Let's make suggestions on how to be a better driver.

[68BabyBlue]

That reminded me of the days of "Driver's training".
Leave yourself an "Out".
Who has heard of S.I.P.E. ?
Scan
Identify
Plan
Execute.

Scan the area around you.
Identify those that may pose trouble.
Plan your exit path.
Execute the plan.

Same fundamentals as the "Smith System," which is still being used by corporate safety guys today.

 

[Photon440]

I do a lot of driving, it's part of my job. One thing that is annoying is a driver who putters along in a highway on-ramp merge lane instead of getting up to the speed of the highway traffic. Then they put the brakes on because they can't find a hole to merge into at their speed.

 

[68BabyBlue]

Forty two years in the trucking industry taught me that one of the most important factors, and hardest to execute, is staying totally focused on the process of the driving, while anticipating the actions of those around you. Most professional drivers know what they need to do, but the million mile accident free guys perform this to the highest level. It used to drive my wife crazy that I wouldn't play the radio in the truck.

 

[747mopar]

Let me start off by stating that I don't claim to be perfect. Sometimes I'm impatient, obnoxious and outspoken. Behind the wheel is another matter.
I try to be courteous on the road. I don't always stick to it when it feels like I am the only one being nice but I do try.
I do find it odd that most men seem to think that they are above average drivers...a claim that is statistically impossible...
Regardless, I wanted to start a thread that may help us all. I am listing some of the things that I do when driving that I wish that MORE people would do.

* When I see a car approaching me from behind at a speed greater than I am driving, I move to the right lane as soon as is possible.
* When I am going to make a right turn onto a street or driveway, I ease to the right shoulder to allow the following cars to proceed without having to slow down.
* I try to avoid tailgating.
* If I am in the front at a stoplight, I try to leave the line as soon as the light changes, while looking both ways for red light runners. I don't accelerate slowly either.
* I use turn signals.
* I do NOT park next to other cars in parking lots unless the spaces are scarce.

What good habits do you try to employ when you're out in the traffic?

All that you listed plus..

I don't fart around when passing, I don't like spending any more time then necessary driving closely to anyone else.

If I'm hauling a load that causes me to practice extra caution I find places to let traffic around.

If someone passes me with questionable space I slow way down and give them even more space.

I never high beam anyone.

This may sound crazy but if I'm driving at night and have the road to myself I drive in the middle of the road. I live in deer county, this gives you several feet on both sides to spot a deer instead of them popping out of nowhere.

While driving at night with incoming traffic (low beams and blinded) I drop my speed way down... again deer.

 

[Cranky]

It's not too hard to be better than the 'average' driver these days because the average driver SUCKS!

Here is my suggestion on how to be a better driver, Its simple....drive your car as if your on a motorcycle, any motorcyclist will understand this. When your on 2 wheels all other vehicles are deadly to you. Basically on a mc you NEVER let your guard down, always paying attention to oncoming traffic and approaching intersections and road hazards of all kinds. Motorcyclist have to do this or they could be killed, motorist in cars don't care about these things as much because they feel safe so they continue to text or eat or put on makeup or just about anything but pay attention. jmo

I knew about blind spots but learned even more about them from riding bikes. Still have my license but haven't rode in a pretty good while now. Also, a loud bike is a safer bike and did the same thing to my cars. They may not see you but they know you're there!!

Here are a couple of things that will make heads explode:
Turn off the radio.
Don’t look at billboards.
Keep your mind on the task at hand.

Radio is very seldom on and has been that way since the late 80's...

Forty two years in the trucking industry taught me that one of the most important factors, and hardest to execute, is staying totally focused on the process of the driving, while anticipating the actions of those around you. Most professional drivers know what they need to do, but the million mile accident free guys perform this to the highest level. It used to drive my wife crazy that I wouldn't play the radio in the truck.

First thing my wife did after starting up her car was turn on the dang radio. She also never got in it without a freaking DP! Dang thing was a mess from her spilling drinks in it. Plus we couldn't go 100 miles without her having to have a pit stop.

