The post your driving tips thread

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Hi guys, as there seems to be varied types of car/bike driver, old/young, fast/slow car, etc etc, It would be nice to post some of ur driving tips to help others etc

Although i do a lot of mileage,but i wouldnt say im a mega experienced driver, i have 6 years experience in normal cars, i have never had a rear wheeler or a mega fast motor, i know a lot of tips will be car type specific etc, but never the less post away.

Mine is a simple one.

Always keep an eye on not only the driver infront of u, but the one infront of him too, this u can predict if the numpty in front is gonna make any sudden manouveres, thus saving saving ur botty!!


Also does anyone else agree with this statement:

If a manouvre u make makes another person alter their driving any way, it is incorrect? ie if u pull out on some one and they have to slow down loads, doesnt matter what speed the are doing etc, or if u brake real sharp w/o checking ur mirrors etc?
 
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No, I do not agree with the last statement. This means that if you stop at a crossing, or a junction, making the person behind you also stop, you are in the wrong.

My tip is to always have enough breaks whenever driving over distance. A gradual thing is travel fatigue, you don't notice it setting in.
 
Soldato
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My hint of the day. When in a seperate turning lane (for example, turning right at a set of lights) don't turn the wheels pointing toward your exit.

Yes, it's more effort since when you're ready to move you'll have to turn the wheels - but, if a car behind hits you up the rear, you won't get pushed into oncoming traffic and be T-boned. You passenger will thank you for it. ;)
 
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Another couple of tips.

When waiting to turn left at a roundabout, if there's plenty of traffic also wanting to turn left, its not an illegal manouvre to drive down the right-hand lane, onto the roundabout, go all the way round it and use the exit you were after.

When parking on a hill, turn the wheel so your front wheels point into the kerb. This way, if the hadbrake fails your car will drive into the kerb, rather than down the hill :)
 
Man of Honour
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Originally posted by Gilly

When waiting to turn left at a roundabout, if there's plenty of traffic also wanting to turn left, its not an illegal manouvre to drive down the right-hand lane, onto the roundabout, go all the way round it and use the exit you were after.

I tend to do this a lot when my other half is navigating anyway. ;)

Anyway - my tip. :D

If you have Traction Control, Active stability, ABS yadda yadda yadda, do not rely on it. Cos you can almost bet, that when you need it, it has failed.

Learn to drive with the limits of the car not the computers.

Simon/~Flibster
 
Soldato
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Originally posted by Gilly
When waiting to turn left at a roundabout, if there's plenty of traffic also wanting to turn left, its not an illegal manouvre to drive down the right-hand lane, onto the roundabout, go all the way round it and use the exit you were after.

I do that every night, saves me loads of time :)

My tip of the day only applies to Bristolians

READ THE HIGHWAY CODE - ESPECIALLY THE BIT ABOUT ROUNDABOUTS!!!!!!!!!!

Rule 161 - When reaching the roundabout you should give priority to traffic approaching from your right

How hard can it be??????
 
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A wee tip for the bikers, might also apply to cars sometimes. If you are behind a car and intend to overtake or filter past it either side, look in the cars internal rear view mirror to see if the driver is looking at you or has seen you. I find that most drivers refuse to look in the mirrors when they are going to overtake and can give you a nasty surprise when they try to overtake at the same time as you.

See and be seen.
 
Man of Honour
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A couple of thoughts come to mind:

1. Get yourself on a driver training course, e.g. skid pan, try a racing car etc etc. Most drivers never get anywhere near to the limits of the car and learn what to do about it. Well that is until it's too late. If you're spending 10k on a car every few years, how about devoting just £100 to a training course every so often to help keep yourself out of trouble.

2. Learn to plan and be aware of whats around you. I see far too many drivers who simply drive nose to tail with the guy infront, almost as though they are hypnotised. WAKE UP!!
Learn to look around you, have some braking distance and be polite to your fellow drivers. If you think about your surroundings and plan how you drive you'll have a much less stressful time, get there just as fast, be far more smooth, and probably use less fuel.
 
Soldato
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A simple rule yet one which I have seen numerous people forget....Always look in the direction you are driving. Eg when turning left out of an awkward junction and so having to creep, make sure you look in front of you as you pull out as well as to your right otherwise you might end up in someones tailgate.
 
Soldato
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Assume that the car in front will do an emergency stop.
Assume that the driver in the car behind is a prat.
Assume that the car in the side-road ahead will pull out at the last minute.
Assume that there is a kid about to run out in front of you.


Look ahead as far as you can, not just at the rear of the car in front. Drive defensively and be safe!
 
Soldato
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Originally posted by Gilly
Another couple of tips.

When waiting to turn left at a roundabout, if there's plenty of traffic also wanting to turn left, its not an illegal manouvre to drive down the right-hand lane, onto the roundabout, go all the way round it and use the exit you were after.
And expect to get lumped by someone who's patiently queing like everyone else. It may not be illegal, but it's damned inconsiderate, and you hold everyone in that queue up even further.

Anyway. My tips:

Don't drive with foglights on unless it's foggy.
When you're turning right at a roundabout, indicate, and use the right hand lane, changing over to the left indicator when approaching your exit.
When going straight across a roundabout, indicate left when approaching your exit, and don't cut across lanes.
When you're turning left at a roundabout, indicate and use the left-hand lane. (all three of these lanes depend on signage and there being more than one lane!

Roundabouts are the curse of the devil I swear. It can take ten minutes to get onto one, often for the sole reason of people not indicating. At least twice a week, somoeone tries to take the side of my car off by being in the left lane, and driving straight onto the roundabout into my lane when I'm turning right.

And my final tip INDICATE! It's not difficult and it saves other people a lot of time and hassle.

Bet you can;t guess what my biggest hates are?
 
Soldato
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My driving tip is quite simple:-

Whilst driving on the M4, make sure you have enough money for the Severn Bridge. You WILL feel very silly having to be escorted over to the other side and kicked back into England!

Other than that -stay sharp and assume the person in front is going to do the exact opposite of what you expect them to do :)
 
Don
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good one I learnt

if you are driving in the pouring rain sometimes you can get a bit tranced out, refocus on the road by glancing at your rear view mirror for a second, it works brilliantly.

if you aqua plane try and avoid the obvious temptation to brake and step off all the pedals, when you feel the car bite again correct whatever steering deviation has occured and drive on with your heart in your mouth :p
 
Soldato
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This has already been said to death, but the best drivers IMHO are those who are aware as what is going on around them.

Keep an eye on your mirrors, it's amazing how quickly someone in a hurry can come from nowhere and be sat on your rear.

If a motorcyclist does this, move to your left if safe to do so and let them pass. (If it's safe and won't give other drivers the wrong impression, indicate left briefly. Most bikers will wave in thanks as they pass you).

If someone wants to overtake, don't make it difficult for them, and if your in traffic leave space between you and the car infront for an overtaking car to pull into (annoys me when people don't - It's bloody dangerous - then they give you mean looks and flash their lights because you've had to quickly get into a stupidly small space).

Anyway.... use your mirrors, indicate, be considerate. And yes, learn to use roundabouts! Pet hate - there is a big roundabout 3or 4 miles from here (Holdingham roundabout - A17 and A15 cross here). Nobody seems capable of using it right!

Drive defensively! Assume that all other drivers are incapable!

Don't be complacent, don't drive outside the limits of you or your car. Know these limits, you never know in an emergency what you'll have to do, and knwogin how your car handles might be useful.

If you plan ahead and are aware, you should in theory never have to do any "emergency maneouvers" - but be prepared to none-the-less.
 
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