What is a "good" driver?

[Usarka]

Focused on the task at hand.
Decisive.

86% of drivers believe they are above average.

Ignoring the fact that most NZ drivers are shit, it is entirely possible statistically for 86% to be above average.

[Scuba_Steve]

Thanks for all your valuable input. Below is an initial list of what I have compiled for what I consider to be a good driver. I'm interested in your comments.

Think your well on to it there

You're missing one point: a good driver should never hesitate to say sorry after making a mistake

Well theres a question right there, how do you apologize for an honest mistake when you can't talk to them? I'm sure many an apology goes misunderstood as a "i don't care" or "up yours".

[PirateJafa]

The "best" driver in any given road situation is the one in the largest vehicle, of course.

I love our work trucks.

[James Deuce]

Well theres a question right there, how do you apologize for an honest mistake when you can't talk to them? I'm sure many an apology goes misunderstood as a "i don't care" or "up yours".

There's a variety of non-verbal ways to communicate from the interior of your vehicle. Do you really need help with that? Most people do insult other drivers when they make mistakes. There is no misunderstanding a middle finger, a waved fist, or an angry blast of the horn. Get it a lot from people who refuse to Give Way.

I think that people need to wander up to hospital after they've hurt someone and apologise. Doesn't happen though. Similarly they should attend the funerals of people they kill and apologise to the entire extended family.

[Scuba_Steve]

There's a variety of non-verbal ways to communicate from the interior of your vehicle. Do you really need help with that? .

you think so? first theres the seats to contend with so it has to be high enough to see tint doesn't help. most i've seen look like the "i didn't see you but I didn't really care either" shrug. the "I don't know what i'm doing" arm wave/spasm. the "hi too late now u miss out" wave. all of these can be taken 2 or more ways so none of them are a perfect apology gesture

[p.dath]

The physical qualities first point section is BS. If you're relying on measurable neurological reaction times on the road then you're already a shit driver.

I'm talking about qualities that make a good driver, not a shit driver. Even with good planning, a very small percentage of problems occur with little warning. It seems to me that a good driver would be able to respond rapidly to these.

Perhaps a better way of putting it is that a "good" driver should operate their machine within their own physical limitations, such as reaction time, eyesight, etc.

This acknowledges that some older drivers who react slower but drive slower to compensate are just as good as some younger drivers who go faster but can react faster? Or are you in complete disagreement?

You may want to listen to this point folks. People keep saying this and you're ignoring it Mr Dath.

I don't know why you think I'm ignoring it. I haven't even commented on it. And now I have added it to my list as it seems reasonable.

[Marmoot]

Think your well on to it there



Well theres a question right there, how do you apologize for an honest mistake when you can't talk to them? I'm sure many an apology goes misunderstood as a "i don't care" or "up yours".

Open your window and put your hand up with all 5 fingers, not just the middle finger.

[James Deuce]

I'm talking about qualities that make a good driver, not a shit driver. Even with good planning, a very small percentage of problems occur with little warning. It seems to me that a good driver would be able to respond rapidly to these.

Perhaps a better way of putting it is that a "good" driver should operate their machine within their own physical limitations, such as reaction time, eyesight, etc.

This acknowledges that some older drivers who react slower but drive slower to compensate are just as good as some younger drivers who go faster but can react faster? Or are you in complete disagreement?

Fast reaction times are not a benchmark for a good driver. A good driver NEVER gets themselves into the position where they need to use them. An average one will from time to time and most kiwis will make lots of comments about real and perceived near-misses.

You only have to trawl through KB on any given day to see people posting about near-misses and refusing to take any responsibility for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Road use needs to fit a broad range of human capabilities and not just be the preserve of "super beings" capable of reacting under a pre-defined limit. If you're going to start using arbitray physical parameters as the measure of a "good" driver then you'll eliminate most of the population, especially those who think it's OK to drink and drive, even under the current arbitrary alcohol limits.

More to the point as a "good" driver you should be able to spot those around you who may not conform to your own capabilities and therefore need a wide berth and some consideration.

[Latte]

I don't know why you think I'm ignoring it. I haven't even commented on it. And now I have added it to my list as it seems reasonable.

Isn't that what ignoring is ?

[p.dath]

Isn't that what ignoring is ?

It's hard to listen when your talking.

[Usarka]

It's hard to listen when your talking.

?????

Is that the same as saying "if I want your opinion I'll give it to you"?

[Banditbandit]

Simple ..

Ability to control the vehicle at ALL times

Awareness of other road users

Courtesy

[Swoop]

Ignoring the fact that most NZ drivers are shit, it is entirely possible statistically for 86% to be above average.

"Above average" driving skills... for where? Pakistan? Guatemala? Tanzania?

I think the first nine words of your post are the most important.

[Banditbandit]

Focused on the task at hand.
Decisive.



Ignoring the fact that most NZ drivers are shit, it is entirely possible statistically for 86% to be above average.

Yeah .. that's statistically possible .. but highly unlikely as human populations tend to exhibit Bell Curve results close to the standard model - and therefore the average is usually pretty close to the middle - roughly 50% above and 50% below.

Given the behaviours I see on the road I think it is far more likely that 86% of New ZEaland drivers are below average ...

[Katman]

You're missing one point: a good driver should never hesitate to say sorry after making a mistake, or objectively evaluate the possibility of having made a mistake when pointed out to by someone to learn and progress from it (rather than simply act defensively in such occassion).

That's almost signature material.

The standard excuse given on Kiwibiker for motorcycle accidents is "There was nothing I could do".

When asked to think very carefully whether there was in fact something they could have done, the standard response is "Fuck you wanker, you weren't there".