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POWER check
When checking your vehicle, the POWER check is the easiest to remember. This stands for Petrol, Oils, Water, Electric, and Rubbers. Everything under each heading should be visually checked at least once per week.
Two-second gap
At all times maintain a two-second gap from the vehicle ahead, no matter what speed you are travelling. When it is raining, a foggy night, or any combination of these, the gap should be doubled to four seconds.
Safety gap between vehicles
When you stop behind another vehicle in a line of traffic, always ensure you are able to clearly see the bottom of the vehicle's rear tyres. This ensures you are not too close to the other vehicle. Also, as you commence to move your two-second gap will already be in place.
Keep left
Keep to the left at all times unless overtaking. The right hand lane is for overtaking, or turning right. Use it for driving straight through only if the left lane is obstructed by road works or parked vehicles, or if it is not useable for any reason.
Indicate early
Where practical, use your indicators for at least 30 metres before commencing to turn or change lanes, to tell other road users what you will do.
Drive with anticipation
Expect the unexpected and be aware that we all make mistakes sometimes. The other driver may forget to indicate, or to look to see if you are near by. If you have anticipated this may happen, it will not be a surprise.
We should be driving as a team, not as individuals, be prepared to let the other driver in, rather than blocking them out.
Stop at lights or stop signs
When you stop at the lights or at a stop sign, your car should be behind the thick stop line. There are some intersections, where if you stop over the stop line and a truck or bus turns into the street that you are leaving; it will collide with your vehicle.
Plan ahead
Always plan well ahead. Your line of sight should travel parallel to the road, not down onto it. This makes it easier for you to prepare for anything that may happen long before you get there.
Overtaking
Overtaking is probably one of the most dangerous manoeuvres a driver can perform, especially on a two-way carriageway. Quite often the vehicle you overtake is only travelling slightly slower than you are. Make sure that you have enough room to go well past the overtaken vehicle before you move back to the left. Don't cut them off.
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS)
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) prevent the wheels of a vehicle from locking under emergency braking. They enable steering control with the brakes fully operating, enhancing the drivers chances of avoiding a hazard.
ABS does not necessarily stop a vehicle in a shorter distance than ordinary brakes. If you drive a vehicle with ABS, still keep the same two-second gap from the vehicle in front. ABS should only be relied upon in an emergency braking situation.
Drive smoothly
Drive smoothly and make decisions early so that you can accelerate, brake and change gears smoothly. It will make your vehicle last longer, cost you less, and it is far more comfortable for your passengers. Rough acceleration, braking, or steering, can easily cause your car to skid.
Negotiating a curve
When you are negotiating a curve in the road, try to flatten the curve out as much as you can. This will give you a better view around the curve, a smoother path and it will decrease the potential of the car commencing to skid. For a left curve, approach as near as is safe to the right of your lane, when you can see where the road straightens out ahead, gently move across to the left of the lane and finish back in the middle of your lane. Use the opposite sequence for a right curve.
Night driving
Night driving can be quite difficult. Oncoming vehicles' headlights can dazzle you and you must keep alert to the lights and reflectives of cyclists and motorcyclists. Pedestrians can be impossible to see. Traffic lights can appear to blend in with advertising signs.
Leave yourself more space from the car in front, as this will create more time for you to be able to see what is ahead and prepare for anything that may happen.
Driver courtesy
Be courteous and share the road:
Allow other drivers to merge or change lanes easily.
Only use your horn as a warning sound and do not use it out of frustration.
Always try to stay relaxed and concentrate on your own driving and safety rather than the behaviour of others.
Don't gesture to other drivers or engage in arguments.
Be forgiving of other drivers mistakes.
Don't take your personal frustration out on the road.
Be aware of the needs of other drivers, and all other road users like pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and heavy vehicles.
Personal safety
While driving, take some personal safety precautions:
While in your car, keep the doors locked at all times.
If you find yourself being followed while driving, try to keep calm and maintain your driving skills. Go to the nearest police station, petrol station or well-lit convenience store. Only leave your car when you feel the threat has passed. Report the incident to the police.
