Do You Consider Yourself a Good Driver?

[Joey D]

A carry over from the GTP Cool Wall: '84-'89 Toyota 4Runner. Voting Closed thread...weirdly.

HEY! I'm 16 and I'm a good driver!

Everybody that is 16 thinks they're a good driver.

Well, I have been driving over a year (permit included in the timeframe) and havent been in any accidents or gotten any tickets. The only time i got pulled over was because the police officer thought i wasn't wearing a seat belt, but my car had 2 point belts at the time so i was good.

My 19 year old sister on the other hand has been in like 4 accidents in the same timeframe and has gotten 2 speeding tickets in the timeframe of a couple months...

Who would you say is the better driver?

Really? You aren't a good driver, no 16 year old is. One year on a permit prepares you for nothing. I've been driving for 6 years and I'm still improving my skills. You live in California, which I'll admit has it's challenges but come to Michigan and try driving at 70 with 3" of snow on the ground at 5pm in rush hour traffic. Or try Florida in a torrential downpour and high winds from a tropical storm. Or any other scenario for that matter.

Trust me, statistics say you'll probably have an accident fairly soon.

This.

I'm a "good driver". Wait a second, no I'm not, I just nearly fed my car to some trees and an electrical box the other day.

Let me put it this way: my daughter has been driving for twice as long as you have, and I don't really consider myself a "good" driver yet.

It's an attitude thing.

My brother is an extremely good driver, far better than even my mom.

Problem is, he's inexperienced. He can be awesome at driving 99% of the time, but when he gets into a slippery situation, he's hopeless. When we were driving home with our RWD Ranger, in the rain, it slipped out again. I had to yell at him "OFF BRAKE, COUNTERSTEER."

But I do have experience in it. I've been through hydroplaning, black ice, blown tires, crazy drivers, and that kind of stuff...

Ya, so have I, doesn't make me a good driver. Only experience will make you good and one year isn't nearly enough.

Not to mention your user name doesn't imply good things

You are 16. You have almost NO experience. Accept this.

Fixed.

You'd be surprised, on average people around here commute at 70 in anything less then 4" of snow without really any major accidents. It's always baffled me to be honest.

Well, How about i start a forum post of when i get into an accident for the first time?

That baffles me too. Oh well, I won't be trying it anytime soon.

Only if it's somewhat grammatically correct with capitalisation.

But you'll more than likely be in an accident due to your inexperience and obvious over confident attitude. A 16 year old who thinks they are the gods' gift to the driving world is always a dangerous combination.



I wouldn't recommend it and I even try to avoid doing it.

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Perhaps this discussion should be moved to a new thread? *Scurries off to create a new topic as to not take a thread dedicated to a Toyota 4x4 off topic.*

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Please feel free to discuss whether or not you consider yourself a good driver or not. Also if you think you are a good driver give us a reason why. I'm curious to see if people tend to think they are epic or not.

 

[nobuffalo]

My new G27 say's no.

But in all honesty I consider myself a decent driver. It's hard to really explain why, I "rarely" speed, tailgate, I use my turn signals, but I guess all that just makes one a proper driver. Let's see, i've never been in an accident although there are a few instances in which I should have been or have been close. I've also plowed through many ditches and fields while trying to be the rally king.

I think someone needs to outline what a "good driver" is first, then I can decide.

 

[Thatman]

Yes I am a good driver.
I am not a safe driver.
I am a crazy driver.
1 speeding ticket, 1 fender bender driving my buick.
I AM a safe driver with other people around though.
I always say "Do whatever you want in your car just not when it may endanger others!"

 

[Rykon Zero]

Just so you know, I myself am a terrible driver. But that's forgiven because I'm 14. But, I do think I'll be a good driver.

 

[Irons]

In the extremely short time I've driven, I don't consider myself a good driver at all...

However, I find it safe to say that I am a better driver than my brothers were when they were my age. That much I know.

 

[Ardius]

Good? Well I passed my driving test 2nd time around and never had problems. I've driven go-karts a few times and set respectable times too. So I guess I can consider myself good.
However, I am very inexperienced and its been a long time since I've driven a car for more than 5 minutes. It doesn't help that I won't be able to afford a car for a good while yet and being put on my parents insurance for their car is too expensive at the moment (it wouldn't matter anyway because I would barely get to use it).

So, maybe I have some natural skill but overall I'm not much good at the moment. I haven't been in many situations where I've had to handle a car on its limit, so I cannot comment on my actual skill beyond those kart laptimes. Driving on the road really doesn't require skill or brains, just awareness, a sensible head and of course experience.

