Q: I feel a need to vent and you’re the lucky recipient.
Back in the 1960s, when I was in high school, there was still driver’s education, which included both practical driving experience and classroom lessons/tests.
On my 16th birthday, I passed my DMV driving test with flying colors, earning my first license. I still remember the pride and joy almost 60 years later. I’m still the best driver I know.
But in recent years, as I dodge racing cars that are weaving lanes on freeways, avoid being hit by vehicles as a pedestrian who is legally crossing the street, guess when a car is going to turn because of no turn signals, deal with impatient drivers tailgating me even though I’m going the speed limit or slightly over, I can’t help but feel that discontinuing driver’s ed classes was one of the worst decisions in California history. I am appalled, and scared, of how young people are driving these days.
Christine Khoury, Belmont
A: I understand your frustration. But California drivers under 18 are still required to complete classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training provided by a licensed program.
The classroom portion may be completed at a driving school, by home study or through an internet training program. Once a driver receives a learner’s permit, there must be at least six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a professional driving instructor.
More responsibility is placed now on parents as teens need 50 hours of supervised driving before they can apply for their license. The encouraging news is that auto deaths among teens have fallen 20 percent since the 1970s.
Q: Twice I have encountered a large group of 100 or more clearly organized bike riders on streets in West San Jose – once on Moorpark Avenue and once on Williams Road. These groups have woven in and out of traffic, ignored stop signs and signals, and made traffic stop for them. I was almost hit by a rider who came across traffic into my bike lane doing tricks and paying no attention at all.
They had no signs, or indication that I could see that this was for a cause, charity, or other purpose. Who are these fools?
Paul Vallerga
A: This is a troubling trend sweeping many areas across the country. They are called “wheelie kids.”
It doesn’t sound like the groups you saw are Bay Area’s Bike Party, which is quite well-organized, has a monthly, family-oriented event, and is pretty compliant with traffic laws. It uses a different route every month, one that’s designed to be as bike friendly as possible.
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