Is driving genetic?

[EastCoastE30]

So here's my theory: As kids, we learn our behavior from our parents. So it would make sense that their driving behavior and attitude is passed down to us (i.e. My mother is a crazy driver. She grew up driving on the narrow and congested streets of Paris, and threads the needle in traffic on a regular basis. One time she tried to squeeze between a guardrail and a commuter bus and got so close to it (the bus) that it left white paint streaks down the side of our car. But she's never gotten into an "accident" accident). I assume that we, as car enthusiasts, are all more than adequate, if not aggressive, drivers. Are your parents too?

[Duke]

who says your a good driver. Has someone actually told you,you are or do you just belevie you are a good driver cause you drive a bmw?

[EastCoastE30]

I never said I'm a good driver, but since you ask: Yes people have told me that I am. Nice spelling and grammar there junior, sounds like you're cranky and need a nap.

[DINANFIVE]

Hmm my dad dosnt drive that agressive but he likes to have a little safe fun..Same with me. To me and my dad its cool to have a nice car and drive slow and people can come up and want to race you and you dont give a $hit. Then sometimes, when its safe, we will play a little.

[jinxed84]

Originally posted by DINANFIVE
Hmm my dad dosnt drive that agressive but he likes to have a little safe fun..Same with me. To me and my dad its cool to have a nice car and drive slow and people can come up and want to race you and you dont give a $hit. Then sometimes, when its safe, we will play a little.

wow, pretty much a ditto to that. me and my dad are the same way. although i used to me more agressive, ive mellowed down ALOT now that i realize the consequenses of speeding.

[Midnight Shark]

Driving is a learned experience. Although you are partly correct that driving behavior and attitude is passed down, nothing would hone one's driving skill better than experience. If you're talking about "agressiveness", picture this:

Driving in a land where rubbing side mirrors, honking at least 100 times a day, cutting off and getting cut off every couple of minutes, where 2 lane streets become 4 lanes, where 1 way streets sometimes become two-way, buses/big rigs/tractors have no respect and cut you off knowing you won't contest, where pedestrians give way to vehicles, where speed limits are rarely posted, dodging streets littered with potholes, where some streets have no dlineation, and where, ironically, road rage hardly exists since this is just normal everyday driving. This is what I grew up to in my first 8 years of driving. It makes driving in the US a walk in the park, with less headaches to say the least.

[EastCoastE30]

Originally posted by Midnight Shark
Driving is a learned experience. Although you are partly correct that driving behavior and attitude is passed down, nothing would hone one's driving skill better than experience. If you're talking about "agressiveness", picture this:

Driving in a land where rubbing side mirrors, honking at least 100 times a day, cutting off and getting cut off every couple of minutes, where 2 lane streets become 4 lanes, where 1 way streets sometimes become two-way, buses/big rigs/tractors have no respect and cut you off knowing you won't contest, where pedestrians give way to vehicles, where speed limits are rarely posted, dodging streets littered with potholes, where some streets have no dlineation, and where, ironically, road rage hardly exists since this is just normal everyday driving. This is what I grew up to in my first 8 years of driving. It makes driving in the US a walk in the park, with less headaches to say the least.

Sounds like what I've heard about driving in Thailand.

[Midnight Shark]

Philippines to be exact, Thailand is worse! I've only been involved in one accident where a guy lost his brakes and T-boned me. Other than that, not a single scratch (except a few on the side mirrors). Oh, and I got my "doctored" driver's license at 14!

[Master G]

now that u mention it i can see that my dad and i have similar driving characteristics. although i feel im a much crazier driver than he is. hell wait to get on a quiet road with nobody else on it late at night before he really has fun ina fast car, ill do it in the middle of the day during traffic

[Jay Arno]

It could, not me. My pops drives like hes 80, yet myself drive like Schumacher.

A couple of my friends drive just like their parents, one doesn't turn right on red(Pisses me off).

[Puntr26]

shit... both of my parents are the safest drivers... and I'm nothing like that. Most days I'll speed, but I wont be reckless

[ROCKINPAUL]

My dad (RIP) used to race anything with a motor. ie Cars, go-karts, boats. always at an event of some sort, never on the street. We always had a race car in the garage and i cant count the number of go-kart,car and boat races i've been to or watched on TV. anyways to answer the question. driving is in my blood.

[Dan-needabimma]

My parents are against anything fast or exciting in relation to automobiles. My mom nearly killed me when I bought a "sports car." I on the other hand take every possible opportunity to drive my car fast.

I think it has alot to do with association.

A kid who comes from an automobile oriented family will be steered in that direction at an early age while a kid born into a music oriented family will be pushed to make music, as an example.

I don't honestly know, but if you look at the lives of the big name race drivers, you will most likely find the more successful they are, the sooner they were introduced to motorsports and the more time was spent, starting with go-karts as soon as they can reach the pedals.

Long story short... I think the only way genetics are involved are in the same places any other athlete is blessed; good hand-eye coordination and the like.

EDIT: That was purely opinion btw

[OldSkoolBmw]

It's can't be genetic or passed down... I mean... look at kyle petty.. he couldn't drive flys off of shit or that casey mears kid.. Hi my grandfather is rick mears.. give me sponsorship...

[EastCoastE30]

But on the flip side look at Jacques Villeneuve and Gilles Villeneuve, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Earnhardt, or Michael and Mario Andretti