A frightening realization

[Danth]

Originally Posted by Raavak [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Driving along the Interstate system a few weeks ago, dodging bad drivers. Came to realize that U-Haul and mobile home dealers hand the keys to these large vehicles to anyone with an automobile license and a credit card. No training required.

Of course they had training...it's called driver's ed, plus years experience on the road. Those aren't particularly large vehicles. They're just trucks. The Ford F-600 flatbed I run here and there on occasion doesn't require a CDL either. Large trucks (25,000 pounds plus or therabout IIRC) or specialty vehicles like busses require a CDL.

That is as it should be in a free nation. Don't be too eager to over-regulate everything. In most cases such regulation is mere fools' gold anyhow, especially with respect to roads where most crashes are caused by other factors (driver distraction, adverse conditions, etc). Or look at the bright side, at least they get (some) training now. My old man didn't have to do anything more than start his car and drive it around the block. *His* dad merely had to fill out a form.

I'll trust a newbie in a U-Haul sooner than I'll trust some regular person in a regular car who's gabbing on the telephone. I don't trust either, though....best thing you can do on the road is maintain situation awareness and keep an eye on the traffic around you.

Danth