BETWEEN THE LINES: REMEMBERING THE RULES OF THE ROAD ISN'T ALWAYS EASY

It's time for a pop quiz:

What is your stopping distance when driving 45 miles per hour on a flat, even surface?

When parking uphill without a curb, which way do you turn your wheels?

At what distance should you begin signaling before making a turn?

If you can you answer any of these questions, then you must have just earned your Missouri driver's license.

I recently read the Missouri Driver's Manual so that I could take the written driver's test and get a Missouri license.

Even though I currently have a license valid in another state, I had to take the test again for Missouri.

Which brings me to the Question of the Day: If state A already allows me to drive, why should I have to retake a test in state B? (There's a bonus point if you give the correct answer.)

I don't see a lot of logic in only requiring out-of-state drivers to retake the test. I doubt that out-of-state drivers are causing all of the accidents in Missouri. In fact, I encountered some pretty horrendous Missouri drivers over the weekend and that was just within the city limits.

Getting a Missouri license was not high on my priority list after returning from Florida but was a necessary evil. And since my Florida tags expire at month's end, I knew it had to be done soon. But the process was grueling and bothersome.

Florida allowed me to transfer my license and title without any hassle. All I had to do was show my proof of insurance.

It took me three tries before I could actually get the license in Missouri -- and I passed the written driver's test on the first try.

On my first visit to the license bureau, I asked to transfer a title and get a license, but couldn't because I didn't have a car inspection. And I hadn't taken the written test. On my second visit, I happened to arrive at lunch hour, so no one was available to help me. Finally, I took the test and had all the necessary paperwork, but the computers were down nationwide Friday and no licenses were being issued.

I'm going to try again -- sometime. The Florida license is valid until 2003.

After trying to meet the necessary requirements for driving in Missouri, I have decided that people don't take driving seriously enough.

After all, they are operating a 2-ton vehicle. It's not just a joyride; this is serious business.

If I were in charge, there would be fewer people driving on our streets. Many people don't drive cautiously enough to warrant giving them a license.

I suggest that the Missouri government randomly select X number of drivers and ask them to retake the driver's test before renewing their license. The process would be similar to that required of out-of-state drivers applying for a license.

Before getting a driver's license renewed, those selected for random testing would have to pass the written exam again. Then we'd know that those drivers had at least been reminded of the rules of the road.

As much as I complained about taking the driver's test again, it wasn't all that painful. Reminders aren't all that bad as long as people heed the advice being given.

So here's my advice to all drivers: USE YOUR TURN SIGNALS. It makes the rest of us crazy when you don't ... and it could cut down on the number of road rage occurrences in the state.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.