How to Achieve Driving Zen
Discussion
Learn to get pleasure from the phrase, "I knew that was going to happen."
Like yesterday when the learner beside me decided to straight-line the roundabout we were sharing. He would have cut me up, but of course I predicted it from the L plates and general driving style. So, I hung back and let him have plenty room and didn't need to brake, honk, swerve or anything else that gets the general populous so worked up and angry these days.
A wee smile at my passenger, and a most enjoyable "I knew that was going to happen." moment.
Basically, drive well and be a smug git at all times.
Like yesterday when the learner beside me decided to straight-line the roundabout we were sharing. He would have cut me up, but of course I predicted it from the L plates and general driving style. So, I hung back and let him have plenty room and didn't need to brake, honk, swerve or anything else that gets the general populous so worked up and angry these days.
A wee smile at my passenger, and a most enjoyable "I knew that was going to happen." moment.
Basically, drive well and be a smug git at all times.
I don't think any of us can make an assessment of how good a driver we are. Who is going to say that they are a rubbish driver? Many say that they have 20, 25, 30 years of driving experience but if they are a poor driver (according to someone who knows about these things) then the time they have been driving is irrelevant. They may all have one years experience x 25.
I think that the OP needs just to drive according to road conditions and speed limits, let people out when appropriate, give other people the right of way if they are pushing for it and just chill a bit more. If you are always in the right then you are always in the right, should something bad happen.
I think that the OP needs just to drive according to road conditions and speed limits, let people out when appropriate, give other people the right of way if they are pushing for it and just chill a bit more. If you are always in the right then you are always in the right, should something bad happen.
Johnniem said:
I don't think any of us can make an assessment of how good a driver we are. Who is going to say that they are a rubbish driver? Many say that they have 20, 25, 30 years of driving experience but if they are a poor driver (according to someone who knows about these things) then the time they have been driving is irrelevant. They may all have one years experience x 25.
I've driven nearly a million miles in 45 years of driving (both personal and professional) without a single accident, done 4 advanced driving courses, skid avoidance courses, over 50 track days and have written a book about how not to crash. (I know, it's a given!).I'd say I was an okay driver, but I'm still learning and hopefully getting better.
It's ongoing.
Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 30th July 14:08
GetCarter said:
I've driven nearly a million miles in 45 years of driving (both personal and professional) without a single accident, done 4 advanced driving courses, skid avoidance courses, over 50 track days and have written a book about how not to crash. (I know, it's a given!).
I'd say I was an okay driver, but I'm still learning and hopefully getting better.
It's ongoing.
If I were suitably qualified and able to assess how good a driver you were GC then I suspect I would agree that you were 'an OK driver'. I like that you said that you were still learning. Every year the conditions change because there are more drivers on the road. We must therefore keep learning. I've only been driving for 42 years. Practically a beginner!I'd say I was an okay driver, but I'm still learning and hopefully getting better.
It's ongoing.
Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 30th July 14:08
I guess I've just realised life's too short to worry about what others are up to. My wife sits in the passenger seat getting really annoyed and asking why I didn't toot the horn at them. But how would that have changed things?
We're on a drivers' forum so we see it as an art form to a certain extent. Most people out there don't see it that way and me having a go at them won't change their view in the slightest.
I now see it as like when you're out on a bicycle - it doesn't matter who's in the right if you're the one in hospital. So I feel better if I make sure I get out of their way. Tailgating is a good example - time was I'd brake-test someone or race away from them, breaking the speed limit to do so. Now I just pull over and wave them on - they clearly need to get there quicker than me.
Though I will sometimes do that at the most inopportune time . . . ;-)
We're on a drivers' forum so we see it as an art form to a certain extent. Most people out there don't see it that way and me having a go at them won't change their view in the slightest.
I now see it as like when you're out on a bicycle - it doesn't matter who's in the right if you're the one in hospital. So I feel better if I make sure I get out of their way. Tailgating is a good example - time was I'd brake-test someone or race away from them, breaking the speed limit to do so. Now I just pull over and wave them on - they clearly need to get there quicker than me.
Though I will sometimes do that at the most inopportune time . . . ;-)
PistonBroker said:
I guess I've just realised life's too short to worry about what others are up to. My wife sits in the passenger seat getting really annoyed and asking why I didn't toot the horn at them. But how would that have changed things?
We're on a drivers' forum so we see it as an art form to a certain extent. Most people out there don't see it that way and me having a go at them won't change their view in the slightest.
