No variance, but my response will invalidate your question. Last I checked, you could get your learner's permit at 15-1/2. That's like your L's. Back in the day, you needed to have it for at least 30 days before you could take your license test. If you passed the written test, they took you out in mum or dad's car for the practical test. You still need to be 16 to get your license, but now most states require the same 50 hours as in Australia. The difference is, most kids will do that 50 hours before their 16th birthday. The BAC question is moot, as the drinking age in all 50 states is 21. Zero tolerance if you're caught with any alcohol in your system while driving, prior to your 21st. After that, it's similar to here, with .08% being the limit in most states.

Couldn't agree more.

ahhh ok

I agree with the lack of Driver Ed. But what about all the drivers already on the road? Should they be retrained/retested? I think so, even though it will annoy everyone so it wont happen

Don't make me move The Aussie Thread to A&S...

It's never going to happen. 1. because we are too apathetic to really push the issue, and 2. the motor vehicle / oil lobby is massively financed, similar to tobacco, and not answerable to governments. The world is addicted to oil, and, although to a maybe somewhat lesser degree, motor transport. Forget the drug problem, oil issues are now a seriously destructive issue, and will continue at an exponential rate to increasingly be *the* major problem for humanity to face.
So as I see it Amy and the girls including the driver of the car are all victims in this crazy crazy world we jokingly call, Western Democracy. It's good but way way short of perfect and sadly I believe, it seems to be getting worse rather than better, or am I just a pessimist?

no need to convert me Berny I agree. Only have to lok at Bush's actions to see its the truth.

Can't be a pessimist if its the truth

It's too hard for the pollies, and the judiciary, etc. They are not going to risk losing votes or changing the laws trying to solve a problem which is going to solve itself anyway in time. You and I and all the other cyclists are going to get the last laugh if we wait long enough - and it's not as far off as you may think. The western world is losing the race in the energy grab. This brief moment in history when we all had personal transport is about to end forever. Electric cars will not solve it - they just shift the enrgy problem somewhere else.

One day soon the yobs and slobs will have to get on their bikes to go to the shop to buy their **** - and the roadside will be littered with their carcasses.

i just hope I can own a V8 before the energy crisis occurs

You'd think in NSW they'd be promoting water-powered cars as the solution.

thats cold

When the energy crisis happens, you can own anything you want - wanna V8 Mustang - going CHEAP - take it away but make sure YOU put petrol in it first!!
It's already happening - look around - petrol 4WD's they are nearly giving them away - compact 4cyl cars cost as much as a house - nearly. This is not going to change.

Good - got that off my chest. Guess I'm just in a ****ty mood. This morning on a club ride I watched a motorist towing a trailer fly past me really close at easily 100kph. He missed the girl rider ahead of me by no more than 10cm, and scared her. These riders are my friends. I take that sort of behaviour very badly.

Expat, good luck with the move this week. Hope it all goes as smooth as possible.

Saw the Austral last night. Shane Kelly is flying. He looked like he was trying to keep it all under wraps, but its hard to disguise when you flick Perkins and French in a Sprint Derby by hitting them from third wheel with 50m to go without even laying off the wheel!!!

Good win by Dean Taylor in the final.

Thanks. My container should be here in about 12 hours. I'll feel better when that's packed.

Better you than me Exp. I'd give you a hand except I live too far away
Hope it all goes good for yu mate.

Thanks Berny, and cheers to everyone else. This is my last night on the forums for a while. It was good to get to know you guys, both the online crowd, and the guys that made it to Newcastle for a ride. The cool thing is, other than the time difference online, it's not like I'm really going anywhere.

I don't really know you too well, but have a safe trip mate.

Have fun Expat. I give you a year before you come to your senses and come back.

yeah, but like I said after the last time I seen him, he doesn't look in absolute top shape. He definitely doesn't look like this: https://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/?i...b-Crowe-B_Away

by the way, he uses 'Kyrissiums', so, if he don't need Zipp 404s, then neither do I

you're right....Kel is flying. I think he's only riding the keirin too, so he should eb chomping at the bit.

They had Taylor and Wilksch on SEN last night.....Taylor was saying Austral winner Saturday night, laying a concrete slab Monday morning!!

130m....hmm.....maybe I should invest in a new track bike.

+1

Borders.....refunded my deposit for "A Peiper's Tale"


Unavailable.

In superbowl news of little consequence....

Steelers running backer Jerome Bettis strives for what could be a perfect end to a Hall of Fame career, playing in his hometown of Detroit in what might be his final season. "To be in the Super Bowl, I am living the dream," Bettis said. "Then to be at home, it's an unbelievable dream. It's one of those things you don't want to end." Brings a tear to my eye

Seahawks tight end Jeremy Stevens had this to ssay about it "It's a heartwarming story and all that, but it will be a sad day when he leaves without that trophy. Seahawks 1-0

Steelers line backer Joe Porter mustn't have liked that remark, and fired back with this piece of literary craftsmanship: "I've been asleep all week but now I got woke up," Porter said. "I've got my first taste of blood and now I'm thirsty for more."

Bring it on!! Seahawks to win. Where are Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and all those nice 49er boys when you need a decent game of gridiron? Retirement should be outlawed

Sad Ed. Keep hunting

go the seahawks, my 2nd fave team. well, seeing as my 1st fave team will probably take my lifetime to win anything again, ill take what i can get!