How do you drive your car?

Question

I have this habit of constantly checking my side mirrors every 5 seconds just to make sure i dont hit the curb and to make sure im in my lane.I asked my sister this question and she said she keeps her eyes on the front windshield all the time.So is this some weird habit I have or do any of you guys have the same habit as I do.And if you dont,how do you know you are not driving into the other cars lane????especially in a four lane road!Also how do you prevent scratches from trees or bushes that are sticking out in the street???????

Answer 1

I don't pay attention, at all. Sometimes I get to Toys R Us and I don't even remember how I got there. Then I buy one of those snow cone machines and a My Little Pony.

Answer 2

you will check your mirrors less as you learn your car size but checking your mirrors is not a bad thing i have been driving for 20 years and still check my mirrors quiet often

Answer 3

New driver, right?  :)  It's a lot better to move your focus of attention around, don't just stare out the windshield.  You need to know what's going on all around you.   So you're doing good.

As far as hitting trees and bushes, just don't drive into them. If you can't see them, work on your awareness of what's around you.

Answer 4

I drive my truck the same way I drive a school bus and school bus drivers are the safest in the world.

Answer 5

I usually keep my head faced forward and use my peripheral vision to check the sides.

In my opinion, you shouldn't have to turn your head to the side, unless you are making a lane change and want to check your blind spot.

However, if you have an unusually small amount of peripheral vision, you may be forced to turn your head more.

I used to test drive vehicles for an auto manufacturer and they would regularly send us to various professional driving schools such as Skip Barber or Bondurant. There, they teach you to always face the direction that you want your vehicle to be headed.

For example, if you are going through a slalom, you should always look between the obstacles, not at them. If you look at them, your body will have a tendency to turn the car towards the obstacles and hit them.

The trick is to look between the obstacles (in your case the lane dividers) and make sure your car is facing a direction that will allow it to drive between them. Once your car is facing the right way, there is no need to keep checking the sides as long as you're not changing your car's direction.

Answer 6

Honestly man, if you're thinking that much when you're driving then you do not have enough experience and/or you need some lessons.  I drive long-distances very frequently and driving should be natural.  You should know where other vehicles are and use your mirrors as needed, not like you have OCD.