Training System? What Training System?

I live and drive in a city, as such I have closer calls from time to time. Often they don't even get the heart going but on occasion they do. A lot of people complain about how people drive. They complain how people are dangerous. I see it too. This has made me think a lot recently about why there seems to be so many bad drivers.

For most of my life I have been involved in flying training. There are parallels between learning to fly and learning to drive. Both have a knowledge component (rules and procedures) and a skill component (actually manipulating the vehicle). Because both these components exist they are tested. To become a pilot or to get a driver's license you must complete a written test and a practical driving test. So far we are doing pretty good.

This is where the similarity ends.

To learn to drive in Manitoba (since this is where I live and received my driver's license I will use it as the example) you must complete a written test to receive a learner's permit. Two weeks later you can take your driver's test.

This seems to make some sense.

To receive a pilot's license in Canada you must complete a syllabus of ground school, write a written exam, complete a syllabus of flying training including both dual and solo flying exercises, and complete a flight test. The amount of training is dependant on the license you are seeking.

This seems to make a lot more sense.

To teach someone to drive you must have a driver's license.

This makes sense.

To teach someone to fly you must complete a syllabus of training including instructional techniques and practical in air lessons. They you must be tested and meet the standard.

This makes a lot more sense.

Once you are licensed it gets even better.

One of the primary factors that determines the cost of your car insurance is the number of accidents you have had. The number of years is in there too, but you just have to keep paying for your license not actually using it to reduce your insurance cost. So if you drive two blocks to church every Sunday morning in light traffic for many years, you are not very likely to have an accident. If that is the only driving you do for twenty years your insurance cost will continue to go down, provided you don't have any accidents. Keep in mind you are fully licensed to head out on the 401 at rush hour without any restrictions. So one day you feel you have to. Are you going to have an accident. Well we don't know that but you probably are not properly equipped to be driving there.

One of the primary factors that determines the cost of your aircraft insurance is how much experience you have. Pilots keep a log of all the flying they do. the more they fly the cheaper their insurance will get.

I think my point is obvious.

I also think that the licensing of drivers will never change. We have built cars so safely these days we accept that accidents will happen. This is a shame as there is a better way to do this.