Reddit, I just got my license and a car. What do I need to know so I don't piss you off when I'm driving?

_404_ · 3 months

always signal

Release_the_KRAKEN · 3 months

Well for starters, if you're not comfortable driving fast, please stay on the right side of the road.
Always signal even if you're going around in a parking lot
Don't drive up someones ass (you can get in bad accidents from that).
Don't drive aggressively (like weaving in and out of traffic, speeding in places urban areas, etc.).

proggieus · 3 months

If you are on a multilane road and there is nobody in front of you and 7 people behind you, move to the right

NeanderStaal · 3 months

Signal even when you don't think you need to.

Don't ever drive drunk.

Don't text and drive.

Use your mirrors and shoulder check.

Drive the same speed as everyone else.

Do not drive right beside another car, stagger yourself so that if you or a neighbouring vehicle has to make an emergency lane change, you have room to.

TheCocktopus · 3 months

If you're driving on the interstate and people are passing you on the right you need to move your ass over.

gwynjudd · 3 months

I have done extensive research into the topic of how not to piss off other redditors when driving, and my findings are as follows:

Do not drive.

The_Great_Scott · 3 months

Most people learn the rules of the road, get their license, then promptly forget the rules of the road.

Dont forget the rules of the road.

1.) the left lane is your passing lane.

2.) the right lane is your turn off lane.

3.) your indicator is how you can communicate with other cars. Fall into the habit of using your indicator ANYTIME you can see another car(s) on the road.

4.) that text message can wait until the next red light (this should probably be up at the top if your a younger person).

Also, congrats on getti g your license. Save up for repairs yo.

the_paranoid · 3 months

Please, for the love of god, zipper merge

Lowbacca1977 · 3 months

This may get taught, but no one does it...

If you're going slower than other cars, get to the right. Biggest offender, people that drive 60 in the second lane of a 4 lane freeway with a speed limit of 65 mph.

If people are passing you on the right side, you're in the wrong lane. Nearly always.

BagOfDoorknobs · 3 months

1) Drive as if you are a chauffeur with a box of eggs balanced on top of a t-ball tee. You can go fast, but be smooth about it.

2). When you are turning left across an intersection into the cross-lane, remember that the turn is a semi-circle, not a single turn-straight line-single turn combo. The latter results in a jerky high-speed turn at the very end that can result in losing control when you realize you don't have much room to finish up the turn in. If you are doing it right you should finish the turn nicely lined up with the lane you are entering.

3). When performing the turn from #2 make sure you end up in the left lane if there is more than one lane where you are entering. Don't be a jackass and cross-lanes during the turn.

4). Don't look at the road directly in front of you. Look at the road well ahead of you. Despite what you may think you will not drift out of your lane and it gives you the opportunity to see the red brake lights coming on well in advance of when you need to be applying yours.

5). Stop yapping or texting on your phone. I don't feel like dying because you were too bored to wait until it was safe to do so.

Zippity7 · 3 months

Here are some of the things I recall figuring out post-driving school. Congrats on your license!

