Oh, the memories of Driver’s Ed. Naive youthfulness, driving your parents’ clunky car, changing lanes with the grace of a bull in a China shop. It all seems like a thing of the past. Though every time we get behind the wheel we may hear tips from our Driver’s Ed teacher in our conscience, there are some lessons we may have long forgotten.
Use the three-second rule. Riding on someone’s bumper rarely makes them drive faster. Wait three seconds before your car passes the same landmark as the car in front of you. The three-second rule can dramatically reduce your chances of a rear-end collision.
Don’t slam on your brakes in a blowout. Our gut reaction is often to slam on the brakes when we hear the pop of a blown tire, but reacting that way could cause you to lose control. Instead, you should do the opposite! Accelerate slightly and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel; now slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator; then maneuver off the road on the righthand side. Don’t forget to turn on your emergency flashers!
Adjust your seat and mirrors. Before you take off, ensure your seat is in the right position and that all your mirrors allow you to see around the car. Taking time to do this before you leave can keep you from driving distracted.
Use your turn signal. No one likes it when the car in front of them doesn’t use their turn signal, so make sure that’s not you. Even if no one is around, it’s important to signal your turns.
Make complete stops. Remember when the Driver’s Ed teacher would get agitated if your vehicle didn’t come to a complete stop? Don’t get lazy at stop signs or red lights. In fact, counting aloud “1-2-3″ at stop signs could prevent you from getting that dreaded moving violation ticket for rolling through a stop.
Use your lights correctly. Use the high beams if no cars are coming toward you; dim your lights at least 500 feet (4-5 seconds) before passing an oncoming vehicle; use the low beams when you are following a vehicle, driving in traffic, or driving in bad weather; and remember to never use the parking lights while driving.
Always, always buckle up. You would have failed Driver’s Ed if you didn’t take this first step. No late-morning-dash-out-the-door excuse is more important than wearing your seatbelt.
These reminders may seem too simple to bother with now that you’re a seasoned, experienced driver, but that is simply not the case. Whether you loved Driver’s Ed or dreaded it, remembering these basic tips will help you stay safe while those hands are at 10 and 2.