Plan your trip in advance so that you are not sitting in your car with the light on reading the street directory at night.
Be prepared in case of breakdowns or trouble:
Try to carry pen and paper, a torch, a phone card and emergency numbers with you at all times.
It is also a good idea to invest in either a mobile phone or personal alarm for safety reasons. If you can't afford these, a cheaper alternative is a whistle to blow and attract attention if you are in danger.
If you break down, try to leave the car in a safe, well-lit spot. Put your bonnet up and turn on your hazard lights. If you have to call for assistance, ensure the car is secure and go to the nearest phone.
If someone stops to assist, do not get into a stranger's car. Give them your details and ask them to call for assistance.
Park safely:
Try to park in a place where there will be plenty of people around and that is well lit.
Avoid parking too close to walls and hedges.
Never leave valuables like purses, wallets or mobile phones in your car. Move things into the boot before you leave, rather than when you arrive at the destination.
Have your keys ready to open the car, rather than rummaging through your bag to find them.
If it is dark, have someone accompany you to your car. Try to avoid multi-storey car parks.
Never double park or park in a clearway, as this is a dangerous practice and puts other road users at risk.Edited by ^spidee^ 16 Nov `06, 11:56PM
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Reversing safely
Always check behind you before you reverse. If you can't see immediately behind the car - get out and walk around it.
Parking
When parking, never park across a driveway, across the top of a T-Junction or on a curve in the street.
Parking at night
At night, park your car as near to a street light as possible, always lock it and don't leave any valuables in sight.
Tyre pressures
Every time you drive take a minute to walk around and check your tyres for pressure, wear and damage and don't forget the spare. Once a week, check the pressures at a service station, preferably with your own accurate tyre gauge.
Rest breaks
Never drive more than two hours without stopping for a short break. On long drives, cups of coffee might keep you awake but they won't improve your concentration or vision. Stop and rest when tired.
Watch for brake lights
Watch for brake lights on cars parked along the street - this means that the vehicle is occupied and may be about to drive out in front of you.
Negotiating Speed Humps
Slow down before a speed hump then accelerate gently as you approach it to 'lift' the front suspension as you go over the hump.
Suspension checks
Every month, 'bounce' each corner of your car to check the shock absorbers. If the suspension doesn't stop when you do - see a suspension specialist.
Reduce weight and save
Extra weight in your car means less petrol economy. Clean out the boot and interior of unnecessary items.
Anticipate traffic light changes
Think ahead and save money. Anticipating traffic light changes well ahead of arriving at them can avoid sudden braking and a potential crash!
Keep glass clean
Always make sure all the glass areas are clean before you drive: windscreen, windows, mirrors, headlights and taillights.
Timing your gear changes
Select the appropriate gear and brake before you enter a corner, not whilst you are turning the corner.
Brakes to slow
Don't use the gears to slow for a corner, use the brakes. Brakes are cheaper to replace than transmissions and it's safer, too.
Use headlights to be seen
Use your headlights when in heavy rain or dust. Don't use driving or fog lights unless it is absolutely necessary.
Maintain stopping distance
Don't pull up as close as you can to the vehicle in front at traffic lights or stop signs. Leave enough room so that you can drive around it if necessary.
Expect the unexpected
When there are cars parked all along the street, expect that someone may step out onto the road between them be prepared for the unexpected at all times.
Overtake with care.
Overtaking can lead to Undertaking always take extreme care and make sure you have sufficient time and a clear view ahead before you start to overtake.
Focus on headlights
Have the headlights checked for correct aim and remember, extra people in the back or luggage in the boot can seriously affect the headlight aim.
Maintain windscreen wipers
Keep the screen wipers in good condition. If they are streaking or smearing the screen, replace them.
Escape routes
When driving, keep looking for 'escape routes' in case you have to avoid a collision with another vehicle.
Check mirrors regularly
Use the rear view mirrors regularly, you should never be surprised by a vehicle suddenly overtaking you.
