Whether you’re a professional driver or a learner, there are many skills that can help you become safer on the road.
Maintaining a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you is one of the most important driving skills that you can practice. This allows you to see what’s ahead and react quickly if necessary.
Parking
Parking skills are essential for safe driving, and are often included in driver’s exams. But if you’re not confident in this skill, don’t worry: it’s not impossible to learn and perfect!
The first thing to remember when parking is that you need to make sure your car is positioned well away from other parked cars. This will help you cut your wheels correctly and prevent you from hitting any other vehicles in the area.
Whether you’re parking in a school or a shopping mall, it is important to select the right spot that allows you to park without backing into other parked vehicles. This will also make it easier for you to back out of your spot later on if needed.
To do this, signal your intention and position the vehicle 3-4 feet from the space in which you plan to park. If you are unable to find a parking space that requires no backing, check the other spaces in the lot for a suitable spot and drive forward until you can enter the space without backing into any other parked vehicles.
Once you have found a suitable space, turn on your indicator so other drivers can see you are parking in a free space and position the vehicle at least 8 feet from any other parked vehicles on the driver’s side or passenger’s side of the vehicle.
Next, turn your wheel slowly and gently in the direction of the curb. This is called perpendicular parking, and is considered the simplest type of parking for new drivers. Once you are parked, adjust the steering wheel to centre your vehicle before turning on the engine.
Manoeuvring
Manoeuvring skills are important for driving because they enable you to move your vehicle around the road safely. This can involve turning your car around when there’s no convenient place to park or reversing in a straight line and around a corner.
When you need to do a manoeuvre, it’s essential to check that the area where you’re moving is safe and that you can see where you’re going. You also need to check that you can control your vehicle properly, so it won’t be in danger of getting out of control if you do the manoeuvre wrong.
You should always look out for other road users when you’re manoeuvring, and you should use your indicators to signal if you need to move across the road. This will allow other drivers to slow down or stop in time to avoid you and prevent any accidents from occurring.
One of the most common causes of accidents when manoeuvring at low speed is inattention or blind spots, so it’s important to pay attention to where you are and what’s behind you. Inattention can cause a collision, and it can also lead to other people getting injured.
Accidents can also occur when you attempt to pull up on the right, but don’t check that no one is in your blindspots first. You should also use your mirrors to see if there are other cars in your way and you should make sure that you’re clear of the kerb before you stop.
A driver’s ability to control their vehicle when manoeuvring is a vital skill for all drivers, but it’s especially important for learners. It can save you from a lot of expensive repair bills, and it can also help you pass your test.
Intersections
Intersections are locations where two or more roads converge. They can be designed in different ways and often have a higher concentration of traffic, so it’s important to take a few steps to stay safe when you’re driving at an intersection.
When you’re ready to cross an intersection, it’s essential to use your turn signal. This will help other drivers see your intentions and determine whether or not it is safe for them to move forward.
You should also look in both directions for other vehicles at the intersection, especially in the area ahead and behind you. This will help you avoid side-swipe collisions, where your vehicle is hit from the side by another car.
Similarly, you should check both ways for any pedestrians who are crossing or about to cross. If you see a person walking on the road, slow down and give them the right of way.
Some types of intersections require a driver to stop before entering them, such as a T-junction or a Y-intersection. The general right-of-way rules for controlled intersections do not apply at a T-junction, but you should still follow common right-of-way rules when determining who is to go first and who needs to yield.
Controlled intersections can be simple to use, because there are signs and lights to guide you. When you’re at an uncontrolled intersection, however, it’s much more difficult to determine who has the right of way. As a rule of thumb, it’s the car to your right that has the right of way.
Traffic signs
Road signs are a critical part of learning to drive. They tell you about traffic rules, special hazards, how to get where you are going and where services are available. They also help regulate the flow of traffic among vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
There are three basic types of traffic signs: Regulatory, Warning and Guide. These all have a special shape and color that conveys their message. In addition, most of them meet the requirements laid out in the federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
RESTRICTIONS SIGNS are generally horizontal rectangles that state rules that you must obey, such as speed limits, one way, no turn and do not pass. They are often accompanied by arrows and other symbols that help you understand their meaning.
ADVISE SIGNS are a series of yellow or diamond-shaped signs that alert you to conditions or dangers that you must take extra care in order to avoid. These may include constructions, maintenance and road work.
TRUCK ROLLOVER SIGNS are used to warn drivers of a possible rollover if they travel at excessive speeds around a curve. This is especially important on long-haul trucks that haul over-dimensional freight.
LANE USE CONTROL SIGNS are usually placed near intersections to show what maneuver(s) are permitted from a specific lane. These can include a left turn or a right turn and may be accompanied by a do not pass sign.
YIELD SIGNS are red and white and tell you when it is safe to stop your vehicle at an intersection. They also tell you when it is necessary to yield to a vehicle or pedestrian crossing the road ahead.
Pedestrian crosswalks are yellow, or sometimes orange or pink. When you see a crosswalk you must stop your vehicle and be prepared to stop again.
Safety
When driving, there are many things that can happen in a split second. This makes it important to be aware of your surroundings, so you don’t get caught off guard. Safe drivers are always looking ahead and scanning for potential dangers to prevent them from getting hurt.
Drivers also need to be able to control their speed so they can maintain control of their vehicle in case of a problem. This includes keeping in mind posted speed limits and other traffic regulations, as well as controlling their speed when the weather is bad or visibility is reduced.
It’s also important to know how far you need to let your vehicle follow the car in front of it, which is called the safe following distance. This is determined by counting the number of seconds it takes for your car to pass a specific mark on the road, such as a lamppost.
If you follow too closely, you may be forced to swerve out of your lane or hit another vehicle, which can cause an accident. The 3-second rule of driving ensures that you have enough time to react to most situations that can happen in front of you, so you can stay safe.
Finally, it’s also important to avoid distractions when you’re driving. Cell phones, eating, playing with the radio, adjusting your navigation system, or even reaching for something in the seat next to you can all take your attention away from the job of driving and put you at risk for an accident.
Using these skills will help you to drive safely and keep your family and others safe on the road. They’re also a great way to save money on your insurance.