Originally Posted by Hairydalek
I can only go on what I see on the TV and hear from people I know in the USA. It appears to be mostly automatic - and you have to ask for a “stick shift” if you want one, with automatic being the default choice. Is this correct? Let me know if I’m wrong here.
You're not wrong. Even if you ask for a stick it isn't available on most cars here. Only sports cars may have the option and even then maybe not.
As a side note, When I was in the U.K. I drove 1,200 miles through England, Scotland, and Wales, and found the U.K. drivers to be much better drivers in general than here in the U.S. They seemed much more in tune with the driving environment. On the motorways they would stay over unless passing and were more aware that there were other drivers on the road.
I believe that drivers licenses are harder to get in Europe and are more expensive. It's just a theory of mine but maybe the drivers in Europe appreciate the driving priveledge more and are more in tune with their automobiles hence the prevalence of manual transmission's.
We have many drivers here in the U.S. that have no bussiness having a drivers license. If part of the driving test was being able to chew gum and walk at the same time, many would fail, hence the prevalence of automatic.
