What are the basics of driving a car?
Driving a car is a daily activity for many people, but it’s important to remember the basics to ensure the safety of yourself and other road users. In this article, we’ll review the most important aspects of driving, such as driving position, traffic rules, basic maneuvers and safety management. By following these basic driving tips, you can feel safer and more comfortable behind the wheel.
1. Start with a good driving course
The most important investment in your future as a driver is a good course at a reputable driving school. This is of the utmost importance if you want to know how to drive a car properly.
A good instructor will not only introduce you to the theory of road traffic and the practical application of the Highway Code, but above all will prepare you to use the roads yourself, so that you become a good driver.
A driving course shouldn’t just prepare you to drive a few kilometers correctly under the supervision of an examiner. The exam is not the goal, but only one of the steps in improving as a pilot.
This is one of the values you can understand by taking the driving course with Auto-Ecole Lémanique. In fact, this school’s main aim is not only to help you obtain your driving license, but also to give you all the skills you need to overcome any obstacles behind the wheel.
2. Try not to get upset
An angry or pressured driver makes more mistakes. Likewise, try not to think too much about where you’re going and what could go wrong. A calm driver makes fewer mistakes and is better able to correct minor errors that may occur.
3. Avoid driving while tired
Before getting behind the wheel, rest to allow your body to adapt to all forms of pressure. When you’re behind the wheel, being tired puts you at greater risk of accidents. What’s more, if you’re tired and drowsy, it’s harder to react correctly and quickly to changing situations on the road.
4. Ensure good visibility
Ensuring good visibility is also a way of limiting the risk of accidents and misconduct that could penalize you with police officers. So don’t forget to clean windows and mirrors. Another aspect that not everyone remembers. It’s important to keep your windows and mirrors clean, so that you have a clear view when you’re driving.
5. Basic technical condition of the car
It’s hard to predict a breakdown yourself, but checking headlights, tire pressure and windshield washer fluid are reflexes every motorist should have. Having such a reflex will help you avoid any inconvenience along the way.
Driving instructions
It’s important to stress that this section is only for those who want to know how to drive a car properly, or for those who want to improve their driving skills.
On those, if the conditions required before starting to drive are met, you can now be considered fit to drive. However, there are certain application methods and postures you should adopt when driving. So when you get behind the wheel :
Try using the vehicle in a variety of road environments
Using the car in different road conditions allows you to adapt to different environments. In fact, the more experience you gain in different road conditions, the faster your driving skills will develop. So rain would no longer be an excuse to give your car key to your boyfriend. If you want to know how to drive a car properly, here’s the first tip.
How to drive a car properly: pay attention
Always think of other drivers. Thinking for others and applying the principle of limited trust can be crucial to avoiding danger on the road. Not only observe what’s going on in front of the hood of your car, but also try to observe and anticipate the situation in front of the car in front of you.
Remember who you’re travelling with
The passenger you travel with can be useful, especially for inexperienced drivers, but can also be the source of many dangerous behaviors. Assertive behavior and a clear definition of who leads and who is responsible for others are important. In extreme cases, it’s better to ask someone to get out of the car than to be provoked into dangerous behavior.
Be sure of how you drive
One of the worst things you can experience as a driver is the fear of how to drive a car properly. If you decide to drive a car, make sure you’re competent. Nervous movements at the wheel and a lack of predictability for other road users are a major threat.
Be aware of weather conditions
Avoiding driving in more difficult conditions only delays the need to collide with real and changing weather conditions. That’s why we encourage you to start a driving course in autumn and winter, when conditions are more difficult. Under the supervision of an instructor, it’s easier to get through the difficult stages of driving in the rain, after dark and on slippery winter surfaces. We also encourage you to purchase additional trips to training centers to improve your driving techniques.
Find out here: how to obtain a Geneva driver’s license step by step?
How to drive a car well: maneuver smoothly
A good driver overtakes, rejoins traffic and brakes gently. Overtaking a car by force in order to “stick” in a small gap between the drivers in an instant doesn’t make sense. Remember to keep a safe distance from the car in front. A safe distance, provided a smart guy gets you, will give you the chance to accelerate before overtaking. The smooth ride is predictable for others.
Signaling maneuvers
Just because you know you’re going to turn, doesn’t mean that other road users have telepathic contact with you. Earlier signaling of maneuvers, in the weaker version, can save on bodywork and paintwork repairs.
Become aware of dimensions
Be aware of the dimensions and performance of the car you’re driving. Starting to overtake a column of trucks with a small car with a “load” of four adults can be risky. Being aware of the size of your car can also help when parking. You need to keep this in mind if you want to know how to drive a car properly.
Remember NATURE.
Physics, unlike parents, cannot be deceived. It may be hard to believe, but the car doesn’t stop in place (unless it’s on a tree). While it’s possible to enter a bend at 60 km/h with an empty car, if you want to impress the four passengers you’re carrying from the party, the same bend may be the last you see. Trucks generally have a longer braking distance than passenger cars, and the headlight with them generally ends less well for those driving in a smaller car. So you need to take all this into account before approaching a bend at high speed.
