How Good A Driver Are You?

-Chris-

Simple question - How good a driver do you think you are?

Harder question - Why did you give the answer you gave?



P.S. To get the ball rolling, I've voted Pretty Damn Good...

I'm not brilliant, I know I need to work on some aspects.

I've got good observance skills and I'm actively trying to be a better driver.

I disobey speed limits, but I consider myself to be quick, rather than too fast (if you know what I mean).

I'm relatively kind to my cars, mechanically - I try to be smooth.

I do get caught out with overconfidence every so often, although I have very few "near misses".

dr.bollocko

I am a crap driver.
Because everyone who posts under here will doubtless tell me why.

Frank Spencer

I'll let you judge..... I'm posting this on my laptop while driving (slowly) through Phibsboro.

How good am I?

L-M

I voted myself pretty dam good because it's the only thing between being average and brilliant. The only thing i lack what everyone else does, and will never have enough of, experience.

superjosh9

What's with all the polls?!

I once won a cup for go-karting! Therefore, obviously I'm better than Schumacher, right?!?

biko

Good driver.

Since I started driving in the 90s - never been in a collision (was bumped into from behind once when I was a passenger). Never been off the road. Never scraped the car.

*fingers crossed it stays this way*

-Chris-

superjosh9 wrote: »

What's with all the polls?!

Dunno, I just saw a few polls that didn't descend into squabbling, they seem to help people stay on topic and get some good debate going - the bit I like about boards. So I thought I'd ask everyone else some questions that I ask myself fairly often - to see what the consensus was!

cabrwab

Im not going to say i'am amazing, so ill put myself down as average.
Im not a bad driver either, but when i think of amazing i think f1 drivers or the german one that appears on top gear. So average is the best place for me. Can always learn more!

superjosh9

AudiChris wrote: »

Dunno, I just saw a few polls that didn't descend into squabbling, they seem to help people stay on topic and get some good debate going - the bit I like about boards. So I thought I'd ask everyone else some questions that I ask myself fairly often - to see what the consensus was!

dinnay worry - twas a rhetorical question!

jacool

I'm not brilliant.

I've got excellent observation skills (ex-biker).

I disobey speed limits,and just got done !

I never use the phone or do girlie things like look at someone when I talk to them (this scares me !!)

Never in an accident, never even close ! (Oh, I've to drive home now !)

superjosh9

actually - that is one thing I never ever do - I never talk on the phone.

Biro

superjosh9 wrote: »

actually - that is one thing I never ever do - I never talk on the phone.

Ever? Or just while driving?

Gary ITR

I put myself down as pretty dman good. I do a lot of driving for work and see some crazy things. I feel I am good at reading things and can spot the idiot before he/she does something stupid.

I'd like to hear the reason the 4 people (so far) have put themselves down as brilliant

ergonomics

I went with average as I just passed my test a month ago. I passed with only 2 marks though.

I never disobey speed limits. I have very good observations skills and am good at anticipating what someone is going to do. Don't talk on the phone or look at someone while I'm driving. I still could do with gaining experience though, I know that but I'm confident with most things except overtaking!

Volvoboy

Honest:o

I'm bordering on dangerious/crap.

I speed.
I tailgate.
Get distracted with shop windows / Hoochie mama's with greyhound skirts.
Get road rage.
Use a I-pod while driving.
Seldom indicate.

1 peno point for making a illegal left turn

One good point i dont use a phone:cool:

And i've never crashed, well did bounce a car off a kerb for looking at hochie mama's with the skirts, only thing was two blown tyres and a damaged ego.

I've been driving for about 2 1/2 years

Oh ya i'm a taxi driver too:D

peasant

Put myself down as pretty damn good for the following reasons:

Have licences and experience for bikes & trucks as well, which gives you a totally different outlook on driving and better road and traffic "reading skills".

