"David CL Francis" wrote in message
I confess I am an older driver. But over the years I have watched myself
and others and come to the conclusion that reaction time is not the most
important factor. The most important aptitude required, in my opinion, is
anticipation. That is the ability to notice and react to personal
predictions of the short term future and to recognise potential hazards
before they need _any_ significant reaction time.

Funny how often those predictions are wrong (one way or the other).

Is that why older drivers speed up, slow down, speed up, slow down, speed
up...slam on brakes...?

Works great on a freeway...which I notice many older drivers do tend to
use...during rush hour...in the left lanes...


If reaction time was all important then (this true in the UK) the 18 - 25
year old group of male drivers would not pay high premiums nor have higher
accident rates then any other. That group tend to have a high opinion of
their own skills and are more likely to take unnecessary risks.

Note this next paragraph.


Distraction from the job in hand can be dangerous. I always cringe when I
watch drivers in movies look at their front seat passenger for long
seconds!

Now put those last two together and see what you come up with.

(PS: No one said reaction time is ALL important)
--
Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
(13 years in traffic engineering)