The right lane is for driving. The left lane is for passing. This rule does not apply on crowded streets moving below speed limits (ie: downtown).
Either turn your mirrors to cover your blindspot or shoulder check before changing lanes. Scratch that - do both.
Do not randomly brake on higher speed roads. If you need to slow down slightly, please simply hold off your gas, as random braking causes all of us behind you to unexpectedly brake as well (domino effect) because we expect you have hit your brakes for an immediate safety reason.
Drive 5-10 km/h over the "speed limit". Some go faster, at their own risk and comfort level. Do not speed in school zones, especially while school buses are present.
Do not program your gps, fiddle with things or text while the light turns green and you are at the front of the line. These things are best done either at long red lights when not in the front or parked somewhere.
There is an acceptable following distance, which is different depending on the size of your city. In small towns, it is 3 seconds (that is, if the driver in front of you instantly stopped you would hit their location in 3 seconds). In medium sized cities or on highways, it is 2 seconds. In large cities, it is 2 seconds on freeways and clogged up anyway downtown.
You may have been told you need to "see the back tires on pavement in front of you" at red lights. This is about a foot too far back. However, do leave room in case someone is rear ended at the light or the driver in front of you does not have an automatic (esp on inclines).
Stop signs actually mean "near-stop" if nobody is around (especially police).
Do not, ever, under almost any circumstance, use your brights in the city.
Don't use your fog lights in the city either. That's a personal peeve of mine, because they are useless when under street lights but not terribly annoying to drivers.
There are certain modifications to a car that scream "spermacide" to some of us, without actually annoying us. These include but are not limited to: -Large low quality sub in trunk without properly securing license plate (rattling). -Raised truck. -Unclever bumper stickers. -Any modification clearly more expensive than the car, such as large spoilers and racing stripes on Sun-fizzles. -Bull-nuts on truck.
Be quick from red lights, but please do not squeal your tires.
Do not park diagonally in two spots in parking lots. The lines are there for guidance, please use them. This is especially pertinent in limited spaces.
If your music is too loud to listen with closed windows without perforating your ear drums, it's probably too loud.
Signal before lane changes, not mid lane change. If you feel there is not a spot, turn on your signal and it is likely someone will help you out. Not a good idea to try and squeeze in dangerously ahead or slow down your entire lane if avoidable. Signalling while already in a turning lane at intersections is optional, but accepted.
If someone flashes their brights at you, it means "PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR BRIGHTS".
If someone flashes their regular lights on/off at you, it means "pay attention". This can signal such things as a burnt out headlight on your car or a police speed trap ahead.
Learn to merge properly. When you go through a right hand turn and have a long lane ahead of you, you must drive down it. Speed up fairly rapidly to match traffic on the road (to your left), then merge. If you must due to heavy traffic you may slow down or stop near the end of your lane. Do not, under any circumstance, stop at the intersection and leave a huge open road in front of you.
Try to leave zones open in 2/4 locations of in front of you, behind you, or either side. This allows avoidance of debris and/or roadkill if necessary.
Do not drive impaired (drunk, high or over-tired).
The "keep right" rule is suspended when someone is merging from your right and both cars would end up beside each other. In this case, it is kind under most circumstance to move left briefly to allow them an easier merge. One of you will be travelling slightly faster and the other will file behind in the right lane at a convenient time.

dd4y · 3 months

If you are on a multi-lane road and you are not passing anyone, get your butt out of the left lane.

GarlicSAUCE · 3 months

When the light turns green, freakin' MOVE! So many people kinda sit there for a minute and then start to slooowly creep forward. But the light is only so long and if even half of the people do this it is really annoying.

TLDR: When the light turns green put the peddle to the metal

andrew1184 · 3 months

If you are driving, you are driving. You are not:

texting
talking on the cell phone
putting on makeup
eating

Driving requires you to be alert, engaged, and considerate. You cannot be any of these things if your attention is divided.

colpat · 3 months

NEVER turn right out of an intersection with non-stopping traffic when a car is coming up on you and take your sweet-ass time to speed up! I absolutely cannot stand it when assholes pull out in front of me when I'm close to the intersection and they take 45 seconds to get up to the speed limit and I have to slam on my brakes.

meatatarian · 3 months

Congratulations on the new car! Enjoy the freedom. As for driving advice, never use your phone while moving, always use your turn signals, don't speed unless it's safe, don't sit in anybody's blind spot for more than a few seconds, and switch to a slower lane if you're holding anyone up (even if you're going the speed limit!).

Most of all though, enjoy your freedom, and use your head. Just by actively thinking about better driving, you'll be better than 99% of others on the road.

notafinga · 3 months

Use your freaking blinker!

paintball6818 · 3 months

Get out of the left lane if there is someone that wants to pass, even if you think you are going fast enough for the left lane.

p4lm3r · 3 months

Be safe, dammit!

dagav · 3 months

Don't be a douche, make sure your brights aren't on all the time especially when pointed at other cars, don't cut people off, follow the right of way, turn into the correct lane when you turn, don't drive too slow in the left lane, and don't hesitate.

