[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

Still, we young drivers always get persecuted with high insurance prices and get frowned upon for having anything with an engine bigger than that of a smart car!

In my humble opinion, a mature young driver who understands the limitations to his/her driving ability is a very rare thing indeed. Passing your test only certifies that you can operate the controls of a vehicle and have a familiarity with traffic laws. It proves nothing about driving prowess and only certifies that you're not dangerously incompetent... you can still have dangerously poor judgement.

When I was 18, I passed my test first time with only 2 minors - therefore, I thought I knew everything there was to know about driving.

Fast-forward 7 years down the line to today (I'm 25)... I've been in 2 major accidents, even though neither of which were my fault. This leads me to my next point... you can do everything right, and still have a big accident. Young drivers assume they'll be fine so long as they don't make a mistake (that's what I did), but older drivers are more on the lookout for the mistakes others are going to make.

Having said that, even with hindsight, I'm not sure I could have avoided those particular accidents: in the first one I was hit repeatedly by a drunk driver, and in the second one I was rear-ended whilst stationary. But being very aware of what mistakes other might or are about to make has certainly kept me far away from danger when I've seen other people lose it on public roads.

It did dawn on me though, as I got into my 20s, that I'm mortal... which, as I'm sure you realise, means I didn't really think too much about mortality when I was a teenager. With that in mind, you can understand why insurance companies charge more for teenage drivers - many don't consider mortality when they drive, but some might consider the threat of an even higher premium and being priced off the road.

Plenty of young drivers say they're good drivers and the majority of those who say they are will believe they're good drivers. I wonder how many would be independently judged to be good drivers based on their normal driving habits (i.e. when they're not in "test mode"). With 7 years of driving under my belt, I can honestly say I'm a better driver now than I was when I first passed my test - I'm far more cautious (don't read 'slow' into that - just much more keenly aware of my surroundings). I wasn't a bad driver back then (I obeyed traffic laws, etc...) I just didn't have the benefit of or appreciation for skills that only experience can provide. However, unlike back then, I do not believe myself to be a good driver today - I'm just a driver.

So if anyone has any driving tips, etc... I'm all ears!

Oh - and whilst I primarily drive a MINI ONE, my other car happens to be... a SmartCar ForTwo (600cc turbocharged) and is driven mainly by my girlfriend. Don't knock SmartCars until you've tried them out - they're nifty little beasts.

All the best,
Andrew.

PS
Have you ever started typing a post, gotten all reflective, and then not realised how long the post has actually gotten?

[Darthbladerni]

Im going to do an insurance qoute later on with my details as it would be when I get to the point of buying one and see how much it is.

Maintenance Loan lol!! That is how it can be done. Just rely on good pay during placement year to get rid of some debt afterwards

[Darthbladerni]

Neurobeaker, you're right, you only really learn to drive after you have passed, and then it all goes out the window on mini runs lol!!!

Some people will even refuse to drive in the rain/dark. Pointless really.

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by NeuroBeaker (original)

In my humble opinion, a mature young driver who understands the limitations to his/her driving ability is a very rare thing indeed. Passing your test only certifies that you can operate the controls of a vehicle and have a familiarity with traffic laws. It proves nothing about driving prowess and only certifies that you're not dangerously incompetent... you can still have dangerously poor judgement.

When I was 18, I passed my test first time with only 2 minors - therefore, I thought I knew everything there was to know about driving.

Fast-forward 7 years down the line to today (I'm 25)... I've been in 2 major accidents, even though neither of which were my fault. This leads me to my next point... you can do everything right, and still have a big accident. Young drivers assume they'll be fine so long as they don't make a mistake (that's what I did), but older drivers are more on the lookout for the mistakes others are going to make.

Having said that, even with hindsight, I'm not sure I could have avoided those particular accidents: in the first one I was hit repeatedly by a drunk driver, and in the second one I was rear-ended whilst stationary. But being very aware of what mistakes other might or are about to make has certainly kept me far away from danger when I've seen other people lose it on public roads.

It did dawn on me though, as I got into my 20s, that I'm mortal... which, as I'm sure you realise, means I didn't really think too much about mortality when I was a teenager. With that in mind, you can understand why insurance companies charge more for teenage drivers - many don't consider mortality when they drive, but some might consider the threat of an even higher premium and being priced off the road.

Plenty of young drivers say they're good drivers and the majority of those who say they are will believe they're good drivers. I wonder how many would be independently judged to be good drivers based on their normal driving habits (i.e. when they're not in "test mode"). With 7 years of driving under my belt, I can honestly say I'm a better driver now than I was when I first passed my test - I'm far more cautious (don't read 'slow' into that - just much more keenly aware of my surroundings). I wasn't a bad driver back then (I obeyed traffic laws, etc...) I just didn't have the benefit of or appreciation for skills that only experience can provide. However, unlike back then, I do not believe myself to be a good driver today - I'm just a driver.

So if anyone has any driving tips, etc... I'm all ears!

Oh - and whilst I primarily drive a MINI ONE, my other car happens to be... a SmartCar ForTwo (600cc turbocharged) and is driven mainly by my girlfriend. Don't knock SmartCars until you've tried them out - they're nifty little beasts.

All the best,
Andrew.

PS
Have you ever started typing a post, gotten all reflective, and then not realised how long the post has actually gotten?

Yeah. I wasn't knocking smart cars - I was just using them as an example because they have a small engine! I like others have some bad habits - adjusting the radio, one hand at times, but I do concentrate! Still, the occasional one hand on the steering wheel in a straight line isn't too dangerous. You have to watch roundabouts though! People change their mind and feel that they don't need to indicate - ever! What are other drivers meant to know!

