Testing drivers

During discussion of Traffic Engineer Clint Schuckel's MUTCD primer (more about that to come), Mitch Fischman suggested that we need signs to educate drivers about, among other things, the need to keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you. Some snickering about that being a basic drivers ed concept ensued.

Turns out Alderman Fischman might be onto something. According to the most recent GMAC National Drivers Test, a fifth of the country's drivers could not pass a basic written drivers exam. The average score was 76.6%. That means that, on aggregate, the driving population doesn't know or understand 25% of what they should.

The story's even worse in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth's drivers ranked 45 of 51 (including DC), with an average score of 73.8%.

Take the test yourself.