ShelvinCox · 3 months

Don't check reddit while you are driving

namegoeswhere · 3 months

DON'T EVER DRIVE IN MINNESOTA. if you do, you'll have pissed me off.

jokes aside, use your turn signals, use merging lanes to MATCH highway speeds never merge and then accelerate, never stop so close to the car in front that you can't see where their wheels touch the pavement (if leaves them room to back up, and you plenty of room to make a quick exit), and for FUCK'S SAKE, DRIVE right PASS left. it isn't that hard to understand, and it makes everyone's life a bit easier.

and one last piece for your safety: learn your breaking distances. every time you're behind another car find an object on the side of the road. once they pass it, count to three. if you've passed said object before the three count is reached, you're too close to be able to avoid an accident.

it took me two accidents to learn that last one. so please, please, keep your breaking distances wide enough.

Colon_Prowler · 3 months

It doesn't matter, you'll always piss someone off. I let a person get in front of me today while trying to be a courteous driver, and the white-trash hick in a giant truck behind me started honking and making elaborate gestures at me for slowing down 5mph. People are the worst...

secretchimp · 3 months

Learn where everybody goes slightly over the speed limit. Do not be that guy crawling along at 25 on a road even the cops go 35 on. I will ride your ass.

toofarapart · 3 months

Remember to signal. Obviously, knowing when to signal is something you should have learned in driving school, but a lot people (in my area, at least) seem to forget about this. Signal well before you start switching lanes--people will probably make space for you where it might otherwise be tricky. Signal at stop signs and stop lights if you're turning, no matter how obvious it might be (it's so much easier to parse when everyone is being clear about what their intentions are). Signal even when there is no one in sight just to make sure you don't fall out of the habit!

[deleted] · 3 months

Just stay out of the left lane on the highway for awhile.

aj9203 · 3 months

AND always use your blinker. Moving your finger only inches can create safer driving.

Aberroyc · 3 months

Use your turn signals.

BickNlinko · 3 months

Don't text or use your phone while driving. Fucking pay attention to what you are doing. Use your turn signals. Don't cruise in the left hand lane unless you're passing.

Belgian_Rofl · 3 months

Turn signals. They're there for a reason.

zeug666 · 3 months

Use your turn signals, more is better than less - how is someone supposed to know you want to get over if you don't signal?

Give people room - at a stop light you should leave space between you and the car in front of you, that way if some idiot rear-ends you you'll be less likely to hit the car in front of you, which you would be responsible for. The same holds more weight during bad water.

Pass left, drive right - if you are on the expressway and someone is behind you, move over to the right; the left lane is for passing, the right is for driving. With more lanes the right-most lane is for the slowest traffic, regardless of the speed limit, if people are passing you on the right-side you are in the wrong lane.

Work on getting together a safety kit, in case something happens to your car you'll be prepared.

I am sure there are a few other things that will come to mind.

DrawnFallow · 3 months

signal. all the goddam time. let me in the lane if the light up ahead is red.

Rangoris · 3 months

Use turn signals every time you turn. anywhere. ever.

OneAndOnlyJackSchitt · 3 months

Use yo damn blinkers.

kerblo · 3 months

There are other people in the cars around you! Remember that!

waynegholder · 3 months

Don't pass people then slow down in front of them. Tailgaters not only cause accidents, but it's annoying. Don't pass on the shoulder of course; this happened to me once at a part where two lanes merged and he was probably doing about 90 where I was doing about 50. Forget about your phone; it can wait. As said before, slow drivers stay in the right lane. Just a couple tips: If you have a green light, you should still scan the intersection and always expect that dill hole waiting to turn left to dash out in front of you. I usually coast through with my foot ready over the brake. Also when driving behind a line of cars, don't only watch the car in front of you. Try to keep an eye out on those ahead so if they do something stupid you'll be better prepared. Can't think of much else besides standard shit. Good call on getting a Ford :D

FroMann · 3 months

Trying not to repeat what everyone else has commented.

Stick to the speed limit
If a sign says don't turn on red, don't turn on red.
Keep your hands on the wheel, not on your phone.

bluemohawk · 3 months

Use your turn signals.

Blushift · 3 months

Watch your distance. Don't follow too closely. Use the two-second rule. (When the car ahead of you passes a sign, slowly count, "one thousand one, one thousand two". You should not pass the sign before then.)

mouseyd · 3 months

Look and double look for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles.

Huginn_Muninn · 3 months

use your turn signals... seriously.

