Good driver? How do you define?

[Gaz]

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]

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.

[Len Co]

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]

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

[NRG]

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.

[Gaz]

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]

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"

priceless

[Pigmy Pony]

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.