View Full Version : Good driver? How do you define?
Stryder5
11-12-2018, 15:59
Following on from the post on "Cars that you passed your test in".
What constitutes the definition of "good driver".
Over the years lots of things have affected driving.
Volume of traffic, power and drivability, policing, laws, state of roads etc, amidst others come to mind.
So, passing the Driving Test has become easier........and harder.
More than ever learning to pass the test does not mean you are a good driver (by some definition?).
To my mind the current Driving Test has some strange requirements. Sat Nav....really. My niece recently failed as she parked too close to the kerb, not over it?
Do newly "qualified" drivers think that's the end of learning period!
Interested in your thoughts, I will probably disagree, but let's go for it!:)
Gary
Following on from the post on "Cars that you passed your test in".
What constitutes the definition of "good driver".
Over the years lots of things have affected driving.
Volume of traffic, power and drivability, policing, laws, state of roads etc, amidst others come to mind.
So, passing the Driving Test has become easier........and harder.
More than ever learning to pass the test does not mean you are a good driver (by some definition?).
To my mind the current Driving Test has some strange requirements. Sat Nav....really. My niece recently failed as she parked too close to the kerb, not over it?
Do newly "qualified" drivers think that's the end of learning period!
Interested in your thoughts, I will probably disagree, but let's go for it!:)
Gary
ME! :eyebrows: a lot of drivers back in the day were not great after they passed a test either, but after saying that, diving now is a lot easier than it was; much busier, but the cars are maybe too easy to drive. are drivers worse today; probably, yes
walpurgis
11-12-2018, 16:24
Good drivers are few and far between. Most are bloody useless!
As far as I'm concerned, every aspiring motorist should be made to ride a motorbike for a year before having a car (if they're still alive). There's nothing like biking to teach you road sense and awareness of what's around you.
Stryder5
11-12-2018, 16:31
In reply to Struth's post
Strangely I kinda agree.
I was as mad as a hatter before my motorcycle test, nothing really changed after, except I acquired some skill, hard earned. A few brushes with the law and a long period of convalescence after a shattered right leg taught me physically my limitations. Mentally though " plus ca change".
Still!
Gary
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Stryder5
11-12-2018, 16:32
Good drivers are few and far between. Most are bloody useless!
As far as I'm concerned, every aspiring motorist should be made to ride a motorbike for a year before having a car (if they're still alive). There's nothing like biking to teach you road sense and awareness of what's around you.
Totally agree!
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willbewill
11-12-2018, 16:32
Good drivers are few and far between. Most are bloody useless!
As far as I'm concerned, every aspiring motorist should be made to ride a motorbike for a year before having a car (if they're still alive). There's nothing like biking to teach you road sense and awareness of what's around you.+1, I rode a motor bike for a good few years (every day of the year except when it snowed), and also a bike and sidecar for a while. Riding a motorcycle certainly teaches you to read the road conditions and to anticipate what other road users are likely to do, otherwise you get hurt.
willbewill
11-12-2018, 16:34
Strangely I kinda agree.
I was as mad as a hatter before my motorcycle test, nothing really changed after, except I acquired some skill, hard earned. A few brushes with the law and a long period of convalescence after a shattered right leg taught me physically my limitations. Mentally though " plus ca change".
Still!
Gary
Sent from my iPad using TapatalkHaha...I shattered my right leg as well, plus my wife's who was riding pillion. Mine is now an inch shorter than my left.
Stryder5
11-12-2018, 16:37
Haha...I shattered my right leg as well, plus my wife's who was riding pillion. My is now an inch shorter than my left.
We'd make a good pair, mine's shorter too.
Gary
The big change in the last 10 years has been the idiotic smartphones. If they weren't a bad driver before the smartphone soon makes them one.
Fatal accident round here recently. Very early morning, an artic has a blow out and stops in the inside lane, hazards on. Driver in a panel van does not see the artic because he is reading facebook on his 'phone and ploughs into the back of it, killing himself.
Stryder5
11-12-2018, 16:46
The big change in the last 10 years has been the idiotic smartphones. If they weren't a bad driver before the smartphone soon makes them one.
