What should I know before I start driving?

[dcgreen2k]

I'm getting my learner's permit tomorrow, and I'd like to know if you guys have any tips that might help me. I sure have seen my fair share of dumbasses on the road, so I know what to look for and how to react to those situations. Thankfully, I'm not obsessed with speed (yet)...

 

If you want an example of horrible driving, I remember an SUV getting off of a highway exit ramp on to a 4 lane road, and then crossing all the way over to the leftmost lane without turn signals. If that doesn't sound stupid enough, they cut off a car and proceeded to crash into the 6 inch tall median...

[Froody129]

Assume everyone else on the road is an idiot incapable of driving. You can assume you’re an idiot too if you like

[spwath]

The gas pedal is the one on the right.

[Zodiark1593]

Be courteous and respectful to other drivers, even if some of them are selfish morons. Keep emotions in check. Leave a few seconds of room behind the driver ahead. (Seriously, this helps you and the person driving close behind you).

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

31 minutes ago, thegreengamers said:

I'm getting my learner's permit tomorrow, and I'd like to know if you guys have any tips that might help me. I sure have seen my fair share of dumbasses on the road, so I know what to look for and how to react to those situations. Thankfully, I'm not obsessed with speed (yet)...

 

If you want an example of horrible driving, I remember an SUV getting off of a highway exit ramp on to a 4 lane road, and then crossing all the way over to the leftmost lane without turn signals. If that doesn't sound stupid enough, they cut off a car and proceeded to crash into the 6 inch tall median...

Don't forget to change your blinker fluid. That's why that person didn't use their signals, they didn't work because of lack of blinker fluid. 

 

Happy April Fools.

[xriqn]

Don't try ramming people outta the way, even if you have a land rover that is off road prepared.

[dcgreen2k]

31 minutes ago, xriqn said:

Don't try ramming people outta the way, even if you have a land rover that is off road prepared.

I'm not sure I could do that in my 900kg, 100hp, tiny car... 

 

47 minutes ago, spwath said:

The gas pedal is the one on the right.

No, those are the brakes.

37 minutes ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Don't forget to change your blinker fluid. That's why that person didn't use their signals, they didn't work because of lack of blinker fluid. 

 

Happy April Fools.

I almost forgot about those, which reminds me: I need to change the muffler bearings as well because they're getting kind of old.

[wasab]

Ever play gta? Don’t drive anywhere close to how you would drive when playing

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

14 minutes ago, thegreengamers said:

No, those are the brakes.

I almost forgot about those, which reminds me: I need to change the muffler bearings as well because they're getting kind of old.

This week we're going over replacing piston return strings, don't forget those. 

[Froody129]

2 hours ago, wasab said:

Ever play gta? Don’t drive anywhere close to how you would drive when playing

We all tried to drive “normally” in GTA. It just turns out that the crazy way we drive on GTA seems to be “normal” for a good chunk of the people on the road  

[wasab]

8 minutes ago, Froody129 said:

We all tried to drive “normally” in GTA. It just turns out that the crazy way we drive on GTA seems to be “normal” for a good chunk of the people on the road  

By normal, do you mean waiting for the green light? No player ever does that in gta

[Froody129]

Just now, wasab said:

By normal, do you mean waiting for the green light? No player ever does that in gta

Nahh, everyone I know does it at least for some time. There are tons of memes on it too, so I assumed it’s common

[Arika]

you're driving a big hunk of metal with controlled explosions being the source of movement, remember that. Never underestimate a road and never overestimate your driving ability.

[Techicolors]

practice reversing and parking, especially without backup cameras. i know in the US backup cameras will be required in new cars past 2018 but you will run into a car that doesn't have one

 

keep your road rage in check 

[Donut417]

1. Maintenance on your car, make sure you do it. 
2. Keep some money in your car, like $20 in case you need gas, but dont have money or the card machine is not working
3. Try to keep your road rage in check, I know this one is hard
4. Remember you have two middle fingers, they are about to be used extensively 
5. Remember they tell you to go slower if some one is tail gating you, specifically if some one is in front of you. Remember to go slower just to be a prick because the guy tail gating you is in a hurry and your not if your following the 6th suggestion. 
6. Always leave early so you have enough time to get where you want to go. Remember 10 min early your on time, on time your late and late your fired. 
7. Oh and the biggest one, dont use a god damn mother fucking cell phone when your driving. This is how a shit load of people DIE. 
8. Drive sober or get pulled over, over the limit under arrest (Tips from the Michigan State Police)

[Beef Boss]

Green means go, yellow means go faster and red means redline the engine before people cross. I'd suggest driving by the book until you pass your actual test. Like stopping at the stop signs, check and then pull up and check if needed. Or going to the speed limit exactly or under. 

