General Driving Tips

Here's some tips that I use to prove to others I'm a good driver...


1) Brake Easy: Ease up to red lights/stop signs.  No jerk stops from me.

2) Drive in the lane: Keep my lane, I don't wobble or hug the edge.

3) Stop at the line.  Too many, when stopping at a stop sign actually roll thru the crosswalk.  The line is there for a reason.  Stay out of the way of pedestrians.  

4) Always use my turn signal when turning or changing lanes.  How easy is this to do?  How lazy does someone have to be not to use it?

5) Before driving on weather heavy days, I make sure my windows are cleaned off, no snow, no rain drops on side windows.  Keep the mirrors clean.

6) I wait for traffic to pass and the road to be clear before I get out of my vehicle on the street side, and of course I use my mirror to confirm the coast is clear.  I'll also look for on-coming traffic to make sure no one is encroaching on my side.

7) 2 Second rule or more.  I leave at least 2 seconds between myself and the moving vehicle in front of me, and if the conditions aren't great I make it more.  I've been slammed in the back from a tailgater on the highway, and it's pretty scary being stopped with 50 mph zooming past.  I did my part and only hope that no one does the same to me in the future.

8) Speaking of tailgaters, I will turn on my flashers if someone gets too close.  Using the brake light can actually make the tailgater more aggressive whereas the hazard lights will get them to ease up.

9) Keep an eye on pedestrians approaching the road.  Can be difficult and often they can act reckless.  If there is a pedestrian close to my moving vehicle I slow down, if they're in front I may come to a stop allowing a good 20 yards between them and myself so anyone behind me passing will have a chance to see and avoid them.

10)  Courtesy, if it's safe sure.  If someone needs to turn left in front of me, but there's traffic behind me, I won't let them through because someone could pass me and hit them.  This goes for pedestrians as well, because if I stop and another driver passes me on the right or left it puts in danger the pedestrian.  On the other hand there have been occasions that I do let someone turn left if 1-my traffic is slow, 2-no one is behind me, 3-the person turning left is holding up traffic behind them.  Pedestrians should always wait for the road to be clear before attempting to cross.

11) Flash lights, honk… I'll do this only if something that someone is doing is creating a dangerous situation that I have to get past.  For instance, someone on a narrow road getting out of their vehicle without looking, or walking to their vehicle in the road by coming around a blind corner.  If they are far enough away I'll flash the lights, if too close to me I'll honk.

12)  Highway Consideration: I will Flash my high beams for semi's allowing them to merge into my lane in front of me.  This is a courtesy that basically says 'yes your trailer is far enough away from my vehicle that you can make a safe lane merge.'  After passing the semi's they almost all respond with a flashing of their warning lights which is basically saying 'thanks for the help.'

13) Left Turns and Pedestrians: When turning left I will lean forward move my head to the left and right to make sure I can see any pedestrians in the crosswalk that might be in my blind spot.

14) Bike Lanes: Before I go into a bike lane (when at an intersection, vehicle are required to occupy part of the bike lane to warn bicyclists that you intend to turn right), or over-taking a bike lane to park, I will of course use my rear view mirror.  If a bike rider is not using the bike lane on a narrow street, I won't go into the bike lane to avoid them, instead I'll come to a stop if required to allow the bike rider to either use the bike lane or get around me.  With so many double parkers on my Brooklyn Streets it's common to have to drive through the bike lane, so I do check, but slow down because there could be someone getting out of their vehicle.

15) Checking behind me: I will, when driving at 20 mph or slower periodically check both mirror to ensure no bike rider is next to me or behind me.  It can be very dangerous if they decide to pass on the inside, so one has to remain aware.

16) Turn Signal initiation  I will put on my turn signal at least 5 parked vehicles before a turn at an intersection even if I think I'm the only one on the street.  Face it there could be a bike rider in your blind spot, and just don't be so darn lazy not to use it.  When changing lanes I will put it on at least 2 seconds before changing lanes, and during that time I look to see if it's clear to change lanes.  For those who put it on at the moment they decide to change a lane, or don't put them on at all, you'll pay for that with a collision at some point in the future.

