get all religious about it so I'll say no more other
>> than "YOU will burn in HELL"  </Joke>
>
>LOL, but really, you didn't think I'd detect the joke?  I'm hurt now. ;-)
>

Lbh znl abg or gur bayl bar yvfgravat.


>> Actually that was the way of speaking some of the ministers I had at
>> school, when I was too young to walk out. Sad really.
>
>Yeah, I know what you mean.
>

Hell mend them! <Not a joke>

>> That's what I drive so it is good to know that they are safe.
>
>Apparently very.  I still can't find what it's called in the US, though, 
>we don't use that name here as far as I know.
>

I had my last one for 10 years and drove from London to Malaga and back then
from London to Malaga then to Zagreb then back to London. From London to Glasgow
several times. I was sad to let "Friend of Jesus" go (Initials of number plate)
I've now got Hey Nonny Hey.
-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On 30-3-2009 17:17, Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:55:05 +0200, andrel wrote:
> 
>> To which my predictable response would be that they can not judge
>> either. But that is so predictable that I won't do it. ;)
> 
> Well, if you did, I would probably be inclined to point out that not all 
> of the parties present may have been drinking. :-)

And if you would, I would have said that that is immaterial because 
whether they would have been drinking or not, they could still not 
really see if your reaction time to something unexpected was 0.5 or 1.0 
or 1.5 seconds. But of course there is no need, as you did not react to 
what I did not say.

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