After hearing about illusory superiority in driving with 80% of drivers thinking they are above average.
I've decided to conduct a super scientific poll to confirm this bias in the ozbargain community.
So overall in terms of skill, knowledge, safety, paying attention & being considerate, how do you think your driving would rate against the rest of the ozbargain community?
well said
Do you get extra points for driving a Camry?
There is a lot of missing information for anyone to be able to assess their own ability whether against the average, or mean. For example, I believe I am an "above average driver" based on my own, personal observation only. However, I know for a fact that I am measuring myself only against those drivers that "stand out" for not being (in my own subjective opinion) good drivers. As I am not keeping tally of my observations, I don't know what percentage I am measuring against. It's possible it's only 5%. In that case, I could very well be significantly below "average" - whatever that may be. I wonder if the "illusory superiority" has a large factor of "observer bias"…
Can someone explain why cars flash their lights at me after I overtake them?
Is it because they have small P syndrome from owning a dinosaur accelerating fossil fuel car?
Nah its just that they believe you are an above average driver, and showing their respect.
And that's about as sensible as this whole thread is…..
Probably because you almost ran them off the road! lol
Slower trucks seem to flash their headlights to let an overtaking truck know that they're load/trailer is clear and it's safe to merge back into the lane.
Probably because you were tail-gaiting them with your high-beams on before overtaking.
Probably because you think you had enough space but you didn't. If people have to brake for you when you cut them off then you're doing it wrong.
I reckon this is part of it, but you’ve got the detail wrong. It’s because they drive such a glacially slow V8 falcadore, they don’t realise that an electric car has more overtaking opportunities & can do it with smaller windows than them. It’s also their ego getting squashed.
Stop cutting off ppl.
You'll get various replies saying it's your fault and granted I don't know how you're overtaking people…but I know I get the same thing when I've left even a whole 3 cars of room at the least - if I want to go faster than you that's my choice.
Not my problem you're going slow - so yeah I think it is some thing about them not liking that you're going faster than them because you can.
Akin to those drivers who think it's their job to hog the right lane and make sure people aren't going over the speed limit according to them.
I'll probably get downvoted by the OzBargain population for this but oh wells…
Usually because you've pissed them off and/or are driving like a moron and endangering others.
It only seems that way because they drive a relative snail, which is ok, just understand some people &/or their car have greater capabilities than you
Lol. Prime example for this thread.
If people have to brake for you to avoid a collision, then you're not driving safely and then flashing their lights is a gentle reminder of that.
I overtake all the time and don't have issues. You're more than likely the problem.
@ihfree: Ha ha! I expected this exact response when I posted.
Until you drive an electric car, I can understand all the clueless ignorant responses (including the ones who refer to it being on a multi lane freeway, not a single lane highway)
@Boogerman: Maybe you are driving ok and it is just jealous bogans.
Honestly, it's almost impossible to tell. However, the way you've structured your complaint suggests that you may be part of the problem.
I also hate people who don't stay left, want to enforce speed limits, etc. I also hate drivers who weave, fail to indicate, cross multiple lanes, drive with too much of a speed difference with the traffic etc.
I do want to test drive a Model 3 and other electric cars as it will be a serious consideration soon. I'll have to watch for changes to my personality.
Although I was a reasonably component driver in my younger days, being now an “old geezer” I have shortcomings. My reaction time is slower, and my sideways vision is not good (due to back and neck issues). Vision is good, but hearing is lacking.
My policy now is to religiously stick to the advertised speed limit in the left lane, via my cruise control. I let all the red P platers speed by, as well as many tradies over the limit. I try not to be intimidated by tail-gating large SUV’s or semi-trailers.
I keep out of the CBD and prefer suburban streets or rural roads. So far so good.
I would not say I'm better than most drivers, because I know some Australians drive about half a million km before they're 30, and they're expert at parking and reversing with trailers on, etc. I've only driven about 200,000km so far.
