[Travel] Has the general standard of driving gone down since Covid

[Mackenzie]

I think there are too many old people on the road these days, who drive too slowly, are too hesitant, or are outright dangerous - not fully aware of their surroundings. They seem to be the leading cause of congestion, and dangerous driving, in my experience, and I do a lot of driving.

This in turn has led to people becoming increasingly impatient, myself included. I will overtake them (where safe) if for example they are unable to go more than 35mph on a 60, causing a giant tailback behind them. And I'm probably one of the people who is confident on roundabouts and does not need it to be COMPLETELY clear as the nervous or older drivers seem to need it to be. I only need a small gap, and that's fine.

Do you drive a Tesla?

 

[Flounce]

I have a good record 150,000+ miles in all conditions without an accident, having taken several advanced driving courses in a previous job.

The best thing you can do is assume ALL drivers will do something completely unpredictable and if you take precautions for that you will minimise what is the most likely cause of an accident for a competent driver.

The near misses I have encountered have ALL been due to old people. Stopping suddenly, driving dangerously slowly... I've even seen one going the wrong way down a one way street

Lucky you! ALL your near misses have been due to old people? Sorry I am really struggling to believe that

In fact I am calling bollocks

I do not deny that there are far too many old people on the road who should not be driving but generally they drive slowly and are an annoyance rather than a danger to others unlike the young drivers whose standard of driving is not at the level they seem to think it is, due to lack of experience and arrogance. Not anywhere near all of them but quite a few in my experience. I accept that I was one of them a long time ago.

I have driven well over 500000 miles but I don’t have advanced driving certificates

 

[Eeyore]

There is a massive difference between being confident and driving dangerously. I am guessing you are one of those who don’t make allowances for the fact that other drivers might be dicks. I am quite old but NEVER drive at 35 in a 60 limit except in thick fog. No doubt, you’ll confidently whizz past me at 60 regardless

I have met very very few drivers who don’t think that they‘re good drivers either. My wife being the exception, she used to be an excellent driver but a couple of years ago lost confidence and stated that she’d not be driving any more, and hasn’t.

I'm a rubbish driver. But I'm guessing causing no accidents in 30 years means I'm a safe rubbish driver. But I sometimes do 40 in a 60. An example was on the A12 a few weeks back. I'm not sure how the speed limit is 40, let alone 60, on some parts of that farmers track. I drive like an old person in an old person's car (Toyota Aygo)

Aside of that though, the idea of blaming older folk is for the birds. A bit like when women driver used to get the blame. My biggest beef was always with younger drivers in their killing machines. I'd much rather have a motorway full of old folk and women every time.

 

[Badger]

The standard of driving here in Canada (and North America as whole) is so much worse than it is in the UK. People have no idea which lane to be in on a highway. Stop signs and red lights seem to be optional. Apparently pedestrian safety doesn't really matter and it's fine to just turn when someone is stepping into the road.

It seems to be caused by a combination of bad road design (grid systems and traffic lights everywhere) and people only driving automatics. In fact, the majority of people learn to drive an automatic, making them much less involved in the actual process of driving. It's only going to get worse with people switching to EVs and cars largely driving themselves.

Whenever I rent a car back in the UK I find the driving experience so much more enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, there are still plenty of idiots, but it's the exception rather than the rule.

 

[Tubby Mondays]

The genera standard of everything has gone down since Covid.

I base this opinion on:
1) my own observations on peoples manners in public (shops, pubs and trains in particular).
2) conversations with an ambulance driver and a train guard.

 

[Flounce]

The genera standard of everything has gone down since Covid.

I base this opinion on:
1) my own observations on peoples manners in public (shops, pubs and trains in particular).
2) conversations with an ambulance driver and a train guard.

Yep

 

[Hugo Rune]

There seems to be a crash on the A27 every other day recently. It’s just constant. I don’t remember is being this bad.

 

[The Wookiee]

Got to be a side effect of the vaccines??

 

[Badger]

The best thing you can do is assume ALL drivers will do something completely unpredictable and if you take precautions for that you will minimise what is the most likely cause of an accident for a competent driver.

Yes, this is definitely the key. The most important thing I was taught when I was learning to drive was to anticipate what might happen ahead. Someone might step in the road, a car might suddenly pull out, someone might change lanes without indicating etc.

