I don't understand WHY people drive the way they do.

When I took the basic driver's education course 41 years ago, I was required to not only learn how to move the vehicle forward & backward in straight lines, I was required to learn how to STOP the vehicle at appropriate times, PARK the vehicle without hitting other vehicles or taking up too much space & follow a series of what seemed to me to be common sense RULES of the road.  Granted, the way driving is taught is very different today than it was 4 decades ago but I believe the general practice of driving, including following the rules, is pretty much the same.

I think the main problem with the driving I am forced to contend with every day has a lot to do that word PRACTICE.  Some of us do too much practicing but the majority of us seem to do far too little. 

   Too Much Practice.  New drivers are still practicing their skills. They are terrified of both being on the road & driving with their parents in the car.  I still recall the horror of having to drive with mine.  Mother sat silently, white-knuckling the door handle.  The only comment I recall her ever making was "You're going to have to stop swaying the car or I'm going to have to carry a throw up bag."  My father, on the other hand, pointed out every potential target, distraction & opportunity for failure that caught his eye which, of course, meant I white-knuckled the steering wheel as long as we were in the car together.  Which of my parents was the better teacher?  I have no idea.  41 years later I won't drive either of them anywhere.  So I'm willing to give every new driver as much patience & road space as they need.  IF ONLY THE CARS WERE MARKED "NEW DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL, GIVE ME A BREAK"!

  Too little practice.  Driving with one hand on the wheel, with a cell phone or sandwich in the free hand is, to me, a sign of someone who's not PRACTICING driving at all.  They've set their car on a remote operational frequency from which the rest of us will suffer.  Because they are not focusing 100% of their attention on the road while steering the 1/2 ton+ vehicle into a sea of other solid objects & squishy flesh, they think that driving SLOWER will protect themselves & the general public.  Really?  I don't notice any reduction in their cars swaying across 1 or 2 lanes as they crawl down the street.  I haven't seen sharper reflexes respond to a changing light or some poor bicyclist on the road with them.  Oddly, these seem to be the very same people who most quickly take offense at other drivers - especially those frightened few who dare to try to point out that perhaps a little more driving PRACTICE & a lot less remote driving might keep everyone on the road safer & healthier.  IF ONLY THESE CARS WERE MARKED "REMOTE DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL, STAY AWAY"!

  Practice will no longer help.  Finally, there is a group who should simply no longer be allowed to drive.  Eyesight & reflexes degenerate over time.  Personal experiences or innate fears make them unable to safely navigate through the tight-packed, swift-moving school of vehicles on the road.  We make fun of 'little old ladies who can't see over the steering wheel' but my grandmother was just such a little old lady & because my father, her son, wouldn't, I had to tell her she couldn't drive anymore.  I did it because I loved her & knew she could never have lived with the thought that she'd hurt or killed someone while driving 25 mph to the grocery store, church or beauty parlor.  People that jerk to a stop for no apparent reason & nearly cause their own accidents.  The guy in my neighborhood who cannot turn right into his own driveway without completely crossing to the left side of the street first ('fading').  People who drive down the middle of the street when there is no snow on the ground.  These people should undergo special driving testing if they are identified to the police.  If they can't pass the tests, their cars, not just their licenses, should be taken away from them.

I'm certain I'm the not only person who feels this way but I suspect the only people who might feel compelled to comment will be those who fit into the last 2 categories so, don't worry, I'll remember 'where you're coming from' & not be offended!