Fatal accident round here recently. Very early morning, an artic has a blow out and stops in the inside lane, hazards on. Driver in a panel van does not see the artic because he is reading facebook on his 'phone and ploughs into the back of it, killing himself.
That's plain stupidity though, you can't teach common sense!
Gary
Frazeur1
11-12-2018, 16:49
I certainly agree on the phone use issue Macca! Every day my ride to and from work-especially from work, as it is during busy time of day, I see on average half if not more of the motorists thumbing through their phones while hurtling on aimlessly down the road at 50+ MPH. Most have no clue what is going on around them, let alone in front of them!
I always wonder how they would enjoy a free colonoscopy, cause once one of the idiots hits me, they are going to have said phone shoved so far up their ass, and I could take photos of their colon on the way up...Ugh, drives me crazy! Okay, rant over....
That's plain stupidity though, you can't teach common sense!
Gary
True but common sense has always been lacking it is just that now there are more dangerous distractions than just the kids fighting in the back and the wife nagging you from the passenger seat. You could blot out the wife and shout at the kids and neither meant you had to take your eyes off the road. Even idiots understood that was a bad thing to do.
But with the 'phones your not looking at the road and that's only going to end one way.
Stryder5
11-12-2018, 16:59
True but common sense has always been lacking it is just that now there are more dangerous distractions than just the kids fighting in the back and the wife nagging you from the passenger seat. You could blot out the wife and shout at the kids and neither meant you had to take your eyes off the road. Even idiots understood that was a bad thing to do.
But with the 'phones your not looking at the road and that's only going to end one way.
Sat Nav?
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Frazeur1
11-12-2018, 17:04
Soon we will be back to horses and buggies. Hmmm, might be safer.
Firebottle
11-12-2018, 17:05
Good driver -
A certain skill level, eg being able to do hill starts, knowing how to control a skid, for examples,
Being courteous,
Being considerate, by this I mean accounting for idiots,
Knowing ones limitations and the limitations of the vehicle,
Paying full attention to the task in hand (no phone).
Good driver -
A certain skill level, eg being able to do hill starts, knowing how to control a skid, for examples,
Being courteous,
Being considerate, by this I mean accounting for idiots,
Knowing ones limitations and the limitations of the vehicle,
Paying full attention to the task in hand (no phone).
yup..fully agree
I spend about 7 hours a day on the road with a mix of dual carriageways/town centres and 50's council estates that were built before everyone had 2-3 cars. What I see more and more is that so many appear to have no road sense and drive in a bizzare way. I would like to know what is going on in their heads whilst they cockwomble about. Is the Driving Test or method of instruction to blame? The level of aggression on the roads has risen sharply in the last 20 years or so which combined with arrogance makes for an often lethal cocktail. Take for example those that WON'T signal their intentions or leave it until they have started their manoeuvre...Grrrrrrr.
Am I a good driver?.....of course...Peerless!
There is too little courtesy on the roads today and I try to do my best. The roads are overcrowded, people are in too much of a hurry most of the time, too much tailgating/bullying, a lot on their phones (watch the weaving about and slowing down) I could go on.....
Stryder5
11-12-2018, 17:33
Soon we will be back to horses and buggies. Hmmm, might be safer.
I read budgies for a second:)
Gary
I read budgies for a second:)
Gary
Giant mutated Budgies. You'll ride in a large wicker basket strapped to their backs. A bit like in World Of Warcraft, only without the spectacular scenery.
dave2010
11-12-2018, 18:39
A long while ago I used to work night shifts. Typically this was a week on at a time, though after a while we developed a more complicated shift pattern - though still had consecutive nights. The first night I'd drive to work and be quite tired. In the morning, going home my driving was really bad. However, by the next night I'd be amazed at the idiots out on the roads at around 10pm. I drove to work along country lanes at about 70 mph without any problems, though going back each morning I'd be going much slower. Also round the town I'd spot people about to cause problems before they did - which they were probably completely unaware of.
Most people don't realise how bad they become at night and how shot their reactions are.
