A Car and his Supra
I just read this sad story about a boy and his dream car. Basically, the story goes like this: Bjorn Haugen, 17, works part-time at a pizza store and gets a loan to trade-in his old Lincoln sedan for a 1989 Toyota Supra. 3 days later, driving in the rain, he smashes the car into a telephone pole and dies. The police say it had to do with the newness of the vehicle and the different handling characteristics of a Supra vs. the Lincoln. I'm inclined to agree. It's sad that this tragic event happened. It's even sadder if people don't learn from Bjorn's mistake. Take the time to get to know your car, and it's limitations.
My Canadian friends once told me that getting a license to drive in Canada was a bit different from how we do it in California (each state has different requirements). I don't remember exactly how it's done in B.C. or Alberta, but in California, you need to be a minimum of 16, and have completed classroom driver's training as well as a good number of hours behind the wheel before you are given a provisional license, good until you reach 18 years of age. Having a provisional license basically gives you all the rights and priveliges of a full license with one provision: no driving after 10pm. After 18, that restriction is removed, and you have a full license.
Wha't really interesting to me is that this study which shows driver's education having no effect on collision rates. Why we can't teach people to be better drivers? I think the answer lies in the personality of the driver and their outlook on the world around them. Unfortunately, for the majority of the people out there, they only care about one thing: "getting me and my car to the place I want to be", without regard for the safety of their actions and this leads, inevitably, to accidents.
Just a reminder for everyone to drive safe this weekend. There are lots of dangerous drivers out there -- an estimated 5.1 million travellers this weekend.