But I'm reasonably confident and extremely careful, so careful that I only pay for 3rd party insurance. This has saved me thousands of $.
You are a smart questioner….. you have just asked the question that calls out intelligence….. people who are less intelligent will over state their ability where as those who are smart are able to understand their own capability.
Our brains are truly interesting pieces of work and we love to over rate ourselves ….. I am of course the best driver EVER
Im Above average, and qualified above average.
pretty pointless poll, The problem with many below average drivers is they have Zero awareness of their failings. My mother being a prime example, she thinks she is an extremely safe driver because she hasn't had an accident, the reality is being in a car with her is one scary arse experience, from stopping mid roundabout to let cars through, to merging without blinkers mid turn to just complete lack of awareness of whats going on around her.
PS: yes I consider myself above average. But I can justify that, years as a motorbike rider raises your awareness of what other cars are doing (otherwise you are dead as being in the right is not enough to keep you alive as a rider), combined with advanced driver training when I was younger and 30 years of driving experience much of which on bad country roads.
pretty pointless poll, The problem with many below average drivers is they have Zero awareness of their failings.
I think that is the point of the poll. I feel your example fits the Dunning–Kruger effect more than illusory superiority as those two phenomenons seem to have some cross-over similarities. But I never expected to see results like this when posting this poll. With 80% claiming they're above average was to be expected and in line with other studies. But to see over 50% of respondents answering "vastly superior to anyone on the road" is mind-boggling and makes me think there is more DK involved than first thought.
If I was allowed to change the poll options I would like to change it to:
Where do you think you rate on overall driving ability when compared to other respondents?
91-100%
81-90%
71-80%
~~~
11-20%
1-10%
C'est la vie, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
That in itself proves the pointlessness of the poll.
Ask dumb questions people give dumb answers.
Pollster - Do you believe in Global warming
Respondent - Yes
Pollster - How will you vote this election
Respondent - Coal Mining party
Or some contrary answer.
As I said before you think you know what an average driver skills must be? Bet you 1000:1 that if you ask many here they have different opinions.
and Is one speeding ticket = Bad driver, or 2 or tickets over 15Kph and one accident or 3, but is 1 for a 2 years qualified driver as bad as 1 for a 30 years qualified driver. And do you count accidents when someone has now changed their driving after that experience….
Bet you 1000:1 that if you ask many here they have different opinions.
That doesnt matter how anyone measures it: speeding tickets, many years experience, pulling numbers out of a hat… the majority of people think they are "vastly superior to anyone on the road".
@shkippy: Exactly, so what is the point of the question and the poll when you and everyone else knows that? 😀
@RockyRaccoon: Well I didn't know that, I was expecting the majority would be answering "above average" & "average". So I am fascinated with confirmation of these social phenomenons.
@shkippy: So like all those here, you only know what you know, based on your own experiences.
Welcome to the traps of pollings. Like bad driving, bad polling is best understood after a bad experience. 😀🙏
Also did you consider that many here just know this question, so then give ridiculous answers just because it gets the pollster confused. Like yea they expects this, so lets stir the pot with a contrary answer. Like its not life threating or anything like that. Sorta like playing mind games with dumb scammers from the "NBN"
@RockyRaccoon: I don't understand how this is a bad poll? It confirms exactly what it was set out to do: confirm illusory superiority in driving in the ozbargain community.
@shkippy: Just dont bet your PHD thesis on it.
Your Poll was biased from the start. But its not for me to tell you anything more. Search Poll Bias on friend Google. One that comes up first is…
https://www.qualtrics.com/au/experience-management/research/…
Cheers my friend….
@shkippy: Because I large percentage of people are not answering truthfully hence the poll is pointless. You could add another category of "I am without a doubt the best driver in Australia" and it would get a huge amount of votes.
Also did you consider that many here just know this question, so then give ridiculous answers just because it gets the pollster confused.
Yes that is definitely a factor but that is usually a minority of people, I feel this poll has gone way beyond that.