17) Slowing at intersections on narrow roads with parked cars.  Even with a green light, if the road/lane is flanked on one side or both with parked cars making it impossible to see a pedestrian who might be ignoring the 'Do Not Walk' sign, I will slow down to ensure I don't hit anyone.  Besides, crossing an intersection can be rough on the underside of your vehicle and tires… don't let it be rough on your hood too.  I certainly hope no one does this, it scares me to think someone could just walk out in front of me.

I'm sure there are more… certainly this is a fly by the pants list that's in no particular order.

Oh….

18) Never go faster than the speed limit.  Or at least no more than 5 mph on the highway and 1 or 2 mph in the city if it's clear.  Going faster in the city isn't intentional but it can happen, so I do keep a quick eye to confirm my speed.  What needs to happen is vehicles need a warning beep when the person starts to exceed the speed limit.  That should be a national standard on all vehicles.

There's a reason for speed limits.  Those that ignore them have no respect for other people or probably their own family members.  Keeping the speed limit allows one to stop before a collision, allows one to comprehend any approaching dangers, and if there is a collision makes it a minimum damage one and not catastrophic.  

HEAD LIGHTS and High Beams

USING HIGH BEAMS to communicate:


Okay, if you see someone pulling out and you're intention is to continue straight, and you want to make sure they don't pull out even though they have now stopped… you need to use a long high beam flash and not one or a few short flashes. A long flash means you're going forward and stay out of my way. Short flashes are an invitation to them to go.

Short flashes are like light taps on the horn, they acknowledge the other person and are sometimes used to allow someone ahead of you to merge into your lane, to make a left turn in front of you, to pull out into traffic from a parking lot, etc. A long flash would be used instead of, but not as a substitution to, a long car horn blast. Sometimes I'll use the long flash to ensure someone sees that I'm coming and I want to give them more time to get out of the way, like a pedestrian walking along the street. The long flash reaches them way before the use of a car horn would be appropriate thus giving everyone enough time to react.

WHEN NOT TO USE:  I typically don't use my high beams to communicate if someone is driving in front of me or if there's on-coming traffic as everyone would wonder what I'm trying to communicate or if I'm just crazy.  But, if someone is indecisive and driving slow, or not using their turn signal and acting like they're about to make a right hand turn but change their mind, then I might 'flash' them and I don't mean in the streaking sort of way

HIGH BEAMS in your face? If someone is driving towards you with their high beams on, it's customary to give them a couple of short flashes. You don't want to blind them the way they're blinding you. It's also a good idea to slow down a bit.

HIGHWAY:  When semi truck drivers are trying to merge or change lanes in front of you, using 3 short blasts of your high beams to let them know there's room for them to change lanes (assuming of course there is) is a great way to help someone else out.  It's tough enough for them, the hours and distances they drive, so getting a little help is like you giving them an extra set of eyes to watch for trailer clearance.  This almost always results in them flashing their running caution lights as a way for them to say thank you.

HIGHWAY DRIVING TIPS:
Aren't most of these obvious?  Well then let them be reminders….


1) Changing Lanes: Turn on your blinker, pause for at least 1 second (looking in mirror and over shoulder), then ease into next lane (no abrupt or fast lane changes).  By easing over, it allows someone you might not of seen time to react and give you a warning beep.  Also, by practicing driving this way you're less likely to do an abrupt lane change in the future.

2) Exit Lanes:  When approaching your exit, get in the lane adjacent to the exit rather than cutting across traffic.  Do so at least 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) before the exit.  Be patient with slower drivers, it's better to stay in your exit lane than trying to pass and then exit.

3) Don't weave:  Keep in the center of your lane and keep this consistent when you drive.  It tells other drivers that you are in control of your vehicle and are paying attention.

