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Can you guys give me some tips on being a good driver.

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mjrpes3 said:
Careful on this one. If you're going slow and jetting into an intersection right when it turns green, you increase your risk of getting hit by a red light runner.
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Well, don't time it that close.

It sounds to me like the OP is kind of an absent-minded driver. No particular offense intended, I just know the type, and I think most newer drivers have the same behavior.

You learn to drive, you get comfortable on your daily route...then your brain starts to kind of switch to other thoughts. You autopilot.

Throw yourself into a more stressful situation, and you panic.

It really all just boils down to practice. Learning all the safe driving practices in the world isn't going to make it perfect. Learning to successfully drive a car at the ragged edge of tire grip won't, either.

It's an amalgamation of factors. But the most basic one is also the most important- pay attention.

I think I manage okay around retarded drivers (...while occasionally driving like a maniac myself) because my eyes are always darting around. I'm looking both ways at intersections I don't even stop at. I'm trying to be constantly aware of the vehicles around me. Unless I'm taking a trip on the interstate, I'm always doing something that keeps me involved in the job at hand (driving). In many ways, being an attentive driver may just boil down to personality type.
 
be decisive... timid drivers are the worst. At least if you're decisive others can react accordingly.

Unfamiliar roads - drive slowly as long as it's above the minimum. If you're looking for something PLEASE make sure there's not someone itching to get around you... let them pass first. You need to be aware of your surroundings at ALL times. This will also save you from hitting someone/something if you ever have to make a sudden evasive maneuver.
 
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lozina said:
Keep your eyes on the road your hands upon the wheel
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I wonder if most of ATOT is too young to get this. 🙂


OP, I have a few thoughts for you...

1. I have a hunch you're focusing on a spot that is too close to you. Move your point of focus further out. Your peripheral vision will pick up a lot. By doing this you have more information and fewer surprises.
You go where your eyes take you. Example....pencil and paper....try to draw a straight line by focusing completely on the tip of the pencil. Now try it again, but focus on the spot where you want the line to end. I bet that line was more straight. You'll be a smoother driver if you do that on the road.

2. Roads generally don't just end, or turn a sharp corner without lots of notice. Trust that the road continues on the other side of the turn.

3. If you miss your turn/exit, it's ok. Don't slam on the brakes or suddenly dart across 3 lanes of traffic. Just take the next exit and double back.
 
Radar love and inflate to sidewall. Now if your car has IRS you don't have to use the brakes at all. Just hoon.


One can learn how to drive defensively by driving blindfolded so your other senses improve. Start in a parkinglot till you get used to it.
 
rh71 said:
be decisive... timid drivers are the worst. At least if you're decisive others can react accordingly.
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Hey, thanks for merging into me the other day.

Unless this is more sarcasm-advice that's just too ultra-dry to detect: please don't listen to this.

When it comes to any kind of maneuver other than driving straight ahead, be sure of what you're doing and who's around you before you do it.

That brings up another important thing that 90% of people probably can't do...yet it is not hard: adjust your damn side mirrors properly.

I stay far the fuck away from people with stick-on 'blind spot mirrors.' ATTN: dipshits- your side mirrors ARE for your blind spots. Learn to adjust them. Also learn to use that thing...what the hell do you call it...oh yeah...your neck. It swivels. And tilts in all directions. It's like a high-end computer monitor stand.

For adjusting mirrors- find a fairly empty parking lot. Pull up alongside a parked car, and roll past it until its hood is in the approximate vicinity of your quarter panel. It's too close to see in your rear view (interior) mirror, it's a bit too far back to spot with your peripheral vision or even a slight head turn. Then adjust your side mirror until you can clearly see it. Repeat for the other side.

PSA: The side of your car will continue to be the side of your car. It does not need monitoring. Neither does the sky. It's not going anywhere.
 
phucheneh said:
Hey, thanks for merging into me the other day.

Unless this is more sarcasm-advice that's just too ultra-dry to detect: please don't listen to this.

When it comes to any kind of maneuver other than driving straight ahead, be sure of what you're doing and who's around you before you do it.

That brings up another important thing that 90% of people probably can't do...yet it is not hard: adjust your damn side mirrors properly.

I stay far the fuck away from people with stick-on 'blind spot mirrors.' ATTN: dipshits- your side mirrors ARE for your blind spots. Learn to adjust them. Also learn to use that thing...what the hell do you call it...oh yeah...your neck. It swivels. And tilts in all directions. It's like a high-end computer monitor stand.

For adjusting mirrors- find a fairly empty parking lot. Pull up alongside a parked car, and roll past it until its hood is in the approximate vicinity of your quarter panel. It's too close to see in your rear view (interior) mirror, it's a bit too far back to spot with your peripheral vision or even a slight head turn. Then adjust your side mirror until you can clearly see it. Repeat for the other side.

PSA: The side of your car will continue to be the side of your car. It does not need monitoring. Neither does the sky. It's not going anywhere.
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Doesn't that kind of fall under the definition of being decisive? :hmm:

I agree with the rest of your post.
 
1. relaxation
2. attentiveness
3. proper side mirror usage (as above)

Three steps to success, right there. If you are angry or upset you will be focused on those things, not the road. If you aren't paying attention nothing can save you. And if your side mirrors aren't set up properly you will have huge blind spots even if you do "keep your head on a swivel."

And if something comes up that interferes with one of those three things (assholes, realizing you are lost, kids eating each other in the back seat, etc.) just pull over and sort it out; don't multitask.
 
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Judging by the way everyone else drives I would say wait until someone is coming down the road and pull out right in front of them. Then drive reeeeeeeally slow just until a traffic light is starting to change to red, then gas it and blow through the light.
 
BladeVenom said:
1. Don't Panic!
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Don't forget to take a towel either.

P1050440.jpg
 
phucheneh said:
PSA: The side of your car will continue to be the side of your car. It does not need monitoring.
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it's amazing how many people put the mirrors so they can see the side of their car

IF YOU CAN SEE YOUR CAR IN YOUR SIDE MIRROR, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG
 
Thanks for the tips guys.

I am just more scared than your average driver, because I am of a certain race that gets made fun of when it comes to driving.
 
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just use GPS and follow its instructions

unless you're driving in the country, it's pretty safe to trust where it tells you to go
 
Do NOT fixate on the car directly in front of you, you should be paying attention to what is happening as far down the road as you can see. Don't wait for the brake lights of the car directly in front of you to figure out traffic is slowing, but watch the brake lights of vehicles 5, 10, or 20 vehicles ahead.
 
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