I now see it as like when you're out on a bicycle - it doesn't matter who's in the right if you're the one in hospital. So I feel better if I make sure I get out of their way. Tailgating is a good example - time was I'd brake-test someone or race away from them, breaking the speed limit to do so. Now I just pull over and wave them on - they clearly need to get there quicker than me.
Though I will sometimes do that at the most inopportune time . . . ;-)
Yes, most of the time I do exactly this and ignore them/get out of their way etc. Occasionally though on the odd journey where I encounter an unusually high number of idiots, restraint is overcome and I feel the need to point out the error of their ways by tooting or simply closing the gap so the idiot that thinks it's OK to jump the queue and push in can't actually do it that easily etc. That's what I need to re-calibrate myself not to do, as people who drive like that seem to get incredibly upset and it just brings me down to their level. For 30 seconds there is a great feeling of satisfaction, but then that emotion is quickly replaced by irritation that I rose to the challenge. We're on a drivers' forum so we see it as an art form to a certain extent. Most people out there don't see it that way and me having a go at them won't change their view in the slightest.
I now see it as like when you're out on a bicycle - it doesn't matter who's in the right if you're the one in hospital. So I feel better if I make sure I get out of their way. Tailgating is a good example - time was I'd brake-test someone or race away from them, breaking the speed limit to do so. Now I just pull over and wave them on - they clearly need to get there quicker than me.
Though I will sometimes do that at the most inopportune time . . . ;-)
Work in progress I feel..........
j4r4lly said:
Some interesting responses so thanks for that.
I'm not specifically talking about speed as I like to make progress but usually drive within the speed limit.
It's more about the people who drift around a roundabout in no specific lane and with no signal, people who fail to signal at all, who arrive at every junction and stop and then start looking to see if it's all clear (lack of anticipation) people who speed through a 30 limit at 38 and then continue at the same speed in the 60mph road and get irritated when you pass them. People who drift along a slip road at 45mph and then force their way onto the road they are joining causing braking and evasive action, leaving all the people following them struggling to join the faster road. People with poor lane discipline on dual carriageways and those that tailgate, people being ever so helpful and stopping to let someone out of a side turning despite the fact that the road is blocked on the other side so now we are all stuck.......... I could go on and on and on as the list is endless and I really think I have a bit of a problem........ lol.
You sound similar to me, in driving style - fast up to the limit. I'm rarely overly bothered by other drivers, unless they are actively driving aggressively/dangerously.I'm not specifically talking about speed as I like to make progress but usually drive within the speed limit.
It's more about the people who drift around a roundabout in no specific lane and with no signal, people who fail to signal at all, who arrive at every junction and stop and then start looking to see if it's all clear (lack of anticipation) people who speed through a 30 limit at 38 and then continue at the same speed in the 60mph road and get irritated when you pass them. People who drift along a slip road at 45mph and then force their way onto the road they are joining causing braking and evasive action, leaving all the people following them struggling to join the faster road. People with poor lane discipline on dual carriageways and those that tailgate, people being ever so helpful and stopping to let someone out of a side turning despite the fact that the road is blocked on the other side so now we are all stuck.......... I could go on and on and on as the list is endless and I really think I have a bit of a problem........ lol.
Have dashcam but only probably felt the need to get video off 5 times in about 5years (20k miles per year).
E.g. Yesterday I had to slow right down on roundabout as someone pulled out whilst looking right at me. To be fair they probably don't anticipate the speed I carry onto that roundabout when it's clear but in turn I anticipate others not anticipating it if you know what I mean. Slowed down to a crawl but didn't feel need to honk horn.
Horn I mostly only use for lane discipline - people entering my lane etc.
Managed to drive home and then back to work this morning, around 50 miles in all and not make any comments at all...... Early days but it's a start.
Ironically, outside my place of work there is a zebra crossing which I use to get from the car park to the office. As 3 of us approached the crossing a van on the other side stopped with 2 or three cars following and a motorbike coming up behind, not going particularly quickly.
As we all walk onto the crossing, the bike decides that he is not going to stop and passes the queuing vehicles straight over the zebra as if we weren't there. What an absolute to$$er. If there had been anyone coming from the other side he could not possibly have seen them because of the van. It wasn't as if he was moving too quickly to stop either. The van at the front tooted at him but he carried on regardless at a steady 30ish mph as if the crossing didn't exist.
So, while I managed to drive to and from work in relaxed Zen state, I did end up making a comment on someones road behavior as a pedestrian..... lol
meatballs said:
Horn I mostly only use for lane discipline - people entering my lane etc.