Catabre · 3 months

Use your blinkers! That is all I ask

yooder · 3 months

Be assertive, but not an asshole. Turn signals aren't so far from the steering wheel, so they should always be used. Make sure your high beams aren't on if you're behind someone or approaching them from the other direction.

Also, if you see someone broken down and it seems like you can help, do your best to stop for them if you're not in a rush or anything. It's always nice for someone to just ask.

As for that rattling thing, if you put your car in neutral at stoplights, the rattling stops, and if you're on level ground you don't need to hold the brake down.

CaliWidow · 3 months

stay off of your goddamn phone and concentrate on the road ahead of you.

delti90 · 3 months

If you don't signal I will hunt you down and rip your face off.

The left lane is for passing.

John_Fx · 3 months

(1) Never pull into an intersection unless you are 1000% sure that you have room to clear it. I hate those idiots who get stuck in the middle of an intersection when the light turns red and then give you that look that says "What can I do? The traffic ahead isn't moving."

(2) If you are in the left lane at a stoplight, don't pull too far forward so the right turn on red people can see around you and turn safely.

(3) If you didn't get over in time to make your exit, there will be another one coming along shortly. Don't do the jerk move and slow wayyy down or gun it to get over to make a hasty exit.

FelixVulgaris · 3 months

Put your cellphone away while you're driving. Is it ringing? It can probably wait. What's that you say? It can't wait!?! Pull over and stop the car before answering and hang up your call before driving away. You would be surprised how many people are perfectly ok with "I can't talk now, I'm driving, I'll call you when I get home"

callmegoat · 3 months

As a cyclist, if it's a multi-lane road and you're clear to put 1/3 of your car in the left lane, you're also clear to put 1/2. We appreciate a little extra space :D

cweese · 3 months

When there is a very long turning lane there will be a short dashed line followed by a long solid line. Do not turn into the turning lane through the white line.

2Addictive · 3 months

I honestly don't care if you're on a cell-phone (I do it too from time to time), but realize that you're now on a cell-phone WHILE STILL driving a car. Don't start making reckless moves or not maintaining your speed because you're on a call.

And for the love of god don't text message while driving.

iwasapolygon · 3 months

When parallel parking on a city street, make sure you don't park in a way that takes up two potential spaces. Get pretty close to the person in front of you, and if you can park right next to the no parking sign arrow so there's maximum room on the street, do that.

YourFavoriteBandSux · 3 months

One more piece of advice: Make a mental note every time another driver pisses you off, be it due to aggressiveness, forgetfulness, inattention, or anything else, and understand that when you do those things, that's how pissed off the people behind you get.

johninbigd · 3 months

Learn to merge into traffic properly. Do not stop in the merge lane! Match your speed with the speed of traffic and then just slide into an open spot.

mtszy · 3 months

don't try to drive quickly and recklessly to impress girls or to punctuate your anger at a passenger- my brother does this and it makes me angry to no end.

Wayfarer7 · 3 months

Never cut off a semi truck. They're much bigger than you and CANNOT stop as quickly as a car. Watch for motorcycles. Finally, if you ever catch someone's eye at a red light, rev your engine, flick them off, then gun it at the green light.

bowls_and_scrolls · 3 months

If you miss your turn, please for the love of all that is good, do not swerve blindly/ break in the middle of the road in order to try and make it. A possible life changing accident is not worth it when you can just go to the next exit (if you're on a freeway) or turn into a complex parking lot and correct your mistake. You should have been anticipating your turn at least a half mile before you got there anyways.

Undertow_Jambi · 3 months

Since everybody else has pretty much covered actual safety stuff...Don't be that fucking asshole on their phone in a drive-thru. You shouldn't ever have to tell the person taking your order to "hold on a minute" because you're on the phone when you pull in.

kwilerexy · 3 months

Learn how to use a four way stop. No one in my town can figure it out and we've had a lot of construction going on in the past couple years so we have several around now. SO irritating.

Namroht · 3 months

Signal

Don't speed and don't go any less than the speed limit. Officers told me they won't bother with you if you're going 5 over. Remember the meaning of "The flow of traffic"

Don't drink and drive

Yield the right away when it's not yours. Take the right away when it is yours and safe. (It angers me when people are TOO passive and don't take their right away having us both wait there like a couple of idiots).

When driving in the fast lane and you see someone coming up from behind you, move to the slow lane.

