Driver’s Ed can only teach you so much. It takes actual driving experience to learn the rest. That means learning how to drive the hard way. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Novice drivers can skip this (scary and downright dangerous) stage and learn from the experience of other, more seasoned drivers. An experienced driver knows the things they don’t teach in Driver’s Ed. Stuff like how to handle a blind spot, how not to tailgate, and the safest way to drive into oncoming traffic.
Below are our three best tips on all of the above, born of (unfortunate) experience.
Tip 1: Handling Blind Spots
Triple check blind spots. Blind spots are the areas around a vehicle that are hard for the driver to see. Most of the time, a blind spot will be located on either side of the vehicle, just behind the driver’s side window and the passenger side window. To handle blind spots effectively, it’s important to triple check them by looking over your shoulder in addition to using your mirrors. This ensures that no vehicles or obstacles are hiding in your blind spots before changing lanes or making turns.
Tip 2: Avoiding Tailgating
Tailgating is a high-risk habit that many drivers fall into. Driving too closely to the vehicle in front of you reduces your reaction time and increases the risk of a rear-end collision. To avoid tailgating, it’s important to maintain a safe following distance. The general rule of thumb is to keep at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle ahead. This distance should be increased in adverse weather conditions or when driving at higher speeds. By maintaining a safe following distance, you’ll have enough time to react to any sudden stops or changes in traffic.
Tip 3: Safely Driving into Oncoming Traffic
Double check before turning into oncoming traffic. Too many accidents occur during a left-hand turn when drivers either miss an oncoming car or misjudge its speed. Also, be aware that other drivers on the road often have no clue what they’re doing with their indicators. Just because someone has their turn signal on, doesn’t mean they’re actually going to turn. Always double check and make sure it’s safe to proceed before turning into oncoming traffic. Additionally, be mindful of the speed of oncoming traffic. Even if you think you have enough time to make the turn, it’s better to wait for a clear gap in traffic to ensure a safe maneuver.
Remember, driving lessons may teach you the basics, but there’s always more to learn through experience. By following these tips and learning from the mistakes of others, you can become a more skillful, more confident driver on the road.
