One of the things that I can say for certain about The United States is that being in a car, no matter what road you are on is goddamn terrifying.

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This could be due to the fact that a lot of people that I have ridden with were horrible drivers, causing me to constantly pump the imaginary brakes on my side of the car.

There have been quite a few times that I would scream after multiple near collisions "HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET YOUR LICENSE?!"

They got it because it is ridiculously easy to get a license in the United States. In fact, a little too easy.

Dangerously easy.

Here is a rundown of how to get a license in America:

• Be 15-17 (depending), take required courses which usually consist of in my state:

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A drug and alcohol course (DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! REEFER MADNESS WAS BASED ON A TRUE STORY!)

Accurate representation of course.

Take online courses on the signs on the road, procedures, etc

Take a written test (50 questions, of which you only have to get an 80% on to pass)

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• After a year (if you are under 18) you can get your regular drivers license by:

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Taking a driving exam.

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That's it.

Now, let's compare that to Australia's licensing process:

There are 4 types of licensing JUST to drive a car.

• L plates (learners)
• P1 (provisional red)
• P2 (provisional green)
• Unrestricted

Not only does it take years to get a full license, but the state of the license you hold is displayed on your car with a plate or sticker. So EVERYONE knows the kind of driver that is in front of them.

• Steps to get your L plates:

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Pass a Driver's Knowledge Test.

Pass a Hazard Perception Test after 10 months holding (25 and over are exempt from the holding period and can take it when ready)

Hold your learners for 12 months

log and record 120 hours in a Learner's log book

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• This gets you your P1 plates!

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To move on from your red P plates, you must drive safely for the next year.

After 12 months, you can then apply for your green P plates.

Those you must hold for TWO YEARS. (In the case that you aren't driving safely and get a suspension, you have to hold your P plates for an additional 6 months for each infraction.)

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• After two years you can take a Driver Qualification Test in an attempt to get your full, unrestricted license.

Four years, it takes FOUR YEARS in ideal conditions to get your license from go to whoa.

This is just the process to drive a car, don't even get me started on motorcycle standards!

The difference that this licensing process makes is surreal and unreal to me. I don't think I've ever been on safer roads in my entire life.

On the daily, everyone obeys the rules of the road. Lack of indication is shocking and scandalous. My asscheeks aren't clenching so hard that I threaten to take fabric with me when we park. In two months I haven't seen a single car crash, I've only seen a very alarmed sign warning people of one.
Once.

To put what a difference these licensing procedures make into perspective:

In 2016 there were 3,091 traffic deaths in the state of Florida.
Just ONE state.

For the entirety of Australia in 2016?
1,293.

• 2016 population of Florida: 20.61 million

• 2016 population of Australia: 24.13 million

Let that one sink in.

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Maybe it is time to adopt some stricter standards to licensing?

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Much love, @stitchybitch and @sammosk! <3

Sources:

• http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-arrive-alive-initiative-20170124-story.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_Australia_by_year
• http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/geared/your_licence/getting_a_licence/seven_steps_to_freedom.html
• http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/dlnew.html
• https://www.google.com/search?q=population+australia&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
• https://www.google.com/search?q=population+florida&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
  

  gif credit to tenor, giphy, imgur, and tumblr!