Overall, I was impressed with what I learned. The Smith System is basically about maximizing your time, space and visibility in the mass of idiot drivers. It is the kind of driver training that should be taught and tested a few years after getting an initial driver's license. There are a few things I disagree with -- the left lane rule being one of them -- but overall learning the Smith System has made me a better driver. (My company has made it mandatory before renting cars for company business, so that is why I attended.) For 99% of all drivers, learning how to better operate their "transportation machine" is all they need. High Performance Driving Education can be superimposed upon that (and generally makes you more cautious off the racetrack anyway). RANT WARNING: One of the Smith System concepts is to follow 4 seconds behind another vehicle. This is very difficult in tightly packed traffic. However, I have seen a car abruptly cut in between two tailgating cars, the rear car put on brakes, the car following that car put on their brakes harder, etc etc until 20 cars back, people are panic braking and slamming into each other as they try to go from 65 mph to zero with no room to do it.
That's why I didn't get the adaptive cruise control on my last BMW. The way Americans drive, I suspect it would be worthless. My sales rep told me no one orders it, for that very reason. Its impossible to leave a suitable gap between cars anywhere other than the most rural settings nowadays, as some idiot wants to drive like Fireball Roberts!