I disagree, I think for many people, the simple act of driving is so difficult that asking them to be conscientious of other people and their safety (signal, avoid tailgating, etc.) is like asking them to not only walk a tightrope, but solve calculus equations while doing so. Keep in mind the average person uses AOL and watches reality TV - we're not talking about rocket scientists here.
Anyway, due to above average spatial abilities I'd have to conclude that I'm above average in skill as well as safety.
Originally posted by: rh71
I'm aggressive/defensive in an SUV. I can probably hang with the NYC cabbies.
Anyway, I think the biggest key to being a "good driver" is anticipation and that comes with experience.
If you drive an SUV like a NYC cabbie, then the only reason you think you're good is because people are driving defensively around you and trying to get the sh1t away from you!
HardcoreRobot
Lifer
- Nov 7, 2000
- 16,403
- 3
- 81
KoolAidKid
Golden Member
- Apr 29, 2002
- 1,932
- 0
- 76
I can't remember the source, but the results of a large survey on this topic indicated that 80% of respondents think that they are above-average drivers.
I pay attention to the road and I think that puts me above at least 80% of all drivers out there. Too many people looking at the person next to them, their kids, or their cell phone.
alkemyst
No Lifer
- Feb 13, 2001
- 83,769
- 19
- 81
Driver X? Racer X perhaps you mean?
Either way just like fighting, most over estimate their abilities.
Take Mr. Mazda the other day (bright blue one, either a "3" or Protege I think had momo and moroso stickers and some Kanji).
Decided to try and cut from the left lane into the far right bike lane to blow through the Yellow light as traffic slowed. Dude got served by the metal pole sticking up at the corner...
Being able to drive fast doesn't mean you go reckless on the street, you may be able to handle negotiating traffic at double their speed, but doing a flyby on grandma moses usually ends up causing her to overreact and car pinball ensues.
All that said, lately it's the motorcycle (crotchrocket guys) causing the problems with high speed lane-splits and pulling wheelies while doing them.
Perfect time to be clueless and picture them in your blindspot.
Either way just like fighting, most over estimate their abilities.
Take Mr. Mazda the other day (bright blue one, either a "3" or Protege I think had momo and moroso stickers and some Kanji).
Decided to try and cut from the left lane into the far right bike lane to blow through the Yellow light as traffic slowed. Dude got served by the metal pole sticking up at the corner...
Being able to drive fast doesn't mean you go reckless on the street, you may be able to handle negotiating traffic at double their speed, but doing a flyby on grandma moses usually ends up causing her to overreact and car pinball ensues.
All that said, lately it's the motorcycle (crotchrocket guys) causing the problems with high speed lane-splits and pulling wheelies while doing them.
Perfect time to be clueless and picture them in your blindspot.
- Nov 10, 2004
- 2,003
- 1
- 81
It's not useless, its informing you what your fellow drivers think.
what use is the poll supposed to be? other than amusement...
- Nov 10, 2004
- 2,003
- 1
- 81
I a very good driver. On my prom date, I drove my gf's new Accord (stick). I remember saying "I just saw this in Lethal Weapon." I passed between two cars on a 2 lane freeway (Highway 17 to Santa Cruz, CA no less). She was impressed but tried to mask it with anger.
Hahaha I'd be too worried about fvcking the car up man, but nice job. I'd be thinking the whole time that if anything happened I wouldn't have the money to pay for it.
I'm a good driver because I learned in and still primarily drive a big car (91 Ford LTD Country Squire LX). What puts me above average is that I follow all the rules (well, except the speed limit, I go speed of traffic and occasionally over) and can maneuver pretty well. I'm hoping that we get a small car or at least a mid-sized car that way I'll look even better.
Edit: I should add that in Sacramento, it is not hard to be an above average driver. There are so many fvcking soccer moms who took out a second loan against their house so they could buy themselves a fvcking Escalade and think that makes them queen of the road. I love cutting those fvckheads off, and that's the only time I show any kind of below average skill.
If everyone is above average.....then wouldn't everyone BE averageOriginally posted by: Tiamat
What does it mean when "above average" is average
mugs
Lifer
- Apr 29, 2003
- 48,920
- 46
- 91
How much skill is involved in driving on roads? Gas, brake, turn. What's more important is being aware of your surroundings so that when you gas/brake/turn, you don't hit something. Racing requires skill, driving requires attentiveness which many drivers lack.
Scarpozzi
Lifer
- Jun 13, 2000
- 26,391
- 1,780
- 126
I drive a Buick Regal so I have power, but it is a Buick. Too big to really corner well. If I didn't care about my suspension and tires, I would let it slide a little more on the road. I selected above average, but I'm really above above average when I'm trying...
GeekDrew
Diamond Member
- Jun 7, 2000
- 9,099
- 19
- 81
dunno... I'm sure I'm not a *great* driver... but I think I'm a better driver than a lot of the people around here. I'm still not used to driving in the city very much, just because I had really never done that, until recently. I'm more used to driving in the country, in the suburbs, and on the interstates. Most of the time I drive like a bat out of hell, but I'm always careful of what I'm doing, etc. Dunno :-\ Seems that whenever I drive with someone else in the car, tho, I always make an extremely stupid mistake of some sort... like turning the wrong way onto a one-way street. Have no idea why, but it seems that whenever I have a passenger with me -- and only then -- I have this tendency to turn left onto a particular one-way street (that runs to the right).
hahaha same here... I drive a Buick Regal GS... when I'm on paved roads, I usually don't let it slide much (if at all), but when I'm on dirt roads, all bets are off.
hahaha same here... I drive a Buick Regal GS... when I'm on paved roads, I usually don't let it slide much (if at all), but when I'm on dirt roads, all bets are off.
rh71
No Lifer
- Aug 28, 2001
- 52,844
- 1,049
- 126
Funny, I drove my wife's Accord the same way. My mom's Talon also (it's funny when she yells at me). When was the last time you drove an SUV ? It's not like I'm making 90-degree turns... quick lane changes are hardly different than a regular sedan. The only difference I have to be aware of is braking distance and that's where anticipation comes in. I've been driving an SUV for 10 (going on 11) years now... how about you ?Originally posted by: J0hnny
Originally posted by: rh71
I'm aggressive/defensive in an SUV. I can probably hang with the NYC cabbies.
Anyway, I think the biggest key to being a "good driver" is anticipation and that comes with experience.
If you drive an SUV like a NYC cabbie, then the only reason you think you're good is because people are driving defensively around you and trying to get the sh1t away from you!
nakedfrog
No Lifer
- Apr 3, 2001
- 61,915
- 17,676
- 136
Attentiveness isn't enough. Skill takes over where attentiveness leaves off. No matter how attentive you are, that's not going to stop some screwball from trying to merge into you, or stop another one from turning left in front of you when you have a green light, or stop a deer from running out into the street in front of you. Skill (and a bit of luck) determines what action you take and how successful you are when these things happen.
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