Dim your brights. If you see the light of headlights coming towards from over hill, dim your brights before you can see the car.

When merging onto the freeway, accelerate to the speed of freeway traffic while on the on ramp and before merging.

Maintain your car. Having a car is a financial responsibility which often times lightens your wallet. If you can afford it, I would recommend an extended warranty on your vehicle.

It's winter. Before you exercise winter driving on the streets, find the biggest, clearest, and widest parking lot and do donuts. Find out at what point your car begins to lose control, what ABS feels like etc.

Do not drive aggressively such as weaving, speeding, tailgating, accelerating/braking fast, cutting people off, etc.

Be prepared to make mistakes and try your best to avoid them but also be quick to forgive others who've made mistakes.

megelaar11 · 3 months

Stop signs. Pay attention to them. And this might piss people off, but assume that everyone else around you has no idea how to drive. Makes it a lot easier to react when necessary. Also, congratulations on the new-found freedom. :D Have your parents started using you as a pack mule yet? :P

nakedmolequeen · 3 months

If you miss your exit, or can't make it safely, go to the next one and turn around. Do not stop in the shoulder, reverse, and try to make it anyway. In fact, don't be tempted to be on the shoulder for anything except an actual emergency.

dgg1988 · 3 months

Always leave enough room between you and the car ahead of you. I personally use the 1 car-length per 10 MPH rule. This will give you plenty of time to react.

PlatonicTroglodyte · 3 months

Your life is worth more than your time. Be cautious. Don't hate when impatient assholes honk at you and get really close to you. Don't flick them off, honk back, or pay them any attention either. Give them a nice mental fuck you and continue living in your still-healthy body.

MtNoon · 3 months

If you just realized that you have to turn left in 50 feet at the intersection you're approaching, don't be that dick that swerves through 8 lanes just to make that damn turn.

Kay_Elle · 3 months

Do not overtake on the right. Especially not near a highway exit. (unless you're from the UK or another left-driving country)

Always signal.

Try to be in the correct lane for taking your exit/turn.

Keep your distance from other cars, especially in rainy weather.

tally_me_banana · 3 months

Lots of repeats but:

-right lane except to pass

-signal

-merge properly (zipper)

-stagger your car with others

-don't block intersections when you stop

-watch out for drivers who forget to put their car back in drive when they back up at a traffic light

-don't talk on a cell phone or text and drive

-don't drive drunk

-turn off your high beams when there are other people on the road

-yield to traffic in a roundabout

-pull over for emergency vehicles

3amdrunk · 3 months

All of these comments should become second nature in a few months. It's much easier then it seems.

If all else fails, do what you learned in your drivers Ed. / permit test.

You will end up pissing someone off eventually. It Happens to everyone.

IHazMagics · 3 months

Do this to impress:

Wink at other drivers.
Do a gun hand sign whilst winking at other drivers.

supervillain81 · 3 months

If you see a merge coming ahead, or you lane is ending, don't drive all the way to the very last possible moment you still have a lane and then nose your way into traffic, especially if said lane has a long line of people who you just zoomed past to snake your way in front of. If you do this, may your naked body fall into a pile of rusty razor blades and you roll into a pool of lemon juice and salt. If you must get into the lane next to you and the person currently in that lane is just a hair too far for you to do it safely, rather than punch it and try and pass him to get into the spot, turn on your signal, slow down a little and change lanes behind him. If you're in a parking lot, park between the goddamned lines, not straddling them, or with your tires right on top of them, also.

LobotomyTH · 3 months

You get an upvote just for the courtesy factor alone.

vogonpoetry4life · 3 months

never drive faster than you are comfortable, despite pressure from other drivers or friends
get in the habit of always using turn signals
always wear a seatbelt. even for 5 minute trips
zipper merge at chokepoints. for the love of all that is holy
put the phone away
pay attention to traffic ahead of you. if you see brake lights 1/2 a mile down the road, start slowing down right away. nothing harsh, do it gradually and you'll save your brakes and gas

robertbieber · 3 months

I'll go a little meta and say that the most important thing you can do while driving is take it easy. By which I don't mean that you shouldn't be paying attention, I mean that you shouldn't be getting worked up about stupid crap and endangering yourself or others.