I'll add "not ever bothering to use the horn" to my list of stuff I don't bother with.In my experience it just ends up with people kicking off and having road rage. Usually if someone has cut you up they're just a t
t and know they've done it. Just leave them on their merry way - but woe betide the witness I will bear if I see they've had a crash further up the road.Only place I'll use a horn is the MOT and blind bends on single track roads. Beeping at idiots is a waste of time and hassle.
j4r4lly said:
I’ve been driving since 1982 and therefore have a lot of experience and probably some bad habits that are now difficult to shift. I cover around 20,000 miles a year and for several years was doing over 50,000 a year on all types of roads in all conditions.
In many ways I’ve become more relaxed on the road, don’t rush about like a loon anymore (though I do like to “make progress”) can usually spot the idiots before they do something idiotic, and so stay out of harm’s way.
I’ve definitely noticed a drop in the standards of driving and in this respect have become less patient and tolerant. I find myself giving an almost constant commentary, on what I perceive as others driver’s ineptitude and frankly I’m really starting to bore myself and am sometimes actually shocked by what comes out of my mouth.
I also find that on occasions, it all gets too much and I have a bit of a meltdown, which then leaves me feeling disappointed with myself and wondering what the hell I can do to change things.
My wife drives reasonably well (other than some of her random gear selections) and just breezes along at a good pace and almost never seems to be irritated. I, in contrast, am almost constantly annoyed and I really want to just chill out and stop being so judgemental.
The levels of traffic and the seemingly spectacular ineptitude, ignorance and lack of consideration of many drivers, is really getting om my proverbials and I need to switch off and accept that I can’t change it and it’s just the way it is.
Anyone else feel this way and if so, how do you manage it?
I became a driving instructor.In many ways I’ve become more relaxed on the road, don’t rush about like a loon anymore (though I do like to “make progress”) can usually spot the idiots before they do something idiotic, and so stay out of harm’s way.
I’ve definitely noticed a drop in the standards of driving and in this respect have become less patient and tolerant. I find myself giving an almost constant commentary, on what I perceive as others driver’s ineptitude and frankly I’m really starting to bore myself and am sometimes actually shocked by what comes out of my mouth.
I also find that on occasions, it all gets too much and I have a bit of a meltdown, which then leaves me feeling disappointed with myself and wondering what the hell I can do to change things.
My wife drives reasonably well (other than some of her random gear selections) and just breezes along at a good pace and almost never seems to be irritated. I, in contrast, am almost constantly annoyed and I really want to just chill out and stop being so judgemental.
The levels of traffic and the seemingly spectacular ineptitude, ignorance and lack of consideration of many drivers, is really getting om my proverbials and I need to switch off and accept that I can’t change it and it’s just the way it is.
Anyone else feel this way and if so, how do you manage it?
The above was a real eye-opener. Things that I thought were "normal and understood" behaviors, techniques, etc., were obviously NOT so to others.
I had to re-compute.
j4r4lly said:
Some interesting responses so thanks for that.
I'm not specifically talking about speed as I like to make progress but usually drive within the speed limit.
It's more about the people who drift around a roundabout in no specific lane and with no signal, people who fail to signal at all, who arrive at every junction and stop and then start looking to see if it's all clear (lack of anticipation) people who speed through a 30 limit at 38 and then continue at the same speed in the 60mph road and get irritated when you pass them. People who drift along a slip road at 45mph and then force their way onto the road they are joining causing braking and evasive action, leaving all the people following them struggling to join the faster road. People with poor lane discipline on dual carriageways and those that tailgate, people being ever so helpful and stopping to let someone out of a side turning despite the fact that the road is blocked on the other side so now we are all stuck.......... I could go on and on and on as the list is endless and I really think I have a bit of a problem........ lol.
Your description is every minute, of every day, on every metre of Philippine roads.I'm not specifically talking about speed as I like to make progress but usually drive within the speed limit.
It's more about the people who drift around a roundabout in no specific lane and with no signal, people who fail to signal at all, who arrive at every junction and stop and then start looking to see if it's all clear (lack of anticipation) people who speed through a 30 limit at 38 and then continue at the same speed in the 60mph road and get irritated when you pass them. People who drift along a slip road at 45mph and then force their way onto the road they are joining causing braking and evasive action, leaving all the people following them struggling to join the faster road. People with poor lane discipline on dual carriageways and those that tailgate, people being ever so helpful and stopping to let someone out of a side turning despite the fact that the road is blocked on the other side so now we are all stuck.......... I could go on and on and on as the list is endless and I really think I have a bit of a problem........ lol.