I don't pretend to be the best driver but I'm technically competent and have an awareness of what is going on around me. That's why I have never been involved in an accident in over 23 years of driving. Unless you count driving into a pillar in a multi-story car park, like a moron.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

On a daily basis, usually in Eastern Road near the hospital some vehicle will overtake a bus that is simply sitting in slow/stationary traffic waiting its turn. Although it’s not a laughing matter there’s not much else to do but laugh when you see the facial expression of said driver when the penny drops that he/she is now on the wrong side of the road with literally nowhere to go completely ballsing up what little movement there is in the area.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Society as a whole has got worse. How we treat each other, interact and empathise with our fellow man have got worse

Driving, driven by self importance and competence is a byproduct of this sadly

Too many ****s in the world these days

 

[clapham_gull]

Yep - almost got flattened in London a few weeks ago by an idiot who took a side road like a corner, mounting the pavement a good two metres in the process.

Back of the van smacked into me.

 

[METALMICKY]

Prescription windscreens is the answer.
Although you might have a massive pair of eyes driving at you.

But what us varifocals wearers and I'd like transitions glass for when sun comes out

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Worth calling out that if you drive in the UK for a period of time you should be assessed to UK standards and complete a proper practical and theory test.

The entry level to some internationally obtained licenses are a joke and shouldn’t be seen as a like for like transfer to a UK one

Personally I think there should be mandatory retests for everyone to every 15 years

 

[nevergoagain]

Society as a whole has got worse. How we treat each other, interact and empathise with our fellow man have got worse

Driving, driven by self importance and competence is a byproduct of this sadly

Too many ****s in the world these days

So true in so many areas of life. It's not the car for all those banging on about SUV's etc. Just as many twats are driving hatchbacks, middle aged women in Toyotas hogging the middle lane as any other type of vehicle. It's all about the dickhead driving the car.

 

[Chicken Run]

Or am I just getting too old to drive?

I am shocked at the risks drivers take on roundabouts and the speed they go around them and go for gaps which are “just”

Impatience and intolerance along with a mostly (not everyone obviously) lack of consideration for other road users, not letting cars filter in or blocking roundabouts when not able to go anywhere, stopping those that can.

Big f*** off SUVs going round bends at speed with two wheels over the white line and young drivers going at too high a speed around corners on country lanes

Picking the wrong lane on roundabouts and then just drifting across with no warning

Making no allowances for fog or rain and not slowing down in adverse conditions

I am banging on aren’t I? But it does concern me that it may be me that’s now out of step

Teslas have taken over from BMW and Audi drivers for driving like ****s imo

Rant over

Thoughts?

The A27 around the back of Brighton has become an absolute nightmare in the last few years, a week doesn’t go by without out part of if not all is closed due to RTA’s, last Saturday a 3 car pile up on the DD turning led to the whole section being closed for many hours.

 

[HalfaSeatOn]

Prescription windscreens is the answer.
Although you might have a massive pair of eyes driving at you.

…with an anti-glare coating

 

[SkirlieWirlie]

Or am I just getting too old to drive?

I am shocked at the risks drivers take on roundabouts and the speed they go around them and go for gaps which are “just”

Impatience and intolerance along with a mostly (not everyone obviously) lack of consideration for other road users, not letting cars filter in or blocking roundabouts when not able to go anywhere, stopping those that can.

Big f*** off SUVs going round bends at speed with two wheels over the white line and young drivers going at too high a speed around corners on country lanes

Picking the wrong lane on roundabouts and then just drifting across with no warning

Making no allowances for fog or rain and not slowing down in adverse conditions

I am banging on aren’t I? But it does concern me that it may be me that’s now out of step

Teslas have taken over from BMW and Audi drivers for driving like ****s imo

Rant over

Thoughts?

Yes.

And I think the link to COVID is same as some other threads recently, e.g. listening to media on phones without headphones, etc. people have become more selfish and seem to be in the mindset of doing whatever they want.

 

[Mustafa II]

Worth calling out that if you drive in the UK for a period of time you should be assessed to UK standards and complete a proper practical and theory test.

The entry level to some internationally obtained licenses are a joke and shouldn’t be seen as a like for like transfer to a UK one

Personally I think there should be mandatory retests for everyone to every 15 years

I would go several steps further.

I would:

- BAN 80+ year olds from night time driving, as it's clear so many have astigmatism and cannot see shit during night. Mandatory O plates on vehicle, similar to L plates, except meaning OLD, unless driving a Honda Jazz
- ANNUAL driving tests for all over 70s.
- Annual eye test submissions for over 60s. Ban from driving if caught not wearing prescription glasses.
- All under 21s to have an over 25 in the car when driving, or ban.

 

[portlock seagull]

I think the OP is onto something. I believe it is. Easy to say always been so but that’s a standard reply by anyone dismissing anything. Stands to reason more instances of bad driving for many reasons. I certainly see more than once did, only on Friday I was third car back at a roundabout - hold up caused by two blokes fighting in road! Eventually they got back in their cars after lot shouting and swearing and others beeping their horns at. Most amusing really, don’t see what had initially caused such a confrontation.