 

[Kern Dog]

When I am towing, I am especially cognizant of those behind me that want to go faster. I hate being stuck behind some selfish prick driving well under the speed limit so I avoid doing it to others. I pull to the right shoulder and slow a bit to allow them to pass.
Also… what is the story with the idiots that will drive right alongside you and maintain the same speed? **** off, man. I don’t need nor want a companion running fender to fender with me. I’ll speed up or slow down to rid myself of these Klingons.

 

[cr8crshr]

I do a lot of driving, it's part of my job. One thing that is annoying is a driver who putters along in a highway on-ramp merge lane instead of getting up to the speed of the highway traffic. Then they put the brakes on because they can't find a hole to merge into at their speed.

I was going to mention the same thing. Seems here in Northern NV, that a lot of the drivers here do not practice this maneuver as the haven't grasped the concept of "MERGE" and not to yield!!! The other added factor is when those in the left lane do not move over to the right lane to allow those on the on-ramp to get up to speed and either pass or fall in behind them. I also see many drivers that refuse to use their turn signals at any time. I mean are they options on your vehicle??? If I catch someone not using them and my widow is down and so is theirs, I yell out..."Are Turn Signals and option on the vehicle??? The replies at times are not worth mentioning so I will avoid it but you know what they are. Finally, I try and signal at every time I am making a move to let those in front and behind me what my intentions are. I at times will even use my arm to signal my intentions. Bet a lot here have forgotten them. My advis for those that continue to use their phones when driving, I copy my Brothers saying...HANG UP AND FOOKING DRIVE!!! cr8crshr/Bill

 

[cr8crshr]

Here's another tip...When coming to an intersection with a 4 way stop, who has the right of way??? Answer??? cr8crshr/Bill

 

[Kern Dog]

Generally, the driver that arrives first or the one to the right goes first.

 

[Cheapsunglasses]

Wrong Kern dog. It’s the Karen that’s on the phone eating her food she probably talked to the manager because it was wrong, driving her beat up civic!

 

[Cranky]

I was going to mention the same thing. Seems here in Northern NV, that a lot of the drivers here do not practice this maneuver as the haven't grasped the concept of "MERGE" and not to yield!!! The other added factor is when those in the left lane do not move over to the right lane to allow those on the on-ramp to get up to speed and either pass or fall in behind them. I also see many drivers that refuse to use their turn signals at any time. I mean are they options on your vehicle??? If I catch someone not using them and my widow is down and so is theirs, I yell out..."Are Turn Signals and option on the vehicle??? The replies at times are not worth mentioning so I will avoid it but you know what they are. Finally, I try and signal at every time I am making a move to let those in front and behind me what my intentions are. I at times will even use my arm to signal my intentions. Bet a lot here have forgotten them. My advis for those that continue to use their phones when driving, I copy my Brothers saying...HANG UP AND FOOKING DRIVE!!! cr8crshr/Bill

I just tell them where the lever is lol

 

[Hey-O]

When I see an out of state car I give them the right of way and go out of my way for them to think those of us in Missouri are friendly. They don't live here and may be unfamiliar with our roads.

 

[XS22J8R]

I wish more drivers would focus on the "big picture" of what is going on with the flow of traffic. I think most drivers are nearsighted and can't see beyond the car right in front of them.
If I see a light up ahead that is red or turns yellow, I will let up on the gas. I am not braking, I just don't see any point to wasting gas and wearing out brakes driving up to the light at high speed and then braking hard. It seldom fails that Mr or Ms impatient behind me will accelerate and pass me as I start to slow down, fly up the light and then brake hard to a stop at the light. Great job, you win! You get to sit at the red light for 5 seconds longer than me. Congrats!
I worked for a aftermarket brake company for many years, and I was always tempted to roll down my window when I got to the light and yell out, "thank you for your aggressive driving style, please request Raybestos brakes when you get your brake job every 10,000 miles, drivers like you keep me employed!"
Or I'll be driving with traffic a few car lengths behind the vehicle in front of me and someone will be tailgating me. What is the logic here bud, I'm supposed to get the idea to go ride the car in front of mine's azz, he'll get the idea to speed up and ride the car in front of his's azz, and so on, which will get the whole flow of traffic speeding up, if we'd only work together on that fine plan?
Sometimes the tailgater will see a gap in traffic, accelerate and pass me, cut back into the lane, then brake to keep from rear ending the car I was behind. Genius move! Since I wouldn't tailgate the guy in front of me, you'll do it instead!
But again, if you see the big picture you'll see I'm not driving slow in the left lane, I am just in a lane of traffic going a bit faster than the other lane.
One thing I've found out in decades of driving in fairly congested suburban and urban areas, is that I seldom if ever get where I am going any faster driving aggressively instead of just driving at the same speed as the majority of the traffic is going. Driving aggressively weaving in and out of traffic just gets you to the next traffic light a few seconds earlier. With rare exception, never fails!

