Matt - generally, the USA has a much higher accident/fatality rate, but that
is mostly due to the negligent way the states parcel out driver's licenses
to anyone that has the few dollars fee. Rarely is any degree of actual
driving competence needed, or tested.
Most European countries require significant education, driving instruction,
and demonstration of ability BEFORE they issue a license. In Germany, for
example, it typically takes hundreds of Euros ($$) and around 2 years to
qualify. Compare that to little or no training, perhaps an inconsequential
written test, perhaps a parallel park, and a few $$ and your "clear to go"
with a 4000 lb deadly weapon on an interstate at speed!
Werner
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 2:08 AM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT: Big Brother is Nearby
You wrote:
"There's a lot of political resistance to smaller cars, I've noticed.
When the topic of fuel efficiency comes up Congressional reps always
make dire predictions about the piles of dead bodies we'll see if
people start driving smaller vehicles"
I wonder if anyone has ever taken a look at the countries where they
have those mini cars to see if there is any signifiant differences in
their traffic injuries/deaths. Accounting for the different type of
driving in each country.
Matt Claus