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

I consider myself to be a fair driver. I've been driving for about two years and have no speeding tickets, never spoken to by a police officer, and never been in a crash, just spun once . On the main roads I always have atleast one or two car lenghts between me and the car infront. Speed wise, I go with the flow or if I'm alone I'll go 5 to 10 over. The only time I drive wild is on dirt roads. I use to think drifting was the coolest thing ever on dirt but now I try to keep an even and steady pace all the way through. I'm even starting to get the hang of left foot braking while driving. I remember in an interveiw with the Black Stig, which I forgot his name, but he said something along the lines of, to be a good driver you have to be smooth and not jerk all over the place. That's the kind of style I'm trying to get. So over all I think I'm pretty good but with age comes experience so we'll see.

 

[Ardius]

^Perry McCarthy, I recommend his book Flat Out, Flat Broke if you want a good laugh and a very intriguing insight into a race driver's career (and a look at the worst of worst F1 team in history).
/offtopic

 

[Kylehnat]

I've been driving for 6 years and I'm still improving my skills.

Let me put it this way: my daughter has been driving for twice as long as you have, and I don't really consider myself a "good" driver yet.

This is how I feel as well. You never master driving. Even after 10 years, I'm still learning and improving. Not necessarily improvement from the standpoint of being able to operate the car, but improvement in decision-making, assumptions about what others are doing, and evaluating conditions. Do I consider myself a good driver? Absolutely. Does that mean I've got it all figured out? Absolutely not. A complacent driver is a dangerous one.

I always say "Do whatever you want in your car just not when it may endanger others!"

I agree with this statement to a point, but a lot of people with that attitude make terrible judgment calls about what constitutes "endangering others".

My mantra is this: a good driver never makes their passengers nervous. By this measure alone, I can count on two hands the people I know who I consider to be "good" drivers.

 

[nobuffalo]

I drive an AE86, so yea, i'm a good driver ...

 

[Spec M]

I've been driving for 8 years now and no problems yet. My insurance is only 91 bucks a month lol. I think its possible for someone to be a perfectly safe driver even with little experience depending on who taught them. I learned to drive with a big V8 SUV (Durango SXT) so I was pretty much prepared to handle anything. I've driven in blizzards, and pretty much any other type of storm thats practical for the mid-west and west-coast. Also have always lived in a big city, Phoenix & Detroit. I've also driven across the country from Arizona to Michigan with no problems. I've only been pulled over twice in my life and only have been cited a "fix it ticket". Lets be honest, theirs people who've been driving for decades that still don't have the hang of it. I thought I was a good and safe driver at the age of 15 and with no incidents to report 8 years later I guess I thought right.

 

[MrSkyline]

i'm driving for quite a few years now, and never had any accidents or anything like that.
I never drive after drinking alcohol or when i'm to tired.
I sometimes drive faster than allowed, but only when possible and not hinder other people by doing so.
I never drive to fast when there people with me in my car, so i consider myself a good driver.

 

[Jim Prower]

Average. Without proper instruction, I don't think I can ever be "Good."

 

[Jetboy.]

Depends upon criteria and who's critiquing me. My back story is that I grew up in a rural area and was given my first "learners car", a 1986 Chevrolet Nova 5 speed, at the age of elevin. Since we have a mile and a half long farming lane, I learned most... Interesting driving dynamics at a young age, such as proper launching technique and matching revs upon downshifting. Since we can get rather viscious winters I learned snow logic early on (Countersteer, throttle applications, listening to what's "under foot").


Having my license for near-four years now I admit, my cruising speed is somewhere on the right side of my speedometer. However, I do not text and drive, constantly fiddle with my radio, or take my eyes off the road to talk to someone. I keep an eye on my mirrors at almost all times and during winter/adverse conditions turn all noise-making accessories off to listen to the tires traction on the road. I do not ride driver's asses everwhere, and I give common courtesy on hills, for the benefit of the doubt the car in front of me is manual and may drift back a foot or more (Something I wish all people got an idea for..). As far as following semis, I always hang back enough to see their mirrors (Because if I can see them, they can see me. ) I'm leary of wooded areas (hitting a deer does that.) and take special caution there. Usually, even if not posted, I addopt a speed limit according to the locale (Residential areas usually get a 30-40 mph range.)