Dip headlights
When driving at night in built up areas always use dipped headlights. The same applies on country roads when you are driving behind another vehicle.
Check effect of medication
If you are using a prescription medication ask the doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to drive. Many drugs affect your concentration or can cause drowsiness.
Don't drive where you can't see
If you have to drive in fog, use dipped headlights and keep as far to the left of the road as possible but watch carefully for parked vehicles and SLOW down.
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Originally posted by ^spidee^:
Negotiating a curve
When you are negotiating a curve in the road, try to flatten the curve out as much as you can. This will give you a better view around the curve, a smoother path and it will decrease the potential of the car commencing to skid. For a left curve, approach as near as is safe to the right of your lane, when you can see where the road straightens out ahead, gently move across to the left of the lane and finish back in the middle of your lane. Use the opposite sequence for a right curve.
[/b]wrong...when negotating a bend...u shld take the fastest line out of the corner
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i went to SSDC recently n noticed that they only use their parking lights in the circuit. Personally i think it's a good practice, as headlights can blind other drivers especially in such a cramped space.
Is there any rule against using your parking lights in public places such as car parks and housing estates where the speed of cars are slow?
Just curious.
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Originally posted by AE86tofu:wrong...when negotating a bend...u shld take the fastest line out of the corner
u watch or play too much initial d already lah....
might as well say, When negotating a bend, brake, Heel-Toe, downshift, drift more better
Originally posted by ^spidee^:
Reduce weight and save
Extra weight in your car means less petrol economy. Clean out the boot and interior of unnecessary items.
[/b]Wrong... Extra weight in your car means less petrol economy. Add Carbon fibre Spoiler,Trunk & bonnet
Edited by SniperWolfe 29 Jan `07, 8:35PM
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hehehee...
On the roads, most or all of the Tips posted here are either ignored or bypased.
>> Most motorists either DO NOT signal their intentions, or, does not know how to signal properly
>> hogging of center and overtaking lane
>> habitual or offensive tailgating
>> driving with high beam or glaring blue headlamps
>> accessive speeding and hazardous lane switching
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Originally posted by AE86tofu:drifting is SLOW man....GRIP ALL THE WAY!!!
Agree!!! drifting is SLOW!!! Try to use trail braking and power out... it will give you better speed out of the corner... Note that your entrance speed and angle into the corner will directly affect your speed out of that corner, so it is also right to say 'take the fastest line out of it'... if in doubt and needs scientific calculations, check out Drive to Win by Carroll Smith...
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Originally posted by ^spidee^:
Negotiating a curve
When you are negotiating a curve in the road, try to flatten the curve out as much as you can. This will give you a better view around the curve, a smoother path and it will decrease the potential of the car commencing to skid. For a left curve, approach as near as is safe to the right of your lane, when you can see where the road straightens out ahead, gently move across to the left of the lane and finish back in the middle of your lane. Use the opposite sequence for a right curve.
Also remember to deaccelerate on entering a curve, and acclerate on going out. If you enter a curve too fast, centrifugal force would be pushing you outwards. Deaccelerating would reduce the centrifugal force and throw the weight forward. At the apex of the curve, accelerate out of the curve. You will have better control of your vehicle this way.
When getting off an express way by the exit link that is slopping downwards, do not disengage (depress) the clutch, as this would make the vehicle roll freely and surge forward, and increase in speed. Go down the curve with gears fully engaged.
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Originally posted by aku1b0d0:But...Need For Speed Most Wanted teached me that I should overtake every single car in view, maintain a 180mph speed and if a car moves at a higher speed than me, I should crash the car till it can't move anymore. Which one should I follow?
Go and play your stupid video games. Don't come here and talk crap. People in this thread wanted driving tips, not some crappist trying to mix reality with video games.
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Originally posted by SexyChin:Go and play your stupid video games. Don't come here and talk crap. People in this thread wanted driving tips, not some crappist trying to mix reality with video games.
+1...
aku1b0d0 can try crashing into a police car if it is faster than
him... haha... you may like to try raming the traffic police
bike...
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