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The Figures Don't Add Up When You Ask: "Who is a Good Driver?"
If we are to believe their personal opinions, about ninety percent of all drivers genuinely believe that they are 'good' drivers. But at the other extreme, we have road safety experts in several countries who can prove beyond any doubt that over ninety percent of all road crashes have 'driver error' as a key component. So how could these claims both be true?
It is a sad, annoying, yet inescapable fact that when cars were first invented, car makers created the myth that driving a car was easy. But the truth is that good driving, and safe driving (which are exactly the same thing) are not easy; they are complex tasks requiring great concentration. If they were easy, how come at least 1.2 million people are killed each year in road crashes around the world? The numbers show that killing somebody, or being killed, in a car crash is obviously too easy but this also indicated what a lie it is that driving is easy. Yet despite the catastrophic numbers and incalculable grief we also have to remember that most drivers still think "it will never happen to me!"
The most important factor in becoming a good driver is the standard of instruction that each person receives when learning to drive. The quality of this instruction varies greatly from country to country and this is inevitably reflected in the difficulty or complexity of the driving test. Many people claim that the most demanding tests are to be found in Germany but, as with so many things, there is now a concerted push to standardize the content and difficulty of the driving test throughout Europe.
Another key factor -- one which is clearly reflected in NHTSA (USA) road casualty statistics -- is that the younger the age limit for driving, the higher the proportion of casualties in the relevant age bracket. (I.E. A larger proportion of 16-year-old drivers are hurt or killed than for 17-year-olds; a larger proportion of 17-year-old drivers are hurt or killed than for 18-year-olds, etc.) Clearly, therefore, if the people of a country or state are concerned about the death rates involving their younger drivers, the age at which people are allowed to start driving may need to be examined. Back to List of the 6 Standards
The 'Student Driver' or 'Learner Driver'
It should probably go without saying that in many cases this is actually one of the safest phases in a person's driving life. Essentially, once the student/learner has got past their initial fears and beginners' mistakes, then -- as long as they are being taught by somebody competent -- the youngster tends to be driving reasonably slowly, concentrating hard and trying hard. And that is much more than can be said for many so-called "experienced drivers."
This is why it is also important to have a particularly competent person teach young people the skills of driving. Not only does it require a suitable attitude but it also demands an up-to-date knowledge of today's requirements, not a "this is how it was twenty years ago, complete with all my own bad habits" approach. Even here, however, there is much room for error. Professional driving instructors are usually the best people to teach new drivers. This is NOT an area on which parents should economize. Ignoring the dangers faced by today's younger drivers so that the parents can save 300/500/700 dollars/marks/pounds/whatever is ludicrous. Is that more than one's son or daughter's life is worth? But the downside is that in some countries/states there is no professional qualifying standard for driving instructors; anyone with a drivers' license can do it. And that is equally ludicrous. Professional standards must be set, and professional standards must be met
Back to List of the 6 Standards
Just Passed The Test
Now we are entering potentially dangerous territory. This is generally where one of two sentiments takes over. Either newly qualified drivers will remain cautious and sensible or -- much more commonly -- they will become complacent ("I've passed my test so I must be good enough") or even arrogant about their supposed skills.
How many drivers do you know that would say: "Well the driving test is actually very simple, the most basic test possible in fact, so I know that I will always have plenty left to learn if I'm going to stay safe and harm nobody else." Have you ever met a driver like that? Whether we like it or not it applies to all of us. Back to List of the 6 Standards
Mr. (or Mrs., or Ms.) Complacent
This section/description applies equally to men and women, and it applies to most drivers in the world!
[OUR APOLOGIES FOR THIS INCOMPLETE SECTION. IT WILL BE FINISHED AS SOON AS TIME PERMITS]
Back to List of the 6 Standards
Arrogant and Aggressive
Yes, that's a harsh title for this section but anyone who drives aggressively is thoughtless and deadly so what more can be said?
Aggressive driving and it's worst incarnation, road rage, are inexcusable and go beyond the dangers caused by mere complacency.
The signs and symptoms are:
[OUR APOLOGIES FOR THIS INCOMPLETE SECTION. IT WILL BE FINISHED AS SOON AS TIME PERMITS]
Back to List of the 6 Standards
'Intermediate' or 'Defensive' Driving
To get this in perspective, it has to be said that much nonsense is written about "advanced driving", especially here on the internet.
For emergency-service drivers it is accurate to say that proper advanced driver training would require several weeks of full time, high speed training. For ordinary people who need or wish to increase their standard of driving dramatically, and thereby make themselves much safer on the roads, a suitable course would require at least five full days of training -- but here's the important bit -- it needs to be on public roads. Advanced driving is all about ever-changing road conditions, on different types of roads, and anticipating the actions of all other road users. It can not be taught on closed circuits or race tracks.
Some organizations, such as RoSPA and the IAM in Britain, run advanced driving courses which generally last between 10-20 hours but even these can only give an introduction to the topic, albeit a very good introduction. In reality these courses are better thought of as "intermediate" driving or, to use a phrase that is preferred in America, "defensive" driving.
The RoSPA Advanced Drivers' Association (RoSPA-ADA) and Advanced Drivers of America, Inc., both run lengthy courses which provide the highest level of advanced driving courses that are the highest level of advanced driver training available to civilian drivers in the world.
As for other organizations, any course which will teaching you how to get out of a dangerous situation is missing the point entirely. Even defensive driving, by definition, means defending yourself from the occurrence of dangerous situations, not looking for the ejector seat after the danger has actually surrounded you! Defensive driving and advanced driving both require a driver to think well ahead of the car, about what will be happening in the foreseeable future as opposed to what is already happening right now.
One point that must be stressed is that all driver training, to be even remotely effective, needs to be "hands on," in a vehicle, with a qualified instructor. There is little in life more ridiculous than the many companies that advertise, for example, "online defensive driving courses."
Back to List of the 6 Standards
So What Exactly IS 'Advanced Driving'?
What does Police Driving Involve? Back to List of the 6 Standards
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The Student Driver (or 'Learner' Driver)
Intermediate ('Defensive') Driving
So What Exactly IS 'Advanced Driving'?
What does Police Driving Involve?
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