Thread: A question on Leraner driving.

Originally Posted by vulcannz

Sure there is that aspect to it. I used to think that way as well. But I used to sales rep territories from Taranaki, across to Hawkes Bay, down to Wellington. Those were long drives. And lapse in concentration - even small ones - were what got people killed.

When you drive one of these new cars and start using the drivers aids you can see how they are more safety aids.

And the big thing I've noticed, with the cruise control that automatically speeds up and slows down you get a lot less pissed off with other drivers.

One thing that really helped me was a learning experience. In the 90s I was working as a driver for a rental company and had picked up a secondment for a weekish in Nelson while I was living in Blenheim. I would do my days work in retail, drive for 80min or so work for a couple hours in Nelson, drive home and repeat. I used to get pised of at having to overtake everything going over each time but never had the issue on the return journey. In daylight I was usually cruising at about 105-115km give or take and was constantly behind slower traffic. On the return trip, my headlights and the road meant I was only able to travel comfortably at around 85-95. What I learnt was two fold...

At 85-95 I never caught up on the truck in front and the truck behind me never caught up to me and I was far more relaxed and less worn out after the return journey...........and when I timed the trips...they were within 5 minutes of each other (there and return)

Secnd thing I learnt was my fuel usage was about 10% or more improvement for the additional 5 minutes....Upsshot, I arrived within 5 minutes, I did not need to take a fiver and refocus before starting what I was doing and I used less gas......

Ever since then I tend to travel at or just below the speed limit. If anyone catches up on me, I let them past as soon as I can. A- I dont want to annoy other drivers, and B - when they are n front of me I have control over how their driving affects me but when they are behind me I am at their mercy....If they are in froont I can make sure to stay clear and aout of their way.