a little survey

[clivvy]

I got "assessed" a couple of years ago, and id say (but i would, wouldnt i?!) that my driving has improved. its improved because i dont "speed" any where near as much (regardless of the Lotus on my drive, snigger). the chap that assessed me gave me a good review (speed awareness course). no points onmi licence, passed driving test first time when i was 17, although I dont class myself as a great driver, I think you have to have a certain amount of confidence in your own driving ability, otherwise you shouldnt really be on the road!

Originally Posted by daved

So particularly those of you awarding yourself high numbers, when was the last time you were assesed ? or more relevantly when was the last time you were assessed in a different vehicle, ie wagon driver put through an advanced in a car , testing skills rather than familiarity ?
The results could be quite interesting If you dont have a benchmark I do see how you can asses yourself very well at all.

Theres very few people maintain original skills to a degree that is really useful, its human nature. Good one being the motorcyclists "lifesaver" I know a few ex motorcyclists who drop that once their behind a wheel where as i and others always have that cheeky little look over the shoulder in certain situations.

Ive done a similar survey to Briggie as part of a driving course and we were told whatever youve put knock at very least 10% off, three hard weeks and hundreds of miles proved that figure is quite modest

Theres the old annecdote of the elderly couple, Horace and Doris whove never had a collision in their driving career. Theyve seen loads in their mirrors and lots of drivers especially heavies beep their horns at them On motorways quite a few people drive past shaking their heads, no idea why but Horace is a superb driver thanks.

Sadly theres loads of Horaces out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[4wheel]

6 on driving ability - not as good( or as brave/stupid) as I used to be when younger.I think a 7 on awarenes as for many years drove in a country where pedestrians and animals on the highway were the norm.Never managed to hit one.Makes you keep your eyes wide open and is a habit I still have.Never trust anyone,even with their indicator on !!

[makeitfit]

I answered the question. I "rate" myself that way for highway code type driving not pursuit or rally driving.
Somewhat tongue in cheek at 10 sure but I have passed my advanced driving test and the only down comment was that my windscreen was a tad fly bound
I've done a couple of rally driving courses and 4x4 safety courses.
Regularly drive huge LWB panel vans for kitchen delivery etc and also drive many different cars weekly.
I've not got HGV but have driven the 3 tonne lorries for a kitchen company and moved house ourselves with them.
spent years working on farms with all manner of wierd and not always functional vehicles there too.
I've taught all three of my kids to drive . The first two passed and the third looks like he'll not need any paid for lessons at all
as regards speeding, well as the advanced motorists will know, we advocate safe speed in the right place.
OOO just remembered I won a car handling course too. We had to drive a car (not ours) with a trailer on , down a sort of maze. turn round with it and out again.
Also a blind man driving thing I was blindfold and had to be told left right stop etc. Did that and won too with quality reversing to boot
Plod in the hedge is a fly in the ointment
I wish I could do the course the next time I get nicked

[larson]

last year i hit a dog and over took a copper at 85... (different days)

not the best driving

[Liam]

Well, I'm probably going to upset a few on here. When I was a driving instructor a long,long time ago, I used to advise learner drivers to always give a few extra yards when behind a driver (male or female) wearing a hat. I had learned that for whatever reason, people wearing hats while driving were more prone to doing something daft, not indicating,not looking behind,using wrong indicator etc.etc. Still applies today. Can't guarantee a good driver if a person isn't wearing a hat but if the hat is on the head you can safely put your mortgage on it that they will do something daft. Even works if you spot their hat on the back parcel shelf.LOL

[illy]

Originally Posted by daved

Horace

LOL cheers Daved. I like your comment about bikes and driving assessments as I passed my direct access 6 years ago for the bike previous to that it was about 1972 when I passed my car test. What an eye opener when I did my direct access, highway code was nearly as thick as an Argos catalog, and the hazard perception videos really made me think, and I now do my life saver in the car. Still get my knee down on the bike though.

illy

PS most people haven't read the highway code since they passed there car test ( you no you really should)

[Deleted account DD]

some top comments

All interesting stuff.

Liam, I'd agree theres certain stereotypes

ne thing I have noticed is if theres one of the "new" minis being driven badly you can put quite a bit of dosh on it being a blond female driving (around here anyway ive noticed)

[terranobreakershropshire]

depends.... some would say a lwb maverick broadside on a wet roundabout bad, i keep telling the other half 'theres skill in that' or 'thats livin' then i get called a dick head. hazards a 7 still young(ish) with fair reactions i think!

