I used to think I was a good driver. Maybe I was. As I age I’m not so sure – so I am more careful and drive slower. People have forgotten (or never learned) many important aspects of driving and operating a car – and you can tell it. Most of these tips are just common sense.
Drive defensively, not offensively. Look out for other cars.
When you make a turn, stay in your lane. Do not drift into the inbound lane. Now cars have bells that ring when you drift, and cameras to see where you’re backing up. In the old days we used to have to figure those things out without technology. Survival of the fittest: back then the bad drivers were killed off.
When you stop at a stop sign or red light, stop at the white line - not halfway out in the intersection. This slows traffic (and your own commute) because drivers have to slow down because they are unsure if you are going to stop. So many pull up to a stop sign fully intending on continuing on if no one is approaching. When they see a car approaching they’re already almost in the intersection, and have to stop quickly. Don’t be this person.
When you see a stop sign or red light ahead, do not wear out you brakes by continuing to accelerate all the way up to the stop sign, and brake at the last possible moment. Instead let up on the gas to slowly decrease speed, coasting up to the intersection.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. This burns unnecessary gas. Instead slowly accelerate up to the speed limit.
Use turn signals, not only at intersections but also when changing lanes.
Change one lane at a time. Do not cut across several lanes of traffic at one time. It’s dangerous and illegal. The other day I saw a lady in a beat up Mercedes pull out of a liquor store on a corner, cross over three lanes of traffic, to get to the left turn lane (except her tail was sticking out in the other lane). No wonder her car was beat up. She could have exited out the other side of the liquor store onto the side street, then drive straight through the intersection. But that would’ve been too easy.
Stay out of the far left “fast” lane except to pass. Faster cars will zoom up behind you and want to pass. It’s not your job to slow others down. It’s dangerous. Better to let them pass so the cop will pull them over for speeding.
When you see a police car with its light s flashing, pulled over on the side of the road, merge left to leave the right lane clear. Slow down. It’s the law. If at all possible do not pull over and stop on the interstate. It’s dangerous and should only be done in an emergency. If at all possible wait and get off at the next exit. But if your car is overheating, pull over and turn off the car immediately. Overheating can melt the engine and cause permanent damage.
Don't speed around corners or in residential neighborhoods, or around schools. Be extra careful coming around curves, looking out for pedestrians or bikes. Be sure to maintain your lane around curves to avoid crossing over into unseen approaching traffic.
Pass on the left, not on the right. Pretty sure there’s a law about that. Don’t weave. Cars lose track of you, then cut you off because they weren’t expecting you to be there.
Be a courteous driver. You may think you are the most important car on the road, but you aren’t. are not more important than other vehicles.
When you have the right of way – go. Others are expecting you to move and will behave accordingly. When you have the right of way do not stop to let other vehicles go ahead of you. They aren’t expecting it and it slows down traffic even more. You may think you are being gracious. What about all those cars waiting behind you?
When in a long line of cars waiting at a red light, perhaps to turn right, think as much about the cars waiting behind you as you do the cars wanting to turn into the line. It’s kosher to let in one car, but not dozens. That car may have just pulled up and should wait like the cars behind you in line. If they’re at a red light they shouldn’t make a right on red when there is a line of cars traveling through the intersection. A red light is not a four way stop. They don’t have the right of way until the light turns green.
When entering a highway, use the on ramp to accelerate up to highway speed. Do not expect drivers in the right lane to automatically move over to let you in, just because you’re so special. They may not be able to. Instead check for a gap and merge. Do not illegally cross over solid lines across the berm.
When you come to a four way stop, the vehicle that arrives first has the right of way. If two or more cars arrive at the same time, the person on the left has the right of way. Pay extra attention. So many people have no idea what to do, and it shows.
Give 100% of your attention to driving the car. Before you start make sure mirrors are aligned, seats are adjusted, and seatbelts are fastened. Do not check your phone, even at red lights.
While driving keep your eyes on the move, constantly checking all three mirrors, monitoring the speedometer and temperature and oil gauges. Always be wary of cars in your blind spots. If you’re constantly aware of where the cars are around you, you will know instinctively there could be a car in your blind spot.
Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. Do not tailgate. If a truck or other large vehicle is in front of you that you can’t see around, allow extra room. Look ahead of the vehicle immediately in front of you to see what’s going on. Check traffic far ahead to make sure high speed traffic isn’t coming to a stop. The earlier you detect a problem, the more options you may have.
When a traffic signal first comes into your line of sight, check for clues to determine how long the light has been green (or red). Are the cars at the light just starting up? The light just turned green, meaning you probably will have no problem making it through. A crossing light is a good indicator: if flashing, then the green light will soon to turning amber. Bad joke: what does a yellow light mean? Speed up! When you first see a light and it’s red you should immediately let off the gas and start coasting.
When stopped at a red light: pay attention. Don’t stop right behind the car in front of you: leave room in case the car behind you has trouble stopping. Check the crosswalk signals and watch for the opposite light to turn yellow. When your light turns green be ready to let off the brake the moment the car in front of you does. Check the cars ahead of the car immediately in front of you. If you are far back in line you’ll appreciate the cars in front of you doing this, so you’ll have a better chance at not getting caught at the same light for a second cycle.
Tomorrow: parking, bad weather, routes, and more!
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