The making of a good driver

Mr. Manager

Having a debate here in work about what makes a good driver.

According to one chap it goes by the amount of points on your license.
If that is the case then I would be a somewhat bad driver as I have 6 points. Now I have not accumulated these points through reckless and dangerous driving. Was speeding (73 on the Rock Road which is 60) and coming off the Cherrywood exit doing 74 on a 60 - The reason it is 6 is because I failed to pay the penalty in time and was awarded 4 points thus making my total 6.

The same person did not even know what the white lines crossing the middle of the motorway (speed camera) was and continues to fly home doing ~160-170 and then braking on approach to this. To me that is dangerous driving. Another trait is to "brake test" people. I never heard of this until yesterday... Apparently if someone in front has cut you off or driving too slow etc you drive in front of them and then go on the brakes.

Again, to me that is extremely dangerous driving and idiotic.

In my opinion a good driver is someone who has a good sense of surroundings, knows the rules of the road (including safe motorway usage), Skill and a good head for concentration.

What do you think makes a good driver? Am I a bad driver because I have 6 points? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Vanbis

Cereal Rapist wrote: »

Having a debate here in work about what makes a good driver.

According to one chap it goes by the amount of points on your license.
If that is the case then I would be a somewhat bad driver as I have 6 points.

I certainly wouldn't agree with the above but then again you got those points for a reason, it still though doesn't mean your a bad driver but then again you thinking your a good driver which alot of people do is another down fall for everyone. This debate is endless but i looking out at the current weather conditions, i think been able to adapt for those is one of a good driver. I'm not looking forward to driving in it tomorrow but i'm more worried about everyone else then me.

Capt'n Midnight

*gets popcorn and awaits the 'penalty points are revenue points' brigade*

Atomic Pineapple

The making of a good driver:

• Lots of education and re education, someone always willing to learn
• Awareness of their own inabilities and faults and actively tries to correct them
• Confident but not cocky, they know their limits too. Nervous drivers are dangerous drivers.
• Someone who doesn't blindly follow what others are doing on the roads and drives in a manner fitting to the road they are on and the conditions of that road, weather etc.. and not someone that blindly follows a posted speed limit.

Penalty points are not an indicator of how good or bad a driver is, someone who is a bad driver can get away without ever being caught.

Mr. Manager

I agree that penalty points are there for a reason. To try and clamp down on repeat offending drivers as well as making some money but I honestly believe it's more about safety than money.

In terms of where I see myself on a scale of 1-10 it'd be somewhere in the region of 8-8.5. Losing points because I have a short temper and hurl abuse at other drivers but certainly would never "brake test" someone...

majnus

draffodx wrote: »

The making of a good driver:

• Lots of education and re education, someone always willing to learn
• Awareness of their own inabilities and faults and actively tries to correct them
• Confident but not cocky, they know their limits too. Nervous drivers are dangerous drivers.
• Someone who doesn't blindly follow what others are doing on the roads and drives in a manner fitting to the road they are on and the conditions of that road, weather etc.. and not someone that blindly follows a posted speed limit.

Penalty points are not an indicator of how good or bad a driver is, someone who is a bad driver can get away without ever being caught.

If I may add one more thing to your list - good driver should always anticipate when something is going to happen.