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Judes
Internet Driving Tips
My learner driver can't even steer in a
straight line! What's wrong?
The basic motto for steering - The car will go
where the eyes take it!
Steering the vehicle ought to be done with 'peripheral vision', meaning
to not look directly at an obstacle! Learners who look at the kerbside,
while trying to drive in a straight line must be encouraged to aim their
eyes higher, further ahead and move them every second or so.
Especially when turning corners, if a learner looks at a tree or post
they get terribly confused, because they are not aiming, where the car
is supposed to go. For a parent to say, watch that tree, is the worst
thing to say half-way around a corner. Likewise, don't say, watch that
parked car. Rather - take note of the parked car, but look beyond it as
you overtake; leave space; you will still see it as you drive past.
To read road signs or other specific information the learner must learn
to move the eyes constantly and use "focal" vision. For a split second
the eyes pick up information to form the 'big picture'. Following a
crash very often the first statement is: "I didn't see it?"
Good observation is an absolute for safe driving.
Is it necessary to apply the handbrake every time you stop?
In a manual vehicle - yes. Use the hand brake even
on a level ground take-off. It frees up the right foot to get ready on
the accelerator. Stopping with the clutch down and no handbrake, a car
may move by a gust of wind, without the driver realizing.
In manual and automatic vehicles, during a prolonged stop (at traffic
lights, especially when pedestrians are crossing right in front of you),
it is also advisable to apply the handbrake and shift the gear lever
into N (neutral). Do the same anytime whilst temporarily parked, (to
check the roadmap, searching for an object in the glove box or while
talking to someone in the driveway etc). The car is safe while attending
other matters.
Starting on a hill, even an automatic car can roll back, if the gradient
is steep enough. Apply the handbrake firmly. Before take-off, give a
little acceleration just before releasing the handbrake.
How many professional lessons does it take to learn to drive?
In an automatic vehicle the average training period is approx. 12 hours
from scratch. For a manual transmission is it another 6-8 hours
depending the learner’s ability. Factors to consider are: How
co-ordinated is the person? Is he/she a quick thinker/learner? How much
will the learner be able to practice between lessons with family or
friends? Older people take longer and city traffic takes extra hours to
master.
After the first lesson a professional instructor should be able to give
a reasonable estimate. It is worth mentioning, that saving on driving
lessons is not good economy. One crash through inexperience may cause
thousands of dollars worth of damage and/ or injury.
Are the examiners strict on driving tests?
The answer is yes*. There are guidelines that
licence examiners must apply to driving tests. No one expects the new
driver to be perfect. A certain percentage of mistakes are allowed. An
examiner treats everyone the same.
An applicant’s driving may be quite safe, yet the standards laid down
must still be adhered to. Remember that examiners don’t make the rules,
they only follow them through.
Above question is often asked by drivers who think they are ready for
the driving test, because they perform very well with a family member. A
lesson with a professional driving instructor, will rectify any flaws in
a Learner’s driving. It is not wise to book a driving exam without first
having undertaken some professional tuition.
My instructor taught me not to brake in a corner. Is this correct?
One of the rules of braking is to brake in a
straight line while the vehicle is well balanced. Braking sharply in a
corner can induce a skid and has caused many drivers to lose control.
But do not apply this rule dogmatically. If a driver has misjudged a
bend and entered it at an unsafe speed, increased braking may be the
only way to stop running off the road. The best way for cornering is to:
- read (look through to the
exit) the corner,
- brake to the correct speed
before the corner,
- gently accelerate out
of the corner (in the wet wait until after the bend).
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