A long while ago I used to work night shifts. Typically this was a week on at a time, though after a while we developed a more complicated shift pattern - though still had consecutive nights. The first night I'd drive to work and be quite tired. In the morning, going home my driving was really bad. However, by the next night I'd be amazed at the idiots out on the roads at around 10pm. I drove to work along country lanes at about 70 mph without any problems, though going back each morning I'd be going much slower. Also round the town I'd spot people about to cause problems before they did - which they were probably completely unaware of.
Most people don't realise how bad they become at night and how shot their reactions are.
It is possible that a lot of them are as drunk as lords as well as being tired:
In 2016, 463,319 roadside breath tests were carried out by the police, of which 59,998 drivers or riders (13% of those tested) failed or refused to take the test
https://www.rospa.com/rospaweb/docs/advice-services/road-safety/drivers/drinking-and-driving.pdf
It is possible that a lot of them are as drunk as lords as well as being tired:
In 2016, 463,319 roadside breath tests were carried out by the police, of which 59,998 drivers or riders (13% of those tested) failed or refused to take the test
https://www.rospa.com/rospaweb/docs/advice-services/road-safety/drivers/drinking-and-driving.pdf
another advantage to being T-Total now:eyebrows: no worries on that score especially at this time of year.
walpurgis
11-12-2018, 19:24
another advantage to being T-Total now:eyebrows: no worries on that score especially at this time of year.
Yes, I'm teetotal at the moment as well and no fags. No vices at all currently actually, very boring. I may get up to some mischief over the Xmas holiday though. ;)
mightymonoped
11-12-2018, 19:44
Interesting stuff! Motorcycles would certainly be an effective way of reducing the traffic, not sure it would necessarily improve the standard of driving though (as I’m sure a lot of riders have been taken out permanently by bad drivers, hence the term “Donor Vehicles” in a lot of Intensive Care Wards).
A lot of the problem is the way people think too. I reckon good drivers think for two (themselves and the person who may be in front or behind). That also raises another interesting issue, namely how people like to ‘offload’ the responsibility for their driving onto external agents such as ‘road markings’ or satnavs. I believe there have been some interesting experiments with removing road markings and such-like to see the resultant impact on driving standards and safety.
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Firebottle
11-12-2018, 20:38
I believe there have been some interesting experiments with removing road markings and such-like to see the resultant impact on driving standards and safety.
I believe it usually improves things as drivers have to think more, particularly about other motorists.
mad-moon
11-12-2018, 23:02
patience ...end of story
walpurgis
11-12-2018, 23:16
patience ...end of story
Doesn't help a lot when some goon does a multi lane change straight across your bows at speed on the M25 in heavy traffic. Plenty of idiots like that about who's behaviour just can't be predicted.
mad-moon
11-12-2018, 23:41
Doesn't help a lot when some goon does a multi lane change straight across your bows at speed on the M25 in heavy traffic. Plenty of idiots like that about who's behaviour just can't be predicted.
dash cam...hand footage to the police.. I understand where you are coming from in that situation. It's hard to stay calm when the blood is rushing...
Pigmy Pony
12-12-2018, 07:30
Yes, I'm teetotal at the moment as well and no fags. No vices at all currently actually, very boring. I may get up to some mischief over the Xmas holiday though. ;)
You need to stop that - you're like these blokes who are really kind and considerate to their spouses, you're making the rest of us look bad. :( If you were to wake up on New Year's Day in some pub toilet with your underpants on back to front I suppose you might redeem yourself.
walpurgis
12-12-2018, 07:55
You need to stop that - you're like these blokes who are really kind and considerate to their spouses
Hardly. Only seen her once in the last two years (thankfully :D).
I think the three main things that make a good driver are observation, anticipation and consideration, practice those and you're most of the way there. Sadly the majority of drivers have none of those skills.
I'm beginning to think today's bad driving is more to do with bad attitude than anything, people have this sense of self entitlement that makes them think they can do whatever they like.
The establishment and media don't help either, I remember years ago we had a whole raft of road safety adverts on TV covering everything from lane discipline on roundabouts to reverse parking, today its speed and nothing else, drivers are brainwashed into believing that if they're not seeing thay must be a safe driver. Wrong
Frazeur1
12-12-2018, 08:16
There are a lot of good points mentioned in these posts. I would maybe also just add that it seems these days folks are just stressed to the max over a gazillion things, just life in general. So many things work related, money, spouse, kids, just about anything. Doesn’t make it right, but some of it probably comes out in the driving, unfortunately.
