How would you rate yourself as a driver?

[Bruce]

Much better than average, judging by the number of people who can't keep a lane even when not distracted. Only accidents I've been involved in were either not-at-fault or animal-related, with many more avoided through defensive driving.

[Big John]

Not very good at complex maneuvers. Conservative driver.

[index]

I would say my driving is fine. I'm not going to say I'm an incredible driver because about twice or so a year I'll make some sort of stupid mistake but nothing critical or enough to almost cause an accident. My mother tells me I'm a better driver than her, and she's never caused an accident or did anything critically stupid, so there's that.

I've gone probably about 55,000 miles so far (which is all I've driven) without being ticketed or causing an accident. I got pulled over on an empty road once for going quite a bit over the limit but was let off with a warning. In my defense, I was about to shit myself if I didn't get to a bathroom ASAP. When IBS is calling, it's calling. I'm guessing the trooper was sympathetic.

I have been involved in an accident. My old car was totaled in August when a lady who was late to work rear ended me as I was inching out to turn right on red. She claimed I slammed on my brakes but dashcam footage and my SO in the car as a witness proved otherwise. I was designated as not at fault.

Drive smoothly.  I had a coworker once who was involved in a nasty crash.  She did not sleep or rest in a moving vehicle.  She did rest (even closing her eyes) when I drove the company truck.

That's something people who've rode with me have actually complimented me for. My SO is afraid of riding in the car due to a nasty crash he was in but will fall asleep when I'm at the wheel. At my old college I was typically the carpool driver for my friend group. Although to be fair, the only other person who could drive in my group only barely manages to drive his car while staying in one piece.

[Rothman]

Something that I saw the other day made me think of this thread, so I hope it's OK to revive...

I was on a two-lane portion of NY 104 heading EB, following a string of six or so cars, the first of which was a large camper. I could tell the Accord in front of me was getting antsy, and that was confirmed when he took a chance to pass up the two cars in front of him (so now he's fourth in line instead of sixth). After a few miles, we came upon a red light, at which point the Accord went zooming up on the right shoulder with his right blinker on. I thought that was odd, since it happened to be an intersection where turning right is nearly a 180° turn. Sure enough, within a few seconds the light turned green, and the Accord switched from right blinker to left and quickly accelerated in front of the camper to continue going straight.

Now, I think I can come across as aggressive sometimes, but that was a bridge too far even for me. I've passed other traffic using acceleration lanes, and even using turn lanes once or twice, but never using the shoulder. I can't imagine what was so urgent that couldn't have waited for one of the many passing zones just down the road, except maybe an emergency of some sort.

An unfortunately common maneuver by those not skilled enough to pass on a two-lane road with passing zones.

[Urban Prairie Schooner]

I might think that I am a good driver. However, seeing that I live in the most dangerous place to drive in the US (see https://embed.neomam.com/the-most-dangerous-US-cities-and-states-to-drive/table.html for the proof), it would stand to reason that what is good here is mediocre to bad elsewhere. It's the Louisiana way.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Something that I saw the other day made me think of this thread, so I hope it's OK to revive...

I was on a two-lane portion of NY 104 heading EB, following a string of six or so cars, the first of which was a large camper. I could tell the Accord in front of me was getting antsy, and that was confirmed when he took a chance to pass up the two cars in front of him (so now he's fourth in line instead of sixth). After a few miles, we came upon a red light, at which point the Accord went zooming up on the right shoulder with his right blinker on. I thought that was odd, since it happened to be an intersection where turning right is nearly a 180° turn. Sure enough, within a few seconds the light turned green, and the Accord switched from right blinker to left and quickly accelerated in front of the camper to continue going straight.

Now, I think I can come across as aggressive sometimes, but that was a bridge too far even for me. I've passed other traffic using acceleration lanes, and even using turn lanes once or twice, but never using the shoulder. I can't imagine what was so urgent that couldn't have waited for one of the many passing zones just down the road, except maybe an emergency of some sort.

I think one problem with COVID is people with no clue what they're doing have decided to try to drive like assholes despite having no idea how to do so. Someone did that same thing to me recently where they decided there was an opening to cross the street at a 2-way stop that was busy with cross traffic, went around me on the right and ignored the stop sign to keep going straight. Summer of 2020 was the worst when I started noticing these people more. A guy illegally passed me on a 30 MPH neighborhood street. Another car went up to 55-60 in a 30 to beat me to a lane merge.

