At what age were you best at driving?
Discussion
I've seen a few threads on PH where it has been suggested that older people don't make the best drivers.
Obviously ones reaction times increase as one gets older, but then experience is a good thing too.
I suspect that at 37 my best driving days are already in the rear view mirror - I drove a lot when I was younger, and so had a lot of experience, but I also had the reaction times of a younger man (who didn't get woken up early by children)
I reckon I had the best blend of youth an experience when I was about 32. Now it's a long, winding road to being one of the coffin dodgers future PHers will complain about
How about you?
Obviously ones reaction times increase as one gets older, but then experience is a good thing too.
I suspect that at 37 my best driving days are already in the rear view mirror - I drove a lot when I was younger, and so had a lot of experience, but I also had the reaction times of a younger man (who didn't get woken up early by children)
I reckon I had the best blend of youth an experience when I was about 32. Now it's a long, winding road to being one of the coffin dodgers future PHers will complain about
How about you?
Unfortunately I don't drive much now (I'm almost 33) - Only on the weekends.
In my GTi days, when I was single and used to go out for a drive for the sake of it, going between various Kent country lanes and Kent/Sussex Border at what now seems ridiculous speeds, I would say I was sharper then. So about 10 years ago!
In my GTi days, when I was single and used to go out for a drive for the sake of it, going between various Kent country lanes and Kent/Sussex Border at what now seems ridiculous speeds, I would say I was sharper then. So about 10 years ago!
Tbf im 22, so been driving only 5 years.
Having said that, ive driven/riden all over europe, been on serveral track days (including the ring), do alot of offroad driving and had lots of different types of cars/vans/bikes etc. I feel like I have alot more experience than your average 22 year old, yet i do find myself being crytical of myself on occasions.
One thing I appear to struggle with now; (where as before i didnt think twice) is judging my cars width through a gap. I seem to drop my speed right down and really concentrate going between parked cars/moving traffic now. It maybe me just being more cautious, but I felt in my younger days I could just go straight through without slowing down.
Having said that, ive driven/riden all over europe, been on serveral track days (including the ring), do alot of offroad driving and had lots of different types of cars/vans/bikes etc. I feel like I have alot more experience than your average 22 year old, yet i do find myself being crytical of myself on occasions.
One thing I appear to struggle with now; (where as before i didnt think twice) is judging my cars width through a gap. I seem to drop my speed right down and really concentrate going between parked cars/moving traffic now. It maybe me just being more cautious, but I felt in my younger days I could just go straight through without slowing down.
Late 20's I was a pretty decent pilot, scored well when assessed on various track/rally days. Had some training towards my ARDS, which went well. Late 30's now and am not as good as I was. I know a poor workman blames his tools, but my current steed is not designed for spirited driving.
Now, age 36.
I shudder internally at some of the crazy s
t I used to get up to years ago. My friends and I would drive on public roads as if they were closed special stages. I've done four times the posted speed limit which is just mental when you think about it.
I've grown up a bit now I'm glad to say.
I shudder internally at some of the crazy s
t I used to get up to years ago. My friends and I would drive on public roads as if they were closed special stages. I've done four times the posted speed limit which is just mental when you think about it.I've grown up a bit now I'm glad to say.
As of today, I'm at my peak at the age of (just turned) 37. Come this timw next week, I'll probably be a tiny bit better.
Age and type or car are meaningless measures. It's about attitude. I'm detrmined to improve so I will always get better - until such a time where failing biology starts to hinder the process.
Age and type or car are meaningless measures. It's about attitude. I'm detrmined to improve so I will always get better - until such a time where failing biology starts to hinder the process.
otolith said:
At 39, I expect my reaction times are not what they were - but if you are relying on reaction times, you aren't a very good driver.
I rely on them when the unexpected happens, as it does every now and again no matter how careful you are. That said I can't remember the last time I had to do a real emergency stop (as in a stop where I didn't partly expect to stop - I had to brake hard last week because someone pulled out on me, but I suspected they might, so I'd already lifted off a bit)Sometime though you can't predict it. Sometimes you lose traction - I remember one specific occasion when the Alfa started to let go unexpectedly (oil or diesel on the road I presume - I didn't see anything) and I caught it beautifully even though it was 6am - I can't see that happening now, which is why I wouldn't be driving that fast at 6am anymore!
I feel my ability to assimialte information has declined too. I used to feel happier driving on busy streets than I do now because it feels now like I can't process all the information as quickly, so I have to go slower. Does that make sense? Not loads slower, just I used to feel like 30 was slow, and now it feels fine.
Now, and I suspect I'll be better next year and again the year after that. I'm only 32 though. I'd be amazed if my driving starts to degrade overall before I'm 50.
Past that... I guess it depends on the individual's health and mental state.
Past that... I guess it depends on the individual's health and mental state.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 7th June 16:19
Frances The Mute said:
As of today, I'm at my peak at the age of (just turned) 37. Come this timw next week, I'll probably be a tiny bit better.
Age and type or car are meaningless measures. It's about attitude. I'm detrmined to improve so I will always get better - until such a time where failing biology starts to hinder the process.
I hear you, but I think for me I've started to notice the biology working against me.Age and type or car are meaningless measures. It's about attitude. I'm detrmined to improve so I will always get better - until such a time where failing biology starts to hinder the process.
The bad news for you is that it's a recent thing, and I'm just less than a year older than you ...
I'm 22 and have been fortunate enough to complete pass plus, im a member of the IAM, and have had a couple of lessons on track and a few trackdays too as well as a skid pan session. I hope that in the coming years I will be able to progress my driving further -in short I hope I'm not at my best yet!
I'd like to think I haven't reached it yet. I'm 29 currently so I hope I've still got a good few years where (lack of) skill remains the limiting factor rather than reaction times or anything like that.
They always used to reckon older drivers made the best endurance racers. That might be because they were all retired F1 stars going up against young upstarts and gentleman drivers though to be fair...
They always used to reckon older drivers made the best endurance racers. That might be because they were all retired F1 stars going up against young upstarts and gentleman drivers though to be fair...
blugnu said:
Frances The Mute said:
As of today, I'm at my peak at the age of (just turned) 37. Come this timw next week, I'll probably be a tiny bit better.
Age and type or car are meaningless measures. It's about attitude. I'm detrmined to improve so I will always get better - until such a time where failing biology starts to hinder the process.
I hear you, but I think for me I've started to notice the biology working against me.Age and type or car are meaningless measures. It's about attitude. I'm detrmined to improve so I will always get better - until such a time where failing biology starts to hinder the process.
The bad news for you is that it's a recent thing, and I'm just less than a year older than you ...
A mate of mine is 8 years younger and his joints sound like a skeleton having a w
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