I’m a big fan of Dave Barry and this poll is inspired by one of his memorable quotes (Google for his columns if you have never read any). He said something along the lines of “all of us americans are united in the belief that we are above average drivers”.
So, I really must ask: From 1 to 7, how do you rate your driving?
1- Horrible
2- Poor
3- slightly below average
4- average
5- slightly above average
6- Good
7- Great
I hope enough people participate, even if it’s just to type a number and hit the post button. More replies will lead to a smaller error margin.
I’d say 5. I’m a good driver, very aware of the road, and conditions, and such, have an excellent driving record, but I have a tendency to speed a bit too much. Other than that though, I’d say I have good reflexes and road abilities.
Bah, screw this subjective rating crap. I vote for a statement of fact regarding the following articles, as an addendum to the subjective rating:
**[ul]
[li]# of Years Driving[/li][li]# of Tickets Received:[/li][li]# of Accidents (at fault):[/li][li]# of Accidents (non-fault):[/li][/ul] **
I’ll go first (and perhaps last if this doesn’t catch on):
of Years Driving: 6
of Tickets Received: 0
of Accidents (at fault): 1 (First six-months, 5mph crash in parking lot)
of Accidents (non-fault): 1 (Rear-ended at stop-light)
**My subjective rating (out of 10): ** 6
I think my record’s pretty damn good, despite the 1st year, low-speed accident. However, I often speed by 10-15mph (though even more on long-stretches of road, albeit rarely), and I have had a few close calls, though not due to my speeding.
of Tickets Received: 2 speeding (one deserved, other asshole cop at a speed trap. 9mph over! At the bottom of a steep dip! Less than a week after dropping the speed limit! Augh!)
of Accidents (at fault): None
of Accidents (non-fault): None
Self-given Rating: 5
I don’t have the greatest reflexes, and that alone kicks me down to a 5. Ive managed to avoid all accidents through sheer luck and by learning the typical driving behaviours of Houston drivers.
It’s not a “moot point” as no meaning was ever assigned to it. I suggested the idea so others can interpret the data as they see fit, and determine whether they agree with your own subjective self-rating.
But I’m just guessing you’ve been pulled over, say, a few too many times?
I did an advanced driving course recently. It was an interesting experience. I would have rated myself a 6 to a 7. The instructer rated me a 5 to a 6. After eight hours intensive coaching he retested me at about level 6. My faults: coasting in too high a gear in conditions that don’t warrant it. Dropping the car out of gear into neutral and coasting when slowing or coming to a halt. Bad road positioning on bends.
I highly recommend doing the above, especially if you’ve been driving for a while. And think you’re good.
As for the quantifiable bits that Red requested:
* # of Years Driving
22
* # of Tickets Received:
1 (and snapped by speed camera once too) Pulled over without ticket: 3 times.
* # of Accidents (at fault):
4
* # of Accidents (non-fault):
3
It should be noted that despite the high accident figures I haven’t had an accident for 20 years.
Why is that wrong?
Let’s see, driving for 25 years, 1 ticket, 1 accident (and it wasn’t my fault). The last 8 years have been in Boston with a completely clean record. I’ve driven autocrosses, on the Autobahn, and a couple laps at the Nürburgring.
of Accidents (at fault): 1 - within weeks of getting my license, I was backing out of a parking space and smacked the car next to me. No one got hurt, insurance took care of things, I probably had to pay the deductible, but I don’t remember
of Accidents (non-fault): 1 - hit a deer at low speed in the dark of the morning. I’d actually slowed waaaaay down to go around some deer who were chillin’ in my lane, and as I was starting to accelerate, another deer came charging in front of me from the left. I knocked her down and smooshed the plastic parts on the front of my van and had to replace both headlights. The deer ran away. Stoopit deer.
Self-given Rating: 6 - I almost never do more than 5 over the limit, I signal, I stay to the right, I rarely use the phone (never in traffic), I don’t tailgate, I gladly let tailgaters pass me, and I’m always on the lookout for deer now.
I’ve noticed the older I get, the more cautious I am, and the more patient most of the time. Experience has taught me that the difference between driving calmly and rationally, and driving like a crazed maniac varies from seconds to minutes in getting from point A to point B, and none of my minutes are worth risking. I’ve also got a good example in my grandfather - when he started having problems driving at night, he quit driving at night. And when he was no longer safe, he quit driving altogether. Better to rely on someone else than be a risk to everyone on the road.
I’ve been driving for over 50 years. As most here know I was in the long haul trucking business for over 20 years, so I’d estimate that I’ve got aroung 2.5 million miles behind the wheel and I’m confident that is a conservative estimate. Back in the 60’s and 70’s I thought little of drinking and driving. In the early 70’s I had two DWI’s, but that was before the crackdown and I got away w/ a fine in both cases. I’ve probably had a dozen, or so, fender benders over the years, but I’ve never injured anyone, nor seriously damaged a vehicle.
I was probably an average driver, but thought myself to be better than I actually was, until I bought a truck and began to earn my living on the highway. It didn’t take long for me to learn truley good driving habits. I owned two trucks, my first was a used IH that I paid about $25,000. for, in 1981. Then in '89 I bought a new Freightliner for about $70,000. and that doesn’t include the price of the trailers. The investment alone, made me think seriously about my driving habits. I quit drinking and driving when I went into the business. I usually drive the posted speed limit and very rarely exceed it by more than 5 mph. I’m courteous and calm behind the wheel, I never get angry at other drivers, no matter what they do. I’m constantly aware of the other vehicles around me and pay close attention to my driving. I’d easily rate myself a 6 or better.
Because one of the essential components of one’s control over the car is missing. I am slowing down, sure, and that’s fine in the vast majority of cases, but in the event of having suddenly to accelerate out of trouble, I am disabled. This doesn’t, of course, apply to automatics. I haven’t done it since the advanced driving course.