Still, all the best with your driving!

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

Im going to do an insurance qoute later on with my details as it would be when I get to the point of buying one and see how much it is.

Maintenance Loan lol!! That is how it can be done. Just rely on good pay during placement year to get rid of some debt afterwards

I don't want to go to uni - I don't like the debt thing. Still, sometimes these things have to be done!

James

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

Neurobeaker, you're right, you only really learn to drive after you have passed, and then it all goes out the window on mini runs lol!!!

Some people will even refuse to drive in the rain/dark. Pointless really.

I'm planning to go on a mini run, hopefully they'll be sensible! If they get too dangerous I would have to leave - I don't want to risk my life and damage to my mini! Still, from what I heard, last year they were very sensible.

James

[Darthbladerni]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

I don't want to go to uni - I don't like the debt thing. Still, sometimes these things have to be done!

James

Needs to be done because I want to go into software engineering which if you want a high role within a company for it you need the degree. I really want to do it, the only thing I want to do so willing to spend whatever to get me there as it will be worth it in the long run.

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

I'm planning to go on a mini run, hopefully they'll be sensible! If they get too dangerous I would have to leave - I don't want to risk my life and damage to my mini! Still, from what I heard, last year they were very sensible.

James

Yeah my runs were normally sensible, but im on 18;s with a lowered car so some parts of our runs are bumpy and im scared of wrecking the car. Not going to go on many runs anymore though, just more events. Im thinking of coilovers as well so that will stop any runs lol

I hate some things about some drivers. The people who loop round the roundabout in the wrong lane indicating to the left. ****es me off!!
Or the people who decide to change lanes in roundabouts for the hell of it! hate it.

There have been a few occasions when I have witnessed people reversing parallel parking and hitting the car behind and just continuing to reverse!

There was one case in Belfast me and my friend saw, this women *not hating women drivers, just in this case she was letting the side down* doing a reverse parallel park. First she hit the kerb then hit the other car and kept going and actually pushed the other car back!! I mean how the hell is that possible.

Sorry rant over!!

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

Needs to be done because I want to go into software engineering which if you want a high role within a company for it you need the degree. I really want to do it, the only thing I want to do so willing to spend whatever to get me there as it will be worth it in the long run.



Yeah my runs were normally sensible, but im on 18;s with a lowered car so some parts of our runs are bumpy and im scared of wrecking the car. Not going to go on many runs anymore though, just more events. Im thinking of coilovers as well so that will stop any runs lol

I hate some things about some drivers. The people who loop round the roundabout in the wrong lane indicating to the left. ****es me off!!
Or the people who decide to change lanes in roundabouts for the hell of it! hate it.

There have been a few occasions when I have witnessed people reversing parallel parking and hitting the car behind and just continuing to reverse!

There was one case in Belfast me and my friend saw, this women *not hating women drivers, just in this case she was letting the side down* doing a reverse parallel park. First she hit the kerb then hit the other car and kept going and actually pushed the other car back!! I mean how the hell is that possible.

Sorry rant over!!

Tell me about it - there are some idiots about! Can you come on the Yorkshire run? Don't know whether you live near enough, however, it should be good fun!

[Darthbladerni]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

Tell me about it - there are some idiots about! Can you come on the Yorkshire run? Don't know whether you live near enough, however, it should be good fun!

I live in northern Ireland. Some people I know from here are going though I think.

Im driving to Leicester two fridays away with some friends to go to prestwold hall for the supercar experiance thing then im going on holiday on the 5th July for two weeks.

I would be on holiday anyway. Next year perhaps

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

I live in northern Ireland. Some people I know from here are going though I think.

Im driving to Leicester two fridays away with some friends to go to prestwold hall for the supercar experiance thing then im going on holiday on the 5th July for two weeks.

I would be on holiday anyway. Next year perhaps

Never mind - may see you next year. Still, you're going to be mini-less for 2 weeks! Enjoy your holiday.

[Darthbladerni]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

Never mind - may see you next year. Still, you're going to be mini-less for 2 weeks! Enjoy your holiday.

I know, I will miss the mini alot

Thanks lol

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

I know, I will miss the mini alot

Thanks lol

Still, you'll appreciate it even more when you get back!

[Saad]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

Oh yes, I understand that, but to get a mini one for instance to anything above 70 isn't the easiest of tasks. Yes they'll do it, but with a cooper S, you can get in serious trouble. Lower power cars are less of a risk than high powered ones. People don't have the ability to handle a lot of power straight away - it comes with time and people aren't mature enough - 17/18yr olds think they are invincible. Limiting the power limits the damage that they can do. Still, it would make incidents like this less likely.

Most cars have 100bhp or thereabouts. What do you suggest to stop accidents like this? Croatia (I think its Croatia) etc do this, and it works.

You're not driving your Mini One properly if it struggles to go over 70... My sister's One will keep right up with an S. Will just take a bit longer to get there if you get what I mean...

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Saad (original)

You're not driving your Mini One properly if it struggles to go over 70... My sister's One will keep right up with an S. Will just take a bit longer to get there if you get what I mean...

No, I know that, I was saying that when compared to an S its hard! I was referring to the time it takes to get there! Anyway, by the time you have got to a substantial speed (3 figures) its time to slow down again. You have to admit though, with no experience an S is a bit of a dangerous car. Still, you can have just as much fun in a one, or maybe more - you have to work it more! I like that!