For instance, you're running 5 minutes late to work? Sure, you can drive 10mph faster, but by the time you count in traffic lights, other cars, and the fact that adding 10mph to your speed really isn't going to cut much time off of most trips anyways, you're gaining almost nothing and risking a whole lot in the way of potential speeding tickets (which also come with insurance premium increases) and increased likelihood of an accident/higher risk of injury if said accident occurs.

Regardless of the situation you're in, when you get behind the wheel you just need to focus on driving, follow the rules of the road, be courteous and don't do anything that's going to come back to bite you. I see people tailgating, zipping through traffic, honking at each other, cutting each other off, and I can't help but wonder what situation they're in that could possibly be so urgent that it's worth pissing so many people off and taking so many risks...not to mention stressing yourself out. Being aggressive and taking unnecessary risks in most areas of your life is just a little douchey, but when you're behind the wheel of a vehicle it's just absurdly reckless.

HeavyPress · 3 months

Whenever you are stopped uphill at a stoplight, give the person in front of you plenty of room. If they are by chance in a manual transmission car, they may slide back a bit before they get going.

NerdTroller2 · 3 months

Forget anything you learned in GTA

VestaDear · 3 months

If there is a bike in your general vicinity, and they are obviously about to cross the street you are on, do not be that douche that is pulled up into the bike/pedestrian zone so that no one can get past you.

psychgirl88 · 3 months

Use turn signals.. don't weave like crazy... don't try to run me off the road...

arnie_apesacrappin · 3 months

As of 100 comments this hasn't been mentioned, and it doesn't exactly fit, but it needs to be said. Everyone in your vehicle puts on a seat belt before the car moves. Backing down the driveway: seat belt. Moving from one side of the parking lot to another: seat belt. Driving from the gas pump to the gas station car wash: seat belt.

Before you start doing stupid stuff in your car, you should learn how to actually drive it. Look up the SCCA Solo program. Once you take your car on course you will learn how little you know about driving a car. It will be good for you.

TheMaskedHamster · 3 months

Keep other people in mind when driving. All the things that bug you? Don't do those things!
Always make sure it is safe to cross an intersection, even when the light is green, but past that... GO WHEN THE #$@% LIGHT IS GREEN! DON'T WAIT FOR AN ETERNITY TO FOLLOW ANOTHER CAR THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A GREEN LIGHT! RIGHT TURN YIELDS ON RED, SO GO!!
Don't ride right beside someone or in their blind spot. If you're in the passing lane, you should be passing or getting off somewhere else.
Keep a buffer between yourself and the car ahead, but not so much it impedes traffic behind you. To little and it can cause a chain-reaction in traffic for miles in the right situation as everyone stopping turns what could have been a minor slow-down into stop-and-go traffic. Too much and traffic backs up behind you causing similar issues.
Motorcycles are not invisible. If you can't see them and treat them like other vehicles, you shouldn't be driving.

It is important that you take care for yourself, take it easy, and not drive like a maniac, but it's also important that you pay attention on the road and keep traffic flowing. Jane Prius not thinking she has the responsibility to hit the gas at that green light can cause traffic to back up behind her, creating a situation that is far more likely to result in an accident for others.

TheMaskedHamster · 3 months

Another tip for yourself: My grandmother always told me to pretend I had an egg behind the pedal (gas and brake) and to try not to break it. This tip being ingrained into me made me able to navigate in the rain, ice, and snow perfectly well my first times as people ahead of me flew off the road.

Apply the same thing to your steering. Smooth is fast, and smooth is safe.

When you're comfortable, learn the physics of driving. And have fun!

brandoneius · 3 months

Probably don't drive. . .

CheapBastardSD · 3 months

KEEP RIGHT!! Seriously, the best thing about driving in Europe is that drivers there have excellent lane discipline. Stay out of the left-most lane unless you are in the process of passing someone. Traffic moves so much more smoothly that way. In the us, the attitude is that 'it's my lane, I'll drive as slowly as I want'.
Happy driving!!

StonedSamurai · 3 months

Don't tailgate me or I will get the last laugh, especially if its a two lane road.

newtothelyte · 3 months

Just stay out of my fucking lane

nikkitita · 3 months

For the love of all things merciful, always check your headlight setting! High-beams hurt like hell and they impair the vision of those driving around you.

