WHAT KIND OF DRIVER ARE YOU?

[ExcitableBoy]

1 - PSYCHOTIC: Weave in and out of traffic and just can't stand to be behind another vehicle, even if they are traveling at the same speed as you.

2 - TIMID: Can't pull out in front of another vehicle to merge with traffic even though approaching cars are at least a block away.

3 - REACTIONARY: Your focus is totally on the vehicle in front of you and react only to what that driver is doing.

4 - COMATOSE: Don't care what traffic is doing around you; everyone else has to cater to your driving whims.

5 - BULLY: Tailgate, cut people off, crowd lanes, speed up-slow down just out of spite or general inattentiveness.

6 - TACTICAL/AGGRESSIVE: You have a goal and nothing is going to stop you from achieving arrival at your destination at the fastest possible speed.

7 - STRATEGIC: You scan traffic as far ahead as possible and plan your driving moves accordingingly.

I will start and proclaim that I am a STRATEGIC driver, which confuses and sometimes upsets the lady in my life, as she is a combo of TIMID/REACTIONARY, which, in turn, drives me nuts sometimes, although I'm more than happy to let her drive in the city (I pretty much just close my eyes and try to breathe deeply.).

What say you all?

 

[LVSteve]

Nice summary of what I see on my commute every day.

143 deaths this year in the LVMPD jurisdiction and nearly 300 statewide with a population of barely 3 million. Utterly criminal. Oops, I think this makes it 144. Driver sought in south Las Vegas Valley crash that left woman dead | News | fox5vegas.com

I'm pretty much #7. On the freeway I leave gaps that give my passengers asphalt agoraphobia. Type 1 drivers feel it is their duty to occupy this space to prevent the critters from the Tremors movie from bursting up through the road.

 

[wood714]

About 50/50 6 and 7.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Last moving violation I got was in 1972Giess I do not qualify for this.

 

[LVSteve]

Last moving violation I got was in 1972Giess I do not qualify for this.

Maybe it makes you a Class A #7.

 

[llowry61]

#7 - with the classic "watch out for the other guy mentality" when combat driving in high density traffic. Ironically, the little lady is #6. All of the insurance claims we have ever had were hers. Not always her fault, but she does not watch out for the other gals and has no fear while piloting her Grand Cherokee.

 

[robvious]

on the public roads I am a 7 with occasional 6 sprinkled in... on track it is reversed

 

[Cdog]

Definitely tactical. One of my goals is being free of a cluster.

I like my own space.

Four lane roads, I tend to have a heavy foot. Not unusual for me to see 80mph. I drive a little fast, but not aggressively. My goal is to attract as little attention as possible while maintaining a healthy pace.

Local/County/Residential and I'm a 45mph driver.

I find both irritate the devil out of other drivers.

I'm the only person to have been reported to my office for driving a company car too slow (45) on a county two lane road.

 

[brucev]

On surface streets, never more than maybe 40-45 MPH. Don't get in a hurry There is no reason to stomp the gas if you leave a bit of time for a cushion for getting where you need to go on time. On the interstate, I observe the speed limit. In my area, the super-speeder penalty kicks in at 10 MPH over the limit. Haven't got anywhere to go that is worth that kind of money for a little bit more speed. Once you're over 80 MPH ... the blue light special is really expensive. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Greyman50]

Depends on situation and conditions. By chance when Im on the road, I have some place I’m going for a purpose, period. Seems to me 70%-80% of drivers these days are just on the road for ??????. Dancing while driving( no kidding!); talking on phone, phone in one hand gesturing with other, going 10-20 mph LESS than speed limit. Talking to passenger gesturing with one or both hands ; or staring straight ahead focusing on ????? going speed limit or way below. I try to get AWAY from these non drivers, preferably ahead of such as do not want to be involved in any crash , witness one and to avoid being stuck behind one. Have investigated to many crashes to want to be involved in one.

 

[tops]

I'm a #7 as a rule BUT when a slow driver has a long line of traffic behind them and nobody will pass and I'm way down the line I can turn into a #6 in a heartbeat. Larry

 

[Beemerguy53]

So much of the negative behavior we see on our roads stems from simple selfishness. Many -- most? -- Americans drive as if they're the only ones on the road.

It isn't this way in other countries. In Canada, and in the places where I've driven in Europe, motorists generally see themselves as part of a larger community, and drive accordingly.

Road & Track Magazine columnist Peter Egan wrote about this phenomenon several years ago...

The Problems With the American Driver

 

[Alton]

You need to add a #8 Defensive Driver. Leave enough room between you and the car in front of you so that the person behind you has enough room to stop in time. While also making sure you have a way out to the right or left if the person behind you falls asleep or is busy on the phone. Basically know your surroundings at all times. And never spend anytime near a large truck, either pass or fall back to stay away. If you drive a company vehicle you know this and follow it to a "T". I learned it as a C3 driver, then a C7, and now a C8 driver. Just because you can stop quickly, doesn't mean the person behind you can. I stop and leave enough room t so I can pull forward afterwards, so billy bob doesn't have to make a quick stop. And #9 for those whose get on their phone before even starting their auto and then continue till they reach their destination. People what is that important?

 

[UncleEd]

I believe comedian Richard
Pryor is to be credited for
this:

"Ever notice that those who
driver slower than you are
idiots and those who drive
faster than you are maniacs?"

 

[ladder13]

#8 Always looking forward (I know, no brainer), and always checking side and rear view mirrors. Too many idiots, either drunk, drugged, or looking at their phones.

Lots of rear end collisions from folks distracted or running lights.

 

[s&wchad]

I’m a PERFECT driver! Haven’t been in an accident or received a ticket in decades and I do a good amount of driving.

My philosophy: Anyone who drives slower than me is an idiot and anyone who goes faster is just plain crazy!

 

[Shark Bait]

Mainly 7 with some 6 on occasion. Two pet peeves of mine are people driving under the speed limit (=obstacle in roadway) and people who don't use the freeway on-ramps for their intended purpose, go fast enough to merge with traffic safely. A good rule for older drivers to consider is if you ever feel that you can't be safe driving at the speed limit it is time to change where and when you drive, or perhaps stop driving all together. Slow does not always equate to safety.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Anyone going slower than me is and idiot. Anyone going faster than me is a maniac.

Borrowed from George Carlin.

 

[NYlakesider]

Basically a #7 driver! Had a CDL and did a lot of driving and have seen a lot. When working construction you go where the work is so I drove in many different places and driving conditions.

Where I now live there are more deer than people and the deer do not follow traffic laws, they can make a drive very interesting. Then in the good weather throw in the flatlanders coming to their summer camps.

Above is me for the last 30 or so years, back in the muscle car era of the 60s-70s street racing was a big thing. My reflexes were much better and it was a wonder I kept a drivers license.
I was a graduate of the Patton (General Patton) school of driving. One tenet being the right of way goes to who tries the hardest. That was a long time ago and I was just a foolish lad.
Of course getting married and having a couple kids does tend to smarten you up.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Most of the time I am a 4 according to my kids. When I am traveling I switch to fighter pilot mode