tom_kat wrote: most of my complaints are not with the older drivers but with the younger crowd with a cell phone stuck to there ear.who most of the time cant walk or chew gum at the same time let alone drive and talk on a cell phone,when was the last time you seen a older driver speeding along weaveing in and out of traffic while talking on a cell phone cutting people off, they think they own the roads now adays,i see more of the older more reponsible drivers driveing ok while the younger drivers are always in a hurry to get someplace and dont like it when someone gets in there way slowing them down.
Saw a chick the other day with a cell phone in each hand.
One hand was on the wheel.
ps
She also had a cigarette dangling in her mouth.....
One busy chick.
The worst ones are the text messengers, two hands on the phone and eyes on the keyboard
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner.
No but we need to test our drivers off all vehicles a bit harder. It is amazing what you see on the roads.
John
2001 42' Foretravel U320
2007 Bornfree 24 Painted
2001 Jeep Wrangler
2007 Burgman 650 Executive
Susie and Dolly (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
Dolly now in our hearts and thoughts 8-27-05
Doodle a Black and Tan Cavalier
Lolly a Ruby Cavalier
tom_kat wrote: most of my complaints are not with the older drivers but with the younger crowd with a cell phone stuck to there ear.who most of the time cant walk or chew gum at the same time let alone drive and talk on a cell phone,when was the last time you seen a older driver speeding along weaveing in and out of traffic while talking on a cell phone cutting people off, they think they own the roads now adays,i see more of the older more reponsible drivers driveing ok while the younger drivers are always in a hurry to get someplace and dont like it when someone gets in there way slowing them down.
Saw a chick the other day with a cell phone in each hand.
One hand was on the wheel.
ps
She also had a cigarette dangling in her mouth.....
One busy chick.
The worst ones are the text messengers, two hands on the phone and eyes on the keyboard
I once had a woman cut me off at the cones in a construction zone(I was in the correct lane) she was speeding talking on the cell phone and applying her makeup all at the same time. When I blew the horn she flipped me off as if I had done something wrong.
Larry Cohen wrote: If you look at the insurance rates for covering a class A, the amount of death and damage an out of control coach could cause is substantial, however the rates do not reflect that potential...therefore it appears they are quite disaster free, regardless of the age or training of the driver.
Larry, you have no idea how many times I have tried to squish that bug on my monitor.
BudParrish wrote: Interestingly, only 12 states require special licenses for motorhomes - CA,CT,IL,KS,MD,NC,NV,NY,PA,SC,TX,and WY. Maybe more, but I didn't find them on a quick search.
So, unless you live in one of these states, it wouldn't appear that this is an issue for you presently unless, I don't know, you're driving in or through a state that requires licensing.
I'm not an advocate for increased governmental intervention. I am, however, an advocate for following the law. I didn't make the rules, but haven't been granted the authority to ignore those I don't like.
It might not make you a better driver to have a Class B license. It just makes you 'legal' if you reside in any of the above states. How do you feel about illegal immigrants? Illegal immigrants driving automobiles without a license? Unlicensed doctors? Pilots?
After all, you may have been driving and drinking for many years and haven't been caught, but if you live in a state where drunk driving is illegal, you're still breaking the law.
Yes, there are automobile drivers who scare me on a daily basis. I don't know if they are licensed. I find that even licensed drivers run stop lights, speed, change lanes erratically or cut right in front of me while I'm driving a 21 ton vehicle.
I'm not trying to irritate you. I'm just trying to point out that while you may be the best driver in the world, if you live in a state requiring licensing and you DON'T have a license, you're driving illegally. That's all.
Bud
Bud,
That is good to know. the only endorsement that Michigan requires is for those that pull a double trailer. Directly from the Michigan SOS(secretary of state)office website;
"Recreational Double "R" Endorsement"
"A "recreational double" is a pickup truck pulling a fifth wheel trailer designed for recreational living purposes, with a second trailer attached to the rear of the fifth wheel trailer. The pickup truck must have a towing rate equal to, or greater than, the total weight being towed. To operate a recreational double, you must have an "R" endorsement on your driver license. Anyone age 18 or older with a valid driver license may apply for this endorsement at a branch office. A knowledge test is required. There is no skills test. Drivers holding a Group "A" CDL with a "T" double or triple trailers endorsement can operate a recreational double without the "R" endorsement. Triple trailers are not permitted in Michigan. For more information, obtain a copy of the brochure A Recreational Double Endorsement at a Secretary of State branch office or from this web site. "
Personally, I was surprised when we started looking at the large class A's that nothing special was required besides a fat checkbook to drive one of these beasts.
Air brakes are something that comes to mind. I understand the system and how they are different, but a course requirement and endorsement for air brakes would seem to be a good minimum for an operator. It could be a simple written test.
2007 Mountain Aire 4528
2006 CRV SE
Based in Memphis area
In Australia, the most dangerous on the roads as regards accident statistics are :Young males, increasingly younger females and retirees.Bears out what people are saying in this thread. What should be implemented is more intensive testing of Younger and Older drivers, with an emphasis on how they would react in potential accident situations.
D.R.Bain wrote: Maybe the answer isn't a higher class of driver's license, but a class that all new RVers should be required to take. Sucessful completion would put an endorsement on the license. ...
It should be a National thing; all states use the same material and is HAS to be done in person...no internet. You get a card or something that then allows you to buy a MH, 5th wheel or long trailer. Without it you are limited to very small class C or class B MHs or trailers less than 20 feet or so.
The issue to me is real hands-on training and not just taking a test. We all have seen the results of the automobile drivers tests and the quality of driving that it represents.
In some countries it taks a year to get a drivers license. As a result, they are much more careful about doing things that could result in it being taken away. Our system makes it way too easy to get one and keep it. We should not be surprised at the result.
I would love to take a hands-on driving course...one day classroom and one day driving. Insurance companies might be eager to lower your rates if you take such a class. The problem is cost but if one has the $$$ to buy a RV they should also have $$$ to learn to drive it safely.
2008 42' Tiffin Allegro Bus, Xantrex RS3000 Pure Sine inverter, Garmin 2730 GPS, Cobra CB, Toad-2001 Acura MDX, Blue Ox base, Blue Ox Alexus LX towbar, SMI Silent Partner.
Offline
