Most dads aren’t the equivalent of Driver’s Education, and Driver’s Education isn’t the equivalent of a state-certified driving school - even though you can get a license using any, or none, of them. Every Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the United States hands out driver’s licenses faster than bunnies make more bunnies.
This means there are a lot of people on American roads operating motor vehicles with the same dexterity of a three-year-old using a crayon for the hundredth time. Sure, the child is better with it now than when s/he started, but this hardly qualifies him/her for an art degree.
Unfortunately, American driving programs (including a lot of dads) and even some driving schools teach little more than the basics. Some of the more complicated things are still taught in the classroom, which is about as effective as teaching human anatomy with a Barbie doll.
It’s good for you, your insurance rates, and other drivers if you attend a state-certified driving school. It’s better for you if that school goes beyond the basics, like handling skids.
If even one of the following is new to you, consider a driving school because these bits of information are only the tip of the vehicular iceberg. Everything offered here is a no-brainer if you already know it, but it just might save your brain if you don’t know.
Look Before You Leap
Turn signals are called signals because they’re meant to signal your intent. Using them as you’re turning or changing lanes instead of using them before you do anything reminds me of the movie scene where the cop shoots and then hollers out, “Freeze!”
The rest of us would like to know what you’re going to do. No one is helped by a vehicular play-by-play.
To change lanes properly you should signal, check your blind spot, change lanes completely — meaning all four tires are in the lane — and then turn off your signal.
If your car swerves as you check your blind spot, it’s because your hand is turning the wheel as your head turns. Go find a parking lot. Practice driving slowly and checking your blind spot while being aware of where your steering wheel is at all times until you are able to check your blind spot without swerving.
To make a proper turn, signal 100 feet in advance. Signal first, then apply your foot to the brake to slow down. If you brake before you signal, those behind you will have no idea what you’re up to and they will assume it has something to do with your lack of intelligence. Some might even look at you like you’ve lost your mind. I hate that. You should, too.
Article comments
1 - duane
Good stuff. Pet peeve time:
1) Freeway drivers who decide to drive in my blind spot. I always check my blind spot before changing lanes, but still. When you find yourself in someone's blind spot, either back off or pass.
2) People who don't signal a right turn when I'm waiting for them to pass through the intersection, waiting to turn right on red, and they're approaching from my left. Grrrrr ...
3) People who sit in the fast lane of a two-lane road. The slow lane is where you should be unless you're passing. What happened to this convention? People now use the slow lane (the right-hand side) to pass, then scoot back to the fast lane.
4) Tailgaters who flash their high beams, even though I'm at or slightly above the speed limit.
5) Intersections with left-turn arrows when the traffic flow is light or even non-existent.
6) People who change lanes back and forth in a traffic jam. It has been proven by people studying traffic dynamics that, on average, this only has the effect of making things worse.
7) People who use two parking places to park their pride and joy, so we lesser types don't bash our doors into theirs.
8) People driving the slow lane on a freeway who don't let others merge -- "This is my lane! I was here first!"
9) People who stop their car in an overcrowded parking lot or parking structure to wait for the next available spot, blithely ignoring the line of cars behind them.
10) People who use the freeway emergency lane on the right to pass in a traffic jam. Grrr ...
Oh well, that's enough for now. I've evolved to a type-B driver in my old age, but I am still amazed by the number of idiots out there.
2 - Dr Dreadful
Mostly agree with your peeves, Duane, except for a few points.
3) On a two-lane highway I'm often looking a mile or two ahead, where I can see more big rigs I'm going to have to pass within the next few minutes, so there seems little point in getting over just now. Constant lane-changing can be just as disruptive and annoying. If the right-hand lane is empty, fast-moving or free-flowing, then I'll happily get back into it.
4) I would add: folks with big SUVs and trucks who aren't satisfied with the performance of standard headlamps, and for whom nothing short of a pair of white dwarf suns bolted to the front of their behemoths will do.
7) Not much need for street-parking skills where I live, so it's not something I encounter often, but I do know what you mean.
10) Again, not a manoeuvre you see much where I live. Probably more of an LA thing.
And I would add:
11) Gardening crews with trucks towing trailers doing 25 mph in a 40 zone. Especially because I know that they are in fact capable of going 40 BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE DOING IN FRONT OF ME ON THE &*#@ING FREEWAY JUST NOW!!!
Phew. Excuse me. Had to get that off my chest...
3 - duane
...nothing short of a pair of white dwarf suns bolted to the front of their behemoths will do.
Excellent. Had a good laugh at that one. And don't you know that they just love lighting up your car's interior. What a display of power!
4 - Joanne Huspek
Good one, Diana. I invite you to visit me at our driving school any time. It's a mind-opening experience. I hold my breath every time I get into a car.
5 - Drivers Education Online
State certified Driving schools are the best option. They impart good driving skills.
Howard
6 - Jon
Some great advice here for any novice driver or for us who are always behind the wheel.