Good drivers can be found everywhere. It is also possible to meet hasty teenagers, overly cautious truck drivers and elderly people; they all help us learn how to be good drivers.
Steps
Step 1. Focus
Paying attention to the traffic around you, checking your mirrors often and guessing what other drivers will do are the most important steps to becoming a safe and fair driver.
Step 2. Let someone pass if you notice that they are exceeding the speed limit
Remember that there are no speed races on the road. Unleashing your desire for speed leads to dangerous situations between your car and the others. You should always travel in the right-most lane, except when overtaking. It is possible to make an exception to this rule when you have to make a left turn or have to take a left exit of the motorway. Staying in the right lane will allow other drivers traveling faster than you to pass you safely and not have to switch to the right, an action not recommended and dangerous.
Step 3. Use the direction indicators, and use them at the right time
Tell other drivers your intentions to turn or shift early enough for them to react appropriately. For example, if you have to turn left at a traffic light, DO NOT wait until you are in a queue with a red light to use the indicator, so as to give those following you time to change lanes and not wait for your turn to continue straight.
Step 4. Never change lanes in the middle of an intersection
Also, only cross the intersection if you are sure you are not queuing in the middle of it when the traffic lights turn red.
Step 5. NEVER try to "hit the lights"
If the light turns yellow and you have enough room to stop safely, do so. Cyclists, pedestrians and even other drivers expect you to be completely stopped when the light turns red. You will put yourself and others at risk by passing yellow, just to save a minute or two - certainly not worth it.
Step 6. Remember it is polite to allow a vehicle to turn when you are in a queue if the driver is looking for a gap
However, avoid suddenly crashing when you are on the move to let a driver pass. This would likely lead to a collision or worse, a rear-end collision from the unsuspecting driver behind you. Drivers in moving traffic never expect sudden braking. Be extremely careful.
Step 7. Remember:
keeping a safe distance between you and the driver in front of you is an excellent rule to follow. You should keep a distance of 2-4 seconds between you and the car in front of you. You can use road markings to judge distance. If the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops, you will have enough space to stop, or change lanes safely. In adverse weather conditions, such as rain and snow, you should keep an even greater safety distance to compensate for the increased braking distance.
Step 8. Be careful in residential areas, as children may suddenly run into the street without checking for cars
Their minds are focused on catching the ball on the road or reaching their friends on the bike. When traveling in residential areas, beware of unpredictable objects and people in the street.
Step 9. Remember that trucks are often difficult to stop, turn or reverse
When passing a truck, remember that the truck driver will have a hard time braking. It is best to wait until you see the entire truck in your rearview mirror before completing the overtaking. Also avoid standing next to a truck when you are on a multi-lane road, if you can't see the driver in his mirror, he can't see you either.
Step 10. Be polite towards older people
Elders must drive like all other people. This is especially true if they have no other ways to get what they need. Most seniors, however, prefer to drive in the early afternoon when traffic is light and there is a lot of light. When driving behind an elderly person, always keep a safe distance and watch out for unexpected movements, such as lane changes. Some seniors may change lanes without reporting it.
Step 11. Try to change lanes safely when you see roadworks, police vehicles or ambulances stopped in front of you, or notice that one lane starts to slow down while others run better
There is probably an accident, a broken down car, or someone had to pull over to the side of the road. Doing so will make you less likely to be involved in a secondary accident and will help people who are in dangerous or negative situations.
Step 12. Understand that most drivers try to reach their destination, like all other people
Accidents do happen, but you can take steps to prevent many, yourself or others. By understanding the ways different drivers react, you will better understand how to be a better driver. The best drivers learn to predict possible traffic changes and prepare for them in advance by adjusting speed, changing lanes or paying more attention.
Step 13. If asked to pull over by the police, be nice to the officer and he may let you go even if you have committed a traffic violation
It will depend on the severity of what you did and the traffic conditions. Not all agents work to make fines.
Step 14. Do not use the shoulder or the middle part of the carriageway to pass slow people
You will remain in the queue no matter how many cars you make it through.
Advice
- In residential areas there are often many children. Children are unpredictable, especially on the streets. Be careful and drive slower than usual.
- Never leave car doors open. Always close the doors.
- Don't stand too close to the car in front of you, no matter how angry its driver has made you. It is better to stay angry for a while than to pay thousands of dollars in damages (or worse still, suffer injuries or injuries) for an accident that you could have avoided.
- If you are approached by someone, even the police, open the window just so you can hear their voice and make sure they are not malicious.
- If you don't have a cell phone to call for help when you are stranded on the side of the road, place the triangle 100m from your position and open the hood to let passing cars know that you need help. If possible, move a stationary car AWAY from the road, with the help of other motorists if necessary.
- Keep an empty can in the car. If you run out of fuel, you can walk to the nearest gas station or ask for help. The tank will be useful to you.
- If you are in the fast lane, do not drive slower than other cars in the same lane. Likewise, don't expect to be the fastest car on the road if you're in the right lane - wait for your chance, then overtake safely.
- If you don't have a phone, be prepared for your car to stop, even considering the season. In summer, bring plenty of water, a large "Help" sign, and a triangular red flag to attach to your antenna to indicate the emergency situation. In the winter, put blankets in the trunk, some snacks and water, and keep the direction indicators active until help arrives.
- When you see, smell or hear a possible breakdown in the car, move immediately into the right lane. This will make it easier for you to pull over if the car stops.
Warnings
- Be careful and always look in all directions, trying to avoid accidents.
- Never expect someone to do something you think they will do. If someone has turned on the turn signal, make sure you see them physically turn before you pass them. If someone has the braking lights on, make sure they are really braking and are not simply resting their foot on the pedal; at the same time, if you don't see any brake lights, you are always ready for a sudden stop.
