Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Passed The Test But Can't Make It Home

The Star released, “Fail rates set for driver test centers,” today in the article which discusses the difficulty of urban test tracks versus more rural routes.[1]
Five years ago, while I was graduating through the Ontario licensing system, there was a trend amongst new drivers to create an easier testing scenario.  The trend was to do one's drive test on simpler routes, for instance in Huntsville.  Today, the trend continues—but should it be stopped?
Brampton holds Ontario’s highest failure rate norm of 53% while Kenora, a Northeastern town of 15, 177 people, [2] has only a 7% failure rate.
As a teen who has invested money to get their license, wouldn’t you want the easiest test to ensure you pass?
Growing older, we realize that what we wanted in our teens isn’t necessarily right or beneficial.  We start to look at the bigger picture.
And so, it should be mandatory for drivers to take the G2 and G drive test in the area closest to where they currently reside.  If you live in an urban area and are tested on a lower volume route with less traffic laws, lights and signs then the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is potentially passing those who can’t even safely make it from school to home.
Now, as a more mature driver, I know that this test trend doesn’t create a safe ‘big picture.’  However, at 17 not all do and thus a law should be put in place, to ensure that the easy way out is not an option.

2 comments:

  1. I think that even with that there will be problems. If it is the place which they 'currently reside' how is this proven? I could probably pretend I live at my cottage or a friends house that is in an easier area. However if it is based on 'permanent address' problems would arise as people (like me) away for schooling would have a great deal of trouble booking a test. When booking my G test I had to do it in the city that my school was located in otherwise I would have had to drive three hours home, miss some classes, and drive three hours back.

    I do agree that people should not be allowed to simply pick the easiest location, however if this was ever made legislation there would need to be exceptions for those temporarily (perhaps for a year or more) living away from their permanent address and proof (i.e. proof of enrollment or employment) would be necessary.

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  2. I know, it would be harder to prove. By current residence I meant that if you were at school then you can take your test in that area so that you are tested where you would drive most often. Logisticaly, there is lots to think about. One solution might be a lease or letter addressed to your current residence (proof of payment for residence), like I did to vote in the municipal election.

    Thanks for your comment!

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