Tests

The classic example of a useless test is the UK MOT (Ministry of Transport) test. This is supposed to ensure that a vehicle, over 3 years old, is roadworthy.
The owner has to take it to an official testing station (their local garage) once a year to be tested. If the vehicle passes the owner is given a certificate that enables them to use the car for the next year.
What's wrong with that?
Well there are several faults in this process:
a) Each item tested is passed or failed. There's no guarantee that an item which passed won't fail the instant that you leave the garage.
b) The test is the same whether you drive 1000, or 100,000, miles every year.
Like most tests this is better than nothing, but not ideal.

My least favourite test is the driving test.
I know that some people fail, but most people pass eventually. Drivers think that passing the test means that they are as competent as Michael Schumacher. This is as realistic as thinking you can pilot a jumbo jet, because you can fly a kite.
Passing the test really means that you are allowed to carry on refining your driving skills, without supervision. This point should be stressed by all examiners, but obviously isn't judging by the statistics.
24% of deaths on UK roads are drivers under the age of 25! Considering that 17 is the minimum age for taking a driving test, that means that nearly one in four teenagers taking the test will dead within 8 years.
RoadPeace has some interesting statistics, including the fact that over 1,000,000 people die every year in road accidents. Compare this with the numbers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and it's obvious that the automobile is the most lethal weapon ever invented.
I'm particulary incensed by the infringments of the highway code that I see every day. Like most drivers I am also a pedestrian and a cyclist, but unlike most I don't forget this as soon as I climb into the driving seat.
If you are a driver see how many of the questions in my next post you can answer correctly.