[jgb191]

Ever since I was stopped by a Texas state trooper in West Texas for being caught doing 83 MPH on an 80 limit zone (luckily escaped speeding citation that time), I have gotten very nervous when my speedometer pointer rises higher than the number on the posted limit.....I have a very real fear of the radar guns equipped in the police vehicles.

Ever since I was injured by a drunk driver because he failed to yield to cross traffic, I approach each and every intersection, especially for those where I have the right-of-way, very carefully and look out for those waiting to cross.

Even though I am a firm believer in the Slow Traffic Keep Right laws, if I know my exit is going to be from the left lane, I strive to get on the left lane at least a couple of miles before I exit.  In general, I try to remain in the lane that I know will keep me to my route miles before the split and the lanes separate.

Also a firm believer in seat belts since it saved my life.  Typical of so many South Texans, I am a very laid-back driver.

I don't know what number to rate myself as.

As an aside from describing my driving, I am also a believer that speeders aren't the only problem causers on the road; that those intentionally driving well below the limit are also equally as problematic.  If all drivers on a highway drive at thin variation of speed difference that (all within five MPH above or below the posted limit) accidents would be a rare thing.  But unfortunately here on Texas freeways, we see several speeders who push it to almost 100 MPH along with several more who fail to reach half of that speed all sharing the same roads as the majority who do drive close to the posted limit; that much variation in freeway speeds is why accidents are anticipated on a regular basis.

And above all I said, my biggest fear in life are drunk drivers.

[GaryV]

Better than average. Although from time to time I do find myself wondering, "What just happened back there?" And I can't recall if I did something that should reduce my self-rating. Maybe there's some aspect of my personality that makes me believe that every time I hear a car's horn, they're honking at me.

[webny99]

Even though I am a firm believer in the Slow Traffic Keep Right laws, if I know my exit is going to be from the left lane, I strive to get on the left lane at least a couple of miles before I exit.  In general, I try to remain in the lane that I know will keep me to my route miles before the split and the lanes separate.

I am very different in this respect. There's a left turn I make fairly often coming off of a divided highway, and, when traffic is light, I don't move left until the 800 ft warning sign unless I'm passing someone. When traffic is heavy, I'll start thinking about it a little sooner, maybe 1/2 mile or so at most, to ensure I can find an appropriate gap in time.

Now, that's a left turn I'm extremely familiar with. If it was one I had never made before, I would probably think about it even sooner still, maybe 1 mile or so in advance. However, if I was going to move left early and sensed approaching traffic that may need to pass, I would consider waiting for them to pass, or speeding up a bit to avoid slowing them down.

If all drivers on a highway drive at thin variation of speed difference that (all within five MPH above or below the posted limit) accidents would be a rare thing.  But unfortunately here on Texas freeways, we see several speeders who push it to almost 100 MPH along with several more who fail to reach half of that speed all sharing the same roads as the majority who do drive close to the posted limit; that much variation in freeway speeds is why accidents are anticipated on a regular basis.

This has been debated on the forum before, probably many times. It sounds great to have all traffic traveling at very similar speeds, but that also means that passing occurs at a much slower pace. This can lead to frustrated drivers, such as happens when one truck passes another at a 0.01 mph speed differential. This can in turn cause road rage and aggressive driving behavior.

I'm not sure what the ideal speed differential between lanes is, but I would think 5 mph would be on the low end of that spectrum. Upwards of 20+ mph can obviously be dangerous, but traffic flow is a lot less efficient when the lane speeds are too close.

[kphoger]

Average, but easily distracted.

If all drivers on a highway drive at thin variation of speed difference that (all within five MPH above or below the posted limit) accidents would be a rare thing.  But unfortunately here on Texas freeways, we see several speeders who push it to almost 100 MPH along with several more who fail to reach half of that speed all sharing the same roads as the majority who do drive close to the posted limit; that much variation in freeway speeds is why accidents are anticipated on a regular basis.