However, remember what I said about my cruising speed? Yeah.. My car is also locally known for taking a few ricer's pride which is also an unfortunate (But not common) habbit.


All in all, while I do things that are not common for my age bracket such, you know, being aware, I still have fallbacks. My mrs, however insists that she is much better.



Cheers
Jetboy

 

[TheBook]

I know I'm not a "good" driver. That only comes from experience, of which I have... probably just over 9,000 miles worth. However, being in Michigan has helped me to expect just about anything and everything (sudden snow and rain, horrid roads, and the fairly common total idiot), and how to adapt to whatever's going on in front of me. I admit, I do have somewhat of a leaded foot, but I try to keep that to a minimum. Stupid things like drifting around in snow are kept to local empty parking lots and the like, too.

Oh, and Jetboy reminded me of this: I don't text and drive either. If I get a message, I find a parking lot or something. That, or the person can wait a bit.

 

[Leadfoot53]

Well, it seems like you kinda put me out of context in a way. A guy was saying that "ALL 16 year olds are bad/crazy drivers". I dislike people stereotyping people. That is the kind of reasons people jack up insurance on younger people. I am also a safe driver, which is just as important. i am offended by people saying "ALL 16 year old drivers are bad drivers".

One of the main things about driving is having a cool head, being aware of your environment and quickly adapting to scenarios. I always drive the limit, signal when changing lanes, and never do anything to jeapordize myself or the people around me.

 

[Prosthetic]

I'm an amazing driver. I can dryft every corner.. I burn rubber at every stop light.. Rev the engine at chicks and I can do that awesome lean thing.

 

[Spec M]

One of the main things about driving is having a cool head, being aware of your environment and quickly adapting to scenarios. I always drive the limit, signal when changing lanes, and never do anything to jeapordize myself or the people around me.

Well you sure do live in a state with some of the countries craziest drivers. I took a trip to SD for a Honda meet at Autobachs and those LA freeways were nerve racking. Phoenix as well has given me some scary moments. I guess its a west-coast thing.

But, I wouldn't say you're a bad driver just because of your age, because theirs many people who have been on the road for years that drive like idiots. The best thing you can do is keep doing what you have been, always stay aware of your surroundings, and keep your record clean so you can bump those insurance rates down 👍

 

[Leadfoot53]

Yeah. Luckily my insurance is pretty darn low already (about $30 a month).

 

[Prosthetic]

Yeah. Luckily my insurance is pretty darn low already (about $30 a month).

$30 a month O.o

 

[McLaren]

Yeah. Luckily my insurance is pretty darn low already (about $30 a month).

For a 16 year old? I smell BS....

 

[Leadfoot53]

I have liability only on my car.

 

[Prosthetic]

I have liability only on my car.

What the hell do you drive? A razor scooter?

 

[Leadfoot53]

1971 Datsun 510

 

[Jetboy.]

For a 16 year old? I smell BS....

I smell parental part-coverage. My GF's the same way. (Of course it also helps her that insurance companies like lack of male plumbing also..)


Cheers,
Jetboy

 

[Spec M]

Yeah. Luckily my insurance is pretty darn low already (about $30 a month).

Wow that is darn low, is it under your parents? Because your off to a good start to be 16 years old dude. For my first car it was $130 under my mothers policy but that was for a Camaro. For my current car under my name its quite low for what it is but with my Merc I refuse to go with basic coverage, so I did the full deal. The first 6 months was $97 and now it has dropped down to $91.

 

[Leadfoot53]

Yeah. its under my parents. Oh, the joys of being 16. its actually $40, but im still fortunate to have it so low. I also am under the safe driver discount since I've had my license for 6 months and nothing to affect my insuance.

 

[Jetboy.]

Yeah. its under my parents. Oh, the joys of being 16.

Called it. I was going to say... I have liability on my Oldsmobile and I pay $89 a month. Was supposed to drop to $73 but has yet to go into action..


Cheers
Jetboy

 

[McLaren]

1971 Datsun 510

I don't believe that's your insurance at all. A quick rate from my insurance shows I'm nowhere near even $50/month & I've got multiple cars for on one policy.

Edit*Parents'. Figured.

Yeah. its under my parents. Oh, the joys of being 16. its actually $40, but im still fortunate to have it so low. I also am under the safe driver discount since I've had my license for 6 months and nothing to affect my insuance.

That's your parents that got you that. Most firms seem to require 2-3 years of driving.

 

[Prosthetic]

I still think he drives a razor scooter.