What mistakes did you make when you first learned to drive?

Question

im 19 and i have finally had my first driving lesson without ever getting behind the wheel. i just drove two more times; the first for a few min and the second maybe 5-10 min. anyway i am having trouble with making turns, either wide or too wide. also i panicked at a stop sign because there was oncoming traffic. has anyone experienced this? have you been worse? i need some stories to boost my confidence. i am so scared im going to kill someone. thanks.

Answer 1

I just had a few today...not one of my better days. I had to drive becuase my sister wasn't feeling up to par after her surgery.(i have a permit)

Coming around the bend in our neighborhood (at the end of a huge hill) I slowed down because it was a sharp turn and the sun was right in my eyes and i couldn't see.  A big truck barreled around the corner that i couldn't see. we were both going pretty fast. luckily my sister yelled my name and i swerved into a driveway.

Also, merging onto a highway there was a REALLY short merging lane, and it was a sharp turn onto the road and a yield sign. I was being stupid and ONLY thinking that you shouldn't completely stop at a yield sign instead of seeing a wolf pack of cars coming. So i gunned it stupidly thinking that they would let me in. Psh of course not, i don't have the frickin right of way.  And so while looking over my shoulder and driving along the shoulder, my car swerved a bit and my  sister yelled again. There was a dude walking along the road ahead of me about 40 feet up. PHEW. Well i finally got in the lane and I was so mortified. i was in a humiliated stupor when my sister told me i should probaby turn off my blinker.....5 minutes later.

oh and a week ago. I forgot that when taking a left hand turn at a stop light that a solid green means yield to the oncoming cars. and La di da di dah and my dad freaked out and his yell scared me the most. I was like "what" and the guy opposite of my turn lane threw up his hands like he was saying " what the f*ck are you doing a*****e" and flipped me off

Now trust me, im a decent driver, but this was just a bad day.

Answer 2

None but her are some tip for you and good luck.....

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 3

When you're at a stop sign making a turn, don't let the driver behind you intimidate you into turning too soon. Only you know your car and how it reacts and only you know how well you can handle it. Take your time to make sure the traffic is clear enough to make your turn. The driver behind you won't be paying for your wrecked car if you turn too soon, so don't let them decide to hurry you along. Besides, waiting 5 or 10 extra seconds won't kill them.

And to add onto this... Don't freak out when there's a lit up cop car or ambulance/fire truck coming up near you. Just slow down, put your turn signal on, and pull to the right. In most states now it's the law to also move over one lane away from stopped emergency services vehicles that are parked on or on the shoulder of the roadway.

Answer 4

Just to add to the other great tips here, please continue to be careful in a parking lot where pedestrians (including children) can suddenly dart without looking or such.  Please remember to drive down the allotted pavement in a parking lot and Not cross over unoccupied spaces or can (heaven forbid) have a collision with a car driving on the paved road trying to eventually get to that unoccupied spot.

Answer 5

I had a little bit of trouble merging smoothly. It just takes getting used to. Once you have been on the road more often, you will get better at making your turns and improving anything else you may have difficulty with. Just follow the rules of the road and you will be fine.