The perfect training environment for new drivers and the perfect environment to search for a zen mindset.!
Time to repost the 100 word highway code again
"Drive on the left.
Make sure you can see and be seen.
Keep a constant look out all around.
Be aware of signs and regulations and why they are there.
Be predictable.
Recognise and anticipate danger and keep clear space from it.
Always ensure that you can stop within the distance that you know is clear.
Develop your skills.
Give courtesy, co-operation and space to others. Don't obstruct them.
Never take risks, drive unfit or compete with others. Safety is paramount and far more important than priority.
Take personal responsibility for your safety and the safety of those nearby.
Enjoy."
Works for me.
"Drive on the left.
Make sure you can see and be seen.
Keep a constant look out all around.
Be aware of signs and regulations and why they are there.
Be predictable.
Recognise and anticipate danger and keep clear space from it.
Always ensure that you can stop within the distance that you know is clear.
Develop your skills.
Give courtesy, co-operation and space to others. Don't obstruct them.
Never take risks, drive unfit or compete with others. Safety is paramount and far more important than priority.
Take personal responsibility for your safety and the safety of those nearby.
Enjoy."
Works for me.
vonhosen said:
j4r4lly said:
vonhosen said:
j4r4lly said:
JP18 said:
I haven’t even been driving 2 years and find many other drivers frustrating. My instructor always reinforced the importance of making reasonable progress, proceeding confidently and keeping left unless overtaking. Every time I’ve been on the motorway people are all over the place, sitting in the middle lane then just pulling out at the last minute. If i can manage it as such an ‘inexperienced’ driver why can’t people who have been going 10/20 + years do it? My parents find these behaviours similarly annoying but seem to have resigned themselves to just putting up with it.
Also it’s already been mentioned but trying to drive as smoothly as possible or hypermiling seems the best way to keep calm.
The Gov't did make a half hearted attempt to deal with this a year or two ago but with the lack of traffic police it's simply not possible. There were also many people wining that "weaving" from lane to lane was dangerous and it was safer to simply park the car in the middle and trundle along regardless. Maybe instead of the endless messages on the overhead gantries saying "Don't Drive Tired" etc, they should occasionally show a "Keep Left Unless Overtaking" statement which may have some effect......... may.Also it’s already been mentioned but trying to drive as smoothly as possible or hypermiling seems the best way to keep calm.
The system being created through 'the rules' breeds drivers who aren't going to want to move around a lot. Drivers get used to driving with lots of vehicles close to one another travelling at similar speeds (with a relatively small spread of speeds). The drivers take the path of least resistance & effectively give up keeping left because it's harder work & causes them more problems on their journey. It then becomes their ingrained behavioural norm even when traffic is lighter.
Areas of the country that see less congestion don't result in the 'new' ingrained behaviour & see better lane discipline.
Oh & the gantries do occasionally say "Keep Left Unless Overtaking' but they also occasionally say "Stay In Lane".
I think a lot of it is due to the consistent message that "speed kills" and alomost no focus on much else other than the seasonal drink drive messages and more recently, texting and driving. Many people seem to think that as long as they plod along at, or under the speed limit, then the rest of it (anticipation, observation, courtesy, lane discipline etc) is not on their radar.
Drivers are a product of the prevalent driving culture to a large degree.
I've said it before, the culture here is changing. We have an awful lot of drivers driving in a very congested part of what are small islands anyway & their environment plus the traffic management/enforcement policies will shape how they view the activity.
The traffic management/enforcement policies are creating (if you like & for want of a better description) a 'USA culture' of everybody getting in a lane that is moving at the pace you want to move at & staying there. Small spreads of speed & congestion (in addition to the policies) promote that. Wide spreads of speed & less congestion promotes a different culture of keeping left/right & we can call that the 'German culture'. The greater the number of drivers we have driving at or close to the speed limit, the less lane movement I think you are going to see.
We are moving away from a German model to a USA model.
Edited by vonhosen on Tuesday 30th July 12:52
This attitude has led to me not only always leaving double the amount of time for my journey here (Philippines), but also the expectation that everyone will unwittingly endeavour to make me late.
If I do feel a need to castigate someone for a "perceived" indiscretion, it is important for me to remember that I do not know them or their reasoning, nor their ability, nor if they have a gun....and....., most importantly, will it matter in ten minutes time.!
