Continuing driver's training: what would be a good way to start?

Question

Most drivers think they know it all after they pass their license test; OBVIOUSLY, THEY DON'T. Can anyone suggest a way to provide a brush-up lesson that the average driver would pay attention to & learn from?

Answer 1

Check your phonebook for advanced driving courses.

Local racetracks will also usually offer car-craft courses, where you learn how to really drive, not just pass a test.

Answer 2

falling in love with you....

if you be the teach, don't ax me

Answer 3

Do the following day in and day out and everyone will be a better driver...

STEERING Steer smoothly whether you are driving straight ahead, turning or backing up.

ACCELERATION Accelerate smoothly and moderately. Don't race the engine or cause it to stall.

BRAKING Bring the vehicle to a stop gently. Start braking well before your stopping position to avoid "jerky" stops. Make sure you stop your vehicle in the proper position of the lane.

CLUTCH/GEAR Always be sure your vehicle is in the correct gear. With either an automatic or a manual transmission, shift into the proper gear at the right time without "grinding" the gears.

SPEED Obey the posted speed limit, of course, but also adjust your speed properly due to weather, road, visibility and traffic conditions.

FOLLOWING DISTANCE Keep an adequate space "cushion" between your vehicle and those you are following. Use the "two second rule" described in the Driver's Manual. Be sure to increase your following distance in poor weather or visibility.

TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES Know the meanings of signs, signals and pavement markings, and obey them consistently.

STOPPING POSITION If a stop is required, stop your vehicle before it reaches an intersecting street. If stop lines or crosswalks are present, stop before crossing them. If your view is blocked after stopping behind the crosswalk, move up until you can clearly see your way, then stop again if necessary.

LANE SELECTION AND POSITION Keep your vehicle in the proper traffic lane, especially when preparing to make turns. Don't allow room for another vehicle to pass you on the side that you are turning toward.

COMMUNICATION Let other drivers and pedestrians know which way you want to go. Use your directional signals or horn consistently and at the proper times.

OBSERVATION Look for and identify potential problems or hazards in the traffic around you - not just straight ahead, but behind you and on either side. Check your mirrors frequently, but be sure to look over your shoulder behind you when changing lanes or backing up.

ANTICIPATE & REACT TO OTHERS Anticipate possible driving errors by others and be ready to react safely to make up for their mistakes.

Answer 4

UCANTCM gives an excellent overview of the physical driving aspect but he misses one of the most important things:  "ATTITUDE".

It takes three things to be a good driver: Attitude, knowledge and skills.

Skills come with experience and knowledge can get a bit slack after awhile where one can use a tune up, but the attitude is something you always have to work at and be aware of.

Most drivers in particularly Males think their driving is an 8-10 on a scale of 1-10 when the average driver is a 5. (less then 5 being incompetent to the average driver and 6 above is a higher level than the average driver).

That driver may be a 9 or a 10 at certain times, but pending on your attitude a driver slides back and forth on that scale all day long.  Example if they get a bit of road rage or become impatient, they may go from an 8 down to a 2 in seconds.

Check with your local driver education companies and see what fits for you.  If you reside in Western Canada check out the website I attached.

Answer 5

You are way ahead of the pack on this one. I mean, c'mon. I know the rules and the road signs and what foot to put on what pedal. What more is there to know than that??  Sound familiar?

I think most of us who have been around for a while have had to take remedial driver's ed. at some point. It is usually required by a court. lol  These sessions review the state mandated material that we all had to know to get our licenses in the beginning. To keep us from falling asleep, the re-schools try to be funny or you can even take it on line.  But none of these programs really point a finger at the primary cause of driving problems. We think that driving under the unfluence is bad, but there are 7 influences that can really mess us up. I'm told that I have the safest vehicle on the road, but that is a lie. I could go on at length here but can't. So if you would be interested in a program I have put together on the subject, feel free to drop me a line.

All the best.