Americans are most likely to die

[thx1138]

at the hands and wheels of other Americans 36 million drivers would flunk drivers tests

By Blair S. Walker
November 16, 2007
(AOL Autos) --

Is it just your imagination, or do many of your fellow motorists lack even a rudimentary grasp of traffic laws?

Well, if a test administered by GMAC Insurance is any indication, one in six people cruising our highways and byways -- roughly 36 million licensed drivers -- would flunk their driver's test if they had to take it today.

Not only that, but based on the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test data the state with the most road-going dummies is New York, while the most knowledgeable ones are out West to Idaho.

"The results were pretty eye-opening to us," says Gary Kusumi, president and CEO of GMAC Insurance Personal Lines.

"Not only did they indicate that there are wide differences in terms of state scores, but there were significant trends that demonstrated the general public might have forgotten must-know items from when they first took their driver's test."

"Two questions consistently sent respondents skidding into the weeds," Kusumi notes.

The first has to do with the correct action to take when approaching a steady yellow traffic light (Answer: Stop if it is safe to do so.).

A whopping 84 percent of respondents spun their wheels on that one.

The next biggest puzzler after that question had to do with the proper following distance from a car in front of you (Answer: Two seconds).

Also of interest from the GMAC Insurance test: • Drivers 35 and older were more likely to pass

• Illinois, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island Massachusetts were the least knowledgeable states overall, with average scores under 75 percent

• Fifty-five percent of the respondents didn't know how many feet before making a left or right turn to activate their turn signals

• The national average score was 77.1 percent "We believe that the adoption of a uniform driver curriculum will significantly improve the driving skills of Americans," says Adele Kristiansson, a spokesperson for the National Road Safety Foundation.

"Some states do not require mandatory education for novice drivers, and some states require it," adds Kristiansson. "My organization is concerned because driver education is an orphaned child and it's suffering."

On the Web at www.nationalroadsafety.org, and offering free programs to the public, the National Road Safety Foundation was created in 1961 by Fraydun Manocherian, after two youthful friends were killed in automobile accidents in Westchester County, New York.

According to GMAC Insurance, 18 percent of respondents failed its National Driving Test in 2007, compared with 9 percent in 2006.

The test can be taken online at www.gmacinsurance.com.

The following state rankings were released for the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test:

1. Idaho.

2. Alaska

3. Minnesota

4. Wisconsin

5. Kansas

6. Washington

7. South Dakota

8. Montana

9. Oregon

10. Iowa

11. Nebraska

12. Wyoming

13. Oklahoma

13. Indiana

13. North Carolina

16. New Mexico

17. North Dakota

18. Missouri

19. Delaware

19. Nevada

21.Vermont

22. California

23. Hawaii

24. Texas

25. Maryland

25.Alabama

27. Arkansas

28. Michigan

29. Kentucky

30. Utah

31. Ohio

31.Colorado

33. South Carolina

33.Arizona

33. Florida

36. Maine

37. New Hampshire

37. Mississippi

37. Tennessee

40. Connecticut

41. Virginia

41. Louisiana

43. West Virginia

44. Georgia

45. Illinois

46. Pennsylvania

47. Rhode Island

48. Massachusetts

48. District of Columbia

48. New Jersey

51. New York

[Falrune]

52. Los Angeles Westside

[PghTGrlLvr]

Interesting, but I think the main reason people can't f'n drive right is the cell phone stuck in everybody's ear. That and people don't know how to use anything but the rear view mirror inside the vehicle (if they use them at all). Most folks drive like they are the only ones on the highway. Inconsiderate morons. IMHO.

[ILuvGurls]

18. When you approach a traffic signal displaying a steady yellow light, you must:
Go through the intersection before it turns red
Stop if it is safe to do so
Be prepared to stop
Slow down and proceed with caution

only one i missed, went with D, right one is B.

poster above is right it's those damn cell phones.

[thx1138]

@Nicole: What makes you think I want to "bond" with any of you? As for my age what difference does it make? I'm not on drugs, have never been lobotomized, have all my fingers and toes. Can everyone here make the same claim? If any of my topics disturbs you DON"T read them. They are NOT for everyone.

[PghTGrlLvr]

LuvGurls, When I took my test it was D...........(proceed with caution). Actually I still think that is the best response.
Oh, hi Nicole.............I'm 46 if interested :wink:

[CORVETTEDUDE]

It's killin' me but, I have to agree with thx1138 and PghTGrlLvr, on this particular matter.

[tall, dark & Handsome]

I'm not on drugs, have never been lobotomized, have all my fingers and toes. Can everyone here make the same claim?

I sir can make that bold claim that I am not on drugs, I have not been lobotomized, and I have all my fingers and Toes and i do sir drink the water.

another thing this "article" that has the journalsitc integrety to pen such language as "road-going dummies" should have been called "less violations occur in places where less people live".

I don't know If you have thought about this, but the Mid-Atlantic probably has lower scores on average because, quite simply, it is the most populated region in the nation. Virginia to New Hampshire is pretty much a sprawling suburb doted with major Cities along the way.

There are poor drivers everywhere, that I do not contest, but please do not use this ham-handed piece of infotainment and pass it off as if it was intended for an empirical Journal

[hondarobot]

I'm one of those stupid drivers! Oddly enough, my state appears to be rated 3rd for good driving. My ineptitude alone probably kicked us out of the top spot.

I actually have to renew my license this month before it expires. I'd never pass the test again. I got kicked out of the car by the driving instructor three times, and I think he finally passed me just so he wouldn't have to ride with me anymore. I've owned over a dozen cars, nearly all ruined in accidents. I even once owned an old ambulance for all of one hour, and it was destroyed on the drive home.

I will say I never injured anyone, but I did stop driving.

[tall, dark & Handsome]

Well at least you can admit it Honda.
I do a lot of driving. I always use my blinkers. I drive in the right lane and pass on the left, and obey all the rules of the road (maybe not always the speed limit but the cops don't even do that).
Driving up I-95 back and forth between Philly and New York can be a challange due to traffic but what can you expect, it is the major Highway conecting Maine and Florida.