The Driver

The Drivers Attitude and Behaviours

Safety is the most important aspect of being a driver and attitude is the most important aspect of being a good driver. The enjoyment that is derived from being a good driver comes from knowing that you are contributing to making the roads a safer place.

There are several qualities that go to make up an attitude that could be described as good or responsible. These qualities when practised will influence your driving behaviour and will protect you and others on a daily basis, they are as follows:

• Patience and self control
• Self Confidence
• Responsible attitude
• Ability to concentrate
• Ability to anticipate

Don't Forget!

The average car weighs around 1.5 tons, it is your responsibility to control that massive weight at all times.

Developing the right attitude and subsequent behaviour will be easier for some drivers than it will for to others, what is important is that the driver makes a concerted effort to [practice these mannerisms every time they sit behind the wheel of their car.

Patience and Self control

Unfortunately it would seem that in this modern world there is a correlation between the speedy expectancy levels of people and their lack of patience. This would appear to manifest itself in lack of courtesy on the road, aggressive driving, and at worst road rage. There is a saying that patience is a virtue, and this is most certainly true when driving on the road, most accidents are caused by impatient drivers wanting to get to their destination quicker or thoughtless and selfish drivers taking dangerous risks. Be aware that this is going on around you and hold steadfastly to your speed limit no matter how annoyed the driver behind gets with you.

Self Confidence

Self confidence is not something that you can necessarily teach but it is something that can grow over time, in the case of a good driver it manifests in good judgement and skilful driving. Knowing the dangers of being overconfident and taking risks will increase the drivers confidence as they consistently avoid collisions, accidents and mishaps.

Responsible Attitude

Your responsibility is to all who could be affected by your driving, this would include yourself, your passengers and all other road users. Ensure your passengers are safe and secure on the journey, know your legal responsibilities regarding the use of seatbelts.

Practice tolerance when driving on the road, be aware of cyclists, children and schools, elderly people crossing roads, people walking their dogs. Make allowances for all of these people and situations, recognise the limitations of others and show a responsible attitude.

Ability to concentrate

Concentration when driving must be at full capacity all of the time. Letting yourself daydream or letting your mind wander could be a very dangerous thing to do and could result in an accident. Any kind of distraction should be avoided, this obviously includes mobile or cell phones, changing CDs or the radio, wearing headphones so you are unaware of the sounds around you, eating or drinking, programming your sat nav or GPS, having noisy or drunk passengers in the vehicle. Basically anything that takes your attention away from keeping your attention on the road should be avoided.

Ability to anticipate

Planning ahead and preparing yourself for potential circumstances would constitute good anticipation skills. If you are driving in built up areas with traffic and people there are many things that can happen that could affect you whilst driving. Developing a good defensive driving attitude in these circumstances is important. Whilst on the road try and anticipate what the driver may do in front and behind you, keep a nice distance between you and them just in case they don't afford you the same courtesy.