What do you think; as a cyclist; about the growing number of young people learning how to drive from a computer?

I did it from a simulator .............................37 years ago! They still have to take a test in real car(assuming that is correct). I think it's good to learn there before endangering someone in a car. We went from the simulator to a car. We had a young lady the instructor wouldn't allow to leave the parking lot. She couldn't grasp the concept of turning the steering wheel back after making a turn!! I mean she just thought she could mentally will it to straighten out. She was very scary! Couldn't wait to get out of that car.
I think the online part helps with learning the rules of driving but it certainly can't help with the actual driving. I think that is something else entirely. But maybe you need to clarify what you mean.

Computer trainer system, or computer program to teach about drivers test questions? Finland uses the former with very impressive results.

I'll vote for anything that makes drivers better than they presently are.

While I am supportive of anything to improve drivers skills, there is nothing like the real experience. There are many situations, especially road and weather conditions, where you really need to have a feel for it.

I agree... There is always room for improvement.

Is the poll operational? I noticed nobody has voted but me.

I think you need to clarify what you mean. I didn't vote because I wasn't sure what it meant.....entirely.

I took my girls out MANY times to teach them how to drive in all kinds of conditions. Out at 5am after it snowed, in the rain, etc. . Neither of them are afraid of driving in the snow. And we live in the south where it doesn't snow all that much. I just took the opportunity when it it presented itself. A few times when they didn't even have their learner's permit.

The current on-line programs available in Texas require the student to do the bookwork at home, on-line, and pass a written test administered from the computer. After the student has shown adequate knowledge of
roadway laws the program then requires the student to be taught 30 or so hours of behind-the-wheel driving by the parent. My problem is on the accountability side of this type of program. Who is making sure the student is actually doing the work on the computer? A sibling or the parent could be doing the work.

Well, considering what our kid's are learning in a state-run education in general...

But the fact they still have to get in a car and pass, I see little problems.

I think most cyclists are careful drivers; as I'm sure you did a good job training your daughters to drive. What I'm trying to get at, is how do you feel about teen-age drivers being trained to drive by their parents on a national scale? Everyday I see horrific examples of driving on the roadways. It scares me to think that the current trend in the industry is going to on-line parent taught programs. Think of all the parents you know. Are they all good drivers? Would you feel safer riding you bike on the road knowing that some of these parents are doing the teaching instead of a trained professional?

If the people that do the testing would do their job and the Police would do their job enforcing the laws(and not just speeding), you'd see a difference. I see people doing all sorts of crazy things right in front of the Police and they do ..................NOTHING. It's like if it isn't speeding they won't enforce any driving laws. I see it as a matter of "political correctness" and not necessarily the driving education.

I agree... In fact, a local police department in my neck of the woods created a unit of 4 state-of-the art vehicles and 6 officers to patrol and pursue traffic offenders. The reason they did this was the death rate in vehicular accidents was rising at an alarming rate. After the first year the number of tickets went up threefold but the fatalities dwindled to only one. This program has been in effect for five years now. And yes, the population moans and groans about tickets they feel are unjustified, but the department can look at the stats on fatalities and justify it.

and how many youngsters think that Grand Theft Auto represents reality.

As long as it keeps them off the road I'm all for it.

10000+ like with anything in life... nothing is as good as actual experience. I was a whiz in the simulator... not as good out in the streets. As close as the simulators are... it still can't account for all that happens on real roads...

I'm no longer sure that I care about the written test at all. I'd rather see driver applicants spend about 4 times as much time on the road learning to drive.

excellent!!!

I voted that I like it.
My son recently completed an online Driver's Ed. course. It was very structured in how he studied and answered the question, not allowing him to rush through it. As far as a way to learn the rules etc. I think it has been a very effective teaching tool. Probably better than what many people get from classroom instruction. To get a license in Georgia, there is also a requirement for a parent to fill out several forms and log sheets documenting that the student driver spent at least 40 hours driving, a certain portion of it at night and that various skills are mastered. This is where the system is subject to break down as I am sure many parents fill out the forms without really teaching the kids to drive properly. I'm not confident that many of the in car trainers do an adequate job either.

FWIW, I'm about to take my son to take his written and in car driving tests. If he passes, another teenager will be loosed on the streets.

7 votes

I think it's a good thing.

Do the simulators create a situation where a cyclist makes you slow for 5 seconds? It would be cool if they had one and you had to wear a BP monitor and HRM at the same time. If your HR or BP jumped, you'd be disqualified until you learned a little patience and self-control.

Do these places require on-the-road training in order to get a license? Va does. In fact, a student under 18 must complete 45 hours behind the wheel with a parent/adult before they can start the class. 15 hours of which need to be night driving. In my city, any student in the school system or citizen of the city can take the course offered by the school system. If the student only has to do Internet classroom to get a license, it should not be allowed, but if the student must complete behind the wheel on the road training with a live instructor, I see no issue with the virtual classroom.

Insufficient information given about the content of the on-line program for me to cast a vote.

My bride recently trained and was qualified to operate a motor vehicle using hand controls. The required computer administered tests were extremely involved and they tested not only her knowledge of the "Rules of the Road" but also tested her reflex and reaction times, periferal vision, object recognition, reaction times, ability to remember and execute multiple step directions while in a heavy traffic situation, just to mention a few. Only after she proved her physical and mental abilities was she able to go out and receive "On the Road" supervised training from a qualified instructor.

If we require a person who's been driving for over 30 years to undergo this level of testing, why don't we require at least the same amount of training for a 16 year old child? (I know the answer but I pose the question anyway.)

Oh why does any american driver need training? All Americans are great drivers! Don't believe it? Just ask any one of them, and they'll tell you how great they are. (Cynicism fully intended.)

My son passed his driving test today and is now a licensed driver. He did not take any formal in-person driving classes, but did do the online training as I described above. He also had hundreds of hours of training from my wife and I as well as his three grandparents. But the one thing that really convinces me that he will be a good driver is the fact that is an experienced road cyclist.

Training requirements are good, but poor drivers will still get licenses. It will take enforcement to take them off the road and force them to either become better drivers or stop driving.

I do not agree with you. American drivers are not good. I am the only good driver in America. If you don't believe me, ask me. To prove my point, I did take the on-line drivers education on my computer. I kept on clicking the answers until I got the right one. This proves how good I am at driving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cranky old dude

Insufficient information given about the content of the on-line program for me to cast a vote

What do you need? I would really appreciate your vote...