Driving tip.

[phizzy]

i don't know if this has been asked before, but just in case not i will venture it. When you were learning to drive, what one tip or hint that you were given, do you consider a really good one. mine is 'don't watch the car in front of you, watch the car in front of that one. (this should then give you the same reaction time as the car in front of you) this has stuck with me ever since and is a tip i pass on to others now, and with the high 'eye' level brake lights it is now much easier to do.

[redcrx]

better still watch both of them. Just in case the one in front of you is the one who brakes suddenly.

[phizzy]

red - yes of course you are correct, i didn't mean to ignore the car in front, rather to be aware of the car in front of the car in front of you, to give a better reaction time, but yes you are right to say to watch both cars, as well as the traffic behind. cheers phizzy.

[vulcan]

I was taught to drive in London by an ex metropolitan police driver and I thought his tip was very good. he said "if you imagine there's a police car in front of you, one behind you,and drive accordingly you won't go far wrong". I've done this for fifty years and you know what ? it works.

[regsahib]

I too was taught by an ex-police category one driver. His philosophy was simple " Treat every other driver on the road as if he/she was an idiot, and you'll not go far wrong"
Bearing in mind the appalling behaviour seen on our roads to-day, HE wasn't far wrong either !!

[phizzy]

hi again vulcan and hi regsahib, i like the idea of the police cars a lot, it makes sense, i bet some have actually been in this position, you'd feel guilty of something or other wouldn't you, dreading to see the 'stop' police sign coming on.

[R1Geezer]

I ride a Bike, there are no cars in front!

[CAJ1]

I have my theory test tomorrow! Any tips on passing it?! lol

[phizzy]

good on you geezer - i'll bet that in the not too distant future a lot more of us will be riding bikes (or horses) and probably keeping chickens in our cars. happy pedal pushing. (mind the pedestrian)

[R1Geezer]

My bike does not have pedals

[redcrx]

sadly R1, too many riders do fall foul of cars that are in front of them.

[phizzy]

got ya' - you ride a motorbike and all the cars are behind you - enjoy but take care brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrm phizzy

[TWR]

Hi Phizzy, think about this, WHAT IF!!!!

[phizzy]

hi twr - i am thinking about it - but honestly you got me here What if what ? or am i a thickie - it might be all that sun we've been having - put me out of my misery or i won't sleep tonight - cheers phizzy

[sigma]

More likely to occur after you have passed your test, when you wish to overtake a lorry, don't follow too close then you won't have to pull out so far to see if the road is clear. If you're going round a left hand bend, keep to the left and you can see the road ahead down the L.H. side of the lorry.

In towns, a shop window on the opposite side of the road can sometimes give a reflection of the road ahead of a parked delivery lorry or a stopped bus.

Don't pull up too close to a parked vehicle you wish to overtake, that way you won't have to pull wide across the other side of the road.

[TWR]

Hi, what if there is a very small child between them van on your left? what if that person opens the door of their car whilst I am along side them? keep that in mind, you will not go wrong, 38yrs & STILL A CLEAN SHEET, why, read my answer. good luck.

[phizzy]

lo sigma - i agree with some of what you say, but some people would advocate keeping to the left on a RH bend and keeping to the right on a LH bend, (by this i don't mean the rh side of the road, just the rh of the left of the road if you see what i mean ?) this gives a clearer view of the road ahead on the corner and approaching traffic will be seen sooner, as always only when safe to do so.

[phizzy]

hi twr - your right about the car door, about 6 or 7 years ago the car a couple of cars in front of me, modified some chaps corsa from a three door to a two door, it didn't do either car or driver any good and must have caused grief and expense, i reckon both were at fault, give a wide berth as you say, stay safe and enjoy.

[phizzy]

hi again twr - sorry i didn't mention the 'what if'' posting - got it now from your last posting, and there are of course lots of 'what ifs' to be aware of, cheers phizzy

[sigma]

I agree with your comment phizzy, but not when there's a lorry in front of you blocking your line of sight.