This has been debated on the forum before, probably many times. It sounds great to have all traffic traveling at very similar speeds, but that also means that passing occurs at a much slower pace. This can lead to frustrated drivers, such as happens when one truck passes another at a 0.01 mph speed differential. This can in turn cause road rage and aggressive driving behavior.

I'm not sure what the ideal speed differential between lanes is, but I would think 5 mph would be on the low end of that spectrum. Upwards of 20+ mph can obviously be dangerous, but traffic flow is a lot less efficient when the lane speeds are too close.

I've driven in Mexico somewhat regularly since 2009.  (In fact, I've driven more total miles in Mexico than I have in Oklahoma, even though I live less than an hour from Oklahoma).  In Mexico it's common to come upon an overloaded, poorly maintained truck that's pulling two trailers at about 20 mph in the right lane, at the same time that there's a Porsche SUV barreling down the left lane at 95 mph about to pass you.  People there will also tailgate you with 2.5 inches between their bumper and yours, with their left blinker on, riding the left edge line, for as long as you're in the left lane completing a passing maneuver–and, if you don't move back to the right soon enough for their liking, then they don't hesitate to drop down into ½th gear and squeeze around you on the right.

With all that said, I'm sure crashes there are more likely.  However, I've never experienced any sort of road rage in Mexico.  People just drive in whatever way allows them to make the progress they want to make–even if that means passing two abreast with two-way traffic, driving on the shoulder, or using the coned-off lane in a construction zone.  But, because there are rarely two vehicles going side by side at the same speed (except the occasional slow trucker passing another slow trucker), there's rarely an opportunity for frustration to build up for more than just a few seconds.  In contrast, here in the US, it's fairly common to find a couple of vacationers tootling along side by side on the Interstate for a few miles straight:  by the time there's an opportunity to pass one of them, that frustration has been building up within multiple other drivers for minutes.  There still might be less chance of real damage happening, but I'd still rather drive where there's less opportunity for rage.

[bing101]

What's your scale for good driver.

[webny99]

What's your scale for good driver.

I guess I never specified in the OP. I didn't really have in mind a number ranking, more just a discussion of your driving habits, skills, etc. in relation to "average" or what you see in other drivers. But, if you wish:

1 = terrible
10 = exemplary


The top three things that I personally think are most important are:

-Alertness - noticing what's going on in the environment around you and reacting to it promptly and appropriately
-Adaptiveness - openness to try something unfamiliar and willingness to change your behavior based on your surroundings
-Efficiency - taking advantage of opportunities to save time and other resources in a non-disruptive way

But honesty and self-awareness are important too. A 10 is earned by driving behavior, not words.

[JayhawkCO]

On-road, a 9 out of 10. Sometimes I drive a little fast or follow a little too closely, but I'm fully aware of my surroundings, I don't drive either too fast or too slowly in inclement weather, and I'm a gracious driver making sure to allow merges and whatnot.

Off-road, I'm probably a 6 out of 10. I have a decent amount of experience, but certainly wouldn't try the Rubicon Trail or anything like that.

[kphoger]

What's your scale for good driver.

The scale doesn't have to be entirely linear...

– I'm the best driver to ever grace these fair streets.
– I've never had an accident, never had a ticket.
– My driving is characterized by chillz and skillz.
– I own the road, and I drive however the heck I want.
– I'm clueless, I just point the car and go.
– My passengers tend to grab things and brace themselves a lot.
– I drive high, but so far it's worked out OK.
– I'm fine when I'm sober, but I'm not always sober.
– I am the rage.
– Not gonna lie, I suck at driving.
– I'm not allowed to drive anymore.

[1995hoo]

Well, let's see. Last Saturday we played nine holes; three of those were par 3s and so I didn't hit driver there. On the other six holes, I hit the fairway on #1, #2, and #5, just missed the fairway to the left on #4 and #9, and lost the ball in the trees on #7. So I'd say I did OK as a driver. On #5, in particular, I smashed the ball; it felt like my clubhead was almost like a spring.

[Rothman]

Everyone thinks they're the best driver on the road...but that's impossible in reality.

[webny99]

What's your scale for good driver.

The scale doesn't have to be entirely linear...

