What is a "good" driver?

[p.dath]

I'm participating in a discussion paper at the moment about the driver licensing system. One of the things that keeps coming up is about making "better" drivers (actually this applies to all road users, cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, etc).

It seems to me that before a system can be modified to produce "good" drivers, you first have to decide what a "good" driver is. Otherwise you'll never get there.

So please, share your opinion with me. What does a "good" driver mean to you? I am specifically referring to the use of the public road network here.

[firefighter]

Me, i'm fucken awesome

[MSTRS:Me]

Someone who takes their brain with them, and leaves their ego at home?

[Bald Eagle]

A good driver applies full attention to the driving task. Has good mechanical skills to operate the equipment and is situationally aware of both his/her own vehicle and other road users and hazards in the environment.

[Scuba_Steve]

yea I'm with firefighter on this... Me

Someone who is 'aware' & can 'handle' their vehicle. That is it in simplest form.

[James Deuce]

Someone who is open to learning new things and learning from mistakes.

In other words: No NZ Licence holder.

[mashman]

I much prefer a 5 wood

Drivers who are courteous enough to understand that they're not the only person on the road, will share the road they're on, someone that'll drive to ALL of the conditions, road conditions, traffic conditions, vehicle conditions, personal condition etc...

[p.dath]

Me, i'm fucken awesome

86% of drivers believe they are above average.

[Drunken Monkey]

To put it simply, "Courteous and safe".

'Courteous' generally being shown by good practical application of the road code, driving in a manner which is not likely to frustrate other road users and driving in such a manner as to not frustrate one's self.

'Safe' generally meaning driving/riding in such a manner as to minimize or mitigate chances of damage or endangerment to self, others or property.

I think those are fair values to aim for.

[p.dath]

A good driver applies full attention to the driving task. Has good mechanical skills to operate the equipment and is situationally aware of both his/her own vehicle and other road users and hazards in the environment.

That's a good start, but I want something more like a checklist that a person can read and say, yes I do that, no I don't do that, so I'm a 2 star driver, 5 star driver, etc.

Something measurable. The problem with general concepts is that people can full themselves into believing they are "good".

[admenk]

Surely most of the contributors to KB, judging from their posts

[Scuba_Steve]

That's a good start, but I want something more like a checklist that a person can read and say, yes I do that, no I don't do that, so I'm a 2 star driver, 5 star driver, etc.

Something measurable. The problem with general concepts is that people can full themselves into believing they are "good".

problem is "good" is kinda a "how long is a piece of string" measure.

[Okey Dokey]

Checklist? Here are some ideas...

How often do I check my rear view mirror?
Do I indicate every time I go through a roundabout?
Do I clean my windscreen when it is dirty/frosty, or just rely on the wipers once I am already driving?
Do I understand and use the 2 second rule?

[Banditbandit]

Me, i'm fucken awesome

Him .. pick him ... he reckons he's a good driver ..

[Ronin]

86% of drivers believe they are above average.

Is that the same 86% of drivers who this this |============| is 8 inches?

Someone who has good observational skills. Sufficiant driving skills to handle extreme braking situation/ slides.