@shkippy: See you already know what you want, You then add to this with all your comments before the poll has ended. (the following is from that site I referenced). BTW you arent the only one here who believs these polls. Like how many voted in the evening - more likely mid aged or also working aged, while those during day could be younger - students, retired etc. these can influence the vote. Do Bad drivers ignore polls?
Bias is defined as a “deviation of results or inferences from the truth, or processes leading to such a deviation” and it occurs in every survey. It’s impossible to eradicate bias as each person’s opinion is subjective. This includes the researcher, who thinks up the questions and plans the research, and the participants, who answer the questions and share their thoughts.
There are several ways survey bias can influence the accuracy and integrity of interviews, as well as the answers provided by participants. For example:
Selection: How was the survey sample selected? How many participants completed the survey? Was the sample broad enough to capture the most valuable insights?
Response: How are participants swayed by leading factors from the interviewer? Such as the questions asked, their format, and the respondent’s desires to be socially accepted?
Interviewer: Is the interviewer unconsciously sending signals to participants that could alter their answers? Are the interviewers biased? Are the survey questions tailored towards specific outcomes?
@RockyRaccoon: I think you're taking this poll on ozbargain WAY too seriously. Do you go through all polls on here with the same scrutiny? I dont think you do. Why did you choose this one? Are you trolling? If you've got enough time for all this criticism why don't you design and post your own poll?
You're right I'm not using it for a PHD thesis! LOL
I know sarcasm doesn't translate well through the medium of text so I'll spell it out for you: I wasn't being serious when I said this poll is "super scientific". 😀
But again it's done what it was set out to do: confirm illusory superiority in driving.
Yes that is definitely a factor but that is usually a minority of people,
What makes you believe that your opinion that it's "usually a minority of people" is based on any actual verifiable facts?
I find it interesting when people present their opinion as some sort of fact to back up their opinion.
But again it's done what it was set out to do: confirm illusory superiority in driving.
It's done what you set out to do - confirm your opinion as somehow being the correct one.
What makes you believe that your opinion that it's "usually a minority of people"
Well here's an article saying 80% of people say they always provide truthful answers but mostly since this survey is not diverging from other research/surveys I would say the most likely reason is because the majority are telling the truth.
It's done what you set out to do - confirm your opinion as somehow being the correct one.
Nope, confirming other people's research of illusory superiority
@Che0063: Partially, but the most important point illustrated is that without, details you really dont know the answers
Even your poll answer is about 80%
I bet most peopke think the you must give way to peoole on the right when you enter a roundabout.
Agreed that that is what most people probably believe, when in reality I believe it is give way to vehicles already on the round about.
Having said that I generally default to giving way to the right at roundabouts, because if I didn't I would be rammed in the side of my car by those people coming from the right who drive through them at relatively high speed with no ability to stop safely if I moved onto the roundabout.
This annoys me so much, because I was forced to do it too, because drivers on right expect I will let them go, so even if you know rules, you are forced by others who don't.
Myself, been riding motorbikes for 10 years, cars for 9 years, heavy ridged trucks for 3 years, no accidents, a couple of fines for speeding, through various jobs over the years I've done several defensive driving courses and off road courses and emergency response courses, driven overseas in various countries both with and without road rules for several months at a time, usually get to my destination close to or quicker than google maps predicted time frames.
Am I a better than average driver? I hope so, I actually need to be in my line of work.
But do know I was a terrible over confident and dangerous driver for my first 5 years.
Ether way people still get pissed when I point out safety issues or bad habits while they drive.
.
If I was going to give advise to drivers it would be, understand the road rules if in doubt look them up but also with an understanding that road rules doesn't mean what's safest in every circumstance.
Assume other drivers will make every mistake, i.e imagine they will cut you off, predict they will fail to see you, they will have a brain fart and run into you, they will fail to turn or to indicate, they will merge without looking, assume the sun is blocking their vison ect ect
Avoid being in peoples blind spots, avoid speed matching (you should ether be overtaking or giving yourself safe space.)
