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

[sparkie]

Definitely getting worse, but nothing obviously linking it to Covid.

They could also stop fitting indicators to most cars now, no-one seems to use them.

I am shocked at the number of cars that now don't seem to have functioning indicator lights.

Indicator lights must be really poor quality these days. Obviously to pass the MOT they have to work - but days/weeks later they must have broken.

 

[Weststander]

I am shocked at the number of cars that now don't seem to have functioning indicator lights.

Indicator lights must be really poor quality these days. Obviously to pass the MOT they have to work - but days/weeks later they must have broken.

Do they even fit them to taxis?

 

[zefarelly]

And the link to post covid is what?

Can you , or do you drive?

Please don't get me started....
OK thanks I will.
I've been trained as a professional driver and have taken advanced courses also, so it really grits my

Up here we have....
1. The drivers that cannot be assed to turn around at the next junction or roundabout, but decide to pull out of their parking bay, after someone has let them out and then they decide to do a 3 point turn and go the other way.
2. Drivers that don't stop at crossing and then wave at you as an apology.
3. SUV drivers that tailgate others to try and intimidate them to go faster.
4. The drivers that nearly miss the M4 turn off going north on the M25 and proceed to cut every car up and drive over the white chevrons. If you've missed yr junction carry onto the next one, ie M40 and turn around.
5. Drivers who park next to you in a car park and give you space that even a hobbit would struggle to get through.


I could go on....

That'll buff out . . . . Not even a scratch on the surface!

 

[METALMICKY]

Can you , or do you drive?

Yes, and the point is?

 

[BadFish]

Please don't get me started....
OK thanks I will.
I've been trained as a professional driver and have taken advanced courses also, so it really grits my

Up here we have....
1. The drivers that cannot be assed to turn around at the next junction or roundabout, but decide to pull out of their parking bay, after someone has let them out and then they decide to do a 3 point turn and go the other way.
2. Drivers that don't stop at crossing and then wave at you as an apology.
3. SUV drivers that tailgate others to try and intimidate them to go faster.
4. The drivers that nearly miss the M4 turn off going north on the M25 and proceed to cut every car up and drive over the white chevrons. If you've missed yr junction carry onto the next one, ie M40 and turn around.
5. Drivers who park next to you in a car park and give you space that even a hobbit would struggle to get through.


I could go on....

Number for is quite specific, but you didn't mention the colour of car.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

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?

My overriding thought when I started reading that was 'I bet there's going to be a comment in here about BMW drivers' and I wasn't disappointed.

I find that whole thing hilarious because a 'BMW driver' could be a 20-something 'boy racer' in an M3, a 70-year-old in a 1 Series or - as I find myself this week - a 46-year-old in a 750e. All completely different, but all get slung in the same category

As for your main question, I don't think covid has much to do with it, but the standard of driving has, I think, gone down. Partly because there are so many electronic/safety aids that drivers rely on too much and also because there are more cars on the road and people are more stressed because they can't get to where they want to go fast enough.

There's an overall lack of concentration, too, which is somewhat down to the multiple infotainment screens.

 

[BadFish]

I think it has more to do with Brexit.

 

[AmexRuislip]

Number for is quite specific, but you didn't mention the colour of car.

As we do regular trips to Hastings and on the return trip, we almost always see some **** carry out that manoeuvre.

 

[zefarelly]

I honestly think far too many drivers are distracted by a combination of music, sat nav, phones and talking to their passengers.

And being vacuous retards . . . Hair, make up ( boys too!) . . . Phones and ICE is the biggest one though. We're all guilty to a point.

cars are like cacoons now . . .people should learn and pass tests in a mini/midget/anglia/A35 . . . And get taken out on the A23 in rush hour.

 

[dazzer6666]

My overriding thought when I started reading that was 'I bet there's going to be a comment in here about BMW drivers' and I wasn't disappointed.

I find that whole thing hilarious because a 'BMW driver' could be a 20-something 'boy racer' in an M3, a 70-year-old in a 1 Series or - as I find myself this week - a 46-year-old in a 750e. All completely different, but all get slung in the same category

As for your main question, I don't think covid has much to do with it, but the standard of driving has, I think, gone down. Partly because there are so many electronic/safety aids that drivers rely on too much and also because there are more cars on the road and people are more stressed because they can't get to where they want to go fast enough.

There's an overall lack of concentration, too, which is somewhat down to the multiple infotainment screens.

