Automotive Idiocy On The Rise In Germany
Did you know that all drivers in Germany are potentially subject to an Idiotentest? Well, “Idiot Test” is the popular term; technically it’s called the Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchungen (Medical-Psychological Test) and it’s administered to some 100,000 Germans each year by the Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (Federal Highway Research Institute). The point is, if a German driver does something colossally stupid, like run a red light, wreck while racing, or get caught driving drunk, the Bundesanstalt makes him or her take a test to determine that they are medically and psychologically capable of driving safely. If you fail, either get sent back to (mandatory) driving school, or you lose your license (and gain the sneaking suspicion that your high school counselor was right, and you really are an idiot). Anyway, while you’re pondering the pros and cons of this system compared to America’s lassez-idiot approach, consider this: the number of idiot tests administered to German drivers was up three percent last year, the first time in years that the number went up. Apparently you can’t keep automotive idiocy down.
The reasons for the increase, according to Auto Motor und Sport: more drivers wrecking while racing, running red lights, taking narcotics in traffic (yes, really), and “overtaking dangerously.” Still none of these automotive idiocies was able to top the international king of stupid moves behind the wheel, driving drunk, which triggered 54 percent of all idiot tests.
Intriguingly, the Idiot Test has come under criticism from several German auto clubs and others, who argue that the tests are insufficiently transparent and that failing the test can make it nearly impossible to regain one’s driver’s license. One lawyer tells AM und S that
The scandal of the Idiot Test is that it’s nearly impossible to defend against their decisions
Which actually makes good sense. Idiots are notoriously bad at defending themselves against anything. And really, if you’re living in a society that requires mandatory driver training, failing an Idiot Test doesn’t leave you with many scapegoats. Which was probably the point.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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I also think it is common sense to do the tests, however I would do them prior to attaining a licence in the first place on top of applying them to serious offenders. Sure, a fair number would never qualify to drive but the advantages would be enormous. It is already required to pass a psychological fitness / suitability test in certain European countries before they let you train for a truck driving licence - do not want people who are unable to concentrate or too aggressive behind the wheel of a 40 tonner. Well to be honest I would not want them behind the wheel of any vehicle apart from perhaps a bicycle but it would be political suicide for anyone to suggest it. Obligatory retesting of ones driving skills every 5 years appears quite sensible to me, too - again something that will sadly never happen.
I wonder if that's A3 Golf/Jetta or B4 Passat? Can't tell if it's a diesel either since the tach isn't visible. My thought is that if you end up taking the idiot test in Germany, then you've probably been deemed an idiot. I was shocked at how easily I was able to get my license in Maine when I moved. Since my original license was from Ontario all I had to do was an eye test and I got the license. No written test or road test. Amazing. Of course Maine used to be one of the states where illegal immigrants could easily get a driver's license so I guess that's why it was so easy for me 10 years ago.