After
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So, you passed your Driving Test. VERY WELL DONE ! But does it end there ? Absolutely not.
You've been judged safe to go off on your own, making judgments (and occasional mistakes), to carry on learning. It's the riskiest time in a driving career. So, how to safely develop your skills? |
Image copyright 20th Century Fox, 1996
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1. Take your time
Just like when doing your test, don't rush. Keep your cool. Control your own machine (and, perhaps, your passengers !) Next priority: look out for everyone else, and what they might do next.
2. Don't forget routines
Does all that "POM" and "MSM" feel fussy now ? Maybe. But, once-in-a-thousand times (and you'll be doing MSM thousands of times a year) it will save hurting or killing someone. Perhaps you. Once the pressure of awful weather, intimidating lorries, and life's worries gang up, you need to rely on routines that are second nature. Because some stuff you've never seen.
3. Go with the flow
Much of safe driving is from building experience. Look at what other road users do. Most will be doing it pretty well, taking a sensible line through tricky junctions, etc. Flow with them, being guided by their positions and speeds ... but always on the look-out for people less familiar with that particular road ! They, as well as you, may be trying to find their way.
4. "No-one understands me"
The most underused aspect of driving, for letting folk around you know your intentions, is your position. Position your car carefully then KEEP SLOWING DOWN if you think people might not spot what you want to do. Direction signals show up well from a distance but never guarantee actions. Where a car's pointing is a better basis for your decision. Similarly, help others by asking yourself "Would a signal help (or confuse) here ?"
5. When and Where
"Choose wisely." Pick with care your times for turning around, stopping, parking—even driving at all. Will your car be seen easily once it's dark ? Could other people get out if you park so close in that space ? Etc. Ad inf.
That's how to steer clear of bad habits. Now ... go and enjoy more driving, in all sorts of situations. (And consider THIS !)
Just like when doing your test, don't rush. Keep your cool. Control your own machine (and, perhaps, your passengers !) Next priority: look out for everyone else, and what they might do next.
2. Don't forget routines
Does all that "POM" and "MSM" feel fussy now ? Maybe. But, once-in-a-thousand times (and you'll be doing MSM thousands of times a year) it will save hurting or killing someone. Perhaps you. Once the pressure of awful weather, intimidating lorries, and life's worries gang up, you need to rely on routines that are second nature. Because some stuff you've never seen.
3. Go with the flow
Much of safe driving is from building experience. Look at what other road users do. Most will be doing it pretty well, taking a sensible line through tricky junctions, etc. Flow with them, being guided by their positions and speeds ... but always on the look-out for people less familiar with that particular road ! They, as well as you, may be trying to find their way.
4. "No-one understands me"
The most underused aspect of driving, for letting folk around you know your intentions, is your position. Position your car carefully then KEEP SLOWING DOWN if you think people might not spot what you want to do. Direction signals show up well from a distance but never guarantee actions. Where a car's pointing is a better basis for your decision. Similarly, help others by asking yourself "Would a signal help (or confuse) here ?"
5. When and Where
"Choose wisely." Pick with care your times for turning around, stopping, parking—even driving at all. Will your car be seen easily once it's dark ? Could other people get out if you park so close in that space ? Etc. Ad inf.
That's how to steer clear of bad habits. Now ... go and enjoy more driving, in all sorts of situations. (And consider THIS !)