While we tend to think of cars as everyday parts of our lives, cars are equally dangerous pieces of machinery. Therefore, it is crucial to understand its usage properly in order to avoid harmful implications. If you have recently passed your driver’s test and received your license, then you might be excited to get out on the road. However, as mentioned above, it is essential to ensure that you are well-aware of the basics. And these basics are closely followed by regular practice, agility, and a myriad of other skills. When it comes to driving, there is always a scope of improvement. If you too are looking to enhance your driving ability, then below we have mentioned some of the most useful tips to use –  

1. The Right Wheel Positioning 

Earlier, people were recommended to keep their hands on the steering wheel at the position of 10 and 2 (clock). Over the last couple of years, the positioning has changed to either 9 and 3 or 8 and 4. These steering positions offer better control and higher stability while driving. Furthermore, it is also considered the most ergonomic position when you are driving for a more extended time period.  

2. Adequate Mirror Adjustment 

Similar to steering wheels, there is an appropriate way of positioning your vehicle’s mirror. This allows you to avoid blind areas and see properly in the sides and back of your vehicle, enhancing your driving experience. Below are some tips for adjusting the mirror – 

  • Adjust the inside mirror so that you are able to see the entire rear window. You should not have to move your head when using the front mirror. 
  • If you are 6 ft. tall or over, it might be helpful to position your front mirror upside down. It generally elevates the bottom edge of the mirror and covers the blind area
  • When adjusting the driver’s side-view mirror, position your head against the left side of the window, and then adjust the mirror in a way that you can barely see the sides from the mirror’s right side. 
  • When positioning passenger’s side-view mirror, place your head above the center console. Adjust the mirror in a way that you can barely see the car’s side on the left side of the mirror.

3. Speeding Doesn’t Help

Whether its office, home, or grocery shopping, we all seem to be in a hurry to reach our destination. Such hurry results in speeding, which only puts you at the risk of getting a ticket or meeting an accident. Moreover, the faster you drive, the more fuel you will burn, clearly making speeding expensive. On the whole, speeding is not benefiting you in any way, so it is better to stay within your speed limit and save your health and money.  

4. Avoid Tailgating  

Tailgating is a dangerous driving practice that involves driving too close to the front vehicle. Along with being highly unsafe, it can also risk provoking the driver, leading to road rage. A majority of cars are concerned about people driving too close behind their vehicles. Ensure that you drive at an adequate distance from the car ahead of you. This enables you to put a brake and avoid rear-end accident. And if you are driving within the speed limit and the driver behind you provoking you to drive faster, simply pull your vehicle aside and let them pass. 

5. Practice

The more you practice; the better will be your driving skills. Not just on the road, you can also practice driving off the road as well. Technological advancement has rendered us with driving simulators that allow users to practice driving at the comfort of our homes. Driving simulators are being increasingly used as a didactic tool to learn and practice driving. They are also quite affordable and offer high-quality training sessions. 

6. Parking  

Parking is a challenging task, especially when you are new to driving. It is an important driving etiquette to know how to part well. Below are certain useful tips to get the parallel parking right – 

  • Look for the spot that is adequate enough to fit your vehicle 
  • Pull your car even to the car ahead of you. If the cars vary in lengths, then line up the rear of your car with the back of the front car.
  • Turn the wheel to the extreme right and back while doing the same. 
  •  Keep an eye on the back of the car 
  • Back up and your car should start turning into the right spot. Ensure that you don’t turn your wheel away from the earlier position
  • Stop when you see the rear of the car is in the middle and turn your vehicle all the way to left.
  • Once your car is in a parallel position, then you can position your wheel forward.  

7. Handle Traffic Calmly  

Handling traffic can be frustrating and might take a little getting used to if you are new to driving. Expect the unexpected during your driving. For instance, when you are in heavy traffic, someone might cut you off, or people would try to squeeze their vehicles between the spaces just to get ahead. Driving defensively will help you anticipate these actions and be prepared to handle situations better.  Using driving simulator can help you with this situation. You can practice on the high-traffic road and get instructive training to understand how to deal with such situations better. By regularly practicing on the driving simulator, you can get theoretical knowledge which would help you perform better on the road. 

The Bottom Line

From ensuring your car remains in good condition to accelerating your own health, there are tons of benefits associated with driving well. A good driver concentrates on their car, road, and the other approaching vehicles. You should be able to predict what is going on the road by observing the hindrances, road signs, movements of pedestrians, and vehicles. By being focused on the car, you can avoid sudden brakes and mitigate the risk of accidents. While there are accidents that are entirely unpredictable, you should do your part and be a responsible driver.