Not rushing to get somewhere leaving plenty of time for journey...priceless....but rarely done
lifting off gas....slowing towards red light anticipating they will turn for you just before you get there avoiding the need to stop....bliss and smug smile whenever managed
Not braking on a d/c or motorway.....my record is from junc 36 North of sheffield M1 to bottom of A34 at Winchester (includes getting off M40 to A24 north of Oxford
Knowing that the car at the junction in front of you will pull out...and does. Same for passing a motorway exit that once your within the 300m marker for the exit that tt in lane 2 will cut across you to exit
Knowing I have "failed" when irritated at other road users....almost every journey
rarely get that feeling of "zen" but nice when you do
lifting off gas....slowing towards red light anticipating they will turn for you just before you get there avoiding the need to stop....bliss and smug smile whenever managed
Not braking on a d/c or motorway.....my record is from junc 36 North of sheffield M1 to bottom of A34 at Winchester (includes getting off M40 to A24 north of Oxford
Knowing that the car at the junction in front of you will pull out...and does. Same for passing a motorway exit that once your within the 300m marker for the exit that t
t in lane 2 will cut across you to exit Knowing I have "failed" when irritated at other road users....almost every journey
rarely get that feeling of "zen" but nice when you do
PhilAsia said:
Your description is every minute, of every day, on every metre of Philippine roads.
The perfect training environment for new drivers and the perfect environment to search for a zen mindset.!
I've been driven a lot in my many visits to the Philippines. Despite the massive congestion, there seems a much better ability to merge and deal with it than in the UK. Not had the opportunity to drive myself though!The perfect training environment for new drivers and the perfect environment to search for a zen mindset.!
And in reply to the OP's original conundrum, I have a perspective that some of the thoughts and ideas of (some) advanced drivers are unhelpful. This is just a personal view.
A feeling of superiority that leads to a view of inferiority or crass stupidity of other drivers isn't healthy in my view. In my experience it can lead to the frustration expressed by the OP.
It's better to view the roads as a set of actions and events that to be good at driving, you need to take in and deal with with observation, planning, scenario checking, safety and politeness.
I don't hold up my driving to be in any way good, better than average or any of those things even though I've done enough "advanced driving" stuff to know what it's about. I like to think about it a lot and I make mistakes which I try to only make at most once!
Just a thought.
Bert
A feeling of superiority that leads to a view of inferiority or crass stupidity of other drivers isn't healthy in my view. In my experience it can lead to the frustration expressed by the OP.
It's better to view the roads as a set of actions and events that to be good at driving, you need to take in and deal with with observation, planning, scenario checking, safety and politeness.
I don't hold up my driving to be in any way good, better than average or any of those things even though I've done enough "advanced driving" stuff to know what it's about. I like to think about it a lot and I make mistakes which I try to only make at most once!
Just a thought.
Bert
I know it's twee and a bit wet behind the ears, but I really take to heart the phrase 'be the change you want to see in the world'.
You can't control the driving of other people, but you can set an example. Maybe your act of politeness and courtesy will be noticed by someone else and inspire them to emulate it.
You can't control the driving of other people, but you can set an example. Maybe your act of politeness and courtesy will be noticed by someone else and inspire them to emulate it.
I find it is a lot to do with anticipating the actions of other road users, and pedestrians around you. The majority of the time you can see what they intend doing, and you can adjust your driving to suit. Adopting a 'defensive driving' approach, ( and I do not mean an aggressive one), by anticipating others actions, and easing off, or adjusting your own road positioning etc, avoids most of their aggression, ( and stupidity ).
Too much speed / acceleration, when it is absolutely not needed, ( for example - approaching traffic lights when you KNOW they are going to change), gives for a smoother and more controlled drive.
The avoidance of using the brakes, by better driving skills and techniques, is one thing I try do do as a challenge to myself too. very satisfying.
Best use of the gears, brakes, road positioning, best lines around bends for sight lines and safe approaches, slow in/fast out. etc
I too have done various driving courses, etc, and found them very worthwhile.
Too much speed / acceleration, when it is absolutely not needed, ( for example - approaching traffic lights when you KNOW they are going to change), gives for a smoother and more controlled drive.
The avoidance of using the brakes, by better driving skills and techniques, is one thing I try do do as a challenge to myself too. very satisfying.
Best use of the gears, brakes, road positioning, best lines around bends for sight lines and safe approaches, slow in/fast out. etc
I too have done various driving courses, etc, and found them very worthwhile.
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