| MaggieL |
10-31-2002 11:58 AM |
Quote:
Originally posted by Xugumad
This would pose less of a problem in the US if the driving age wasn't 16, but 18, like it is in most of Europe. I do agree that driving conditions are much more difficult there, as you can't just cruise along for hours at 60mph; similarly, road conditions and skill necessary are an altogether different matter, as well.
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US conditions vary all over the place. We have lots of autobahn-like highway, but also have plenty of congested urban areas too.
Quote:
Badly-schooled, inexperienced drivers and the low driving age all contribute to car accidents being the number one cause of death in the US for people between the ages of 6 and 27... Another empty statistic....
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Yes, those are indeed empty statistics, at least until you control for how much travel in the US is by auto vs. other modes. There's no question tht the US is overall an automotive culture.
Furthermore, nearly half of the 6-27 cohort is below driving age; there are actually very few reckless drivers who want to stick it to the man here who are under 12. :-) I would imagine that auto accidents tend to happen at higher speeds in the US, which is probably a factor in the fatality rates for young children.
Conditions are *so* different between the US and EU that a meaningful comparison is very, very difficult. |
