A car is a very dangerous piece of machinery! Whether you are an experienced driver or just wet behind the ears, there are always things you can do to sharpen up your car driving skills. Here are some car driving tips and techniques you should learn in order to become a better, safer driver.

1. Wear your seat-belt properly

Your seat-belt should be low (beneath your waist); flat and free of any twists or folding; and firm – pull it occasionally to remove any slack. To improve your safety behind the wheel, remember to always wear your seat-belt properly.

2. Optimize your own comfort

Adjust your seat and controls to suit your particular height and body frame. It improves your comfort level, reduces fatigue and enhances your control. For your driving to be at its best, YOU need to be at your best too. Your own comfort is paramount. In the same vein, avoid driving whilst sick, sleepy, on medication or – of course – impaired by alcohol or drugs.

3. Adopt the right braking technique

When you brake hard and fast, this can cause you to lose control and skid, especially in wet conditions or gravel roads. The correct way to brake is to first, apply only light pressure to the brakes with your feet. Only then should you progressively increase the pressure in order to bring your car to a complete halt.

4. Learn the correct steering technique:

This will improve your control and handling. First, avoid sudden or jerky, stop-start movements, and steer your vehicle SMOOTHLY. Slow the car down before you turn, and ensure it is straight before you accelerate. And always keep both hands on the steering wheel – the outside – with your thumbs positioned along the seam

5. Learn what to do when you slide

If you lose control and start skidding, try to ignore where you are headed: instead focus your eyes on where you want to be. Then turn the steering wheel towards the target of your eyes; through hand-eye coordination, you’ll steer to the desired place (don’t worry about how far you should turn the wheel – your body will take care of that). Accelerate carefully, in order to give your tires the traction they require to regain control. As your vehicle straightens out again, THEN apply the brakes, smoothly.

6. Learn how to react when you have a blow out:

When your tire suddenly and violently bursts, in the middle of the freeway no less, what do you do? The correct answer: nothing. Just look straight ahead and keep the steering wheel pointed in the same direction. DON’T pull on the wheel and make your vehicle turn.

The next thing to do is, counter-intuitively, to accelerate. This counter the resistance and deceleration caused by the blowout and gives your car the momentum to keep going in a straight line. Only then should you hit the brakes- lightly – and get yourself down to an appropriate speed, before you pull over onto the side of the road. DON’T do any sharp turns of your steering wheel at any point. Once you’ve successfully pulled over, get out and change the tire.

7. Adopt the right focal point

You should be looking as far ahead into the distance as you can so that your brain can process ALL the information within your field of vision. Don’t just look at the car directly in front of you – your peripheral vision should be able to alert you to any issues there anyway.

8. Learn how to drive in the rain

Light rain is the most dangerous; whilst heavy downpours wash away all the oil lying on the road left by other vehicles, lighter showers make it slicker. Really heavy downpours are dangerous if there is so much water that your tires can’t come in contact with the road. Look out for any especially deep puddles that could make you lose control completely, and slow down or pull over.

9. Drive in the snow

First of all, if you live in snow country, you’ll need tires that are appropriate for the climate, ie winter tires. As for driving safely in snow, most of it is just common sense. Use extra caution, maintain some extra distance from the cars around you – drive within yourself.

10. Become a defensive driver

Be aware of what all the surrounding vehicles are doing: is someone speeding, driving dangerously? Is someone texting while at the wheel? Where will you be able to go if a crash occurs – is the lane next to you clear? Always expect and anticipate the worst when out on the roads, so you are well prepared to respond in a timely and effective manner. Learning defensive driving is one of the most important driving tips out there.

11. Parallel Parking

This is another handy skill to have, especially when you’re in a tight spot. Here’s how to do it: pull up next to the car in front of you, so that you are almost even. Then steer towards the curb, and start to back up. When the rear wheel of the side of your vehicle facing the curb is level with the side of the first car that’s facing the street, straighten your wheel whilst continuing to reverse. Then, when the rear wheel on the side of your car facing the street is level with the first car’s street-facing side, turn the wheel in the opposite direction. Reverse until you are parallel – and you are done!

12. Adjust mirrors

To cover all of your blind-spots, adjust your side mirrors outwards so that they just overlap with your rear mirror.

13. Practice, practice, practice

Finally, just as with any other skill, the best way to become a better driver is to practice and drive more, out on the roads and under all traffic conditions. Nothing substitutes for real experience.

Billy Miller
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