Everyone should learn to drive manual transmission cars at some point in life.

Alright, I will being my final round by attacking the few atrocious claims you have put forward and then moving on to the 6 points. "There are benefits for some, but not everyone. Blind people wouldn't benefit from learning how to drive a manual transmission car, for instance. In fact, they would be a danger to others on the road." >>This is a new point in your round 2 thus I have no choice but to answer your claim. As much as I hate new points in my final speech...... We should teach blind people to drive if only so that they may feel just as capable as other individuals. I however agree when you say that they would be a danger to others, thus we will teach them to drive but not allow them to actually do so. Onto the points. 1. You say perhaps it would have been a better idea if my girlfriend had worn a helmet. This is true, however what I am stating is the fact that learning how to drive a manual was just another safety precaution. You also state my phone may have been a better choice, and while I also agree with that, you have conceded the point. That being, driving a manual transmission can save yourself and others if all else fails. =) 2. My second point was avoiding the consequences for speeding. You obviously do not condone such an action as it is breaking the law. However breaking the law in itself is not always a bad thing and there are situation when it is necessary. Such as when someone kidnaps your child and drives away with him. Speeding in such a situation, at the very least to catch such criminals license plate, is necessary. You also state that officers are trained to notice such tricks but this truly does not matter. Unless you can somehow prove to me that a police officer will notice such a trick every single time, even with their special training, then it is still offers a benefit. As proving this would be impossible, it is still a benefit. 3. Here you say, "This is a myth. Even four-wheel drive vehicles experience slips on icy roads." I agree, all vehicles will experience some slipping on icy rodes, but this was not my argument. You have straw manned me. My argument quite clearly stated, "Avoids slipping on ice." not "stops slipping on ice". You also do not attack the crux of this argument being, "in a manual transmission one can simply down shift to make the wheels spin slightly slower thereby slowing down" which is where my entire point stems from and thereby my argument still stands in this round. Manual transmissions avoid slipping on ice, and thereby can avoid wrecks. 4. You have me here when you say, "An automatic Ford Mustang could easily win in a race over a manual Toyota Corolla." However this still stands as a minor benefit to me as a manual ford mustang would own an automatic ford mustang. I also do not condone racing, that would be a bad idea. I'm just saying in the off chance that one has to race. For instance if my cat was being held hostage and the only way I could get it back was by racing the crazy lady who had stolen it. This would be an acceptable situation to race in. 5. Once again you have me here for the most part. But I can tell you from experience that I look more cool driving a manual. As do select members around the community. I would also contest that such people as dorks and geeks, while still being dork and geeks, are more cool looking for driving a manual than they would for driving an automatic. However since neither of us could prove this point we will consider it moot and just call me cool when I drive a manual. 6. On this point you concede the fact that it can be a bonding experience while stating that it can also be very expensive. Thus I ask our audience and respectable voters. What is more important, relationships with people you love or money? The answer is quite obvious, bonding time is quite a bit more important than money will ever be. Finally you bring up some new points at the end. You say that driving a manual is not necessary however I have already proved how it can be necessary and potentially life threatening to not in at least 3 scenarios above. You the state, "Also, I don't know how I feel about all physically challenged or mentally challenged people learning to drive manual transmission cars. I think some people are better suited to walking or public transportation." I agree with you here but must advocate the same as I did for blind people. They should be taught so they might feel capable but never be allowed to drive. Your very final point is as follows, "It should remain as it is now -- something to learn if one is interested." And I must thank you for such a point, I would like to redirect everyone to the resolution which quite clearly states, "Everyone should learn to drive manual transmission cars at some point in life." This says "should" learn, not must learn, or it is imperative. I have brought many reasons why people "should" learn to drive a manual but I would not force it as some kind of imperative. My opponent seems to think that I am advocating against free will here. My advocacy however is exactly as my opponent states. It is something to learn if one is interested. There are many reasons one should learn such a thing but it still only something to do if one is interested. Free will ftw! Thanks for the debate Solo.