What kind of driver are you?

Our personalities are real influencers in the way we drive. Read this blog to find out what kind of driver you’re most like on the roads of South Africa.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 33 seconds.

Driving is a part of our everyday lives, even if you’re not the one behind the steering wheel. From going on a road trip with friends and family, the daily commute to work or driving around doing your weekend errands, we spend a lot of time in cars.

Tom Vanderbilt, author of the book Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do and What It Says About Us, writes, “Considering that many of us may spend more time in traffic than we do eating meals with our family… It seems worth probing a bit deeper into the experience.” According to 2KnowMyself, there are five psychological factors that greatly affect people's driving styles:

1) The need to be in control

Control freaks are people who respond aggressively to other drivers on the road when they feel forced into doing something they don't want to do -  like giving another car space to enter a lane. Stubbornness is a defence mechanism a person uses to remain in control.

2) Ego & Achievement

Drivers who have inflated egos rarely allow anyone to bypass them. These drivers might drive calmly until someone annoys them by trying to overtake them.  Because these people believe that they are more worthy than others, they won't accept second place and that's why they might start racing against anyone who dares to challenge them.

3) Inferiority and cheap victories

Many drivers who start racing against others feel inferior to them. It's not uncommon for a driver who is driving an old car to try to race against someone in a new sports car as a way to feel superior. In other words some drivers race against others in order to get a cheap victory.

4) Aggression and road rage

Aggressive people were taught that violence is the best way to handle conflicts. By picking a car that is larger and stronger than most cars these drivers manage to intimidate other drivers on the road and keep them away. These drivers want to maintain the identity of being dangerous because it makes them feel more worthy. Their goal is to make other drivers believe that they are not to be messed with!

5) Cautious drivers

Some drivers are overly cautious, never exceeding the speed limit for any reason and ensuring everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt.

Our Suzuki team of experts have created a handy collection of 101 car facts. . .  It’s useful for both first-time and longstanding drivers. To learn more about cars and driving download our 101 Car Tips here.

This guide will help you troubleshoot some common car problems so that you know whether or not you need to contact a mechanic. It also covers a variety of driver safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.