Haven't had an accident in 18 years and generally manage not to get myself into hairy situations

I'm far from brilliant though ...I'd be diabolical on a racecourse or rallying and I still do get very impatient with dawdlers.

bwardrop

Like some of the others I put myself down as 'pretty damn good' because I think I am better than average, but far from brilliant. What pops to mind re: my driving:

- No points on my license
- Try not to break the speed limit by more than 10% these days, but...
- ...I have been in court for speeding (before points were introduced)
- Have been in court for 2 other really minor offenses (ignoring (not seeing) a 'no left turn' sign & subsequently turning left!)
- I get frustrated at other drivers from time to time
- Never been in a crash / accident (touch wood)
- Never had what I would consider a close call - that was my fault!
- Will pull in for a kip if I feel drowsy
- Think I have good observational skills

I should point out that I was a terrible (immature) driver for years. Had this poll been around back then I would have said I was the greatest driver the country had seen... Don't know what has changed - the court appearances were a wake up call I guess, but I think it is just general maturity.

Tipsy Mac

Driving 7 years no crashes given or received .

Wishbone Ash

I'd say I'm average (even though I have a full unrestricted licence in A, A1, B, BE, C, C1, CE, C1E, D, D1, DE, D1E, M and W).

Driving over 20 years with no accidents that were my fault - (rear ended twice)!

I have 2 points on my licence though .

Good drivers are a very rare breed indeed!

-Chris-

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Good drivers are a very rare breed indeed!

Indeed! I'd hope to be a Good Driver some day. I've been intending to do an IAM or ROSPA course for ages, but keep "having better things to do". I'd love to get to a proper, trained, advanced level.

ianobrien

I voted 2 stars - not great because:

1. I've given up being polite on the roads as nobody else seems to be.
2. I can't stand the fast lane hogs, especially when travelling under the speed limit (so I'll take the left lane, and keep at the limit)
3. As soon as the lights go green, I'm off. So watch out those who break the red light in the other direction, as I'm coming, and not stopping (if there's an accident, it's your fault, as you broke the red light)
4. I drive at the speed limit everywhere (except outside schools and in estates after school closing time, and all day in estates in the summer) and I hate those who brake for every corner. The car will take the corner!

Despite that, if the poll was about the person's technical ability to control a car, I'd say fairly good, due to all the time spend driving as hard as I could down Farmer's lanes, private roads, Forest tracks and in fields in car's I didn't care about. I've spent a while driving an AX GT, and on wet & slippy roads and gravel lanes, it's bloody good fun (and most of the time is spent looking out the side window to see where you're going).

Ah, the joy's of a French Hot Hatch, Lift off oversteer, gravel roads and left foot braking.......

Webmonkey

said Id put myself down for ***** Stars - Sorry but ever since I crashed a few years ago (thread on it) I became obsessed with safety and I don't trust other drivers what so ever on the road. If I ever crashed my new car I would die - so thats another reason.

Plug

I can't drive and Im a mechanic:(

Hotwheels

You forgot Foglights

Volvoboy wrote: »

Honest:o

I'm bordering on dangerious/crap.

I speed.
I tailgate.
Get distracted with shop windows / Hoochie mama's with greyhound skirts.
Get road rage.
Use a I-pod while driving.
Seldom indicate.

1 peno point for making a illegal left turn

One good point i dont use a phone:cool:

And i've never crashed, well did bounce a car off a kerb for looking at hochie mama's with the skirts, only thing was two blown tyres and a damaged ego.

I've been driving for about 2 1/2 years

Oh ya i'm a taxi driver too:D

Volvoboy

Hotwheels wrote: »

You forgot Foglights

oeb

I put myself down as crap.


Because you are only as good a driver as the dumb asshole that's sharing the road with you.

Ferris

I put down average, because I've crap observation and am really impatient. I also think that i'm still learning.

On the upside I feel that I can control a car pretty well especially when in adverse situations. When I finally see something my reactions are good. Also I can parallel park with a trailer.

Most importantly I have finished Gran Turismo 4 so I must be ok:D

L1011

Probably utterly ****. I habitually speed, for one thing... I've *read* Roadcraft but never got around to trying to actually do the IAM training/test.

pburns

I think I'm a reasonably good road driver - and am considered as such. Good observation, confident, can make good progress etc.

The galling thing is though that I have a couple of friends who drive like old grannies on the road. One is a nervy as feck, forever stomping on brakes, really jerky. But put 'em in go-karts and they're like Alonso & Hamilton (without the hissy-fits). They shed their inhibitions once on a track whereas I'm the opposite - it takes me a while to get into a groove and be confident in a different driving environment. In time I'd probably grind 'em down but I've only done karting 3 or 4 times.

