I agree that some of the "aids" are asinine and cater to the lowest common denominator.

As bad as many drivers are, I suppose any help they can get is worthwhile. I would prefer that they were options, so a lower price might be available without those bells and whistles. However, I imagine the people who need them would not buy them.

There is definitely a problem with the licensing procedure in my State. My grandson was recently licensed (on his second attempt) and I was not convinced he could drive well enough to be licensed. He had saved his money from a part time job and immediately bought his first car. I figured he would gain experience and be okay. In less than 60 days he had totaled his car and was lucky he was not injured. Now my daughter won't even let him drive her car and I can't blame her.

It was a lack of maturity that caused his crash and not lack of ability to start the car and get from point A to point B. If he had been required to take the test in a standard shift he would probably never have passed the test.