Discussion
I hope I'm not alone in this, but I've just started to read Roadcraft and was struck how much I've learnt in the first chapter - which is all I've read thus far.
As I was reading about most drivers over estimating their ability and how speed limits should be observed, I was thinking "fine for those drivers that don't have my car/experience/ability; all limits are based on the lowest common denominator so my abilities exceed those of the worst, so naturally the limits shouldn't apply to me!"
It was then that it occurred to me that I'm doing exactly what the book is warning. Is this a common reaction?
As I was reading about most drivers over estimating their ability and how speed limits should be observed, I was thinking "fine for those drivers that don't have my car/experience/ability; all limits are based on the lowest common denominator so my abilities exceed those of the worst, so naturally the limits shouldn't apply to me!"
It was then that it occurred to me that I'm doing exactly what the book is warning. Is this a common reaction?
LordGrover said:
I hope I'm not alone in this, but I've just started to read Roadcraft and was struck how much I've learnt in the first chapter - which is all I've read thus far.
As I was reading about most drivers over estimating their ability and how speed limits should be observed, I was thinking "fine for those drivers that don't have my car/experience/ability; all limits are based on the lowest common denominator so my abilities exceed those of the worst, so naturally the limits shouldn't apply to me!"
It was then that it occurred to me that I'm doing exactly what the book is warning. Is this a common reaction?
As I was reading about most drivers over estimating their ability and how speed limits should be observed, I was thinking "fine for those drivers that don't have my car/experience/ability; all limits are based on the lowest common denominator so my abilities exceed those of the worst, so naturally the limits shouldn't apply to me!"
It was then that it occurred to me that I'm doing exactly what the book is warning. Is this a common reaction?
Overestimating your own ability is a very common reaction. Ask a number of drivers how they rate their driving, and a large percentage will rate themselves as above average. Obviously they can't all be right, can they? Having enough money to buy a nice car is absolutely no guarantee of driver ability, and neither, surprisingly enough, is how much experience you've got. I've sat next to drivers with less than 2 years experience who have been smooth, intelligent and who possessed very nice car control. Conversely, I've sat next to drivers with 20 or 30 years driving experience and wondered how they've lasted as long as they have.
In an ideal world, there would be no speed limits. My reckoning on this is that, if everyone drove at an appropriate speed for the road, traffic volume and conditions, all of the time, then there would obviously be no need for speed limits. There are times when even a 20 MPH speed limit is too fast - sometimes it's as much as 19 MPH too fast, and there are other times when 140 MPH is perfectly safe.
The problem is, (and if you're an experienced driver, you'll appreciate this point) would you trust the majority of drivers to make the correct choice of speed? I wouldn't.
Beyond your standard DSA test, there is no obligation for people to gain any further driver training throughout their entire lives, and without any graded licence system, there's only one way of applying appropriate speeds, and that's with limits.
Are all the posted speed limits correct? No - not in my opinion, but I'm afraid I have no say in the matter.
Should you go above certain speed limits? That's entirely up to you. If you decide to go above the national speed limit on a quiet country road, and stay within your own safe limits (i.e. not go outside your own ability level), then good on you - enjoy yourself. If you get caught, however, then you should take it on the chin and not complain about it. It's still an illegal act, and you must do it with that in mind.
I must admit, I tend to take Reg's line on speed. If you do get caught, then have the decency to take it on the chin. Now again, I don't exactly think that we should go around breaking the speed limit all the time, but sometimes, it is perfectly reasonable and safe. But you are unfortunately breaking the law in doing so.
As for the rating of skills, I must be in the smaller minority then, who still rates his skills in the beginner level (only been driving about 18 months), but getting to the point where I do need to think about some form of advanced training, especially seeing as I'm getting a significantly more powerful car next weekend. I tend to think that while I do most things correctly, most of the time, I could really do with some help on generally getting smoother and better use of the car's controls.
As for the rating of skills, I must be in the smaller minority then, who still rates his skills in the beginner level (only been driving about 18 months), but getting to the point where I do need to think about some form of advanced training, especially seeing as I'm getting a significantly more powerful car next weekend. I tend to think that while I do most things correctly, most of the time, I could really do with some help on generally getting smoother and better use of the car's controls.
Agree pretty much with Reg's comments. The only thing I'd add is that the great enemy of safe driving is lack of concentration. Sometimes, for example, when travelling home on a motorway after a long day I'll find it increasingly difficult to keep focused on the road. If possible, what I then like to do is to come off the motorway and push on across country. The business of looking for every opportunity to make progress, while spotting actual and potential hazards and reading the road, concentrates the mind wonderfully. In these circumstances, speed - or rather, trying to maintain best safe speed - is a positive encouragement to safe driving, whatever the posted limit might be.
Of course, in the south east the theory goes to pot all too often because one merely finds oneself following a different queue of cars, this time all travelling at 35mph and with no opportunity to overtake!
Of course, in the south east the theory goes to pot all too often because one merely finds oneself following a different queue of cars, this time all travelling at 35mph and with no opportunity to overtake!
I think that most people think that they are good drivers, hence the problem with persuading people of the need for or benefits of further driver training. As soon as you become cocky and think that you are excellent then you let your guard drop. And that is invariably when things start to go wrong. Interestingly enough, when I first read Roadcraft I had the same reaction as you, then I had a 
moment and it all made perfect sense.
moment and it all made perfect sense. Edited by EmmaP on Tuesday 27th March 18:36
I also went through this phase of thinking.
I got pretty cocky after a small amount of "advanced driver training" and began to eat away more and more at the margins of safety, both with regards to speed and the limits of my cars handling.
Needless to say, I had a near death experience, travelling at 60 Mph backwards on a slip road onto the motorway! :0
Since then I've settled down and begun to think much more about the attitude that an advanced driver has, rather than the skills or techincal ability. IMO being a good advanced driver is much more about the observation and anticipation phases of the system of car control, as these lead to much better driving plans. In turn this will give a smooth and safe drive, making progress where appropriate. Any muppet can heel-and toe or match revs, it's anticipating the correct time to do these that is the real skill.
Read the book, practice the system, and take critical look at your own driving. You'll find times when you're much too fast and much too close to the car in front. You'll also find countless opportunities to make safe progress, and this is where the fun of advanced driving really somes into it's own!
"The biggest danger to any driver is the gap between their perceived ability and their actual ability".
I got pretty cocky after a small amount of "advanced driver training" and began to eat away more and more at the margins of safety, both with regards to speed and the limits of my cars handling.
Needless to say, I had a near death experience, travelling at 60 Mph backwards on a slip road onto the motorway! :0
Since then I've settled down and begun to think much more about the attitude that an advanced driver has, rather than the skills or techincal ability. IMO being a good advanced driver is much more about the observation and anticipation phases of the system of car control, as these lead to much better driving plans. In turn this will give a smooth and safe drive, making progress where appropriate. Any muppet can heel-and toe or match revs, it's anticipating the correct time to do these that is the real skill.
Read the book, practice the system, and take critical look at your own driving. You'll find times when you're much too fast and much too close to the car in front. You'll also find countless opportunities to make safe progress, and this is where the fun of advanced driving really somes into it's own!
"The biggest danger to any driver is the gap between their perceived ability and their actual ability".
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