– I'm the best driver to ever grace these fair streets.
– I've never had an accident, never had a ticket.
– My driving is characterized by chillz and skillz.
– I own the road, and I drive however the heck I want.
– I'm clueless, I just point the car and go.
– My passengers tend to grab things and brace themselves a lot.
– I drive high, but so far it's worked out OK.
– I'm fine when I'm sober, but I'm not always sober.
– I am the rage.
– Not gonna lie, I suck at driving.
– I'm not allowed to drive anymore.

- Just passed my driving test!
- I'm no good at multitasking
- I care more about the car than the road

[GaryV]

What's your scale for good driver.

The scale doesn't have to be entirely linear...

– I'm the best driver to ever grace these fair streets.
– I've never had an accident, never had a ticket.
– My driving is characterized by chillz and skillz.
– I own the road, and I drive however the heck I want.
– I'm clueless, I just point the car and go.
– My passengers tend to grab things and brace themselves a lot.
– I drive high, but so far it's worked out OK.
– I'm fine when I'm sober, but I'm not always sober.
– I am the rage.
– Not gonna lie, I suck at driving.
– I'm not allowed to drive anymore.

- Just passed my driving test!
- I'm no good at multitasking
- I care more about the car than the road

- I paid so much for my car, I feel like I bought the road.

[jgb191]

I'm not sure what the ideal speed differential between lanes is, but I would think 5 mph would be on the low end of that spectrum. Upwards of 20+ mph can obviously be dangerous, but traffic flow is a lot less efficient when the lane speeds are too close.

Here In Texas, it's not uncommon for the variation to be as much as a 50+ MPH difference; the speed limit on most rural freeways is 75 MPH, the fastest drivers will push to almost 100 MPH, and the slowest might barely push it past 50 MPH all mixed in with the mainstream traffic going 65-85 MPH.  And then those with heavy truck traffic will complicate traffic flow even more.

[02 Park Ave]

One should drive with the intensity of Michael Schumacher and the discipline of an airline pilot.

[webny99]

One should drive with the intensity of Michael Schumacher and the discipline of an airline pilot.

Agreed about the second part - if possible! - but I'm not sure about intensity. That can be a feeling that leads to demanding too much out of others on the road. It can be frustrating to drive in traffic or at less than your desired speed, but it's equally important to remember that it's not a race and just relax and enjoy the road.

[Ned Weasel]

Should we include people's ability (or willingness) to park decently in this rating, or should that be its own separate category?

[Scott5114]

What's your scale for good driver.

The scale doesn't have to be entirely linear...

– I'm the best driver to ever grace these fair streets.
– I've never had an accident, never had a ticket.
– My driving is characterized by chillz and skillz.
– I own the road, and I drive however the heck I want.
– I'm clueless, I just point the car and go.
– My passengers tend to grab things and brace themselves a lot.
– I drive high, but so far it's worked out OK.
– I'm fine when I'm sober, but I'm not always sober.
– I am the rage.
– Not gonna lie, I suck at driving.
– I'm not allowed to drive anymore.

- Just passed my driving test!
- I'm no good at multitasking
- I care more about the car than the road

- I paid so much for my car, I feel like I bought the road.

- People who don't know driving aren't in my shoes of my neighborhood.

[jeffandnicole]

What's your scale for good driver.

The scale doesn't have to be entirely linear...

– I'm the best driver to ever grace these fair streets.
– I've never had an accident, never had a ticket.
– My driving is characterized by chillz and skillz.
– I own the road, and I drive however the heck I want.
– I'm clueless, I just point the car and go.
– My passengers tend to grab things and brace themselves a lot.
– I drive high, but so far it's worked out OK.
– I'm fine when I'm sober, but I'm not always sober.
– I am the rage.
– Not gonna lie, I suck at driving.
– I'm not allowed to drive anymore.

- Just passed my driving test!
- I'm no good at multitasking
- I care more about the car than the road

- I paid so much for my car, I feel like I bought the road.

- People who don't know driving aren't in my shoes of my neighborhood.

I'm a great driver. I have to be since everyone else is on the wrong side of the road coming at me.

[Max Rockatansky]

As long as none of your act like this driver you're probably fine:

https://m.youtube.com/c/LetsRideIllinois