I think I was an average driver until my 20’s. I became a much better driver (in terms of safety and awareness/cognition) when I was required to get a CDL for work. And then years later I got a motorcycle license, and the classes for that made me an even better driver (in terms of better understanding road surfaces and anticipation of traffic patterns). Then I got my SCCA racing license years after that, and I became a truly amazing driver, connected to a vehicle and with an awareness that most people will never achieve.

The key is continual skill development.

I’m in my late 50s and definitely feel like I’ve passed my peak (mostly due to eyesight).

Still think my experience gives me the edge over my 20something kid but waiting for that to change

Anonymous wrote:I think experience counts for something in and of itself.

Beyond that, it is the same as anything else: skills you focus on and give time to, particularly when they are set goals and you track practice, will get better. Skills you do not use will get worse.

Two examples that come to mind are snow driving and parallel parking.

But the fact is that most people vastly overestimate their driving skill. I took a class once. Before the class, when the instructor asked who was a good driver, lots of hands went up. At the end of the day, after hours of having skills tested by simulated emergency situations, very few hands went up. People had realized their limitations.

Sounds like you took one of Miriam's classes.

I was an instructor for her and this type of accident avoidance/car control courses for about 10 years and this is classic and absolutely true. About 90% of the people who take them raise their hands and think they are good drivers at the beginning of the course. At the end, usually no one raises their hands. The one or two who do raise their hands again have usually killed 8-10 people on the way to the grocery in the simulations. The courses though are very valuable, especially for teens. They quickly realize their limitations and, more importantly, how dangerous hidden hazards are. For example, everyone learns in driver's ed that the beginning of a rain storm. But few realize how dangerous it really is. This is taught and people quickly learn that even a little oil or coolant on a wet road can have disastrous effects. People also learn how dangerous freeway exits and entrances can be due to the gravel and dirt that accumulate on the side.

Do yourself and your teens a favor and take a class and sign them up for one. There really is no substitute for time on a skid pad, reduced friction road, controlled exercises in regaining control over a sliding car, etc.

Anonymous wrote:I think people in general are becoming worse drivers, the more bells, whistles, and "safety" devices their car has. They're relying on those things - which are imperfect, and frequently make people terrible drivers.

I think there is some truth to this. Driving in a very base model without cameras or blind spot monitors forces you to pay attention to your surroundings.

Anonymous wrote:I think people in general are becoming worse drivers, the more bells, whistles, and "safety" devices their car has. They're relying on those things - which are imperfect, and frequently make people terrible drivers.

It's the phones that are the problem. I was riding in a bus and could look down into cars in the next lane. It was alarming how many people were using their phones.

I think people in general are becoming worse drivers, the more bells, whistles, and "safety" devices their car has. They're relying on those things - which are imperfect, and frequently make people terrible drivers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adding: I think there’s also an age-related curve, where skills tend upward from license issue age as people become more experienced and more mature, less impulsive, etc., and then skills tend downward as people age and their vision, reflexes, etc., begin to fade.

If the skills improved every year, 99 year olds would be driving Formula 1 cars. I agree with the above poster.

I strongly believe that everyone over 65 should be required to renew their DL annually - and be given a road test.

This will never happen but my brilliant idea. I’m 56.

There are similar laws in other countries. Doctors need to sign off on license renewal and drivers need to do road tests at certain ages.

I think anyone at any age who gets a ticket should have to take a driving test!

Having kids in the car and being pressed for time makes for bad driving. Also people coming from work and releasing rage onto the other drivers is dangerous. Regardless of experience, it makes people worse drivers to have stress while driving. SLOW TF DOWN!

Anonymous wrote:My driving improved significantly when I was 30 and my mentor at the time told me …

Be 5 min late to everything for 1 month.

I was one of those if you’re not 10 minutes early you are late people.

She told me to drive to work gently, let people merge, if you see a blinker let them in, don’t rush, don’t speed, etc

After a month we met. She showed me that nothing nefarious happens when you are a few minutes late. She asked how I felt after a month and I felt so much better, less stressed and over all better.

I went back to being on time but I drive gently and I don’t stress about being late and it significantly changed my life and improved the way I drive.

Rookie mistake. Stop using your blinkers.

My driving improved significantly when I was 30 and my mentor at the time told me …

Be 5 min late to everything for 1 month.

I was one of those if you’re not 10 minutes early you are late people.

She told me to drive to work gently, let people merge, if you see a blinker let them in, don’t rush, don’t speed, etc

After a month we met. She showed me that nothing nefarious happens when you are a few minutes late. She asked how I felt after a month and I felt so much better, less stressed and over all better.

I went back to being on time but I drive gently and I don’t stress about being late and it significantly changed my life and improved the way I drive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adding: I think there’s also an age-related curve, where skills tend upward from license issue age as people become more experienced and more mature, less impulsive, etc., and then skills tend downward as people age and their vision, reflexes, etc., begin to fade.

If the skills improved every year, 99 year olds would be driving Formula 1 cars. I agree with the above poster.

I strongly believe that everyone over 65 should be required to renew their DL annually - and be given a road test.

This will never happen but my brilliant idea. I’m 56.

There are similar laws in other countries. Doctors need to sign off on license renewal and drivers need to do road tests at certain ages.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adding: I think there’s also an age-related curve, where skills tend upward from license issue age as people become more experienced and more mature, less impulsive, etc., and then skills tend downward as people age and their vision, reflexes, etc., begin to fade.

If the skills improved every year, 99 year olds would be driving Formula 1 cars. I agree with the above poster.

I strongly believe that everyone over 65 should be required to renew their DL annually - and be given a road test.

This will never happen but my brilliant idea. I’m 56.

Mid 60s, no real loss in skill but don’t have the endurance to drive 400-500 mile races anymore. Agree that peak skill was probably in my early 40s.

A good 60% of drivers across all age groups should have their licenses revoked. So not one for setting a target age.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adding: I think there’s also an age-related curve, where skills tend upward from license issue age as people become more experienced and more mature, less impulsive, etc., and then skills tend downward as people age and their vision, reflexes, etc., begin to fade.

If the skills improved every year, 99 year olds would be driving Formula 1 cars. I agree with the above poster.

I strongly believe that everyone over 65 should be required to renew their DL annually - and be given a road test.

This will never happen but my brilliant idea. I’m 56.

You’re free to submit voluntarily to the nanny state nonsense you propose.