 

Ps. Don't even try calling me out, you all know damn well you guys don't follow every single little thing exactly, I know you 

[JR1988]

Just be a safe person on the Road. You have to be a Defensive Driver, another reason I've Neverrrr been in a wreck.

[captain_to_fire]

Always keep your cool while driving even though you want to curse those people in front of you. You might want to invest in a dash cam. Also, always remember BLOWBAG before driving. 

 

Also, don’t drink and drive. Don’t text and drive. 

 

[sazrocks]

To add to what others have said, keep calm. ALWAYS. When (not if) someone does something stupid around you, do not panic and instead do what you can to (safely) give them room and otherwise remove yourself from that dangerous situation.

 

Also, pay attention to the car in front of you and if possible, the car in front of them. The latter give you the opportunity to spot a dangerous situation long before it would normally become apparent.

 

Keep a mental idea of what your immediate surroundings are. For example, in the event that you must swerve around an obstacle it would be helpful to know whether there is a car in your blind spot on either side. You don't have time to check your mirrors in that situation so the awareness must be there ahead of time.

[TheKDub]

Use your turn signals, and always check your blind spots when changing lanes/merging.

[bimmerman]

1 hour ago, TheKDub said:

Use your turn signals, and always check your blind spots when changing lanes/merging.

This, right here, combined with: Accelerate up to highway speed in the Merge Lane, not after the Merge Lane. Accelerating post-merge lane is how you get rear ended. If you're in a slow car, this will likely require foot to the floor acceleration, and that won't hurt the car.

 

Always assume the other driver didn't see you, or if they did, they won't let you in-- don't stress about it, and let them win. You don't have enough experience to judge whether you can make it or not.

 

Everyone else on the road is a distracted idiot. Drive ultra conservatively and defensively.

 

Finally, and this is for when you've got a couple years under your belt -- mpg is inversely correlated with driving fun.

 

 

[Keg Ops]

elderly are worth double the points

 

get a dashcam (new version of mine: https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Wide-Angle-Dashboard-Recording-Additional/dp/B0771DYFTZ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1522688180&sr=8-5&keywords=dash+cam+aukey)

 

this one is important: if you ever get into a collision, always call the police to the scene and have them file a police report. Even if you get harassed by the other driver or if they try to say that they're in a hurry, let them know that they'll get in trouble for leaving the scene of an accident. Make sure to take photos of the damage and get their plate and insurance. Basic stuff but I've heard horror stories about people who didn't do this and ended up being out several grand in damages.

[Crunchy Dragon]

3 minutes ago, bimmerman said:

This, right here, combined with: Accelerate up to highway speed in the Merge Lane, not after the Merge Lane. Accelerating post-merge lane is how you get rear ended. If you're in a slow car, this will likely require foot to the floor acceleration, and that won't hurt the car.

 

Always assume the other driver didn't see you, or if they did, they won't let you in-- don't stress about it, and let them win. You don't have enough experience to judge whether you can make it or not.

 

Everyone else on the road is a distracted idiot. Drive ultra conservatively and defensively.

 

Finally, and this is for when you've got a couple years under your belt -- mpg is inversely correlated with driving fun.

This, as well as:

Don't stop at green lights.

Don't speed to make a yellow light.

Please, never slow to just above a complete stop to make a turn.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

9 minutes ago, bimmerman said:

mpg is inversely correlated with driving fun.

Sorry officer, I was going 63 kph in a 50 zone to save fuel because my slush box is geared in a way that going 63 allows me to shift up to cruise at 1500RPM while going 50 pins me at 2000RPM. Why are you looking angry at me officer?

[bimmerman]

 

1 hour ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

This, as well as:

Don't stop at green lights.

Don't speed to make a yellow light.

Please, never slow to just above a complete stop to make a turn.

^^^^^ YES. Maintain momentum at all costs.

1 hour ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Sorry officer, I was going 63 kph in a 50 zone to save fuel because my slush box is geared in a way that going 63 allows me to shift up to cruise at 1500RPM while going 50 pins me at 2000RPM. Why are you looking angry at me officer?

That, or "I got 20mpg this last tank, why was I driving so boringly?!?"