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

[Kern Dog]

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?

 

[luvthyapril]

All good driving habits all of which I practice I might add always leave enough space between you and the Vehicle in front of you at lights as to leave yourself an out

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I try to be courteous, I really do... But some people just can't drive so I make a point of letting them know the road would be a safer place if they stayed home....

 

[Kern Dog]

All good driving habits all of which I practice I might add always leave enough space between you and the Vehicle in front of you at lights as to leave yourself an out

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.

 

[66 Sat]

Don't answer you fxxking phone while you're driving.
I actually  drive the car, some people nowadays seem to be concentrating on everything  bar driving the damn thing.

I follow all your habits Greg, I get pissed off with myself if I do something wrong. It's called being a decent human being and actually caring about others.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

Driving is a privilege, not a right.

 

[moparedtn]

Driving is a privilege, not a right.

 

[moparedtn]

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.

Yeah, "defensive driving". I don't try to remember those janky classroom type "aids".
It's just something my first driving school instructor gave me way back in the day (when going for my
first SCCA license so I could go racing! ):

Don't let the other sumbeech get a clean shot at you, short and sweet.

I've written about it before - simplest way to put it is to assume every/anyone else out there is going to
do something stupid - and have a plan for escape/avoidance.
You'll find oftentimes, they don't let you down - seems like more and more these days, people just don't
look out the damn windshield when behind the wheel.
Of course, that avoidance plan constantly and rapidly changes, many times per second - adjusting for the situation.

I don't keep my "head on a swivel" - but I am a big fan of situational awareness and keep up with where
everyone is around me out there, down to their already-demonstrated driving "styles" that got them there.
The whole idea is to never be caught by surprise....ever.

 

[hunt2elk]

The thing that pisses me off the most is people texting on their cell phone while driving. Wish I could reach out and slap them along side the head.....

 

[Cheapsunglasses]

You hit 2 really good points, be kind to the people that are behind you. The light doesn’t get greener, and that stop sign will never turn green, don’t stay there longer then needed!

Here’s one I encounter every freaking day. Turn off your freaking high beams when you’re approaching another vehicle!!!! I was taught not just oncoming, and a car in front, but cars at an intersection too.

 

[Outlawd]

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

 

[Frank Mopar]

 

[moparedtn]

I try to be courteous, I really do... But some people just can't drive so I make a point of letting them know the road would be a safer place if they stayed home....

Some folks genuinely have a hard time with the whole driving thing - it's not a universally granted ability, seems like.
I often say to my wife when we've witnessed some buffoonery on the road "driving is hard on some folks".

 

[Cheapsunglasses]

Sometimes it seems some people cheated on their driving test

 

[OKDart]

Driving is a privilege, not a right.

That stopped being true when they made it impossible to get to town in a horse and buggy. In Amish country it seems they have plenty of wide shoulders, but around here it would be suicide. The only roads here with a shoulder are 60 MPH plus and not horse friendly.
If they were serious about it being a privilege, they’d build a better public transportation system for all the people that can’t drive.

 

[padam]

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.

 

[PlymCrazy]

I budget for other people to potentially be having an "off day" or "driving emotionally" when on the road. Helps me to not take it personally when they may be driving in a manner that could be perceived as being offensive or provoking. Lord knows I'm trying to set a better example for my kids as they all have been driving a while, as opposed to often "reacting without thinking" as too often was modeled for me when I was a bit more impressionable.

 

[Slap Stick]

When a light turns green count to three before moving. This can prevent someone from hitting you by trying to beat the light. Doesn't always work, I counted to three and got well into the intersection and got T-boned by a girl on her phone and one foot on the dash. Totaled the car and she got a few tickets.
Look at two things when approaching a vehicle wanting to enter the road-their eyes and their front tires. 98.3463.14% of the time the tires will be slightly turned in their intended direction. And, the eyes of the driver. If your eyes meet maybe they see you. If they don't even look in your direction, you KNOW they don't see you!
When merging onto a highway, MERGE. Remember, the vehicle on the highway has the right of way. It is your job to meld into the traffic flow. It is NOT the other driver's job to let you in. That's why there is a YIELD sigh on the on ramps. In fact, if they slow to let you in it interrupts traffic flow. And usually, if they move over they are cutting off someone approaching at a higher speed.
When overtaking a vehicle allow it to FULLY change lanes before passing. The lane is still theirs until they do so. You can wait another two or three seconds.
If you drive like Hell you are sure to get there.

 

[sam dupont]

Watch the tires of the car that could turn in front of you. If they are rolling, be careful.

 

[Dave P]

If you're sitting at a intersection with a traffic signal and are going to make a left hand turn....TURN THE GOD DAMN INDICATOR
ON while you're sitting there so people pulling up behind you may have a chance to slide into the right hand lane and not
be stuck behind your sorry lame ignorant ***!
Thank You.