This chapter is about the driver?s license: what it represents and what it should stand for, and "designer licenses." Rothe begins by pointing out that although the driver?s license is considered to be proof of driving competence, this is not necessarily so. He argues that the driver?s license is not a good indicator of who will and won?t be a safe driver, as the driving test only requires some knowledge of traffic regulations to pass the written test and minimal driving competency to pass the driving test. Rothe goes on further to say that the driving test serves more to raise revenue and to register the driving population than to do what it should which is to screen out unskilled drivers.

Next comes the discussion of "designer licenses" which schemes to modify young driver risk taking and to restrict their range of operation. An example given of a designer license is the "graduated licensing scheme." This particular designer license has four stages that a driver must successfully pass before getting a standard license. This designer license addresses the problems of alcohol abuse, driving at night, and carrying passengers, all things that are considered to be major common factors in crashes involving young drivers. The intent of this designer license is to allow a driver to gain experience under conditions that minimize the exposure to risk so that they will only be exposed to risky driving situations after they are more experienced as drivers.

Additionally, Rothe discusses the automobile culture that has developed as people in society have become more and more dependent upon the use of the automobile to carry out the functions they need in order to remain actively competent and contributing members of their communities. Furthermore, it is explained that the driver?s license symbolizes a "coming of age" for those who obtain one. The driver?s license grants those who have one along with use of an automobile freedom and independence. Thus, Rothe considers the driver?s license to be an extension of the self as well as a common form of personal identification (i.d. card) and a symbol of social competence.

I think the main reason test scores on the written and driving test do not accurately predict driving performance is that when people take the driving test, they know the traffic regulations well enough to score high on the written portion of the test. Also, they know how to follow those regulations to a tee while driving during the driving portion of the licensing exam. Of course, after receiving their licenses, they aren?t being watched for very strict adherence to the traffic regulations, so they will drive a bit more recklessly, using their own judgement to determine what types of driving behaviors are feasible in specific situations. With inexperienced drivers, their lack of experience can equal to poor judgment of how to drive safely, which can lead to poor driving performance.

The disadvantage to licensing restrictions is that it unfairly groups all drivers together and places limitations on drivers who may not need any. The advantage to this is that drivers who are inexperienced can gain driving experience while being shielded from the possibility of driving in risky or dangerous conditions.

I think requiring all drivers to go through driver education would be beneficial as they can learn the skills they will need to drive safely before they even attempt to get their licenses. If drivers potential drivers are taught what is safe and what is not then they will be better prepared mentally to handle driving on the road when they do obtain their licenses.

I think a good way to resolve this problem is to require drivers who are caught driving poorly by police an outstanding number of times (this can be determined by law makers) to go to a driver?s education class. Maybe this would alleviate the problem, though that isn?t guaranteed.

I don?t think that getting a driver?s license should be a privilege that only selected individuals have. I feel that as long as a person is physically competent to operate an automobile, they should have the right to obtain a driver?s license. I don?t think there should be a limit to the number of licenses issued per year, although this would probably help relieve traffic congestion somewhat. I do think that making stiffer penalties for breaking the driving rules would be a good idea, although I think that there should be flexibility in this rule (i.e. for speeders, officers should determine whether the speeder was following the flow of traffic or just speeding like crazy).

I think this is a good point. If we as drivers are expected to obey traffic laws to the letter, then I feel the state is also obligated to keep the roads in good shape to ensure for safer driving conditions for those of us who use the roads.

I think it should be a bit more difficult than it already is to obtain a driver?s license. I think the fairest way of doing this is to make the driving test more difficult as well as to require driver education.

I thought the points Rothe made in this chapter are all good. It is true that although the driver?s license should be a representation of a person?s ability to drive competently and safely, the reality falls short of the ideal. I think measures should be taken to educate drivers on safe driving skills and practices before they try to take the test. Also, I think Rothe?s acknowledgement of how important a driver?s license is for an individual to function in the modern world is an important one, as this fact should be taken into considerations if law makers ever decide to start making the obtaining of a driver?s license more difficult. If such measures are ever put into practice, they should be fair and allow for the equal opportunity of all people to qualify for driver?s licenses as it is right now.

As for my classmates, I was happy to see that they are all concerned with the state of drivers and their competency on the road. All of the people in our class were under the thinking that driver?s licenses should entail more education besides just studying the traffic regulations and learning how to drive at a rudimentary level.

In comparison to the other student?s reports in this class, I think I do what I?m required for the assignment without getting fancy. My page isn?t pretty to look at as some of my classmate?s pages may be, but they?re easy to read and I think my writing is easily understood and comprehensible. I?m satisfied with what I?ve done.

I would advise future generations to write out your reports as soon as you?ve given your presentations in class. Why? These reports aren?t very hard to do, and if you do them early or on time, you won?t have to worry about rushing things at the last minute. Procrastination kills! One more thing, take notes of what Dr. James says in class pertaining to your presentation. It can help you in writing out your report.