4) Pay attention: No phones, no texting, while chatting keep yours eyes forward and stay aware of surrounding vehicles.

5) Keep aware:  Like mentioned above, it's important to not only know who's in front of you, but who's behind and to your sides.  You may have to take evasive action so knowing that no one is driving next to you is important.

6) Drive the speed limit (duh). The faster one drives the higher the probability that something horrible can happen.  While it's important to keep pace with traffic sometimes 'traffic' is driving in excessive speeds, so just get in the right lane and let the mob pass, without driving below the speed limit.

7) Signaling: There are different types of 'flashing one's lights' and therefore warning or communicating with different type of drivers.  For semi's trying to change lanes in front of you, a double 'high beam' flash will let them know it's okay to come over into your lane.  They will typically flash their hazard lights to say thank you. 

For someone driving at night without their lights on, it's typically okay to quickly turn off your lights and then turn them back on.  Not all people will understand this.  Another way is to do a hand flash (something I do as a pedestrian which works almost all the time) but maybe harder to communicate at night on a highway… hold your hand up in a fist then spread your fingers out in several 'flashes.'

If there is debris in the road, I will tap my brake lights 5 times in a row to alert drivers behind me.  This really works and other drivers will change lanes to avoid the situation.  

I do this also if traffic is stopped ahead (5 brake light taps in a row), especially around a curve where others will have a hard time seeing what's going on.  I'd rather the people behind me slow down early than to stack up on my tail and potentially get me caught up in a pile up.

8) Bad weather conditions: If you're driving in heavy fog or very heavy rain it's generally accepted to drive 15 mph to 20 mph slower than the speed limit.  This is subjective though and you should stay aware of vehicles behind you.  You should also turn on your flashers if driving slower than the speed limit.  If it's snowy/icy, then again slow down the same amount, and if it's really bad then everyone should be going slow (so hazard lights might not be necessary).  If everyone is driving slow, then try to keep your momentum up as much as possible by keeping your speed consistent.

9) Pulling off the highway into the break down lane: It's important that you really pull off to the right as far as you can go, even partially into grass if the ground is firm enough to  support your vehicle.  Certainly put on your hazard lights, and if you get out of the vehicle turn on your high beams too to illuminate the ground in front of your vehicle allowing your silhouette to be easily seen by drivers passing you.  If your situation is serious vehicle trouble and you can't get to a highway exit, then put out flares and/or reflectors.  If your vehicle can move, then it's better to drive to an exit where passing traffic is moving slower (thus it's safer for you).  I actually keep a lightweight reflective vest in my car just in case it's dark and rainy outside and I'm in this situation (like having to repair a tire).

10) Changing lane to avoid someone in break down lane:  If someone is in the emergency break down lane, then get out of the right lane to pass them.  They may need the extra room, and it has the added benefit of alerting drivers behind you of the situation.  Of course if you can't get over due to high traffic volume, then drive past carefully.

11) Debris in the road.  Sometimes you'll be confronted by debris, like a shredded tire and there's not enough time to slow down and/or safely get around it, so you should instead focus on keeping control of your vehicle and drive over it.  I know, it could damage your vehicle but that's better than doing a quick swerve where you loose control and your vehicle starts to flip or spin out.  Remember you're driving at high speeds and the momentum of your vehicle will want to continue to go straight even if you turn the wheel.

12) Sliding.  If in snowy/icy conditions and your vehicle starts to fish tail (the back tires start to go in a different direction), then steer in the direction that you want to go (thus keeping your front tires pointed forward) and do not over steer.  Over steering will cause your vehicle to fish tail from one side to the other.  Also, don't brake but instead take your foot off the gas.  There are circumstances where you can actually brake, and actually accelerate to ease the vehicle back under control, but only do this if you have some experience and do so lightly.