Think about this: How would you feel if I stab you in the eye?

The_Spaceman · 3 months

One thing I suggest is to always check your blind spots when switching lanes, I've avoided accidents by simply taking a quick glance over my shoulder.

u801e · 3 months

Keep right except to pass
Don't take all day to pass (if you can walk past a car faster than you're passing it, you're taking too long)
Try your best to get up to the speed of traffic before merging onto the highway
Mirror, signal, maneuver in that order when you plan to change lanes. Check that you have a gap to move into. Signal first, then switch lanes. Don't depend on others to let you in when you signal
Keep up with traffic when driving. Don't drive much slower or faster than everyone else (though you should drive a bit faster when passing).
Don't stop or slow down to allow someone to take the right-of-way they normally would not have. It's confusing to everyone and causes problems for those expecting you to take your right-of-way

Spec_Agent_Bob · 3 months

Here's a tip, odds are you're going to want speed, so at night whenever you see oncoming headlights, slow down immediately, then start observing headlight outlines and figure out which ones are cops, warning: do not stare into the lights, you will crash

randygiesinger · 3 months

I've found that if you go the speed limit on a freeway/highway, everybody zips past you, and then all of a sudden, you have the road to yourself.

Also, learn to use your low gears if you have an automatic, if you have a standard, learn to downshift, this is great in a case where you don't have ABS and are driving on ice. cuts down on accidents too

[deleted] · 3 months

Accept that a certain percentage of people just get angry because things don't go their way and completely disregard their own fuck ups.

SwimmingNaked · 3 months

Here's one thing that they don't teach you and must be learned.

They talk a little about spacing between you and the car ahead of you. In most areas they say it's the "2 second rule" where the car ahead of you passes something 2 seconds before you (and therefore the distance increases with speed).

The problem is, if you leave too much space, then some asshole is going to jump between you and then you're stuck with a much shorter distance than is good or safe. 2 second is good, but never allow it to be 3 or 4 seconds. 5 or more is fine. It's the 3 second space that allows people to jump in where it's really not safe to do so, and causes many rear-end collisions.

For what it's worth, it doesn't cause MOST rear-end collisions. That mostly happen at stop lights when idiots don't pay attention to speed, distance or road conditions. Never be THAT idiot.

POTUS3 · 3 months

If you are not moving fairly quickly relative to traffic, stay out of the left lane.

m1ndcr1me · 3 months

If there's a bicyclist on the road, please resist the urge to re-enact your favorite scene from The Road Warrior with him. This may seem stupid/odd, but I've been cut off/almost hit by people who appear to bust out the mental hubcap spikes and aviation cap whenever they spy someone on a bike.

010101010101 · 3 months

http://www.skilldriver.org/
http://www.skilldriver.org/index.asp?page=0.5.1.0.minddriving

GirIsKing · 3 months

stay the fuck off your fucking phone and that means texting too and what every body else said too

Adjust_Fire · 3 months

With great power comes great responsibility. The most important thing to remember is that you are in command of several thousand pounds of metal and controlled explosive power, hurtling along at superhuman speed, in the company of others who are doing the exact same thing and who may or may not realize or care. Driving is serious business, and all these folks have given you good advice. Be safe, be aware, and be responsible. Take it from a 25 year old who sounds (to himself at least) like an old man, driving is not to be taken lightly.

KingGorilla · 3 months

If the speed limit is 65, it's ok to go 75.

If you see a police car, DON'T slow down, especially below the speed limit. It looks suspicious. Go with the flow of traffic.

Speeding doesn't really get you there faster. Traffic and stop lights will slow you down enough for slower cars to catch up. That said, I do it anyways. Just don't be stupid about it

ScornForSega · 3 months

If I signal that I'm changing lanes on a highway, this is not a challenge to see if you can close the gap before I get over.

MUGARO · 3 months

Aside from what has been mentioned, just pay attention first and foremost.

My biggest pet peeve is when the light turns green, fucking go. People say its ok to text at a red light, and I disagree because you make people miss the green arrow if you aren't paying attention.

gtipwnz · 3 months

Stay out of the left lane unless you're passing.