 

[747mopar]

When I am towing, I am especially cognizant of those behind me that want to go faster. I hate being stuck behind some selfish prick driving well under the speed limit so I avoid doing it to others. I pull to the right shoulder and slow a bit to allow them to pass.
Also… what is the story with the idiots that will drive right alongside you and maintain the same speed? **** off, man. I don’t need nor want a companion running fender to fender with me. I’ll speed up or slow down to rid myself of these Klingons.

I hate that, matching speeds for miles especially when you just passed them to begin with.

 

[Budnicks]

*Pay attention to what you're doing, while you're doing it

Respect the Police, Emergency vehicles
& don't be an asshole, live to see another day

Get off the god damn cell phone (or turn it off is even better)
*Pay attention to your driving, not texts, not calls or not e-mails
do that **** when you stop driving or get to your destinations

*Turn the damn boom boom 'stereo', bass (especially cRapp) **** down
the whole fucken' world doesn't need to hear your choice of so-called music

Don't eat & drive

*Don't put your makeup on drag/fags & ladies while driving

Learn to freaken' signal

*Learn to keep safe distances & a way out

Be courteous when applicable

*Move the **** over if you're holding up traffic
especially hauling a trailer or big load, be safe

*Leave room for people to merge
or speed the **** up & get out of the freaken' way

Slow the **** down on ice/snow, or even in the rain

*While driving in the mountains keep aware of wildlife
deer especially

*Don't drive while tired/sleepy

*Don't be arguing with the other occupants while driving
(*pay freaken' attention)

Don't be/drive like a dick/jerk/asshole behind the wheel,
we have plenty of them types 24/7 in politics already,
we don't need it on the road too

Don't drive mad
Keep your cool & enjoy the ride

 

[moparedtn]

A couple more that I don't see mentioned anymore:
1. When sitting at a light, keep an eye on the rearview of course - but if imminent rear-ending is going to happen,
let go of the brake and keep your steering straight. Keeps you out of oncoming traffic when impact occurs...
2. When you're waiting to turn, turn signal on - keep those front wheels straight until you're actually moving.
Same sort of deal here - by keeping them straight while waiting, if you get plowed from behind, it'll keep you
out of oncoming traffic.

 

[XS22J8R]

I remembered a driving habit tip I was told many years ago, maybe even in drivers Ed in HS. Be a loner. When driving try to position yourself away from other traffic as much as you can rather than being in a group of vehicles. Speed up, slow down, whatever it takes to position yourself in relatively open space on the road.
The other habit I've been in for as long as I can remember is staying out of people's blind spots. Again, speed up, slow down a bit, but do whatever it takes to spend as little time as possible in other driver's blind spots.

 

[CoronetDarter]

Twice in my life I've been rear-ended sitting at a dead stop in traffic. And not a screeching dead stop either; just stopped waiting for traffic to resume. Now I'm borderline paranoid when traffic in front of me comes to a sudden stop or slowdown. During those situations I slow down at a faster rate than the traffic in front of me and then start pumping the brakes to give the person behind me a flashing warning that traffic is slowing down. And I hug the white shoulder line in case I have quickly turn onto the shoulder (unfortunately then, the car in front of me would take the impact).

 

[Richard Cranium]

If everyone would drive like me, the highways and byways would be a pleasure to drive for everyone.

 

[Kern Dog]

I will admit to being the guy that threads through traffic because it does pay off most of the time.