[The Patrolman]

Originally Posted by daved

some top comments

All interesting stuff.

Liam, I'd agree theres certain stereotypes

ne thing I have noticed is if theres one of the "new" minis being driven badly you can put quite a bit of dosh on it being a blond female driving (around here anyway ive noticed)

Their either young blonde n pretty, or old blonde and slapped up with makeup...... or gay with blonde highlights

[The Patrolman]

Oh 10 n 10 and damn lucky!!!!!!!!1

[Liam]

Originally Posted by daved

some top comments

All interesting stuff.

Liam, I'd agree theres certain stereotypes

ne thing I have noticed is if theres one of the "new" minis being driven badly you can put quite a bit of dosh on it being a blond female driving (around here anyway ive noticed)

I'm partial to blondes so if you have any you don't need/want, please send them over here

[Liam]

For me, it all comes down to whether you are consciously driving or allowing your brain pretty much total control over your driving. Probably sounds a bit daft but what I mean is, we all in our daily lives do a lot of stuff without conscious thought, for example, I'm sure quite a few on here get up in the morning and go through a particular routine without even realising it. When something changes, the routine gets knocked a bit for a short time, anyone who has too stay in Hotels on occasion will understand. Things feel different and it takes time to readjust.
So when you are driving to work in the morning, same route,same time,same traffic; suddenly there's a pedestrian where there is usually no pedestrian, it takes a bit of time to adjust to the new scenario. Especially if the brain is driving on autopilot.
I think most of us, when driving familiar routes fall into letting the brain drive on autopilot, we concentrate on scanning for good looking girls in short skirts (important stuff,especially in summer). That's why coppers usuaally have two in the car, one to spot the good looking women and the other to concentrate on the driving. As for my score,I'm not saying, other than 37 years accident free in taxis,hgvs and rigids.

[lacroupade]

Originally Posted by larson

last year i hit a dog and over took a copper at 85... (different days)

not the best driving

I once undertook two plonkers on the M4 who were pootling along at 70 in the outside land in an unmarked car that turned out to contain a Detective Chief Inspector and a senior police driving instructor. I think it was flipping him the finger when he overtook to stop me that really put the lid on things LOL

Originally Posted by Liam

Well, I'm probably going to upset a few on here. When I was a driving instructor a long,long time ago, I used to advise learner drivers to always give a few extra yards when behind a driver (male or female) wearing a hat. I had learned that for whatever reason, people wearing hats while driving were more prone to doing something daft, not indicating,not looking behind,using wrong indicator etc.etc. Still applies today. Can't guarantee a good driver if a person isn't wearing a hat but if the hat is on the head you can safely put your mortgage on it that they will do something daft. Even works if you spot their hat on the back parcel shelf.LOL

Totally agree - used to be anyone in a trilby driving an Allegro, but that was the last time I looked LOL.

The police have high regard for my driving skills; they are always stopping me to discuss it.




(That was a joke by the way.....I swear!).

[Liam]

Originally Posted by lacroupade

Totally agree - used to be anyone in a trilby driving an Allegro, but that was the last time I looked LOL.

The police have high regard for my driving skills; they are always stopping me to discuss it.




(That was a joke by the way.....I swear!).

Not too many Trilby wearers here Paul, now flat caps, that's a whole other ballgame. I have to be honest, I never understood the need for wearing hats of any description while driving since they invented roofs on cars
I think it can cause the brain cells to overheat and this is where the lousy driving comes from. Naturally, this doesn't affect policemen, they can wear their hats as often as they like as there are usually not enough brain cells to overheat in the first place.Sorry,Daved.

[mowerman]

I would guess at about 8 and 9??? I must be ok as I ride a motorcycle regularly on the M25 and am still alive ... Also reach for the brake pedal when the wife is driving WAY before she does lol, must be a big dent in the passenger footwell by now !!!. Joking aside as a motorcyclist I still do the 'lifesaver' when driving bike or car, tend to stick to the speed indicated on speedo in the T2 (which is at least 10% out) and the speed limit (cant afford to go quick with diesel the price it is).... Surprisingly stick pretty much to the speed limits on the bike too. Not into undertaking or 'white lining' at speed on the bike (like many of my 2 wheeled comrades on the roads) as I tend to ride during rush hours and TBH like to stay alive!! Only had 2 accidents in many years of motorcycling and been they were both being hit from behind at roundabouts as I waited to pull out