There are some great stories of F1 drivers on the road. Gilles Villeneuve was a maniac, he used to time himself across Europe to his home in Monaco in a 308 GTB. Senna used to nonchantly opposite-lock his 500SEC around roundabouts in Surrey with one arm hanging out the window taxi-driver style. And Mika Hakkinen, when just over from Finland in his pre-F1 days followed his boss' instruction to go 'straight-through' the next roundabout by flooring his hire-car straight OVER said obstacle flat-out without batting an eyelid...

RobAMerc

I read an article recently that said about 70% of drivers consider themsleves above average....funny I have yet to meet one person I feel would be classed above average.

Anyway - I consider myself to be average at best - I have driven everything from competitive go carts to Porsches but there is still a millioin things I need to learn and probably a million times per journey when I have missed something due playing with the stereo or rowing with the boss lady.

Max_Damage

Not great to be honest.

At times though, I tend to piss off other drivers, either for fun or 'revenge' i.e. If there is someone tailgating me, I will go on the brakes. I don't indicate changing lands on a motorway or at quite alot of junctions. I drive fast through residential areas aswell. And to be honest, I don't care really!

Wishbone Ash

RobAMerc wrote: »

I read an article recently that said about 70% of drivers consider themsleves above average....funny I have yet to meet one person I feel would be classed above average

+1

Steve

I voted ****stars simply because I believe I know my limitations and realise that no matter how good you think you are, every day is still a learning experience.

Mr Benevolent

In general, the more experienced a driver (applies to pilots as well) the more they see themselves as needing to improve. I know two test pilots who consider themselves to be average, while people with half the experience consider themselves fantastic in the air. It's the old story.

Since I haven't got my full licence I wouldn't even show up on the poll. If I ever had the temerity to consider myself "pretty damned good" or "brilliant" I promise to start praying to the patron saint of crumple zones, St. Ncap.

Great thread.

Panda Moanium

Really depends on the definition of good, e.g. ref comments above about racing drivers, certainly not good drivers by conventional public road driving definitions.

Anyhow, my good points.
- Driving for 23 years without a single accident or significant moment. Do big mileage - in excess of 80k km per annum.
- Passed car driving test first time with only a single driving lesson, and that on the morning of the test (although that might not be a good point!). Had been driving tractors since about eight years of age, and was able to drive cars off-road as soon as my feet could reach the pedals.
- Clean licence, never had points or been done for speeding.
- Full truck and bike licences (not that they are used much, but as already said they do give you a different perspective). Passed all first time, but did go for lessons for these...
- Have passed the IAM course in the UK.
- Have driven extensively all over world including countries as diverse as Pakistan, India, Hong Kong, Chile, Brazil, Bahrain etc.
- Fairly competent rally driver and can hold my own around a race track. I like to feel that I know how to handle a car at the limit.
- Don't drive excessively fast on public roads - at or just marginally above speed limit where conditions allow.
- And finally what I consider the big one. I treat driving as a privilege, not a right. I always try to concentrate fully when driving - to be aware of conditions, speed limits, other road users, potential hazards, always indicate, don't brake unnecessarily, never impede someone who wants to get past me.

God, I'm good am I not?

Bad points
- Probably push on a bit too much. I rarely drive anywhere slowly (although when I do, that's when I find my concentration lapsing which raises an interesting observation about 'safe' driving).
- A certain lack of patience with other road users who don't know what they are doing. Have been known to undertake overtaking lane hoggers that refuse to pull over, and am not adverse to overtaking a line of cars if conditions allow - even if that means temporarily exceeding the speed limit.

So sadly by the standards of a significant number of posters to Motors I'm a very bad driver indeed!

But to seriously rate myself, I consider myself competent, but always see room to improve. Touch wood I'll never have an accident, but I often think a small one every now and again might be no harm to anyone not to think themselves infallible drivers.

Zube

I selected "Average" because I have no clue if I'm any better than that. Obviously I'm better than Micra-driving hat-wearing nuns from Mayo, but then the average driver is, too.

daveharnett

Good thread. I would observe a minor flaw in the poll: in this country (EDIT: or at least my little part of it), "Average" = "not great".

