Look, I'll agree with you that driving should be made less accessible to the general public, and that everyone should have go through a driving test each 5 years where they among other things, get to drive an old manual car with no electronics, no power steering or electronic throttle control, or any assists, on shit roads with deep ditches, and show that they can park it, and while at it that they can exchange its fluids and change its tyres...
I'm pretty sure that the upheaval against any government that takes such a position is going to be a thing to behold, which is why the general approach in the EU has been working around shit drivers with technology to achieve net less deaths and emissions, while making walking, public transport, and biking more attractive. As opposed to making driving less accessible, so that only good drivers are left on the road, while no convenient alternatives exist for the rest.
> Look, I'll agree with you that driving should be made less accessible to the general public, and that everyone should have go through a driving test each 5 years where they among other things, get to drive an old manual car with no electronics, no power steering or electronic throttle control, or any assists, on shit roads with deep ditches, and show that they can park it, and while at it that they can exchange its fluids and change its tyres...
This is a complete strawman of what I was saying. I never said about a new driving test every 5 years or requiring you drive without power steering.
Though you should probably be able to park the vehicle without driving aids. These things do fail!
I am talking about things that have already been proven to be effective. These are things like public awareness campaigns, stiff penalties for drink driving and the like.
> I'm pretty sure that the upheaval against any government that takes such a position is going to be a thing to behold, which is why the general approach in the EU has been working around shit drivers with technology to achieve net less deaths and emissions, while making walking, public transport, and biking more attractive
The driving aids is frequently distraction and can actually be dangerous. I won't drive newer vehicles because there is no way I am driving a vehicle that can take control away from me whenever it feels like, for the simple reason I am still legally on the hook.
It is pure madness this is now some of this absolute shite is mandated by the EU to be in vehicles and one of the reasons why I've bought an older vehicle that I can fix myself and has none of this crap. BTW it is much easier to drive, mainly because visibility around the vehicle is better and there are zero distractions in the vehicle.
It disappointing that so many people have been conned to think this is about vehicle safety and emissions.
The reason there were so many Diesels in the mid-2000s is that the EU/UK government said they were better for emissions and were subsidised by lower taxes. Anyone who has ever looked at the back of a Diesel vehicle (it is covered in soot) would know this is BS.
The same will be found out about the newer vehicles. This guy is an American petrol head but in this video he does a really good job talking about the absolute waste with modern vehicles. When people like him and I are complaining about this waste, you know the amount of waste is staggering.
As for public transport, biking and walking. Take this as someone that used to cycle commute daily and is an avid cyclist and I walk/cycle for recreation. You will never make it more attractive, especially outside of a city where public transport is less reliable.
I'm pretty sure that the upheaval against any government that takes such a position is going to be a thing to behold, which is why the general approach in the EU has been working around shit drivers with technology to achieve net less deaths and emissions, while making walking, public transport, and biking more attractive. As opposed to making driving less accessible, so that only good drivers are left on the road, while no convenient alternatives exist for the rest.