How safe are you at driving

[RB2004]

I'm very safe, I drive fast, accelerate quickly but leave over 5 car lengths most of the time where possible, and anticipate what's going on in front quickly so much so that I'm slowing down with gears before person infront even applies their brakes and I can slow down on most slip roads from 70 to 20 without even touching the brakes.

Also spent about £600 on 4 tyres.

So theoretically I'm quite safe but insurance companies would class me as dangerous for accelerating quickly despite having good anticipation and leaving a massive gap in front higher than most people.

[swoop101]

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

I'm really unsafe at driving.

You will be fine if you can learn to tap faster with your white stick mate

[Julian]

I am perfectly safe.

In fact I am typing this on my ipad in the outside lane of the M56.

I love cruise control.

[dilli-theclaw]

Originally Posted by swoop101

You will be fine if you can learn to tap faster with your white stick mate

and tie a little red flag on it

Being a safe driver doesn't prevent you from driving unsafely. I have known self-described safe drivers who take unnecessarily risks in part because of a confidence that have in the knowledge they're a 'safe driver'. The normal rules are for other people who don't know how to drive safety or how to handle a care, it's fine to drive fast, take that corner in that speed, and drive quicker at that light.

I don't like to think of myself a safe driver (I am not unsafe but I make mistakes like anyone else), instead it's better to concentrate on each drive and make that one safe. After all being a safe driver doesn't protect you from that trip where you were not driving safety, only needs to happen once.

[RB2004]

I still think its possible to drive fast and safely.

By, obeying speed limits.. If it says 50 do 50 if it says 20,30,40 same.. Obey it.

And as above I am always anticipating in front... If I see a car approaching the back of a lorry which is travelling slower or indeed another vehicle... I will move into lane 2 or slow down with the gears before the person in front has even anticipating hitting the brakes.

Same with speed changes I see the sign, and start slowing down with gears before people in front even hot the brakes.

Shame same can't be said about other drivers, I once was on a 30 road, and anticipated that this kid infront was gonna run out into the road chasing his ball, because he was running quickly towards the road and not looking to stop or look what's coming. So I slowed down enough to give the child time to fetch his ball whilst still moving slowly with hazards on as well.

Driver behind me in van should of seen the child in front of me in the road... But nope instead just overtook me speeding faster than the speed limit on that road.

Never also understood people who will be on a 50mph stretch of road which is clear and free of bends.. And trundle along at 40mph.. Then they reach a small town where speed limit drops to 30mph and they continue along at 40mph..I get to other side of the town and speed back up to 50 and still catch up with them usually.. So it was pointless them doing 40 through the village just endanger kind people's lives unnecessary, they have a higher speed limit available and don't make use of it then when speed limit gets slower dont wanna do that either.

Never understood that.

On motorways I always leave tonnes of space in front of me, and buy expensive tyres.

Now from above generally I'm a safe driver.

However insurance company with their black box, would put me down as a dangerous driver because I might accelerate quickly like foot to the floor on a 70 mph slip road joining a dual carriageway or motorway without a pedestrian in site. Or for accelerating quickly when overtaking, or when speed limits change up.

They don't necessarily make me a dangerous driver, but the black box would see it as being wreck less and no doubt cause an increase in premiums.

All the good drivers must be on this forum 'cos they certainly aint on the road ..I think driving standards have gone waaaayyy down .Since i started professional driving it has really opened my eyes up as to how bad the general standard of driving is .Entering motorways/duel carriageways off a slip road seems to be a major problem for a lot of drivers ,and the concept of "do not undertake" has been thrown away

[raging bull]

Shame a large number of drivers are not given instruction on winter driving, I used to watch new drivers spinning whilst trying to leave home for work following a fall of snow.
I dread to think what the inexperienced driver would do when confronted with a slippy patch of ice.
(I know when to leave the car at home and start walking in the present arctic weather in the north!)

[RB2004]

I never undertake!

Even if it means being stuck in lane 2 at 50mph with a few hundred metres infront I won't undertake somebody in lane 3.

Don't undertake on slip roads either

There is only one driver I detest,that is the jerk who leaves it until the very last minute to leave the third motorway lane and exit off the junction because they haven't got the patience to get into the correct lane ahead of time.

They are total pillocks.

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

well put it this way, me and motor bikes don't get on well. They say look out for motor bikes, but some of them are that mad, l don't see them. And quite often l argue with them

I don't get on with drivers who don't see motorbikes!

You really should try it sometime, when riding a motorbike some car drivers are out to kill you but they don't realise it. It is often said that drivers should spend a period of time on a motorbike so they can gain some appreciation and make them a better car driver in the process.

I think my driving is safe, I have been driving for nearly 30 years and only one minor dent put on my car during the first few months of driving. I took my direct access motorbike test about 4 years ago, I believe it has improved my car driving because you learn to be a lot more aware of your surroundings and the dangers when riding a motorbike.

---------- Post added at 14:06 ---------- Previous post was at 13:58 ----------

Originally Posted by martyh

All the good drivers must be on this forum 'cos they certainly aint on the road ..I think driving standards have gone waaaayyy down .Since i started professional driving it has really opened my eyes up as to how bad the general standard of driving is .Entering motorways/duel carriageways off a slip road seems to be a major problem for a lot of drivers ,and the concept of "do not undertake" has been thrown away

I hate drivers that are unable to join correctly from a slip road, some of them seem to lack any observational skills and expect everyone else to adjust their speed or move lanes to accommodate them.

I am looking for a suitable gap as soon as I'm on the slip road and adjust my speed so that I am able to join traffic safely and not cause anyone to brake or change lanes. The A48 going into Cardiff is an example where people not doing this causes others to swerve or brake, this causes accidents.

[danielf]

99.9 % of Motorists think they drive better than average.

[Osem]

If everyone remembered that any given upper speed limit is merely the maximum allowable on that stretch of road and drove accordingly things would be safer. Far too many people will drive at and even over the limit regardless of what the road conditions are. Many of these same people will then tailgate and intimidate anyone who's taken account of the prevailing conditions and dared to drive a bit slower. Of course some folks like to justify their actions and comfort themselves that their superior skills and cars will prevent them ever getting into trouble, overlooking the fact that not everyone else on the road has the same abilities, reactions etc. or drives cars of the same quality and performance.

[idiosyncratic]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

well put it this way, me and motor bikes don't get on well. They say look out for motor bikes, but some of them are that mad, l don't see them. And quite often l argue with them

In my experience most motor bikes, unlike many cars, drive with headlight on at all times, not just at dusk/night-time.

- if a driver is not sufficiently aware of their surroundings to 'not see' a vehicle with lights on I'm not sure they are paying proper attention.

Can I respectfully refer you, as the OP to the statement you made, namely

What young drivers don't realise is that, the vehicle they are about to drive - can kill someone.

- and remind you it isn't just young drivers that can kill people on the road.

[dave6x]

Many years ago when I was a teenager learning to drive my Dad said to me "Just consider everyone on the road is an idiot, including yourself, and you won't go far wrong!"