We need better, more extensive training for anyone aspiring to earn a drivers license. I don't know of any other way to reduce the carnage.
On the other hand, "you can't fix stupid"
Maybe we should be subjected to an i.q. test before being granted a license.
metalman.

Extensive training? Waste of time. There are drivers out there that have been licensed for 10, 20, 30+ years, who most certainly have the required skills to drive correctly - they simply choose not to. The real issue the disconnect between violating the MVA and being caught doing so - and even when a person is caught the penalty is a joke. Speeding ticket for $115? That's barely one tank of gas.

Until serious penalties are enforced (extended loss of license) for speeding, not stopping at stop signs etc, there will be no appreciable change in the driving habits of the general public (myself included of course)

Rayban writes..."Until serious penalties are enforced (extended loss of license) for speeding, not stopping at stop signs etc, there will be no appreciable change in the driving habits of the general public (myself included of course)"
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Rayban you don't seriously believe someone should lose their licence for speeding, do you? Unless you are talking about excessive, chronic speeding that is endangering peoples lives, thats ridiculous.
Not stopping at stop signs? Do you mean not coming to a complete stop or blatantly speeding through a stop sign without slowing down?

The reason there are so many vehicle crashes are not due to what you have stated, they are in fact due to those that choose to NOT pay attention to what they are doing while in control of a vehicle.

It is this inattention that causes so much carnage on our streets, not simple speeding or not completely stopping at stop signs, sorry.

If everyone were to pay attention to what they are doing while driving we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Unfortunately there are way to many people with drivers licences out on our streets that are clueless and simply do not understand the concept of PAYING ATTENTION.

I've mentioned here before one thing I'd like to see is regular road tests to keep your license. These could be every five years, and then more frequent when one reaches 65 or so - mobility and other things tend to affect older drivers (over-shoulder check, backing up, etc).

I really can't help myself on this one, sorry if I offend anyone, it is just data.

Deaths Due to MVA in Canada 2000:2,696 (http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-003-XIE/2008003/article/10648/tables/table1-en.htm)

Deaths due to medical error in 2000 in Canada:9,250 - 23,750(http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/170/11/1678)

So, trav, are you saying we should not allow doctors to drive?
(tee hee)
metalman.

Dr. Bowering should stick with medical practices and leave driving habits to ICBC.If he thinks Doctors can change driving habits give your head a shake.

Sixty seven percant of accidents are caused by drivers in the 25 to 40 age group. The only cure would be a brain transplant to change their driving habits. Is this the proceddure Dr. Bowering is thinking.

Cheers

Again, it's not actual driving habits that are the problem here.
A driver can be the most skilled with the best habits out there, but if they don't PAY ATTENTION all the above is meaningless.

I am amazed that we haven't had a lot more accidents. Way too many people going down the road, many exceeding posted speed, with a coffee in one hand and their cell phone in the other....and quite a few of them have the "N" on the back of the vehicle....

N stands for nincompoop. Right?

or is it "not caring" or "not paying attention" or "not wanting to live long"....pretty scary one way or the other...

People should indeed loose their license for speeding. Certainly not for a first offense but the cronic offenders should certainly have their driving privileges suspended. Higher fines are in order too.

Its amazing what a simple defensive driving course will do! They should make them manditory when you get your licence and even make a manditory re-fresher after a given time. It took one and i admit i was neglecting some basic driving skills quite a bit, however the defensive driving course got me back on par. The skills i learned from the course saved me from a serious accident in the summer!

winters coming, we have the woman and the SUV to look out for soon!

right on trav: data like that realy puts things in perspective. The good doctors should be investagating themselves trying to promote more care and attention to the care of patients. As far as drivers go depending on circumstances a three strike rule might be in order. No driving, no vechile ect.

Posted by: Mercenary on October 7 2008 6:14 PM
People should indeed loose their license for speeding. Certainly not for a first offense but the cronic offenders should certainly have their driving privileges suspended. Higher fines are in order too.
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Let me get this straight. I have been driving incident free since I was 16.
Thats 32 years. If I get enough speeding tickets for lets say 10-15 kmh over the limit on a road that can easily handle much higher speeds, that means I should lose my licence? LMAO, Ya OK, sure.
Complete nonsense.

Speeding fines are no more than an easy tax grab by Govt and thats all they are.
It's no different than the high taxes paid for cigarettes, a price that must be paid by those that indulge.

The company I work for provides driver reviews once every two yeras, to be retested every 5 by ICBC would be rediculous