New driver… what would you tell them?
Discussion
Ignore experts.. Yes!
when halted at lights do not sit so far from the car in front that another car would fit. That’s just one more car that won’t get through the lights.
The speed limit is both limit and target. Don't dawdle unless conditions require it. It’s annoying, ignorant, frustrating to others and hence it’s unsafe.
Do not spend 10 to 30 seconds extra at each junction looking for motorcycles! 2-3 seconds of real looking is far more useful than holding up traffic like some kind off mobile chicane in order to virtue signal.
If you’re having to stop at every roundabout then you’re not paying attention to the road and what’s happening around you.
Everyone else in the world on foot or in a vehicle is a suicidal and/or homicidal nutter.
when halted at lights do not sit so far from the car in front that another car would fit. That’s just one more car that won’t get through the lights.
The speed limit is both limit and target. Don't dawdle unless conditions require it. It’s annoying, ignorant, frustrating to others and hence it’s unsafe.
Do not spend 10 to 30 seconds extra at each junction looking for motorcycles! 2-3 seconds of real looking is far more useful than holding up traffic like some kind off mobile chicane in order to virtue signal.
If you’re having to stop at every roundabout then you’re not paying attention to the road and what’s happening around you.
Everyone else in the world on foot or in a vehicle is a suicidal and/or homicidal nutter.
VeeReihenmotor6 said:
Keep left unless overtaking.
This, again and again and again. Can't count the number of young women drivers doing 60mph in the middle lane with their eyes absolutely fixed ahead. The worst thing is that they have absolutely no idea they are doing anything wrong. Boobonman said:
VeeReihenmotor6 said:
Keep left unless overtaking.
This, again and again and again. Can't count the number of young women drivers doing 60mph in the middle lane with their eyes absolutely fixed ahead. The worst thing is that they have absolutely no idea they are doing anything wrong. Not read the entire thread, so these may have been said already, but here’s my advice:
- Always assume you’ll meet yourself coming the other way (ie another driver may be “making progress”/cutting their corner coming towards you etc
- Assume nobody has seen you. Position and present your car to help others see you, but never assume they have.
- Never “half wheel” another car in an adjacent lane. Especially on roundabouts. Go behind, or in front, never alongside. Be aware of their blind spots.
- Learn to read the body language of other vehicles. You’ll soon spot the dodderer who’ll definitely cut you up at the next roundabout.
- You’re safer behind the idiot than overtaking to get in front. Because then they’ll rear end you.
- If you’re being tailgated, leave enough space in front of you to allow for gentler braking in an emergency. Learn to show your brake lights for a second or two by pressing the pedal enough to activate the brake light switch without actually putting in any braking effort.
I’m sure there’s more but that’ll do for now!
- Always assume you’ll meet yourself coming the other way (ie another driver may be “making progress”/cutting their corner coming towards you etc
- Assume nobody has seen you. Position and present your car to help others see you, but never assume they have.
- Never “half wheel” another car in an adjacent lane. Especially on roundabouts. Go behind, or in front, never alongside. Be aware of their blind spots.
- Learn to read the body language of other vehicles. You’ll soon spot the dodderer who’ll definitely cut you up at the next roundabout.
- You’re safer behind the idiot than overtaking to get in front. Because then they’ll rear end you.
- If you’re being tailgated, leave enough space in front of you to allow for gentler braking in an emergency. Learn to show your brake lights for a second or two by pressing the pedal enough to activate the brake light switch without actually putting in any braking effort.
I’m sure there’s more but that’ll do for now!
Your peripheral vision isn't as good as you think it is.
Other drivers will not always choose to behave as you would.
When coming up to a roundabout, the two things above can combine surprisingly badly. The driver in front will sometimes stop in front of you for no good reason, and if you are looking to the right to see if it is still going to be safe to go after they have, it is very easy to drive right into the back of them. Only look once you are absolutely certain they have committed to going themselves, and/or leave a bigger gap to them than you might have thought necessary.
Look both in your mirror AND shoulder check your blindspot before overtaking so you don't kill motorcyclists.
Indicate early, especially if you are overtaking or are on a fast road. No one ever says "I wish that other driver had given me less notice of their intent."
Look further down the road.
Be assertive, but not aggressive.
Be kind.
Other drivers will not always choose to behave as you would.
When coming up to a roundabout, the two things above can combine surprisingly badly. The driver in front will sometimes stop in front of you for no good reason, and if you are looking to the right to see if it is still going to be safe to go after they have, it is very easy to drive right into the back of them. Only look once you are absolutely certain they have committed to going themselves, and/or leave a bigger gap to them than you might have thought necessary.
Look both in your mirror AND shoulder check your blindspot before overtaking so you don't kill motorcyclists.
Indicate early, especially if you are overtaking or are on a fast road. No one ever says "I wish that other driver had given me less notice of their intent."
Look further down the road.
Be assertive, but not aggressive.
Be kind.
Edited by herebebeasties on Friday 19th April 23:48
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