Get Off The Road If You Can’t Drive

I drive in to work from Cold Spring everyday and I wish I had a police officer follow me. Did we all forget how to drive? I think so. Bad drivers are one of my biggest pet peeves.

Based on what you see on the roads every day, this probably won't shock you, but about one in five drivers out there are completely unqualified to be behind the wheel. Right now, if you had to take the driver's test, would you be able to pass? I know I would. I HAD to take the written test a few weeks ago to get a MN license. Even if you have a valid DL from a different state, and even IF you HAD a MN DL in the past, if it expired you have to re-take the test. Boy was I nervous! I passed with 85%!

GMAC Insurance just released the annual results of a study where they test licensed drivers to see how they'd do if they had to retake their written driving test tomorrow.  And 18% of people would FAIL. That comes out to almost 37 million Americans. I personally think that percent is way off, it should be more like 75%.

Let's test your memory from Driver's ED class. This is just for entertainment purposes.  You can even check it out yourself here if you don't believe me.

Q 1: If your right wheels are off the pavement, __________
A. gradually turn back on the pavement.
B. brake lightly.
C. hold the wheel firmly and steer sharply to the left.
D. all of the above

Q 2: If you experience brake failure, __________
A. pump the brake pedal hard and fast, especially if your vehicle has anti-lock brakes.
B. shift to a lower gear.
C. apply the parking brake slowly and make sure that you are not holding down the release lever or button.
D. all of the above

Q 3: On a two-lane road with traffic in both directions, an approach for a left turn should be made in the part of the __________ half of the roadway __________ the center line.
A. left, nearest
B. left, farthest from
C. right, nearest
D. right, farthest from

Q 4: Rear-wheel-only ABS can __________
A. prevent the front wheels from locking up, causing the driver to lose steering control.
B. prevent the front wheels from locking up, helping the driver to gain steering control.
C. cause the front wheels to lock up, helping the driver to gain steering control.
D. cause the front wheels to lock up, causing the driver to lose steering control.

Correct Answers: 1-B 2-B 3-C 4-D