Drive to the conditions i.e rain, poor roads, (I can't tell you how many car crashes I've seen on a hot sunny day when its just lightly rained)
Learn to focus for long periods of time as if your life depends on it (audio books and chewing gum help me with this). Dangerous driving can be as simple as driving the same route everyday for 1 hour and becoming a day dreamer.
Learn how to set and use your mirrors correctly, don't become reliant on reverse cameras and always head check.
Know the vehicle you are driving has limits i.e it can roll on a tight turn at speed, the wheels may lock during breaking, the tires will slip in the rain, you can oversteer or understeer
Speed constantly, never take my phone out of my right hand, drive a manual car with no tread worn down the wire and the only fine I ever got was withdrawn when I expressed my desire to take it to court.
I am objectively above average at reversing trailers or reversing down a long driveway. I almost find it exciting like a computer game.
I’m not proud of this. When I went for my drivers licence, my driving instructor said he could guarantee I would get it if the driving inspector “liked” me. This made me think I was crap at driving and couldn’t pass normally, so I agreed to it. Methusalem popped his head out and liked what he saw so off we went in the car. He kept putting his hand higher and higher on my leg and I kept stalling on a hill. I was so flustered with driving and what he was doing (17 year old pretty naive girl) that he ended up using the hand brake while I engaged the clutch. My crap driving on the hill kept his hand off me. You’ll never believe this but I passed!
(17 year old pretty naive girl) that he ended up using the hand brake
Did you end up pulling on his "hand brake" too? lol
He actually touched you? Wow that's (profanity). You totally could've gotten police involved. My boss did this at my last job, I complained to HR and they fired her. Good riddance.
I can assure that this happens but definitely not in Australia.
I thought it didn't happen in Australia to ppl like me. White. 42yr old male. But it did.
Now I think it can happen to anyone who's in proximity to a predator. Was really awful. She had complete control of my employment.
One thing that I think I do better than most other drivers that I drive with is to anticipate trouble both in front and behind. On busy motorways I'm always looking not just at the car in front but scanning for klms ahead and watching out for a sudden slow down. When this happens I'll immediately look for escape routes either to left or right and check my mirrors to see if I'm in danger of being rear ended and again planning to get off the road if necessary.
I assume every other driver is a complete idiot who is hell bent on killing me and try my hardest not to give them the opportunity by not sitting in blind spots, not being tailgated, overtaking without delays and acting decisively when the situation calls for it.
Little things like resting your fingers on the horn button as you go past a car on a multilane road could be literal lifesavers.
A poll of how many car accidents have you been at fault in the past 10 years would be interesting. Maybe 80% of people have never been in or caused an accident. Ive been driving for 17 years and have only ever been in one when a lady pulled out in front of my motorbike and hit me, which was 100% unavoidable on my side.
Shit drivers more than likely cause accidents they aren't aware of so that poll would be pointless on that part
Yeah but that would be a small percentage. And even good drivers would have accidents. But I'm sure that the majority of accidents would probably involve a shit driver or two.
There are some countries I've been where the definition of a 'good' driver is how fast you can get from one place to another by speeding and cutting off as many people as you can without dying.
Anyone who drives a Camry should be selecting "I'm a driving disaster, if you're on the road the same time as me, you better watch out!"
I know there are a few Camry fans here, but they are hands down the most dangerous drivers encountered on the roads.
Yeah but its OK because they dont go faster than 40kph*
*Unless in an overtaking lane.
Jokes aside i think theres a heavy bias here as Camrys are one of the most boring cars you can drive - which means people who dont enjoy driving or have any real interest in it apart from using it as a mode of transport to get from A —> B buy them. Compared to people who take pride in their vehicle or have some form of attachment, who are likely to take more care.
Im not saying theres anything wrong with camrys - If thats what you want, buy one! Just my observation.