_Goose_ · 3 months

I can't stress this enough because it seems to be a lost art. When you are merging, MERGE WITH THE SPEED OF THE TRAFFIC YOU'RE MERGING INTO and if there is no one In the lane you're merging into, at least go the speed limit. The guy behind is likely to want to go at least the speed limit and will likely overtake your merge because you weren't going the recommended speed.

The on ramp of an interstate is not a part of the road to travel at the highway speed until you hit the interstate. It's made to speed up to the speed limit of the interstate.

We_are_all_Kosh · 3 months

If you're in a lane that allows you to continue straight and made a right, and there's not enough room for two cars, for the love of God, don't sit there expecting to go straight on a red light. You're pissing off all the people who could have made a right on red. You can sit for a light change in another lane.

armaniac · 3 months

Just a bit of offhand advice, I had a 2001 Ford Focus that rattled when it stopped too and I found that switching to neutral at lights helped the shaking. Congrats, stranger! See you on the roads, I hope. :)

mecrob · 3 months

Pull over to the Right for EMS vehicles.

Jayda5th · 3 months

*Never* go the speed limit on the freeway/highway in the fast lane.

code8master · 3 months

DO NOT get a plate that says "Reddit" or someone WILL rear end you. Pissing off both of you.

n1nj4_v5_p1r4t3 · 3 months

break early, and always leave extra space

caterincaftw · 3 months

While driving, be as predictable as possible.

I_KeepsItReal · 3 months

Silly OP Redditors don't go out..

CoffeeTastic · 3 months

Use blinkers.

sammew · 3 months

Don't be a timid driver. It pisses me off to no end when someone at an intersection goes out of turn, relises the fucked up, and stops. Now, they are waiting for everyone else to go, but no one else wants to move because we assume they are a fucking idiot. If you start moving when it isnt your turn, just keep going (as long as you wont hit another car). Just get out of the intersection, let everyone call you and idiot, feel terrible for your mistake, and never do it again.

Also, if you get to the intersection first, fucking go. Don't be nice, don't let the other person go ahead of you, if it is your turn, go.

getitontrack · 3 months

This may not apply but if there is snow on your car, please brush all the snow off. Having snow chunks hit my windshield blocking my view sucks.

Edit: I'm not following too close. It's just a safety issue. Commen sense is rare and I thought I would point it out to idiots who don't think. Enough said.

DjHyro · 3 months

That's easy whenever you see me stick you dick out the window. And wave with a big smile. You will know its me because I too will have my dick out the window waving back. If you don't do this I will be severely angry and will try to ram you off the road.

rotaryheaven · 3 months

Please, please don't giant muffler on your Escort. It already rattles. I know you're there.

cwstjnobbs · 3 months

There are very few good reasons to drive under the speed limit so don't be a slow driver, it pisses people off and causes accidents.

themorningturtle · 3 months

Don't drive like my brother.

And don't drive like my brother.

shenpen · 3 months

Don't worry so much about not pissing people off / not being a douche. Focus on not endangering people. This is what really matters - preventing accidents, not preventing hurt feelings.

Of course these things overlap... but not always. For example if you don't feel comfortable driving faster, and there is only 1 lane, and you cannot give way, don't worry about pissing people behind you off. It is more important to avoid getting into an accident by driving faster than you feel safe than not annoying other people.

Leatherhead_jarneck · 3 months

Be courteous and predictable. If you fuck up, don't do some sudden, violent move to compensate, accept that you missed the exit or whatever and go the long way around. (just taught my kiddo to drive, she got her license last week).

itsMalarky · 3 months

YIELD AND MERGE.

I can't tell you how many times I've given people (Massholes, actually -- I live in the Northeast) dirty looks for not understanding the definition of Yield : "Slow down or STOP if you have to, you do not have the right of way -- despite what you may think you can't just force your way into traffic"

jerbeartheeskimo · 3 months

NEVER use your goddamn signal. Its a waste of your car's battery and lights are expensive

jerbeartheeskimo · 3 months

Learn to park properly because girls will think your cool if you can parallel park first try in a big ass truck.

jerbeartheeskimo · 3 months

You guys are the reason driving is not fun

4 is by far the best thing I was ever taught. Don't stare down the hood of your car, look at the road ahead of you. You'll drive much smoother.

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