DISCUSS THIS:Why do people have an over rated perception of their driving ability?

Question

No specific criteria from me this week, just want to see how people answer this question.

Ladies and gentlemen, please keep it relevant to the topic!

I am not having a pop at anyone in particular (for a change!). Just want to get some feedback.

Enjoy.

Answer 1

Because they feel in control? I think most people have an over rated perception of many of their skills, simply because they have no experience of what it would be like to be better at it, so maybe they think this is as good as it gets.

Although I always feel safest when my mommy is driving!

Answer 2

Since we were cave people ( not in afganistan ) we thought we could defeat dianosuars . Then we thought we could conqueuor civilizations. Now we think we own the road. It's all about a false sence of pride and arrogance that humanbeings seem to thrive on . The real reason for the driving perception problem is that they will give a drivers license to just about anyone which means they think they can drive when in reality they should stick to walking or the bus if they can't even ride a bicycle . Not everyone survives being attacked by a T-rex .

Answer 3

I am a highly-trained driver with many years experience in pursuit, close-protection and escape & evasion techniques, and whilst I consider myself to be a good, safe driver, it has been well drilled into me that I, as a human being, am falliable, so whenever I'm driving, at speed or under normal conditions, I am aware of my surroundings and continuously adjust my driving plan relative to the conditions presented. My actions have consequences.

I have seen too many accidents, mainly young lads in "Kevved-up" little cars, who are just too cocky by far, drive dangerously and have no concept of what might happen.

At the end of the day, we're all human and can make mistakes.

I would say that I AM a good driver, but that doesn't make me invincible, nor protect other people from accidents. You have to be realistic.

Answer 4

When you first pass your test you think your Micky Schumacher and drive like such.
After a few years and knocks, you realise your actually pretty bad and slow down a bit.
Im 38 and have realised that every journey is a learning experience.
Its irresponsible to allow 17 year olds to drive high powered cars straight after passing their test.
They dont allow it on motorcycles, so why not cars..?
Im a better car driver after taking my bike test, and riding for a few years.
The first time you let a kid loose himself in a car he,s gonna want to show off unless he knows better. Thats why my twin 8 yr olds have 50cc motorbikes. They respect speed, and the dangers that come with it. This was achieved in controlled conditions and yes they have came off, but they learned a lesson and it has stuck in their brain.
Fall off or make a mistake at speed = PAIN.
Lose control at a controlled speed = a half chance of saving yourself.

Its this simple. Start them young and even if they do drive like morons, at least they have some experience.

Answer 5

I would not go as far to say I am a good driver but the top end of average I try to watch whats going on with the three cars in front that is if the first car of the three brakes that means everybody in front has to brake
all though not the case if you think every driver on the road is an idiot you avoid situations that can cause trouble

Answer 6

Most people feel any criticism of their driving ability is a direct attack on their integrity and personality. Good drivers are not dangerous drivers are they!, so everyone says they are a good driver.
I agree with Bush Raide, I too have had extensive driver training.One thing the Metropolitan police told me was that everyone is human and if you have an accident it is never completely the other persons fault.There is always something you could have done to avoid it.
Therefore I consider myself an above average driver who is always trying to improve on what he knows already.

People should realise that after the test the learning never ends.

Answer 7

This is such a complex question in disguise.

Whatever people do, they tend to think that they are good at it, when the reality is quite different. It applies as much to playing the piano as it does to driving. However, on the basis that monkeys never make good pianists, and show little interest in ever trying to be, it is obvious that there is something about humans which makes them want to be top-dog and competitive; even though they fail regularly.

Is it very different from teenagers who arrive with a string of A-levels at university, and think they are God's gift to humanity?

Education is about demonstrating to people that, whatever they think they know, they actually know very little at all.

What does it take to be a "top driver" in this world?

This is not the same thing as being a Michael Schumacher, because there are top truck-drivers who never, ever have accidents. Top police-drivers who can pursue people at high-speed and in relative safety. Top chauffers who would never spill your drink...and so on.

The difference between a "top driver" and the rest, is one of basic honesty....being true to one's own abilities, strengths and weaknesses, and then driving within them.

That applies to anyone, no matter what it is they are doing, and concert-pianists don't get there by passing a few exams, they get there by suffering and by constantly striving for perfection.

I apologise for the self-indulgence here, but I do it to make a point.

I have driven possibly in excess of 2,000,000 miles, and in that time, I have not had a blameworthy accident ON THE ROAD. (I have done the odd bit of damage trying to manouevre a very large truck in difficult places).

Does this make me a good driver, a lucky driver or someone with a big opinion of myself?

I would suggest none of these, but the chances are, I'm a fairly competent driver who knows that he CAN make mistakes and has done.

However, it goes deeper than this, because when I was young, my great passion was motor-sport. I would tear around like a mad-thing in the days (and especially the nights)when the roads were almost empty. Even snow was a challenge, and I would go out and practice; finding "safe" bends with run-off areas, until I had it licked.

Even drivers like Schumacher started by having accidents, and by the time they got to the top, they KNEW they were not perfect and that they could get it wrong from time to time. The top grand-prix drivers rarely drive at 10/10ths all the time, but leave a bit in reserve. When push comes to shove, they can find that bit extra, but it is only a fraction more than they can produce most of the time.

I would suggest that GOOD driving is always leaving that little bit in reserve, just in case.

So when I claim 2,000,000 miles of safe driving, people are often amazed and even dazzled by that record, but personally, I know that I can never be good enough to be perfect and completely immune to danger.

That is reality, but many choose to live in a fantasy world of self-delusion and ego.

So I'm glad to say that I'm a rotten driver, still trying to get better at it, and maybe that is the real secret.

Answer 8

I ride a Motorcycle and always have done I am not saying I am the best or safest rider/ driver on the road but I am not saying I am the worst I always take note of my soundings I wear a plain white full face helmet I change this every two years I wear a yellow reflective jacket over my leathers I always ride with my lights on I dont say I always stick to the speed limit but can anyone say that they do I doubt it and I do consider myself to be a reasonable rider/driver

Answer 9

Maybe they don't think they're overrated. And there are some others out there who, given the things I've seen them do while driving, probably don't rate their own driving skills. I think there are others who consider themselves a good driver just because they've never been in an accident, no matter how poorly they drive.

I strive to be what I consider to be a good driver, by doing things (or not doing things) I would like other drivers to do (or not do) for me.

Answer 10

While each of us are safely within our own vehicles on the road, we get comfortable with our own driving ability. That works to give us what COULD be a false sense of security, and a skewed view of our driving ability.

While insulated with our car surrounding us, we rarely have an objective opinion about how OUR driving may cause chaos on the road for others.