We can only use data to make it fair. Accidents, tickets of any sort, etc. If you can't drive without speeding then you're saying that you can't even manage the most basic rules
I think I'm a good driver 95% of the time with 5% doing silly stuff id criticise other people for.
I like to think I am in the "I'm vastly superior" category, based on the fact I have not had a fine in the 18 years I've been driving. And have had only one accident which was my own fault when a Taxi stopped at a green light as I was checking my blind spot to change lanes.
mate you slammed into a car in front of you and didnt see it, vastly superior indeed
Mate, thanks!
No at fault accidents in 20 years.
I drive big vehicles, tow big things and can park wherever it'll fit between the lines.
I do the speed limit, leave safe gaps, let people in, ignore assholes…
I keep left unless overtaking
Yeah… I'm top 99% at least.
I know I'm getting old because I've found that no-one knows how to drive but me. If you could all just stay home forever and leaves the roads to… me, that'd be great, thanks.
idk more than once i've predicted someone about to make a mistake or do something stupid that's unexpected and i've avoided it.
I figure an average driver would not be that aware?
Driven in all types of roads on all conditions inter state and international that extra experience has to count for something.
to the guys in here that are "vastly superior" and have had at fault accidents. Mate. you are below average or average at best.
but if you look at the question 'if everyone was the same as me no one would need insurance'. Could fit a lot more people then, the real problem is dealing with unexpected scenarios, if everyone is the same people would react in a more standard way, no insurance needed.
unless its the driver on the phone in their lap on the freeway type
Had lots of crashes, but still well above most drivers, due to training and experience.
How do you get into lots of crashes and still think you're better than most drivers?
How do you get into lots of crashes in the first place?
"experience"
experienced crasher..
Demo derby
School of hard knocks
Hmm 37yrs of driving for WA Police, qualified priority pursuit driver car , qualified priority pursuit rider motorcycle. Original courses, and requalify every year. 100s of pursuits, rammed more times than i can imagine by stolen cars. Crashed into 4 times just sitting in normal traffic. Atleast 5 times hit by cars just driving normally pulling out in front of me. Plenty more none my fault. I drive as if everyone is trying to kill me heads always on a swivel, know 99% of road rules back to front.
Last crash April 9th 2006 0230am on my way home on Police Motorcycle hit during pursuit at 160kmh on purpose by stolen vehicle, i wont tell you all the injuries albeit they did lead to my FORCED premature medical retirement. No golden handshake no workers compensation awaiting 4yrs to access my superannuation. A video of it somewhere about .. I'm alive although banged up, why I believe I'm above average I survived.
Haven't had any kind of accident in over 30 years so I'm all right I guess.
Impatience and selfishness cause more problems than a lack of ability to drive.
Best drivers I've see are the taxi and private hire car drivers in Bali. No real rules, if thre's a gap drive thru it, scooters everyehwere and coming from every direction etc and they handle it all without accidents or losing their tempers.
Or you could ask… How many accurately know and understand the Road Rules…. ALL of them? Going interstate, check the different Rules?
Then…how many actually follow the Road Rules 100% correctly, 100% of the time, and always erring on the side of caution for those that do not do any of these to an acceptable standard?
We read here often how many contributors complain they can not drive and watch the speedometer as well….. Hand your license in please.
You do understand, 3 Indicator Flashes, is NOT correct Indicating…. nor is 85KPH after the new speed sign from a higher speed, the reverse speeding up before the new higher speed sign, or stopping 0.5 m over the Stop Sign Line.. or the multiples of other mistakes many many drivers do every day.
I think these days, not being involved in a crash or incident is 90% good luck, than good driving skills, unless you have done Defensive and proactive Driving Courses plus with a good courteous attitude, than you maybe you can be classed as an above average driver.
For those that can not reverse, or park correctly..say at car park speeds only, that is whole other ball game of incompetence.