13) GPS navigation:  One can't totally rely on GPS as it often doesn't give you enough warning of an exit… so if you have to use it, then be smart enough to stay in the right lane to be prepared for exits (assuming there aren't any left only exits).

14) Tailgating: If someone is tailgating you, put on your hazard lights.  That should get them to understand you don't appreciate them putting you in danger without creating a dangerous situation (by brake checking which you shouldn't do ever).

15) 2 Second Rule, should use 3 Second rule on Highways:  2 Second Rule (leaving 2 seconds of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, by counting 1, 2 from an object the driver passes to the time it takes you to pass the same object) is actually the minimum anyone should be to a vehicle, but 3 seconds is way better as it gives you a second extra to determine if the person braking in front of you is hard or soft braking.  And, on a highway you'll need the extra second.  If the weather is bad, then give yourself 5 seconds.

16) Running lights: My vehicle turns on running lights 24/7 during the day time whenever I turn on my car.  it's always a great idea to use running lights and they should be a standard requirement.  They work better on local streets but it doesn't hurt to be seen.

17) Brake early.  If there is a collision ahead of you, brake and slow your speed down.  Too many video clips I've seen where there's a collision and people just keep driving assuming that what's happening isn't going to end up in their lane.  Don't assume and instead get yourself prepared for anything, not only by watching the collision but by knowing who's around you so you can 'exit' the situation without damage.  This is also why you should always have situational awareness of who's around you, front and back.

18) If in a collision: If you can get out of the highway by driving, then do so… get off the highway!  Don't just sit there because you think the insurance needs to photograph your vehicle where it happened to stop… let you determine where your vehicle stopped by driving if off onto the shoulder!  Don't just sit in the middle of the highway as a ripe target for someone speeding!

19) Stay in your vehicle: If in a collision, or you think traffic is stopped, stay in your vehicle!  It's much safer with a seat belt than having your body outside, especially when it's bad weather and on-coming traffic might have a hard time knowing to slow down.

22)  Don't stop!  If there's a collision, especially in the middle of a highway, find a passage around it, even over debris, and pull over at least 50 yards (40 meters) ahead.  This will help other drivers to slow down and not create a pileup.  Of course turn on your hazard lights, even your bright headlights (to put into silhouette the accident making them easier to see).  It's always about saving lives first, and you'll help those in a collision only if you clear the highway as much as possible to allow anyone driving too fast to have a viable exit passage (to avoid additional collisions).

23) Help if you can:  Certainly there are a number of ways one can help if you are coming onto a collision on the highway.  If you're able to stop well before an accident and traffic is unaware of it, you can pull over, turn on your hazards and point your high beams at the wrecked vehicles (assuming nighttime), and call for help.

Calling for help: It's important to know what highway you're driving on, and what mile marker you're at, so when you call the police you can let them know where you are.  Certainly knowing what was the last exit you passed will help.  Also give a clear description of what's going on (how many vehicles, how serious, and if you think there will be injuries).  

After stopping and calling authorities, you can put down flares from your vehicle towards the collisions (but not near the collision where a flare can ignite gasoline), or reflectors, to alert other motorists.  Never walk onto the highway unless all traffic is stopped or going very slow already.  Encourage wrecked vehicles to get off the highway if the vehicle is able too.  Don't pull injured people out of vehicles unless there's chance of fire.  If you're on a straight or curved highway, be aware of on-coming driver's sight lines and how best to keep yourself safe.  There's no point in putting your own life at risk on a busy highway for someone's else's circumstances.  Maybe they're just fine, so don't assume it's worth the risk.  Be alert and not a fool.

24) Black Ice: so named because it appears as a very smooth blackish area.  Typically ice forms on bridges where cold water stands and freezes faster because of the cold air under the bridge.  Amazing to me that designs aren't created to never allow water to rest on a bridge, but certainly there are circumstances where this can happen.  Be careful when driving in cold especially at bridges.

if you can think of others please post, I'll add them into the right section and give you credit in the post!