Hi! James here from One 2 Pass, your friendly Caloundra Driving School Instructor.
Todays topic is driving courtesy and road etiquette.
As per normal on my blogs, I’m going to base this on my own personal opinion or experience and / or supported from sources, facts and / or legislation quoted for driving on Queensland’s roads.
I have been driving cars for some 30+ years. I feel this gives me some experience to offer an opinion to all drivers. Like most individuals who hold a valid drivers licence and in this instance a Queensland licence since this is the state in Australia I live and work in. I obviously teach and drive for my job as this is my business. I very much enjoy the the nature of this business that I’m actively involved in.
So, I have to say that whilst out driving I see lots and I mean LOTS of bad habits. I would like to think that when any driver starts their day, they manage themselves well enough before heading out the door on the busy QLD roads. Aiming to arrive safely at the desired destination to conduct their business, work, school or social activities is the prime objective of the day.
So what does this arriving safely mean? How much time does an individual take to manage themselves? Again, personally I like getting up early enough in the morning so I have had a sufficient healthy breakfast, present myself nicely dressed ready to meet my students fresh for each and every informative driving lesson.
Where do people see or learn bad habits? Who are the influencers? Don’t automatically be quick to blame bad habits on P’ platers. Whilst yes, some P platers do develop bad habits very quickly which is ironic since they are the newest current QLD road rule educated drivers. However, most open licensed drivers present the largest percentage group that seem to portray many bad habits.
What are bad habits? Obvious habits I notice could be some of the following: Speeding, tail gating, rolling cigarettes at the wheel, touching mobile phones, failing to indicate at intersections or roundabouts or for making lane changes. Other habits I see quite often surprisingly are, eating cereal behind the wheel, men shaving or ladies putting on makeup. These are just to a few I have personally witnessed.
As a Sunshine Coast driving instructor based in Caloundra, when I am teaching a structured driving lesson with a student I like to talk with my students about some of these topics / issue . I often ask – Does your action cause a reaction? Each and every action / reaction has a consequence, every consequence has a responsibility and every responsibility has accountability. I ask my student if they could have created a different outcome looking at the situations, hazards or potential situations and hazards to avoid any incident or accident reducing risk by making a different choices!
How would I prepare to be a better road user?
Firstly – have a well planned day or time schedule in place.
Secondly – be prepared and manage yourself correctly for your planned day
Thirdly – give yourself enough time to arrive safely at your destination
Fourthly – look sharp, dress sharp and smell sharp for your day
Fifthly – smile and be thankful for where you live
Example of todays bad habit. 12th April 2021
Today I was driving on Bellevista Blvd heading towards Caloundra Road, time was approximately 16.05pm and I was sitting in the right lane patiently waiting to turn right at the roundabout onto Caloundra Road. A driver of a dark blue Nissan Skyline, a male occupant approximate age 30 was driving in the left turn only lane that is legally bound to turn left onto Caloundra Road. The driver proceeded to enter the roundabout and illegally turned right and headed towards Caloundra. This is a prime example of the lack of respect for the QLD road rules. This driver lacked courtesy and patients, road etiquette towards other road users and an understanding of the QLD road rules. This is a fine able offence and loss of demerit points. Sadly I was in the wrong car and did not have my dash cam to report this individual to the local Police
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Ph: 132 380
If you need to book your driving test examination.
Youtube – TMR:
QLD POLICE SERVICE:
Emergency Ph: 000
Non Emergency Ph: 131 444
Crimestoppers Ph:1800 333 000
So, what could I do differently as a road user?
I think that as a road user we could all be more courteous to our fellow road users. Once on our journey to our place or business, work, school or social behaviours we need to more courteous in every way.
How do we achieve this?
Signalling more appropriately, giving way, NOT tail gating other drivers causing road rage, driving as close to or driving at the indicated speed zone as possible, letting filtering drivers merge quickly, offering a wave to say thank you or to acknowledge another road user. Being well prepared and a courteous road user demonstrates we can all make better decisions together for road safe driving.
Below is a link to the Department of Transport and Main Roads – Publication – Your Keys to Drive. Get the facts.
As a Sunshine Coast driving instructor I’m available in all of these suburbs for driving lessons; Caloundra West, Bells Creek, Golden Beach, Pelican Waters, Caloundra, Moffat Beach, Dicky Beach, Aroona, Little Mountain, Currimundi, Baringa. Lessons book and fill fast so book early for your preferred times and dates so as not to miss out or be disappointed.
You might also see me teaching a lesson in Nambour, Woombye, Forest Glen, Buderim, Tanawha, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headlands, Mooloolaba, Minyama, Buddina, Mountain Creek, Sippy Downs, Warana, Bokarina, Birtinya or Wurtulla.
If you follow me on Instagram / one2pass or Facebook / One2Pass Driving School I use the following #hashtags. #One2Pass #driving #school #Caloundradrivingschool #Instructorjames #passedfirstgo #gotmyredPs #drivinglessons #covidsafe
I hope you enjoyed todays blog. Please remember, this blog is based on my own personal opinion and experiences that may be supported by facts, legislation or sources that I have quoted from.
Safe driving fellows road users
James from One 2 Pass, your friendly Caloundra Driving School Instructor
