Driving on the open road is an empowering and amazing feeling. However, many people can be an anxious driver because they don’t fully grasp the techniques and driving etiquette required on the road. There are a few things that you can do to improve your driving ability and driving etiquette overall. In this article, we will look at 5 ways that can transform you from a novice driver to a semi-skilled driver simply by adopting some of these principles and techniques.
Learn the S-turn maneuver
Many people don’t know how to negotiate an S-turn maneuver in left-hand turn lanes successfully. If you’re like most people, when you enter a left-turn lane, you prepare to turn by pulling forward and turning your wheels to the left. This is a major no-no as your wheels should always be pointed straight ahead. If you were to be hit from behind with your wheels turned to the left, you would be pushed into oncoming traffic.
Instead, leave your wheels in the front-facing position while waiting for a gap in traffic to turn left. You’ll be much safer while keeping other drivers safe as well.
Take a defensive driving course
A quick and easy way to sharpen your driving skills is to take a defensive driving course. This can be done online or at a reputable driving agency. These driving agency courses are good at refreshing your memory and giving you an edge with advanced maneuvering and techniques. These classes also help drivers gain confidence while driving.
By taking one of these courses, you can learn how to avoid an accident through the advanced maneuvering skills taught in the class. You should also always protect yourself and other drivers with an auto insurance policy, such as one from Direct Auto Insurance.
Assume you are alone when parking
Fear and anxiety are common feelings when it comes to new drivers, and even seasoned drivers experience these feelings from time to time. It’s even more prevalent when you need to park your car while people are watching and waiting. A great tip is to ignore the people waiting and focus on parking your car properly and safely. You will need to signal you are parking with an indicator so they know what your intentions are. Any reasonable driver will understand to wait for you to finish parking.
Don’t forget to thank them for their patience after you completed your parking – good etiquette is important. A quick wave or nod will do the trick.
Leave more space when driving
When driving, we are accustomed to the notion that the appropriate distance between you and the car in front should be two car lengths. In essence, this is a great tip when dealing with bad weather. However, on a day-to-day basis, you have to be more practical. The best tip should be to leave at least 4-seconds of space between you and the car in front of you.
It is estimated that most drivers only leave 0.8 seconds of space between them and the car in front of them. That is not sufficient enough time for you to make an emergency stop should the car in front of you come to a halt. As a bonus, this technique will also save your brakes as you won’t need to use them frequently when abiding by the 4-second length.
Adjust your hands to the proper position
Many drivers forget how important it is to have their hands positioned properly. If you are a decades-old driver, then you were probably taught that the right position for your hands is the 10 and 2 positions on the clock. However, during the last few years, those guidelines have changed. The NHTSA recommends positioning your hands lower at 9 and 3 o’clock positions to ensure safety.
They have found this adjustment warranted because if the airbags are deployed, and your hands are stuck at the 10 and 2 positions, you have a greater risk of injuring yourself. Another point they made is that the new positioning gives you more stability and control while driving.
Driving is a privilege that people often take for granted. This is why you should consider other people’s safety on the road as well as your own. Improving your driving capabilities should be the least you do to improve the road’s standards and safety. The more you improve, the safer the road will be for everyone.