saoghalbeag

Thank you, this was very informative. When we were in the UK we assumed the Brits must be better drivers, and attributed this to what we thought was a tougher process for obtaining a licence/smaller cars, less distance to travel...And I admit it didn't make sense because the Australian drivers I knew (this is only in my experience-not trying to generalise) were very good/cautious drivers and the majority of the Scots I meant were shocking - driving unlicenced, without seatbelts, with half a dozen more ppl in the car than legally allowed, and the acceptability of drink/drugged driving was scary... :scared:


But it doesn't seem like this is the case.
We also noticed that there was a LOT less roadkill on the roads (animals) and had a number of theories for this:
1. British obsession with small furry creatures (made them more careful/less likely to aim for them as a Qld'er might 'aim' for a cane toad...)
2. Relates to 1: possibly because there aren't that many animals left in the UK having been hunted to extinction so less animals = less roadkill?
3. Better drivers in the UK

But recently realised we were mistaken when, driving with (Scottish) pal over yet another putrid rotting wallaby carcass, I was berated by him for how slack our local police were...

Trying to put 2 and 2 together I asked him what he meant. Turns out where he is from the local law enforcement are responsible for clearing dead animals off the roads asap...I have never heard of this happening here (and it sure as hell doesn't happen in my local area).

So this is why it SEEMED like the UK were better drivers...

Just thought it was funny how we make our assumptions!

MD09

Most of the crap drivers I see in oz seem to be immigrants – usually English folk in Volvos who don't know what an indicator is.

Or the Scottish in hatchbacks with the Scottish flag stuck all over the back of it. Get over it please – you’re in Australia now, lose the flag we don’t care if you’re Scottish, Chinese or African – just concentrate on your driving.

Don't even get me started on the asian or Italians drivers.

Pollyana

How do you know that the Volvo drivers are English immigrants?

Deer Hunter

Yeah and don't forget to add women to that list

NKSK version 2

I've seen lots of crap Australian drivers - weaving in and out of the traffic, no anticipation, not courtesy.

jad n rich

Was thinking the same thing. Pity really, all this tippy toeing around what its really like to live here for fear of upsetting those with a delicate constitution.

Centurion

I rode a motorbike in the UK to work. I've seen an equally shite amount of UK drivers - shame they didnt bother to see me. Must have been the bright yellow flourescent jacket and headlights on. Should have worn something more obvious I guess.

Pouring down with rain on and having a merc or BMW steam up behind you at warp factor 9 with headlights flashing to move over ?

The list goes on.

Seriously though - I think we can probably all agree there are some crap drivers out there no matter where we live and the vast majority of us will have our own special moment of a brain fart behind the wheel at some point in our driving careers. Some may even admit it too despite it always being the other bloke lol.

NKSK version 2

Sure.

My response was just facetious. How the hell you can tell the nationality of a driver in a car is beyond me.

My second hand car has a German sticker on the back. Haven't been to Germany for 12 years.

NKSK version 2

I nearly knocked someone over last week. Completely and utterly my fault.
I'm still shocked about it.

bal56

Plenty of folks I work with think nothing of drinking all afternoon and driving home. Often the company turns a blind eye whilst also paying for the beer. Could this possibly be a factor?

bal56

Without tarring all with the same brush, they're usually Aussies too.

chels

There is certainly more publicity in Australia of its road toll - particularly over the holiday periods when the TV stations have a running toll and regular updates. It makes for sobering viewing over the festive period, that's for certain.

It also makes me more aware of how dangerous driving can be if you have had a drink, or are tired - but I don't think everyone is like me

The main differences I have found here with other people's driving is:
1. Much more undertaking (I think that's the right term, when they pass you in the inside lane)
2. More running of red lights
3. Less use of indicators and more swerving in and out of lanes

I have found:
1. Less road rage
2. Less horn honking
3. About the same when it comes to same speeding
4. Less roadside testing (only come across this twice in two years)

I have heard people blame Asians / Arabs / migrants / rural folk / bogans / hoons for accidents on the road, but I think that you can't blame bad driving on a person's race, religion, class or migration status! I'm sure those whose families came over on the First Fleet have driven badly on occasions too

mackinnon

Yeah, blame the immigrants.

How many generations do they have to be here before they aren't immigrants anymore?

On the driving front, I think there was another thread on here recently where they gave a someone over here a licence after 10 HOURS TRAINING.

I think I see part of the problem...........

P.S. Are you first generation? Because you sound like it.

Hutch

One. But in your case we'll make an exception.

mackinnon

No exceptions will need to be made for me, I am a mere visitor to these shores.