posted
As reported on CNN.com , a national driving test by GMAC insurance has shown that 1 out of 11 drivers nationwide would not pass a state driver's exam.
The worst drivers (according to the test) are clustered in the northeast, while the best are in the northwest. State-by-state rankings are listed here .
If you're interested, you can take the test here .
Poysonally, I don't know what they're talking about. I live in Massachusetts and I scored an 85 (70 is passing)! Could I be the best driver in Massachusetts? Of course I could - just ask me!
-------------------- "Argument is an intellectual process. Contradiction is just the automatic gainsaying of any statement the other person makes!"
"No it isn't." Posts: 171 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: Feb 2006
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"Thank you for taking the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. A score of 70% or better is considered passing on a state written drivers test. Based on your answers, you have the following score: 100.0"
Seaboe, who was a little surprised to see Washington as #2 on that list.
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by HotBlondeMom: Yikes!! I got a 65. I always thought I was a really good driver.
Most people think they're really good drivers.
Personally, I think I'm an adequate driver.
Seaboe
ETA: this test does not measure your driving skill, it measures your knowledge of the rules of the road.
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Thank you for taking the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. A score of 70% or better is considered passing on a state written drivers test. Based on your answers, you have the following score: 80.0
...I don't have a full license yet.
Posts: 129 | From: uOttawa, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2002
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quote: Thank you for taking the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. A score of 70% or better is considered passing on a state written drivers test. Based on your answers, you have the following score: 95.0
The only reason I think I am a safe driver is because I am on my motorcycle. Can't follow to close, can't cut people off, can't drive aggressively and most importantly you always assume the other guy is going to do the most boneheaded thing possible.
-------------------- Never waste a good panic. Posts: 160 | From: Hayward, CA | Registered: Dec 2005
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95 here. I had to guess on the one about the orange triangle, and picked "slow-moving vehicle". I wish they'd tell you which one you missed, but I'm guessing that was it.
Dog (Good Driver Discount) Friendly
-------------------- "Nobody ever got stoned and beat up his old lady" -- Spence, snapdragonfly's friend Posts: 768 | From: North Hollywood, CA | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Actually, Duck, assuming the other guy is going to do the most boneheaded thing possible is pretty good advice in any set of circumstances.
There's no such thing as a foolproof plan, because you can always find a bigger fool.
Dog (IMHO) Friendly
-------------------- "Nobody ever got stoned and beat up his old lady" -- Spence, snapdragonfly's friend Posts: 768 | From: North Hollywood, CA | Registered: Aug 2005
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I got a 100 also. Dog Friendly, that was my answer on that one too, so you must have got it right. I do have to admit that I've taken defensive driving more than once for speeding tickets, so that probably helped.
Posts: 24 | From: Texas | Registered: Aug 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Dog Friendly: 95 here. I had to guess on the one about the orange triangle, and picked "slow-moving vehicle". I wish they'd tell you which one you missed, but I'm guessing that was it.
Dog (Good Driver Discount) Friendly
I picked the same answer, and got 100%, so you guessed correctly...but guessed incorrectly about which one you got wrong.
Now I just have to print out the results for the next time the police stop me. See officer, I couldn't have been doing anything wrong, I got 100!
ETA: and spanked.
Posts: 420 | From: Oxford, PA | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Dog Friendly: 95 here. I had to guess on the one about the orange triangle, and picked "slow-moving vehicle". I wish they'd tell you which one you missed, but I'm guessing that was it.
Dog (Good Driver Discount) Friendly
Nope. That wasn't the one you got wrong.
-------------------- Signature? I don't need no stinkin' signature! Posts: 41 | From: Ottawa, Ontario | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Of course, there is probably a poor correlation between how well you scored on that test, and how good a driver you really are. You can know all the rules of the road, and still tailgate, speed, be unable to parallel park, talk on your cell phone while eating lunch at 70mph, etc.
-------------------- Signature? I don't need no stinkin' signature! Posts: 41 | From: Ottawa, Ontario | Registered: Jun 2005
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Also, it's possible to have excellent reflexes and ability to control the vehicle, but still be a bad driver because you don't always wear your seatbelt, drive too fast, drive after a few beers, take stupid risks, etc. (Yes, ex, I am looking at you).
-------------------- ~~Ai am in mai prrrrrraime!~~ Posts: 10111 | From: Oklahoma | Registered: Sep 2004
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Ahh. Bet it was the slick roads. I thought sure it was when it starts to rain after a dry spell, figuring there'd be dust and suchlike on the road that would turn slick before it washed away. Did y'all who got 100 say "Heavy Rain" for that one?
Dog "But 95 ain't bad..." Friendly
-------------------- "Nobody ever got stoned and beat up his old lady" -- Spence, snapdragonfly's friend Posts: 768 | From: North Hollywood, CA | Registered: Aug 2005
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95, not sure what I missed - either the rain or maybe something about where you look when somebody has on their high beams. I may have missed one, but the dumb ass who wrote the test should check their spelling. Anyone else see "break" when they should have used "brake"?