I went for average on the basis that it is supposed to mean 'competent'. I'm aware of my and my car's limitations, and I try to drive within them. I try to be considerate to other road users, and I generally don't let muppets bother me.

However I also catch myself driving on autopilot on my daily commute more often than I'd like.

Marcus.Aurelius

I voted pretty damn good. I'm always watching myself to look for improvements, it's a lifelong learning process.

That sentiment seems lost on a lot of other people though, they've driven the same for 20-40 years and will never change.

De Hipster

I'd consider myself 'Pretty Damn Good' ...but then doesn't everyone?!

I'm (IMO) highly observant - constantly watching for hazards; the road ahead, other road users, surroundings etc.

I use my mirrors frequently.

I'm considerate to other roads users.

I'm easy on a vehicle & maintain my car to the highest levels of safety, mehanical and asethetic standards.

I have 7yrs + claims free driving.

My downfalls are:
My lack of patience in regard to the often woeful standards of driving in this country.
I speed, always within reasonable touch of the limits & never innapproapiately (IMO).
I can be inconsiderate when parking to avoid trolley dents & small children knocking lumps out of my motor.

Mad Dog

I voted average.

Been driving about 25 years now and last 20 been employed as a HGV driver, driven all over Europe and not had any major accidents yet that were my fault. Been on defensive driving courses, even did the Hibernian Ignition course a few years back and get regularly assessed in work by my companies driving assessor.

I find the standard of driving on our roads to be getting worse and too many people think they are great drivers, although if the truth be known they are a lot worse than average.

That is why I put myself as average.

RobAMerc

Mad Dog wrote: »

I voted average.

Been driving about 25 years now and last 20 been employed as a HGV driver, driven all over Europe and not had any major accidents yet that were my fault. Been on defensive driving courses, even did the Hibernian Ignition course a few years back and get regularly assessed in work by my companies driving assessor.

I find the standard of driving on our roads to be getting worse and too many people think they are great drivers, although if the truth be known they are a lot worse than average.

That is why I put myself as average.

Well said mate

peasant

Lovely to see all these experienced drivers teaching us a lesson in humility by classing themselves as "average".

To be honest ... to me that smacks a bit of "political correctness" .

If the statistical average of Irish drivers are crap (which they are) and you can honestly say that you're better than the statistical average (because you have more experience/less points or accidents than the average) then I think you have a right to call yourself a "pretty damn good" driver in the context of this poll.

As long as you don't rest on your laurels and keep alert and your driving habits in check I can't see anything wrong with classing yourself as a good driver.

Honey-ec

Panda Moanium wrote: »

Have been known to undertake overtaking lane hoggers that refuse to pull over.

Slightly OT, but didn't they change the law last year so that it is perfectly legal to pass on the inside lane on a dual/triplecarriageway or motorway if the traffic in that lane is moving faster than the traffic in the outside lane/s?

Reason being that the original definition of undertaking and related laws were written when practically every road in the country was a single carriageway and hadn't been updated to account for multiple-lane roads.

TheFixer

I couldn't pick between 1 star or 5 stars because I'm dangerously brilliant. So good that other drivers have crashed when the seen my brilliance.

So I picked 3 stars.

peasant

Honey-ec wrote: »

Slightly OT, but didn't they change the law last year so that it is perfectly legal to pass on the inside lane on a dual/triplecarriageway or motorway if the traffic in that lane is moving faster than the traffic in the outside lane/s?

Nope ...wrong !

There is a general "keep left" rule in place. Only when you are overtaking should you be in the rigth lane (and pull in left again, when you're done)

Passing out slower traffic on the left is only allowed when it's no longer condsidered "overtaking" ...i.e when there are two solid colums of traffic in either lane and the one in the left just happens to go faster than the one in the right.

A handful of cars blocking up the right hand lane is just drivers breaking the keep left rule but not a valid reason to overtake them in the left lane.


and now back to topic ...

Honey-ec

peasant wrote: »

Nope ...wrong !

There is a general "keep left" rule in place. Only when you are overtaking should you be in the rigth lane (and pull in left again, when you're done)

Passing out slower traffic on the left is only allowed when it's no longer condsidered "overtaking" ...i.e when there are two solid colums of traffic in either lane and the one in the left just happens to go faster than the one in the right.

