3 ms·

>>Hot take: rapid acceleration and braking are symptoms of bad driving I might not fully agree with that (that may be what makes it hot take:) I've been drivi

>>Hot take: rapid acceleration and braking are symptoms of bad driving I might not fully agree with that (that may be what makes it hot take:) I've been driving 30 years now, which means nothing (I firmly disagree with notion that "driving a long time" is the same as "driving well" or "being experienced":). I've taken about half a dozen safety driving courses though, and another half a dozen advanced driving courses, which hopefully might count for something - intent if nothing else. I'm trying to always be learning, practicing, paying attention to something when I'm driving - whether observational practices, state of mind, or particular skills in snow or rain etc. I would call myself a very defensive, occasionally aggressive driver. I don't think opposite of defensive is aggressive, or that safe and defensive are same as slow. I think opposite of defensive is offensive. I try to be acutely aware of the conditions, traffic, situation, and risk - there are few people who are as paranoid about vision obstructions as I am (e.g. kid jumping behind parked car in a residential neighbourhood etc). I also try to be predictable - just like UI/UX shouldn't surprise user, I don't think I should surprise fellow drivers :). I am generally considered by friends and family to be annoyingly cautions, safe, observant, usually slow driver. But I absolutely positively do undertake rapid acceleration and rapid braking at times, and most of the safest drivers I know do. My experience is that safest drivers are active drivers. There's myriad different reasons to undertake rapid acceleration and braking, under myriad different circumstances and intents. But I am terrified of the future where insurance and police algorithm put a straight equation sign between them :-/

EPWN3D 3y ago
I think that proper defensive driving is about identifying risks around you and achieving separation from those risks proactively. That can involve "classic" defensive driving stuff like going the speed limit, staying in your lane, etc. But it can also involve passing a driver who's clearly not paying attention so they (and their decisions) take place behind you, where they can't hurt you. For example, if I'm behind a vehicle that's constantly braking because the driver is screwing around with their phone, I'm passing the fucker. That vehicle is dangerous and being operated by a moron, and I'm not going to subject myself to that risk. Similarly, if I see a car weaving through traffic in my rearview, I'm going to temporarily close the gap with the car in front of me so that the wannabe street racer doesn't get tempted to swipe in front of me. These are both things that classic defensive driving tell you to absolutely never do, but for me, they mitigate the most proximate risks.
kelnos 3y ago
> I firmly disagree with notion that "driving a long time" is the same as "driving well" or "being experienced" As they say, some people have 30 years of experience, and others have 1 year of experience, 30 times.

EPWN3D 3y ago

I think that proper defensive driving is about identifying risks around you and achieving separation from those risks proactively. That can involve "classic" defensive driving stuff like going the speed limit, staying in your lane, etc. But it can also involve passing a driver who's clearly not paying attention so they (and their decisions) take place behind you, where they can't hurt you. For example, if I'm behind a vehicle that's constantly braking because the driver is screwing around with their phone, I'm passing the fucker. That vehicle is dangerous and being operated by a moron, and I'm not going to subject myself to that risk. Similarly, if I see a car weaving through traffic in my rearview, I'm going to temporarily close the gap with the car in front of me so that the wannabe street racer doesn't get tempted to swipe in front of me. These are both things that classic defensive driving tell you to absolutely never do, but for me, they mitigate the most proximate risks.

kelnos 3y ago

> I firmly disagree with notion that "driving a long time" is the same as "driving well" or "being experienced" As they say, some people have 30 years of experience, and others have 1 year of experience, 30 times.