EDITORIAL: Road smarts [The Hutchinson News, Kan.]

May 28--A press release this week from a national insurance group ranked Kansas first in driver knowledge.

That is good news -- until you break down the numbers. GMAC, which certainly conducts the annual National Drivers Test to draw attention to its insurance services, polled 5,202 drivers in 50 states and the District of Columbia. That averages out to 102 drivers per state and D.C. Not exactly scientific or meaningful given that Kansas has nearly 2 million licensed drivers.

But evidently the 102 drivers polled in Kansas were knowledgeable enough to move the state from its fourth-place ranking last year to No. 1 in the nation this year.

Those polled in Kansas posted an average score of 82.3 percent; 70 percent was considered a passing score.

While Kansas did itself proud, overall test results were a little alarming. Most licensed drivers nationwide lack basic knowledge about the rules of the road. Test results showed that 85 percent "could not identify the correct action to take when approaching a steady yellow traffic light."

Additionally, the test showed that roughly 38 million American drivers would be unable to pass a written driver's test.

Though GMAC has ulterior motives -- specifically, self-promotion -- for conducting an annual driving test, the resulting statistics are worth consideration as Kansans kick off summer travel with a long holiday weekend.

We know there are at least 102 knowledgeable Kansas drivers. We hope the additional 1,987,149 licensed drivers in the state know and practice basic safety rules while behind the wheel. That would make for a much safer summer travel season.

So, let's be careful out there.

By Mary Rintoul/Hutchinson News editorial board

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