Driving along the streets especially in traffic can lead to arguments and often encounters that can suddenly look ugly. Drivers go as far as coming to blows while others pull out their guns in cases where they feel that they were beaten to instances like being first or being cut when driving around in the streets. But one thing you should ask for yourself, what do you get out of all of this road rage once everything has been done? Does it make you a better driver or better yet a better person?
This can also be typified as the power tripping driver. Many people who hold key positions in the government or perhaps are granted a license for carrying firearms make them all the more unreasonable drivers, wanting to be the superior person wherever they may be. These instances have resulted in some tragedies and have gone as far as claiming people’s lives or ruining their reputations. Sad as it may, it is all because of lack of courtesy and respect for emotions that drivers cannot contain when they are on the road.
There is no doubt that a lot of us have had our share in terms of encountering such instances. There is no doubt that such outrages will lead to nowhere. The real challenge of driving is not just about how well you drive your car but also about how focused you are on the road. Losing that may very well be a signal to just hire a driver or avoid driving a car to avoid the inconveniences.
When you are driving a stick shift car, proper timing on when to change gears is important. Other than saving on fuel, the load that your engine would have needs to be considered as well. There are cars that end up needing an overhauls because of bad gear shifting and surely this will be something we can all avoid. Don’t be in a hurry to shift gears (since most people believe that the early shifter can save on gas). Actually, that is true but it also affects your car engine as far as proper revolution and advances in timing.
As far as wanting more power by shifting late, engines are going to bear that toll. Remember, there are engines the give way due to excess revolution to which the load may eventually lead your engine to shut off and need an overhaul. Aside from driving in the wrong manner, you may find yourself spending for the overhaul and waiting for your car to be finished in the process as well (about 2 to 3 weeks depending on the extent of the damage).
Finally, don’t leave you foot resting on the clutch. Some would use this as a practice so that they can avoid the pains of stepping and then releasing. Remember, when you step on the clutch, load is going to the clutch lining. If you are not careful, you may end up burning those clutch lining and discs and leave your car to need a brand new clutch replacement kit in the end.
Have you ever considered counting the number of dents and scratches you have on your car? Apparently you can use these marks as features in determining just how good of a driver you really are. Of course, scratches and dents can be accidents caused when your car is parked but for sure, you will know which ones were done by you due to your driving.
This is not to say that the perfect driver is free from such minor accidents. The fact remains that to measure how well defensive and well-schooled drivers are can be seen from the vehicle that they drive. Some dents occur from reckless driving such as backing or parking in tight situations while others occur when you are on the road when you are driving too close for comfort.
In reality, no driver wants to be seen in a car full of dents and scratches. But these are marks that will haunt you, regardless if you are driving a brand new car or not. The number of times you have to bring your car to the shop will likewise vary as normally, these would become a habit if you don’t do something to improve your driving skills.
A good driver is a disciplined driver. He or she knows how to avoid even the minor accidents. If dents and scratches can be fixed then the same goes for bad driving skills. If a driver is willing, he can really improve on it if he chooses to do so.
For most drivers today, getting a ticket for allegedly erratic or reckless driving can be a pain. Outside that of having a mark on your driver’s license, it can also be a pain as far as trying to retain a clean slate in instances where you have to pay for tickets and fines for irresponsible driving.
So how does one avoid the tickets? Well for one, go back to the driving basics and avoid the risks if you already know you will get into trouble. Speeding, beating the red light, swerving or the simple busted tail lights are normally the main causes of being given a ticket. With that in mind, you just have to wonder if drivers either ignored them when they were taking up driving lessons or plainly don’t care.
Do not take these violations personally. They are mean to protect and save anyone from accidents and the pedestrians as well. They were not placed for other reasons and this is something that both old and new drivers should carefully ponder on. They may not seem important for now but they are main factors in responsible driving today.
Do not be daring nor dare to cross the lines of being adventurous. These are normally the issues that have to be addressed and most drivers learn only after they have done it. Curiosity killed the cat as they say and the same curiosity may kill the person behind the wheel if he is not careful.
There is a reason why you use the brighter lights when you drive. Normally the people with poor vision find it useful but not all drivers should be doing that considering that it is a form of disrespect when you are passing other vehicles with glaring headlights.
Normally, these headlights are only flashed in instances like:
1. Making a turn to warn incoming vehicles
2. Overtaking a car in front
3. Warning cars in an intersection that you will be passing
4. Other warnings such as car trouble or perhaps emergencies
In most of these cases, the use of the bright option is justifiable but some just don’t know it. It does make the road brighter especially at night but unless you are driving all by your lonesome on the road, it would be best not to use them unless really necessary.
If you will notice, some drivers modify the type of lights, depending on their need. Some use the higher watt lights, sometimes over 90/100 while others go as far as changing the color from traditional incandescent colors to amber lights that are good when you are in foggy roads.
There are some states that forbid the use of amber or yellow lights due to the strain it can have on opposing cars in the opposite lanes. It can even cause accidents if not used properly and hence has become a reason why some countries ban them.
Use your car headlights wisely. It can make a difference between road courtesy and disaster.
If you haven’t heard yet, transportation authorities based in the Philippines have implemented a speed limit in key roads of the metropolis to put a stop on the spate of accidents that have been occurring lately. This is perhaps to cover up the boo-boo made by one Metro Manila Development Authority Chief who months back said that “There is no Speed Limit”, paving the way for more reckless drivers and accidents at that. So while that is covered, now we hear the bus companies complaining that they may cause traffic. So what?
Given a choice, would you choose traffic or accidents? It is no secret that the same bus operators are also responsible for the accidents and it is they too who have been ignoring speed limits. You would think they were driving smaller vehicles that could ride above 100 KPH! If they slow down, the matter that they re concerned about is the number of trips that they can finish in a day which will surely be diminished. But if they were as careful and law abiding in the first place, would this speed limit be lowered at 40 KPH?
The last request was to make it at 60 KPH. But seeing the bulk of these buses, that is fast for a large vehicle. And to think that Manila is packed with lots of pedestrians and private cars, they can still do a lot of harm.
So as far as the speed limit goes, it is a good move. Safety comes first and the bottom-line is that regardless of the speed you are driving, you will get to your point of destination anyway right?
The season of cheers is 52 days away and this early, people are thinking of gives to give and parties to go to. It has become a tradition that Christmas parties and social gatherings are apparent and aside from feasting on the various food and menu preparations, you cannot discount the fact that excessive drinking is included in the mix.
So what does this have to do with driving? Well for one, we are all aware that we are constantly warned about drinking and driving. This Christmas season, expect a lot of drinking and driving as well as people hope from one place to another, catching them at the wee hours of the morning. Now as far as drinking is concerned, there is usually no limit to how much you consume. But if you own a car and drive it from one place to another, make sure you don’t overdo it and intoxicate yourself.
A large portion of drivers today experience accidents mainly because they drink too much and commonly find themselves fall asleep behind the wheel while cruising at a certain pace. While the issue of drinking too much cannot be avoided, just make sure you do think rationally. If you feel that you are not fit to drive your vehicle then don’t.
Some take coffee to wake them up while others take short naps. On the road, you can choose to pull over and take a nap to somehow organize your driving sense. It is better to be aware of the road and yourself rather than waking up and finding yourself in the hospital. In fact, some don’t even wake up at all.
