Learning to drive takes time. Some people learn more quickly than others. Some learners will find some aspects of driving easy to master and other elements more challenging. However, we will all start to feel more confident as we practice.
Confidence can be a very good thing. As we start to recognise that we can master junctions, meeting other vehicles, roundabouts and so on we start to feel good. As lessons progress confidence grows and we realise that we can drive. Confidence helps us to recognise our strengths. As we become more confident perhaps we will feel able to reflect upon and learn from our driving experiences. Or the experience other drivers and road users provide us with. We can take responsibility for our own learning and set our own learning goals. Or we can just recognise that we are getting better at driving.
So what is the difference between confidence and over confidence?
As confidence grows we start to feel more comfortable. However, we remain grounded in the reality of our skills and ability, recognising our strengths and acknowledging the need for life long development of the driving task. Over confidence distorts what we think about our driving, our skills and abilities v the reality.
Becoming over confident becomes a problem when we fail to recognise we may not have the experience, skills and abilities we think we have and we may start to push the boundaries as we feel more comfortable with the driving task. Most of the time we will get away with it which then reinforces our driving behaviour. However, not everyone does get away with it.
“Globally, road traffic crashes are a leading cause of death among young people, and the main cause of death among those aged 15–29 years.” Source Brake the road safety charity.
· Always in control?
· To fast?
· Showing off?
· Reckless or aggressive?
· Distractions from loud music or friends?
What type of driver would you like to be? Confident or over confident?
Think about the top five drivers you know and what makes them good? Are you as good as they are, or could you be as good as them or even better?
And a final thought….Why are you getting into a vehicle driven by one of your mates if their driving scares you so much and/or you know what they are doing is wrong?
Saying no and not getting into their car can take courage and the good type of confidence.
Click here for more information from Brake the road safety charity about why young drivers are at risk and what can be done to reduce this risk
www.alistairstuartdrivingschool.co.uk
