European driving – the right way
March 14, 2008 by Paul Maric
Driving isn’t so a much a right as it is a privilege. That’s the issue we’re faced with in Australia and it’s part of the reason the greater majority of road users infecting our roads are incredibly poor at driving.
My recent venture through Europe highlighted several things that Australia seriously lacks when it comes to driving.
Firstly. The cost of owning a car and getting a license in Australia is very cheap in comparison to our European neighbours. In Holland for example, the public must only complete driving lessons with qualified instructors – not with a parent who has probably learnt a myriad of bad habits over the years.
Upon completing the scheduled number of hours with a driving instructor, a learner must then go through a rigorous driving test – again, unlike Australia. I recall my driving test was a 15 minute job. Part of the test included a point-to-point reverse – which I’m certain an ape of average IQ could complete with both eyes closed. To think that anybody could possibly fail a driving test in Australia truly shocks me and makes me wonder why they are allowed to hold a license.
Secondly. The mentality of drivers on our roads is beyond belief. Many drivers share the belief that sticking exactly to the speed limit is both safe for them and all drivers around them. In Australia, if you approach a driver sitting in the right hand lane, driving under the speed limit, they instantly get defensive and won’t move no matter what you try – this kind of mentality is unheard of in Europe.
The other thing that totally plagues Australian drivers is hidden speed cameras. Around Australia – in Victoria especially – the public is too scared to drive watching the road because of the risk of going several kilometers/hour over the speed limit – resulting in a fine from well positioned cash-cameras. Drivers are far too paranoid about their speed, so much so that they don’t bother watching the road in front of them. This results in inattentive driving, which is not only dangerous for the driver, but the people around them.
Our trip to Italy had us drive on many Autostrades. The Autostrades were limited to 130km/h. Take a guess how many people were actually doing 130km/h? You guessed it – not many. The majority of the drivers were sitting on a casual 150km/h, while the rest were happy to cruise past at 200km/h. In Australia, this would be seen as deadly. Government officials would be dumbfounded at how incredibly unsafe this practice is. Now take a guess how many car accidents we saw on the motorways during our stint in several European countries? 0. None. Zilch.
Why were there no car accidents? Because drivers don’t have an unfounded sense of pride when it comes to other drivers. There was rarely anybody who was in the left hand lane for longer than the time needed to overtake. The drivers are also trained to look ahead of traffic and spot any problems that are about to arise.
Arriving back in Australia was fantastic in many ways – after all, it is the best country in the world. But one thing that continues to amaze me is how bad Australia is when it comes to driving. It shocks me to think how many accidents are caused in Australia due to uneducated drivers that wholeheartedly believe that driving is a simple task that anyone can and should do.
I guess I’ll just have to bite my tongue – the Government seems to be far too focussed on ripping every last penny out of driver’s pockets via speed camera fines, opposed to actually thinking about ways to properly train drivers before they are handed a deadly piece of machinery which can potentially wipe out a family in a heartbeat.
- Paul Maric
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Good article.
Though I think the aussie attitude of people in general is to blame rather than the driving ability of people.
Hi Golfie – Flashing of headlights here can mean anything from: -
- Get out my bloody way i’m going faster than you,
- your free to pull out
- I’m here watchout/pay attention/wake up you dozy t1t
- Your headlghts are on full beam
- theres a mobile speed cameras up the road (not commonly used as most people would want you to get done for speeding)
It a simple matter of entrepreting the situation and sensibly deciding what your suppopsed to do. Easy
Speaking as a Norwegian who moved to Australia eight years ago, I’ve got only one thing to say (insert cool, funky American accent here): AMEN BROTHER.
Cool. Sounds universal then. Flash flash.
Migrating to Australia in the early 80’s and having my first experience on Melbourne’s as a European driver, I commented to my wife that, if I were to have an accident in Australia, it would not surprise me if it was with a Taxi or a Police car.
Two years later, I rang my wife to tell her that I would be late home from work. Reason, I had just had an accident with an unmarked Police car.
With trendsetting road users like the Police behaving the way they do, is it any wonder that the rest of the driving population are absolute morons, drivers that do not have the courtesy of ‘Ritsen’ (alternating cars) when a lane comes to an end either by design, parked cars, turning cars or accidents. Or stays in the right hand lane at speeds below the limit. Or tail gates when one adheres to the speed limit. Or veers left when intending to turn right. Or makes a left hand turn from the middle of the road. Or speeds up when being overtaken.
For the sake of brevity, I shall not continue with the above list as it would fill a number of web pages. Suffice to say, I am of the same opinion as Paul Maric. Concentration should be on the road, not on the speedometer and all drivers should be less selfish.
its very true that many australians are selfish drivers. I especially hate it when im driving along, I move left to let someone (who has been tailgating) pass, only to see that he doesnt overtake. So there i am boxed in on the left lane behind a slow moving vehicle who is doing 20kmh below the speed limit, and i cant overtake this bugger because the guy on my right is now just alongside me doing 5kmh below the speed limit….and the road ahead of him is freakin clear! It happens all the time, ppl here love to drive side by side to other vehicles.
Could not agree more with this article well said
Paul, I believe you are generally correct. There needs to be a balanced outcome. That means having the competence in line with confidence,,, hard to do. Aust is too hard on compliance and Europe (while fun) is too loose.
I would like to see;
130k speed limit,
Better learner system that requires test and competency based,
Graded ‘full’licnese system.
Insurance levels to suit the grades, this also limits the speed and license that driver is allowed.
I developed a programe for vehicle manufactueres and testers that required unbeleiveable driving safety and standards AND competence. I leaerned a great deal. Out of 300 drivers only 10 made the grade where speeds regularly exceeded 130k. Of that 300, 150 would be concidered competeanct to control a car at 130k and I would sign a document saying that each driver would be safe for at least 2 years.
My back ground is that of a corporate driver saftey instructor (not race track training). I am also a petrol head so the balance is hard to maintain but I use the same safe philosophy with my professional driving (rally, precision and film).
You made an observation I made in 2000, 2004 and 2006 and I will again net year, just love driving those roads!
Even if some drivers give a provoking sense when driving it is easier to ignore than react……..cause the universe has a way of getting back at them