A handful of cars blocking up the right hand lane is just drivers breaking the keep left rule but not a valid reason to overtake them in the left lane.


and now back to topic ...

That's exactly what I meant - but every day callers to LiveDrive complain about drivers "undertaking" them in this way when what they really mean is that the traffic in the inside lane just happens to be driving faster than that in the outside.

Obviously if someone is in the outside lane, pulls into the inside lane to get past the person in front of them and then immediately pulls back into the outside lane, then this is still undertaking.

r3nu4l

I class myself as above average:

I used to cycle a lot so I watch out for cyclists

My mate is a biker so I watch out for motorbikes

My Dad was a truck-driver so I know how poor their rear-view visibility is so I stay a good distance behind vans and trucks.

I don't use a phone while driving

I have excellent observation and always know what's going on at least 300 M up the road (where visible).

I always indicate before I move out and (where appropriate) on roundabouts.

I always look over my right shoulder when merging with traffic or changing lanes to avoid the blind-spot problem.

I'm careful with the use of my headlights and fog lights.

So why didn't I give myself 5 stars? On A-roads and M-ways I speed when the road conditions, traffic conditions and weather are good enough to allow me to. It's still speeding no matter how I justify it.

Duckjob

I gave myself four stars, which makes me above average - who isn't an "above average" driver ?

My good points:
- I think I maintain a very good awareness of what is around me on the road.
- I never get beeped for not noticing a car when switching lanes etc.
- I think that I drive in a way that makes it easy for other drivers to predict my actions.
- I never, ever, take chances when overtaking.


My bad points:
- I probably allow my mood to dictate my driving style a bit
- In creeping traffic my concentration flags - I've had a few tips in that situation - one time embarrassingly rolling into the back of the car in front while trying to adjust the stereo (which was sliding around on the floor by its wires)
- (lack of) female attire on warm sunny days poses too much of a distraction for me.

Balfa

Good thread. I came into it intending to vote brilliant, but all these people with decades of experience, multiple licences and additional certification knocked my self esteem down a peg
So I picked 4 stars. To be honest, from their descriptions, I'd consider the likes of Panda and Peasant to be brilliant and it'd be an injustice to the poll if they weren't considered so.

I'm very observant (seems to be what most people are praising themselves for), never drive on "autopilot", know how to read a situation as it unfolds, often (though probably not enough) like to waft along casually while the world whizzes by in the fast lane. Been rear ended twice while stopped. But never caused an accident, never had a ticket, etc.

On the downside, I do exceed the speed limit, considerably at times. But it's very much a cultural thing over here I have been pulled over once for doing 60mph in a 40 zone, but he let me off without a ticket I'm a fairly aggressive driver, in that I TAKE right of way while others are hesitating, though I've never experienced anything resembling a hairy situation for doing this... I tend to do it in carparks and whatnot, not at speed.

The funny thing is, my wife and I consider ourselves much better drivers than other people we might give lifts to or receive lifts from, but those people point out things we do that they think are appalling. We still know we're right But it just goes to show you can't trust peoples' opinion of what good driving is

Just a quick example before I go: this complete gobpoo pulls out of a car park in front of me and proceeds to drive at 5-10mph as they do over here. I wouldn't have to "slam" on the brakes, but I'd definitely have to brake and waste an awful lot of kinetic energy if I were to stay behind them. So I indicate, pop out into the next lane, indicate again, pop back in in front of them, indicate again, turn into my carpark entrance maybe 50-100m ahead. My sister in law in the backseat was horrified and said she HATES people who pull in in front of someone and then turn in front of them. Thing is, the speed difference between me and gobpoo was so great that I was way ahead of them by the time I turned and didn't come close to inconveniencing them. The alternative was for me to be inconvenienced. It's a no brainer to me and my wife, but my sister in law disagreed adamantly. She's like that

Balfa

Duckjob wrote: »

- I think that I drive in a way that makes it easy for other drivers to predict my actions.

Oh! I want to steal that one. I always preach it, and hold myself up as a shining beacon of how to drive in such a smooth and deliberate way

L1011

Duckjob wrote: »

- (lack of) female attire on warm sunny days poses too much of a distraction for me.

Theres only one fix for that unfortunately , and you end up getting distracted by the opposite instead