As ex Military with extensive driver training, Defensive training, Attitude training, Heavy vehicle/Commercial training and Motorcycle training, touch wood, I still have a safe record last many many years, and I drive as I ride… Every other bastard out on the road is out to kill me… I drive/ride accordingly.
Over 18months driving and riding in Indonesia & Thailand, easy….follow their Rules(yes they do have a Road Code) never a scratch over there either.
Just remember, people cause vehicle crashes, there are no accidents, and it is 100% Attitude with 100% Skill plus 100% follow all Rules… then OP's question will never need to be asked and you will go home every night to your loved ones.
I’d like to think I’m an average driver. Because the moment you think you’re better than everyone else is the moment you stop learning and that in itself is dangerous.
Wouldn’t mind seeing a poll about stop signs
I always come to a complete stop at the solid line, then move forward a bit to check for traffic, and if clear proceed - 1 vote (just me)
Always roll through, don’t bother stopping when turning left, thinks they stop but actually didn’t, only stop when there is traffic to give way to - Everyone else votes this option
Wonder how many of these superior drivers know how to perform a hook turn properly, I would guess maybe 20% by the amount of Honking that occurs!
I use my indicators before I move into another lane and move over to the left of the freeway at least 500m before the exit I need to take. That alone will put me into the above average driver bracket, in fact the top 30% driver in Australia.
If you follow all the road rules and regulations, that will put you into the top 5% of the best drivers in the country.
I would guess.
I'm more cautious than average.
I have my kids with me and don't have an ego when it comes to who is fastest/best/coolest.
As a motorbike rider have better hazard perception than average and did additional police motorcycle hazard perception training to read conditions.
I know my limits. I know the limits of my vehicle. I read road conditions well. I anticipate quite a lot of on road stupidity. I make sure my vehicle is in good condition, tyres are rotated inflated and replaced. I generally take better than average care of all the risk controls that matter.
You can't anticipate leftfield true suicidal stupidity or selfishness, but knowing it's out there you can be alert.
But I believe probably only above "average" because driving standards seem to be so low!
You can anticipate stupid cars. They are normally doing something the herd isn't it.
When I see cars deviate from the herd. I keep a clear distance away from them.
My answer is 'I think I'm pretty good'. You've got no benchmark to say what my 'pretty good' so you can't go all dunning kruger or illusory skill etc on me. I'm okay with oversharing the below.
I'm very attentive of my surroundings when I drive, including identifying sus drivers, but I don't drive cautiously. My personal example was when I could hear a firetruck approaching the intersection I was, and as soon as it appeared, indicating down my way, I instinctively pulled up early and to the left because it needed room to make the turn into the narrow street.
I'm calm when a close call happens, because either I had anticipated it, or it's just not in my nature to react. I slow down just enough to avoid the accident and no more (which otherwise risks causing issues for people behind me).
If I need to pull up quickly, I try to give the person behind me as much distance as possible by stopping closer to the car in front.
I like to drive 'spiritedly', but not aggressively (natural conflict avoider). I want to optimise the drive (without being aggressive), like reading traffic to get the faster lane, or the less used lanes. I like to roll up to light as it changes green (but keeping an eye out for late-crossing pedestrians).
I'll always try to be predictable. No sudden moves. I'll take the next turn if I miss it.
If the conditions aren't ideal, will usually gauge one way or another if the road is slippery.
Probably the dumbest thing I do is do the passive aggressive move of getting really close to with drivers making mistakes. Turn out in front of me with too little gap? I'll continue as if you weren't there and see how bad their move was. Though, if I was definitely going to hit them, I would've slowed down as soon as I noticed.
I don't undertake (but I will passive aggressively suggest they move aside by…approaching). I keep left >=80.
I religiously watch and passively analyse DCoA clips.
The problem is we probably all have our own standards for what's good, and since they're our standards, not the other driver's, we are probably on average, better drivers at adhering to our own standards, than 80% of the other drivers.