….and people using phones. Absolutely rife.

 

[zefarelly]

Yes, and the point is?

Nothing specific or personal . . . . Just the vast majority drove a lot less, during covid, a lot haven't driven as much since, people have admitted to being rusty. . . Most won't but people were . . . . The roads and traffic have cjanged a lot since.

I used to drive a lot .and even during lock down was doing 300 miles a week . . . . then a few years ago I started working locally, so cycle most days . . I still drive but its really highlighted to me how badly lots of people drive . . . And also made me think more about how I drive when I do. . . . So a double point of rustiness and keeping up with the latest trends . . . . For example, cyclists . . . Padestrians who just walk into the road without looking . . . And electric scooterists asking to die. . . . .before we get on to domestic trucks and their pilots.

we've all heard grandads saying how good a driver they are . . .and they are . . . .in an old car on an old road! But modern cars, traffic and behaviour is a rapidly moving target . . .

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Couple of points, firstly i noticed a sign on a ferry when we were in Australia which is advice IMHO is how we should all approach driving which was straight to the point when driving in South Australia ALWAYS EXPECT the UNEXPECTED. Secondly taken in Leek last week and you could ask should that person be actually driving ?

 

[BN9 BHA]

Phones and ICE is the biggest one though. We're all guilty to a point.

I never touch my phone when driving, I have got a built in hands free in my van which I could answer if my phone is playing music. I don’t answer the phone though as most of my incoming calls involve me taking potential customers details.
99% of the time I make short journeys and just have the van radio on.

If I’m walking or on a bus I often notice far too many drivers are using phones at the wheel

 

[Gabbafella]

I only started driving after COVID so I have nothing to compare it to, but there are definitely a lot of dangerous, impatient and inconsiderate c***s on the road.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Things might change in that apart from pedestrians every road user has to have insurance ?

 

[METALMICKY]

Nothing specific or personal . . . . Just the vast majority drove a lot less, during covid, a lot haven't driven as much since, people have admitted to being rusty. . . Most won't but people were . . . . The roads and traffic have cjanged a lot since.

I used to drive a lot .and even during lock down was doing 300 miles a week . . . . then a few years ago I started working locally, so cycle most days . . I still drive but its really highlighted to me how badly lots of people drive . . . And also made me think more about how I drive when I do. . . . So a double point of rustiness and keeping up with the latest trends . . . . For example, cyclists . . . Padestrians who just walk into the road without looking . . . And electric scooterists asking to die. . . . .before we get on to domestic trucks and their pilots.

we've all heard grandads saying how good a driver they are . . .and they are . . . .in an old car on an old road! But modern cars, traffic and behaviour is a rapidly moving target . . .

Fine I totally get you. What you've just explained is what the OP should have explained.

You make some good points. You mention about pedestrians walking into the road without looking. Not helping that particular scenario was the daft change in the Highway Code.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Maybe this is part of the problem in how your taught ? Look closely and the L car is going straight ahead but holding the car on the foot brake, i was taught hand brake, neutral at major junctions, seems sloppy to me.

 

[Weststander]

Couple of points, firstly i noticed a sign on a ferry when we were in Australia which is advice IMHO is how we should all approach driving which was straight to the point when driving in South Australia ALWAYS EXPECT the UNEXPECTED. Secondly taken in Leek last week and you could ask should that person be actually driving ?

We have a different version here.

 

[zefarelly]

I never touch my phone when driving, I have got a built in hands free in my van which I could answer if my phone is playing music. I don’t answer the phone though as most of my incoming calls involve me taking potential customers details.
99% of the time I make short journeys and just have the van radio on.

If I’m walking or on a bus I often notice far too many drivers are using phones at the wheel

I'm the same . . . . Mines in a box/centre console . . . . But there's always/still a screen/dash distraction whetther we like it, ignore itm or not.

lifes a risk.

Couple of points, firstly i noticed a sign on a ferry when we were in Australia which is advice IMHO is how we should all approach driving which was straight to the point when driving in South Australia ALWAYS EXPECT the UNEXPECTED. Secondly taken in Leek last week and you could ask should that person be actually driving ?

In Mialn, 1997 . . . We saw one 'Bimbo a bordo' there should be millions here, by law!

 

[Invicta]

Not sure about the Covid link.

Range or Land Rovers the worst. Seem to feel they have right to storm down the fast lane like some Soviet limo