Safe Driving with Driverthink

So you’ve passed the written test and driven around the block with that stone faced testing type person.  You managed not to blow any stop signs or get clobbered by another vehicle and now “Stone Face” is writing away feverishly.  Suspense builds.  Finally, you get the desperately desired “You passed” response!

Yup!  The long arm of the law says you now know how to drive.  Hmmm.  You may have the basics, but your driving journey has only just begun.

If you’re going to be a proud, skilled, and most importantly, safe driver, you’re going to have to learn more than “just the basics.”  Driving around the block or down a safe, slow street a few times, just isn’t going to get it.  Nope!  Now you’re going to be on the roads with thousands of other drivers, many of whom may not even be as good at it as you already are.

So whatdaya gotta’ do now?  How do you get from just a basic driver to a truly proficient “road master”?  How do you get comfortable and confident at any speed, and with any of the myriad of other drivers you may end up tangling with?  Let’s make it simple.

There are two basic traits of a really proficient driver.  He has experience and she has finely tuned physical driving skills.

Lets start with the Experience thing first because this is the most intimidating problem for the newer driver.  You can’t just hop out on the road and get ten years of experience.  Or can you?

The word “experience” insinuates that one has been through, well – experiences!  But maybe you don’t have to actually experience driving situations to be aware that they can happen.  You just have to focus on what can happen – and be ready for it.  You have to spend a little time Driverthinking about it.

Awareness is an essential part of driving experience.  We have to be aware of what’s around us.

Learn how to adjust those rear view mirrors – and use them constantly.  Don’t just focus on the car in front of you.  Stretch your vision out and Forward Look past that car, as far as you can see.  Being aware of what is around you is critical when you’re on today’s roadways.

Learn to identify Road Hazards.  A Road Hazard is something that can quickly turn in to a Road Emergency.  They’re a lot easier to avoid as Road Hazards than when they become Road Emergencies.  Learning to identify the multiple Road Hazards you will face, will be one of the most important driving skills you will ever develop.

Finally (under the “experience” category) is the Anticipation of problems.  Learn to anticipate the unexpected – and prepare for it as you boogie along.  Just because that driver looks like she’s stopped to make a left turn, doesn’t mean she will.  If you’re blowing by her on the right when she changes her mind and suddenly swings back into traffic, you just might plant your left front bumper firmly into her passenger side door.

Always expect the unexpected, and prepare for it.

Driving skills are a prerequisite for really proficient driving.

The skilled driver knows not only how her car is handling at the moment, but also how it will handle if an unexpected maneuver is required.  Knowing your vehicle is critical.  Does it over steer?  Under steer?  How does it handle curving roads at speed?

If you’re leaning hard and fast into a curve on the highway, how will your car react if you suddenly have to slow down or stop?  Will it Throttle Steer you right into the center median?  When will it break loose and skid because of instant over steer?

There are many situations your chosen buggy will have to react to.  Knowing how it will react, will make you a much more skilled driver.  The only way to learn how it will react is to gradually push it to greater limits – preferably on a lonely road without other traffic to interrupt your escapades.

Looking ahead as far as you can, will automatically center you in your lane.  Learning how to “hit an apex” will make you a more skilled driver.  Learning not to hit it on the highway because that driver on your side just may not hit it with you, will make you a more skilled highway driver.

A great way to learn driving skills quickly is to read articles about driving.  Read car reviews.  They’re written by driving experts and those experts will talk about handling characteristics you need to know about.

Experience and driving skill will make you a smoother driver.  Smooth driving at any speed, is one sign of a proficient driver.

Driverthink about your driving.  It won’t be long before you have “more than just the basics.”