Are driving standards in the UK getting worse?
Discussion
I took my driving test 42 years ago at age 17, driving standards are much worse than then. This is caused by many things - A more selfish society, very busy roads, less police, in car distractions like loud music, phones etc, some people think they can drive like Lewis Hamilton on a public road because engines and brakes are better. There are some who have not taken a driving test at all, or not in the UK. The worst recent incident I saw was a younger Asian male driver texting on his phone on the busy M6 near Warrington, his car was wandering about, we just kept out of his way. Dangerous driving is commonplace when it used to be rare, and I think driving standards are now better in most of Western Europe compared to the UK, when the reverse was true 30 or 40 years ago.
TonyRPH said:
Yes! I see the same thing - they'll be at or near the speed limit, arrive at a bend and brakes go on.
I find that the worst perpetrators for fast in a straight line / slow though bends are generally women in either a Fiat 500, or a Mini Cooper. The ones in the Fiats in particular seem to think they are racing drivers.
I'll never understand that. Do these automatics provide engine braking at all? I suspect they all do these days unlike the old automatics that simply coasted. I find that the worst perpetrators for fast in a straight line / slow though bends are generally women in either a Fiat 500, or a Mini Cooper. The ones in the Fiats in particular seem to think they are racing drivers.
But even still I don't even see a need to slow down on a curve on highways since they are designed with so much safety margin. But actually braking is just inexcusable behavior.
flemke said:
Well, it depends.
In Germany, you won't find many "nice" drivers. In America you will find a lot of nice drivers.
I feel safer driving in Germany than I do in the US because, although in Germany other drivers are not conceding position to me, I can be reasonably confident that they see me, they are aware of what my car might do, and they have control over their own vehicles.
The cultural mores in Germany are quite different from what they are in the US or in UK. I don't know that it is our place to judge what amount of courtesy is "right" - safety is vastly more important.
American driver's are indeed "nice" but they are also oblivious to anything outside their phone, makeup or breakfast sandwich. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people in the passing lane just talking on the phone. They all have hands free systems now but they still have to hold it up to their ear. And even with two hands they are not coordinated enough to handle staying in their lane and so with one hand you can imagine how they drive. In Germany, you won't find many "nice" drivers. In America you will find a lot of nice drivers.
I feel safer driving in Germany than I do in the US because, although in Germany other drivers are not conceding position to me, I can be reasonably confident that they see me, they are aware of what my car might do, and they have control over their own vehicles.
The cultural mores in Germany are quite different from what they are in the US or in UK. I don't know that it is our place to judge what amount of courtesy is "right" - safety is vastly more important.
simondv said:
I took my driving test 42 years ago at age 17, driving standards are much worse than then. This is caused by many things - A more selfish society, very busy roads, less police, in car distractions like loud music, phones etc, some people think they can drive like Lewis Hamilton on a public road because engines and brakes are better. There are some who have not taken a driving test at all, or not in the UK. The worst recent incident I saw was a younger Asian male driver texting on his phone on the busy M6 near Warrington, his car was wandering about, we just kept out of his way. Dangerous driving is commonplace when it used to be rare, and I think driving standards are now better in most of Western Europe compared to the UK, when the reverse was true 30 or 40 years ago.
Back then there was only a radio to play with. People generally didn't make it if they crashed. There was no electronic stability control or traction control. People learned very quickly what could happen if they don't pay attention to the road. Now the console is like a video game with a million functions and menus 7 layers deep. We all know that there are airbags everywhere in the car. The traction control systems haven't let anyone feel what losing traction feels like. So they eat and drink and put on makeup because they feel invincible in their cars.
Texting and driving is discouraged but these kids can't understand the danger. They've never experienced an unsafe moment nor do they understand what 300HP can really do to a car without electronic stability control. So they text thinking it's safe. These automatic braking systems will even brake for you while you text. I think we'll just have to go full automatic on these cars because people drive almost like the car can drive itself.
Fractk said:
TonyRPH said:
Yes! I see the same thing - they'll be at or near the speed limit, arrive at a bend and brakes go on.
I find that the worst perpetrators for fast in a straight line / slow though bends are generally women in either a Fiat 500, or a Mini Cooper. The ones in the Fiats in particular seem to think they are racing drivers.
I'll never understand that. Do these automatics provide engine braking at all? I suspect they all do these days unlike the old automatics that simply coasted. I find that the worst perpetrators for fast in a straight line / slow though bends are generally women in either a Fiat 500, or a Mini Cooper. The ones in the Fiats in particular seem to think they are racing drivers.
But even still I don't even see a need to slow down on a curve on highways since they are designed with so much safety margin. But actually braking is just inexcusable behavior.
Put simply Yes
People are just given enough training to pass the test. I doubt if the majority of instructors actually teach people to drive,observe on the move, anticipate, etc but most important tolerance and patience.
My son was told, if he passed he would get two extra lessons on motorway driving (M4 and M3 are the local ones) BUT before we get the bleats about being miles from a motorway, i am sure that there are psuedo mways in the shape of two or three lane A roads, ok no hard shoulder, but the speeds are the same.
I saw an absolute bell end yesterday perform the following, do a u turn on and then bimble along holdin up the traffic behind, and on approaching a roundabout with two exits (if approaching from 6 these were at 10, and 2) go into the right hand lane of the two lane approach and then take the 10 exit, no indicators!!) so an emphatic YES
People are just given enough training to pass the test. I doubt if the majority of instructors actually teach people to drive,observe on the move, anticipate, etc but most important tolerance and patience.
My son was told, if he passed he would get two extra lessons on motorway driving (M4 and M3 are the local ones) BUT before we get the bleats about being miles from a motorway, i am sure that there are psuedo mways in the shape of two or three lane A roads, ok no hard shoulder, but the speeds are the same.
I saw an absolute bell end yesterday perform the following, do a u turn on and then bimble along holdin up the traffic behind, and on approaching a roundabout with two exits (if approaching from 6 these were at 10, and 2) go into the right hand lane of the two lane approach and then take the 10 exit, no indicators!!) so an emphatic YES
silverfoxcc said:
People are just given enough training to pass the test. I doubt if the majority of instructors actually teach people to drive,observe on the move, anticipate, etc but most important tolerance and patience.
Admittedly this was nearly 17 years ago but I can still recall my driving instructor tell me that he wasn't teaching me to pass my test. He was teaching me how to drive correctly and in turn I would pass my test as a result. There are still various things he taught me that stick with me today and I passed my test first time under his instruction. I was very fortunate though and I suspect instructors like this are a rarity.
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