What qualities make a good driver?

Most young people cannot wait for their 17th birthday to start driving lessons and grab that chance at a bit of freedom. Learning to operate a car is just the basic skill though, and at a young age, it’s difficult to truly appreciate the various skills acquired over time that are required to become a safe and competent driver. Here are some of the qualities that make a good driver:

Patience

One of the most important qualities a driver should display is patience. A lot of patience to be precise. Driving can be a stressful experience, so the ability to take a deep breath and stay calm is crucial. Many road traffic collisions are caused by impatience. A lack of patience can also lead to speeding, jumping red lights and not giving way. Driving with aggression and impatience is more likely to cause scenarios that end in road rage or accidents occurring.

Responsibility

A sensible and competent driver will not blame others for the actions he or she takes behind the wheel. A good driver takes responsibility for their driving and any mistakes they might make. They commit to learning from these mistakes and make the necessary corrections to avoid making the same mistake in the future. Learning to drive with a great instructor will help foster this sense of responsibility.

Disciplined

All drivers must demonstrate a certain level of discipline when learning to drive and pass the driving test. It is discipline that sees a driver obey traffic signs and regulations. It is also discipline that influences a driver to take important decisions to obey the law and not drink and drive or break the speed limit, for example. Good drivers must demonstrate self-restraint and understand the laws of driving and the importance of adhering to them.

Staying alert

The ability to remain sharp and focused is another essential quality of competent drivers. The ability to not get distracted by changing the radio channel or making a phone call is vital for the driver’s safety, their passengers and other road users. You would not believe the kinds of activities that have been spotted by traffic cameras and police officers. People eating, putting their make-up on and doing their hair, often on the motorway at 70mph!

Care and maintenance

A good driver keeps their vehicle in tip top condition all the time. Not only does this help the car last longer but guarantees that the driver has taken all reasonable steps to provide optimum safety. A good driver never drives with a fault but gets it fixed as soon as possible.

Lifelong learning

The best drivers understand that they never stop learning and are always open to new ideas and technologies to improve their driving technique and experience. There is always more to learn about driving and the rules of the road – to different vehicle signs to chapter 8 Chevrons like these vehiclechevrons.com It is never possible to think you know all there is to know about driving. There can always be a potential scenario or situation that is new to a driver and can be learned from.