Originally posted by: KraziKid
Firstly, I am 17. Secondly, I actually bothered to learn how to drive before I took my road test. I have been taught how to control my car in a spin, and how to drive defenisvely. I have been driving vehicles since I was about 10. My father owns a rigging business, so I have been driving forklifts and moving trucks all my life. The skill I gained is from driving initially with someone experienced in my car, and then I learned much more by driving by myself. I am very attentive on the road. I keep my eyes all over it, meaning I make sure of all my blind spots and pay attention to all the cars around me. If you really want to test driving skill, come to NY and we will see who has learned more.
I used to think just like you, so I know how you feel. But I think that 5 or so years into the future you will be able to reflect back and realize that you weren't all that back then. I'm glad that you learned emergency control and defensive driving--I really am--but even you will see your own skills improving drastically over the next several years and countless thousands of miles.
I can tell you that I drove for 7-8 years and well over 150,000 miles before I could honestly say to myself that I wasn't a
significantly better, more mature, more skillful, mellow, and safer driver that year than the year before.
BTW, whenever it snows, go out driving late at night and find some parking lots. Go whip "sh!tties" and practice braking (without ABS--pull the fuse!) and turning. It's a lot of fun, but that's merely icing on the cake. Over time you will build real skill for dangerous conditions, which comes from experience and well developed reflexes. You'll also gain appreciation for good
matching tires on all 4 corners of the car.