There are a lot of good points mentioned in these posts. I would maybe also just add that it seems these days folks are just stressed to the max over a gazillion things, just life in general. So many things work related, money, spouse, kids, just about anything. Doesn’t make it right, but some of it probably comes out in the driving, unfortunately.
let's face it, people are just unbalanced these days... according to latest statistics mental health problems are rife!
mad-moon
12-12-2018, 10:03
Doesn't help a lot when some goon does a multi lane change straight across your bows at speed on the M25 in heavy traffic. Plenty of idiots like that about who's behaviour just can't be predicted.
on reflection..If the goon had been patient? like most other drivers...could he have been counted as a good driver?..That's the problem with society today...everything is 100 miles per hour ....fast cars..fast food..fast everything
I think the three main things that make a good driver are observation, anticipation and consideration, practice those and you're most of the way there. Sadly the majority of drivers have none of those skills.
I'm beginning to think today's bad driving is more to do with bad attitude than anything, people have this sense of self entitlement that makes them think they can do whatever they like.
The establishment and media don't help either, I remember years ago we had a whole raft of road safety adverts on TV covering everything from lane discipline on roundabouts to reverse parking, today its speed and nothing else, drivers are brainwashed into believing that if they're not seeing thay must be a safe driver. Wrong
^^^ This
And also keeping in mind that driving is a privilege and not a 'right'. The arrogance and lack of consideration shown by many drivers today is astonishing.
People think they can just do whatever they want, "I want to drive in this lane" or "I want to park here" with absolutely no thought for anyone else.
I used to live near a busy hospital where we had huge problems with inconsiderate parking. One morning a Mini parked halfway across my drive, I left a note on the windscreen, next morning same car, same place. Following bit is slightly sad but I decided to follow the driver (woman in her 50s) home and block her drive. It worked perfectly, as she got out of her car I pulled halfway across her drive, got out of the car & was about to walk away when she calls after me saying "you can't park there"
It got better when her husband and a neighbour came out and ranted about how inconsiderate it was and my car should be crushed etc, their faces were a picture when I showed them photographs of her car parked across my drive in exactly the same manner. Her response was "well I work in the hospital so I have to park somewhere"
mad-moon
12-12-2018, 14:48
People think they can just do whatever they want, "I want to drive in this lane" or "I want to park here" with absolutely no thought for anyone else.
I used to live near a busy hospital where we had huge problems with inconsiderate parking. One morning a Mini parked halfway across my drive, I left a note on the windscreen, next morning same car, same place. Following bit is slightly sad but I decided to follow the driver (woman in her 50s) home and block her drive. It worked perfectly, as she got out of her car I pulled halfway across her drive, got out of the car & was about to walk away when she calls after me saying "you can't park there"
It got better when her husband and a neighbour came out and ranted about how inconsiderate it was and my car should be crushed etc, their faces were a picture when I showed them photographs of her car parked across my drive in exactly the same manner. Her response was "well I work in the hospital so I have to park somewhere"
:lol: priceless
Pigmy Pony
12-12-2018, 15:13
People think they can just do whatever they want, "I want to drive in this lane" or "I want to park here" with absolutely no thought for anyone else.
I used to live near a busy hospital where we had huge problems with inconsiderate parking. One morning a Mini parked halfway across my drive, I left a note on the windscreen, next morning same car, same place. Following bit is slightly sad but I decided to follow the driver (woman in her 50s) home and block her drive. It worked perfectly, as she got out of her car I pulled halfway across her drive, got out of the car & was about to walk away when she calls after me saying "you can't park there"
It got better when her husband and a neighbour came out and ranted about how inconsiderate it was and my car should be crushed etc, their faces were a picture when I showed them photographs of her car parked across my drive in exactly the same manner. Her response was "well I work in the hospital so I have to park somewhere"
Well done Gary, that's what's needed, direct action! I'd be tempted to let their tyres down, but the only problem is that the car will be stuck in front of your drive until they can find someone with the gumption to fix them - and that could take a while. :(
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