Spatial awareness in car.... help!?

Question

hey, ok was never taught by anyone how to do spatial awareness and it makes me mad b cuz when ever i am driving with my da pratcing he is like watch out to the car next to you or your going over the line when i have no clue there was a car or that i was going over the line.. what i can do to help me with this so in the long run i do not end up in a car crash b cuz of my stupidness.. lol

Thanks!

Answer 1

You just have to practice it.  Do a lot of driving, eventually you'll get it down.  Just keep an eye out everywhere.  Set your side mirrors so your not looking behind you but to the side so that you see the lanes next to you.  the best way to set all mirrors is to see behind you with the rearview (the one on the window in the front)  then when a car is passing you, right before you don't see it any more in that mirror it should show up in the sideview.  Then right before it leaves that mirror you see it in your window.  That should help you seeing cars on the side.  And watch both sides of the car.  Just because you sit on one side doesn't mean you should look only at that side, look at where you are compared to the lines on each side.  But the most important thing to do is look around, don't just look straight ahead.  Oh yea, no phones, games, or loud music until you have it down.  That's just my 2 cents.

Answer 2

You got some great answers from the UPS guy and the one after that.  I forget how difficult it can be when learning how to drive and until you asked the question I also didn't realize that it takes time and practise to learn how to manage all of the new tasks involved in driving.  Use both answers together and you will do fine.  It takes time and practise, practise, practise.  Eventually it should become so easy and that's really how our roads and cars are designed.  The lines keep you on track left and right to keep everyone safe,  the lights signal when to stop and when it's your turn to go as well as the signs and it's really that simple.  Just focus on those tools and relax.  The reason that you are concerned makes you a far better driver and safer because you asked.  You would not have a permit if you were too "stupid" to be able to stop turn and go.  Refinement will develop and you'll be whip in a parking spot perfectly between the lines using your mirrors and develop judgement for the space between your front and rear. Until then, don't be afraid to practise in a parking lot, stop and get out and look where your wheels and where you thought they were.   Good luck.

Answer 3

I am a UPS driver with 27 years experiance.  The trick for staying centered in the lane is to have in front of you about 8 to 12 seconds eye lead time.  The way you figure eye lead time, find a stationary object in front of you and count 1 1000 2 1000 3 1000 ... until you have a rough idea what the distance is.  After you have the rough idea what the distance is you don't have to count it out anymore.  The reason you want the eye lead time, is just what you asked for.  The eye lead time keeps you centered in your lane.

Answer 4

Your hands follow your eyes...........once you get over "fighting" the steering wheel, remember to look ahead where you want your car to go.

If you look at the curb, you will tend to steer towards that curb.

If you look at the white or yellow line beside you, you will tend to steer towards that white line.

Train yourself to look where you want your car to go.

When pulling up behind a vehicle, look left and right at the upcoming intersection traffic instead of the vehicle ahead of you. You will find that you tend to slow down earlier.

Cover your brake when you are close to anything, and NOT hover over the accelerator.

Check your rear view mirror whenever you are about to brake to know that another driver is far enough back and know that you have time to brake.

Brake early, and flash those brake lights quickly and lightly BEFORE braking so that you can warn those drivers behind you of your intentions.

Distractions cause many crashes, so turn off the cell phone so you aren't tempted to use it while you drive.

You can check any messages once you stop and are out of your car. You also won't be reaching into the back seat fumbling in  your purse when it rings, potentially causing a crash.

In conclusion, it takes the average person about 60 hrs to learn the basic skills necessary to pass a road test. I would suggest that you take a few lessons to make yourself familiar with the basic skills required to survive each trip you take.

Once you have some basic skills, then practice, practice, practice those safe habits so that you are always watching out for that OTHER guy, who may also make a mistake!

Answer 5

I think I understand what you're asking, and I think my advice is to look for the oil stains.  :)

Most cars leak fluids, and most of those fluids fall from the center of the vehicle.  This, over time, puts a dark stripe down the middle of a lane.

Now that you know where the middle of the lane is, try and hold the center line/hood ornament/middle with in that dark stripe.

Keeping your car centered on that line will keep your car centered in your lane.

Basically, instead of trying to keep your car in between the lines, you're trying to keep your car on top of a third line.

Answer 6

Take your lessons from a professional driver. or not at all.

Do not save money and kill other people.