Doing below the speed limit? That's ok, get out of the overtaking lane though unless your right hand turn is within the next set of lights.
Cutting me off? I don't care if I'm not going to hit you by continuing at the speed I'm going, you timed it well then, carry on.
Merging from the left lane? If you gave way correctly to the person ahead of me, I should give way to you so traffic flows normally, don't double zipper it.
Et cetera. You may care or not care about these or other things. Lots of different generations, lots of different backgrounds, lots of different standards, unfortunately, since we aren't a very homogeneous population, you'll just continue seeing plenty of drivers breaking rules that you prefer they follow, just like you do.
It's probably the bottom 80% who think they are the top 20%.
Well think about how many bad drivers you see each drive compared to the total number of cars you see. Maybe 5-10 compared to more than a few hundred other drivers you see.
Everytime I watch Aussie Dash cams, I wonder what % those morons think they form a part of.
What was this person even thinking?
I think that our driving tests does not really gear people up for the roads.
Logbooks etc aside, the real skill set lies in defensive driving. Sure a lot of it would probably be acquired through driving a lot, but a bit of it can be taught as well, especially for the less brighter ones, pointing out the obvious helps a lot.
One thing is for certain, although we have road rules, they are broken daily by many users of the road, so do not ever count on people obeying the rules.
average driver in wa indicates right to exit a roundabout, I see this multiple times per day, so yes I am above average
The worst offenders are the ones who submit dashcam videos pointing blame at others, but in the process incriminate themselves tailgating/speeding through intersections roundabouts not giving way, not paying attention etc.
fkn moronic
Worst drivers are easy to pick , they drive yellow Volvo's, are over 60, are of a specific race and sex .
It's a moot point. Everyone thinks they're above average in most things.
The problem stems with the government?
Why you ask well, we mostly rely on instructors like this: https://youtu.be/gkuLepZgXek
While being perfectly fine as theory doesn't account for starting the car.
But just like a motor cycle course testing grounds, the same should be for cars in all states of Australia.
I do Psientology so I can teleport.
I would say I'm average.
I do the easy things like sticking to the left if not over taking, indicating off roundabouts and can generally merge correctly.
But I'm a bit of a stress head when driving in the city. I probably piss some people off because I drive a gutless hatchback and generally can't zoom out into tiny gaps in traffic. Oh well.
Yes. No accidents. 20 years full. Everyone else is an idiot.
In Australia, I don't need the right lane yet I can over take, constantly.
I came to say one thing.
STOP signs are not STOPtional.
I'd say average driver with good spatial awareness. I was always taught to be 2 steps ahead of everyone and pre-empt that car flying up to the intersection blowing right through it, or that child walking on the footpath suddenly moving onto the road. Has payed off a number of times now.
Everyone's an idiot but me
I would class myself as a driver with reasonable driving ability several driving courses completed 30 years driving experience 20 years of that driving different classes of equipment.
Whats the test of a good driver?
Q. How many tickets/fines you have had?
A. None for 25 years.
Q. How many accidents you have had?
A. Zero.
Q. Respect for other road users.
A. Good though i know i could certainly improve.
Q. Knowledge of other vehicles?
A. Good as i know the capabilities of most other vehicles.
Example do you stop several meters short of a intersection line when you see a truck turning into your road? Most roads are poorly designed to take into consideration or the circle of long vehicles
Q. Do you try to anticipate problems down the road.
Example going around a corner slow enough that if a tree was across the road you can stop it time. Years ago we were taught your speed should reflect how far you can see and stop in time. Just because the speed limit is 100 doesn't mean you should do 100 conditions may mean 70 is safer. Though in heavy rain the rest of the public are happy to do 100 and run up the back of you i will pull off the road and wait for rain to ease or take a back road.
Sorry got on my soap box here.
Am i the best driver certainty not but compared to the average im exceptional. Because the average driver is useless and shouldnt have a licence they are in a rush have no respect for others and dont know the road rules.