90% of Drivers Consider Themselves Above Average! Take the Quiz.

Several studies have show that over 90% of drivers surveyed in the United States and Sweden consider themselves to be above average drivers**. My observations indicate the percentage to be even higher. Very few people consider themselves to be below average drivers for safety or ability. Frequently, passengers would rate the drivers much differently than the drivers rate themselves.



Maybe the survey should be broken down differently. Consider individual ratings (10 being the best and 1 being very poor) for important factors like:

• Hours of formal driver education training


• Knowledge of driving rules


• Knowledge of safety tips


• Compliance with road rules and safety tips


• Experience on the road (hours of driving and variety of experience)


• Vision


• Hearing


• Reflex speed (how long from the time you recognize a hazard until you react)


• Avoiding distractions from loud radios, cell phones, eating, drinking, etc.


• Distractions from passengers (spouse, friends, children, etc.)


• Taking medications


• Alcohol avoidance


• Anger versus calm


• Knowledge of your vehicle


• Vehicle safety


• Do you always plan your route before leaving?


• Do you always drive like there is a police officer behind you?


• And so on...

When one understands the complexity of driving, one may change his or her rating. Each of us can update our skills on a regular basis by taking inexpensive courses. Here is a quick quiz to see if you need an update:

1. Do you know and practice the "three-second" rule for following distance?
   
2. Do you know how to activate the lane-changing turn signal? Hint, it is not the same as the "full turn signal."
   
3. Do you know how to avoid bad drivers? Hint, it has to do with when you leave for your destination.
   
4. Do you know when to activate your turn signal for optimum safety?
   
5. Do you know what to do if your accelerator sticks or you lose your brakes?
   

If you are not certain about any of these answers, please consider taking additional driver training. One source of driver training is through the non-profit branch of AARP at www.AARP.org/driver. The class is about $14 and will help drivers of all ages. Drivers over 50 may have the added benefit of a discount on their auto insurance for the following three years. Not a bad investment.


Ask others to take the quiz and have them join you in a class. You will have fun and learn a lot.


This is Rob G asking you to Drive Like Me.


** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_superiority#cite_note-hoorens-0