Bad drivers. Who is to blame?

[jepstr67]

Joe B said..."
There are too many people on the road today that really have no idea how to operate a vehicle. "

This statement by Joe got me thinking. who's fault is this? Drivers, society or manufacturers.

In the early days, the only people who could figure out how to drive a car were mechanics.

The invention of the electric start, synchronized transmission and later, automatic transmission brought new, less mechanically minded, drivers onto the roads. Manufacturers noticed quickly these user friendly inventions drove sales ever higher.

Cars continue to get more complex, easier to drive, and have now almost eliminated driver responsibility for observing road surface conditions. Yet our drivers training is unchanged from the 1950's. IN this case society needs to demand higher standards and more training for drivers. Taking a test once when you are 16 and calling it good for your whole life is ludicrous. Also, we should be tested under the conditions we are to drive in. Teens should be tested with 4 friends in the car and talking on a phone.

Is it too much to ask for people to take personal pride in piloting a vehicle?