How's your driving skills?

[journeyman Mick]

Thought I'd ask people to rate their skills as a driver. I've read that most people believe themselves to have above average driving skills, which of course isn't possible, as then that would be the average . Of course an hour or so on the road usually tells me that the majority of people out there are very average indeed.
I thought I'd make a few arbitrary levels of skill for the poll:

1) I probably shouldn't be driving anymore, my reflexes and /or eyesight aren't that good and it's all I can do to keep the car on the road.

2) I'm a bit below average, not very confident in traffic or in poor weather or light conditions.

3) I'm just your average driver, have the neccesary skills to get from A to B, doesn't matter too much about the conditions or the traffic.

4) I have above average skills and experience, and believe I can react correctly in an emergency. Poor weather and light conditions aren't a problem, but I'll adjust my driving to suit.

5) I'm an advanced driver and have undergone training in advanced driving skills. I'm confident I can safely react to any adverse conditions or an emergency.

Personally I reckon I'm a "4", I've done some skid pan training in a fire truck and done a fair bit of high speed offroading, driving sideways but still in control. Driven heavy vehicles and a fair bit of long distance night time driving. The majority of my driving for the last fifteen years or so has been in utes and vans, mostly 4wd. High centre of gravity, very unequal weight distribution (either buggerall over the back wheels when empty, or a tonne extra over the back wheels), generally poor handling and brakes when compared to passenger vehicles of the same age. I can get most vehicles reversed into tight areas and parallel parking is fine as long as the vehicle has adequate mirrors.
I drive to the conditions and the only accident I had was years ago, when I got clipped by a drunkdriver in a 'cruiser ute with a bull bar. I squeezed onto the dirt to get past him as he was half in my lane coming towards me, but I didn't quite fit in the gap between him and the cutting. I managed to correct the skid he sent me into, but I overcorrected and didn't get the wheel back the other way fast enough. Car rolled 3 times, no one injured thankfully and the cops finally caught him halfway to the next town.

So how's your driving skills?

[Buzzer]

I would describe myself as below average in the city, avoid it if at all possible.

In the bush/rural roads/off road I would say experienced, above average.

Over time I have come to find out, the thing with drivers it always seems to be "someone else" that is the bad driver.

[Bob38S]

I voted a 4, I don't wish to skite but been driving [legally on the road] 41 years, accidents, 1 - hit a roo - not hard to do on bush roads,

Edit - I was referring to 4 wheels above - I have had 1 accident on 2 wheels as well - I was sideswiped into the table drain by a car.

Brief summary - not complete,

Driven - Australia - all parts, city and bush
New Zealand North and South Island - Cape Reinga to Bluff
UK - London to Wales to Scotland + Ireland and the Republic
Europe - Switzerland - all over

Have managed to keep all cars intact and occupants safe - despite the idiotic efforts of some of the other drivers I have come across.

Regards,
Bob

[tameriska]

I have put myself down as average, I have had two accidents, both with the other driver failing to give way/ obey road signs.
I havn't driven in a city, the biggest (other than my home town) I have driven in is Warnambool.
I tend to be cautious, I have seen too many stupid drivers in this town, and I dont want my car written off, too hard to get another of that model

[martrix]

I believe I'm in between 3 and 4. Never done any skid pan training etc, but do drive to the conditions.
Never caused an accident, but have been T-boned by someone not stopping and going through a stop sign. Also cleaned up a few road signs being stupid in the earlier days.

Also have on many occasions driven defensively to avoid an accident due to the other fwit actions.

[dazzler]

Good Poll Mick

Forget skid pan training. Its observation, anticipation and application of a constant system that counts.

cheers

dazzler

[Barry_White]

I put down a 4. I have been driving for 50 years. Drove a cab in Sydney for 13 years both day and night shifts. Drove a 10 tonne truck with twin steer for a couple of years and in the last 28 years as a sales rep have averaged 60,000 klms a year and have done a two day defensive driving course.

The last accident I had was 19 years ago which I was charged but was put into a situation by a truck who had driven off. My only other accident was 43 years ago at a set of traffic lights that were out.

The last 28 years have been country driving so I have hit several kangaroos. Trouble is they never give way to their right.

[fred.n]

Put myself down as a 3....... there's always room for improvement
Got my license at 15 and haven't had a crash yet
been run off the road a couple of time from people in cars not seeing the bike....now I have a loud bike
Been in cars when they have crashed but was just a passenger

[Andy Mac]

I have driven all sorts of vehicles and not all on the road....forklifts, earthmoving, mining and road buliding, as well as farm vehicles since I was 12, but despite that experience I'm pretty average really. Had the odd accident when I was young and silly.
I wear glasses when driving and that seems to be a real problem at night esp. when its raining, all sorts of refraction and glare. I drive far better forwards than backwards, my reversing skills being pretty woeful! I also tend to be one of those impatient bar-stewards, which makes me think I'd be better catching public transport at times!!

Cheers,

[bsrlee]

Just consider yourselves all very lucky I don't drive an automobile. Ditto one of my friends, who keeps a licence for employment reasons, but wisely never gets behind the wheel (and hasn't since he got his 'p's').

[MICKYG]

Fourty Six years always upright in all types of vehicle, no damage to any vehicle other than windscreens, two kangaroos, two grilles, had a couple of d*****ds run into the rear of one of the semi's I owned so I probably qualify as a good driver. This include's all highways, goat tracks and major cities with excepion of Darwin for many of these years.

Regards Mike.

[Wongo]

I always drive under the speed limits without holding up the traffic. No accidents, no speeding tickets and have not lost a demerit point. So I am pretty average.

[JDarvall]

I think I can be quite good when I'm switched on. Rarely use the brake etc. Watching intersections for people running red lights on me.....biggest fear that. Being T-boned on the drivers side.

But most of the time I'm driving , my heads in the clouds. Thinking about other things. Get really slack.

I think cars are made too comfortable. People drive like there playing a video game.

[johnc]

I'd rate a three, couple of accidents but no injuries, one roo, the odd ticket. The speed limit has always been a challenge thankyou for those speed control thingy's in the modern cars I'd be lost without it.

Having done the advanced driving courses and learnt as part of a mis spent youth to throw a car around, I'd have to say keeping out of trouble is a far more important skill than learning how to survive a situation over confidence has led you to.

These days I'm not quite as confident but seem to manage city and country driving without stressing the passengers to much. However I do feel there are plenty of others on the road far more capable, and perhaps that's an age thing.

[Grunt]

It comes down to situational awareness. Be aware of the road conditions, those around you and the vehicle you are driving.

Barry, 13 years in a cab would have to make you a kamakasi driver.