Tim_MN said:
I drive better than 90% of the people around here, including the immigrants who can't speak or read english. (or drive properly) My 1st and only accident was in 1984, my last moving violation ticket was in 1987. In Minnesota the DMV will give you a DL if you can pass the test in your own language. DRL's attract the attention of cell phone gabbing morons (pick your language) who aren't looking past thier own noses.
I hear you there - I'm fully convinced that AAA should create a distinction/discount bracket rather higher than "Good Driver" - I find it an insult, and just because everyone else can't drive, I've got to pay their damn insurance... Don't even get me started on moving - I was still with Allstate when I moved once, and I went about a mile - just enough to change ZIP codes.
My rates when up 30%.
As far as "cell-phone gabbing morons," I've got a simple solution. If you get busted talking on the 'phone for more than, say, 30 seconds (long enough to say "I'm driving right now, I'll call you back.") you don't get a ticket. You just get suspended for a year or so. Put your arse on Transit and talk all you want.
I find it interesting that the FIRST TWO "inattention codes" on the CHP Accident Report form are "Cell Phone - Handheld" and "Cell Phone - Handsfree." Face it - most of these people can't drive to begin with, so why do we allow them to drive and talk on the 'phone at the same time? (Come to think of it, why do we allow them to drive in the first place?)
As far as "multi-lingual" DMV, that's a practise that's just GOT to stop. The
lingua franca of the United States is English - and if you're going to move here, you'd better learn it. All the signs are in English, all the cops speak English, so why shouldn't we?
And don't get me started on "Ethnically Weighted" tests. I'm not a California driver - this is an accident of timing, and strictly a temporary inconvenience. I didn't learn to drive out here, and I've yet to be convinced that anyone CAN. I turned in three driver's licenses to get this one, and I've taken the written test, to date, in three languages. I find it easier to do when you take it in something other than English - go figure. It's a pity I've never had reason to learn Asian languages - the closest I got to Asia was Arabic (Asia Minor...)
5-90