-------------------- Virtue is its own reward. But, then again, so is vice.... Posts: 167 | From: Lincoln, NE | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Dog Friendly: Ahh. Bet it was the slick roads. I thought sure it was when it starts to rain after a dry spell,
That's correct, too, DF. Try again?
Seaboe
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Nappy Solo: ...where you look when somebody has on their high beams.
You look at the white line toward the right. If that's what you said, you got it right.
Seaboe
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I looked toward the right. Guess I got that one right, too.
OK, how about my high beams? I should use them as little as possible, right? Because I don't want to dazzle anybody else?
Dog (After this, I give up) Friendly
-------------------- "Nobody ever got stoned and beat up his old lady" -- Spence, snapdragonfly's friend Posts: 768 | From: North Hollywood, CA | Registered: Aug 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Chloe: Also, it's possible to have excellent reflexes and ability to control the vehicle, but still be a bad driver because you don't always wear your seatbelt, drive too fast, drive after a few beers, take stupid risks, etc. (Yes, ex, I am looking at you).
Hey, I always wear my seatbelt!
We have this annoying habit in this country of giving a person a written test on a few road signs and practices, declare them a 'good driver', and give them a license. Very few people get any driver's training other than basic operation of the vehicle. IMHO, demonstrating a basic knowledge of emergency handling and skid recovery should be manditory to getting a license. Driver's ed should have at least a day on a wet skidpad.
There was a video on CNN yesterday (and hosted on www.wilx.com) of an SUV rolling over. Classic example of how to overcorrect and lose control.
-------------------- "My neighbor asked why anyone would need a car that can go 190 mph. If the answer isn't obvious, and explaination won't help." - Csabe Csere Posts: 1225 | From: Wichita, Kansas | Registered: Nov 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Dog Friendly: OK, how about my high beams? I should use them as little as possible, right? Because I don't want to dazzle anybody else?
Nope, you should use them whenever it is legal and safe. The desire not to dazzle is covered by the "safe" aspect of the answer.
Seaboe
ETA: and if you use them as little as possible, you may not be able to see as far as you can.
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Thank you Seaboe. That's a load off my mind, I can now sleep tonight. Much obliged.
Dog Friendly
ETA: "a"
-------------------- "Nobody ever got stoned and beat up his old lady" -- Spence, snapdragonfly's friend Posts: 768 | From: North Hollywood, CA | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Wow I got an 80%. Not bad for someone whose never driven in her life.
Though most of these were common sense anyway.
-------------------- "I was in one of those rare states where you curse someone else's misfortune."-Rikudo Koshi Posts: 125 | From: Villa Park, IL | Registered: Jun 2005
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Thank you for your interest in the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. Due to an overwhelming response of drivers wanting to take the test, we are unable to accommodate you at this time. You will find the questions and answer key, or you are welcome to try to take the test again later, at gmacinsurance.com. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. We wish you safe travels this holiday weekend!
Oh well guess i will try later
-------------------- Excuses satisfy only those who offer them. Your enemies won't believe them and your friends don't need them. Posts: 211 | From: Ponce, Puerto Rico | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Sorry for digging this up after half a month, but I haven't been able to check these boards for a while. The "Right lane ends" sign is kind of confusing me...is that how the sign looks like in the States? Over here in Ontario, that sign means the right lane will be narrower in about 100 ft; the best example I can think of is on the elevated Gardiner Expressway, where the right lane is twice as wide for snow removal purposes - it narrows in some areas and that sign is used. Our "Right lane ends" sign has dotted lines:
posted
I got 75% and my entire experience of US roads comes from films.
I took account of you lot all driving on the wrong side of the road too Posts: 1157 | From: Westcountry UK "It's Bootiful" | Registered: Jul 2005
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Richard W
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
It does tell you which you got wrong, doesn't it? At least, it tells you the correct answers and so if you can remember how you answered you can tell which you got right.
I got 85% just by applying "common sense" - I'm a terrible driver and don't even drive in this country!
Posts: 8725 | From: Ipswich - the UK's 9th Best Place to Sleep! | Registered: Feb 2000
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85% too. Considering some signs are different here, I thought I did OK, and it was easy to check the ones I got wrong as they put the correct answers on your result sheet. Click back on your browser button if you can't remember the answer you gave! The lane closed sign is different here, and I got the pedestrian right of way wrong too. I didn't know that passenger buses had to stop at all railroad crossings. Guess that's one job I won't be doing anytime soon.
-------------------- On my old guitar sell tickets, so someone can finally pick it. Posts: 799 | From: Dublin, Ireland | Registered: Mar 2006
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Richard W
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
quote:The lane closed sign is different here, and I got the pedestrian right of way wrong too.
Yes, those were two of the ones I got wrong too. The other was the first question about where you should park.
Posts: 8725 | From: Ipswich - the UK's 9th Best Place to Sleep! | Registered: Feb 2000
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