Car care & driving
10 Ways to Become a Better Driver
Autopapyrus
Today's roads can be dangerous. Many drivers talk on the phone and get distracted from driving, and some got their license only a week ago and have almost no experience. To keep yourself and your passengers safe, you need to keep improving your driving technique, so you can react instantly and avoid a tragedy in an emergency.
1. Learn to feel the car on slippery surfaces
First, find a safe, quiet place where you can practice. Go there right after rain or snow to learn how best to control the car when it loses traction.
2. Video games
It sounds unusual, but driving games can help sharpen your driving skills, attention and reaction time, and your ability to judge trajectories. They can also lock in certain responses that may come in handy in a tricky situation on the road.
3. Learn to drive a manual transmission
Today the vast majority of cars come with an automatic transmission because it is practical and convenient, so many new drivers can only drive an automatic. However, an automatic gearbox doesn't let you fully feel the car. We recommend practicing on a manual, since it can significantly improve your coordination. To learn how a manual gearbox works, you can read up on it in specialized literature, including your car's owner's manual.
4. Put your cell phone away and turn off the music
Talking on the phone and listening to the radio are two major dangers on the road, because they take your attention away from driving. Even a simple text message received on the way can cause a crash. An experienced driver may have a chance to correct the situation, but a beginner is at far greater risk of getting into trouble.
5. Driving school
Taking a driving course and passing the exams will never replace real driving experience. A few extra lessons with an instructor certainly won't hurt. If you like, you can even sign up for an emergency (defensive) driving course, which may be very useful down the road.
6. Rally school
This is a great opportunity to learn, at a professional level, how to feel a powerful car. Afterward, you won't be afraid of driving off-road.
7. Autocross
Attending at least one autocross session a week at a dedicated venue will help you become an excellent driver. Autocross is about completing a course in the shortest possible time, and it also includes exercises where you must get past obstacles. You will not only hone your skills but also learn what your car can do.
8. Ignore aggressive drivers
Every day we run into rudeness and bad behavior on the road. It throws us off, makes us nervous, and badly hurts our concentration. Don't stoop to the level of aggressive drivers or react to their words and actions, or it could end in a crash.
9. Notice what is around you
Constant practice will help you become a good driver and get rid of the fear of slippery roads, but it isn't enough. You also need to develop "situational awareness." You should see everything around you: signs, crosswalks, speed bumps, road markings, cyclists, and so on.
10. Get behind the wheel as often as possible
Practice pays off handsomely in the long run. Don't miss any chance to drive somewhere, and don't be afraid to get behind the wheel. Following your car's maintenance schedule will also help you avoid breakdowns that could strike at the most unexpected moment.
Remember that a driver is responsible not only for themselves but also for the lives and health of their passengers, so stay alert on the road!
1. Learn to feel the car on slippery surfaces
First, find a safe, quiet place where you can practice. Go there right after rain or snow to learn how best to control the car when it loses traction.
2. Video games
It sounds unusual, but driving games can help sharpen your driving skills, attention and reaction time, and your ability to judge trajectories. They can also lock in certain responses that may come in handy in a tricky situation on the road.
3. Learn to drive a manual transmission
Today the vast majority of cars come with an automatic transmission because it is practical and convenient, so many new drivers can only drive an automatic. However, an automatic gearbox doesn't let you fully feel the car. We recommend practicing on a manual, since it can significantly improve your coordination. To learn how a manual gearbox works, you can read up on it in specialized literature, including your car's owner's manual.
4. Put your cell phone away and turn off the music
Talking on the phone and listening to the radio are two major dangers on the road, because they take your attention away from driving. Even a simple text message received on the way can cause a crash. An experienced driver may have a chance to correct the situation, but a beginner is at far greater risk of getting into trouble.
5. Driving school
Taking a driving course and passing the exams will never replace real driving experience. A few extra lessons with an instructor certainly won't hurt. If you like, you can even sign up for an emergency (defensive) driving course, which may be very useful down the road.
6. Rally school
This is a great opportunity to learn, at a professional level, how to feel a powerful car. Afterward, you won't be afraid of driving off-road.
7. Autocross
Attending at least one autocross session a week at a dedicated venue will help you become an excellent driver. Autocross is about completing a course in the shortest possible time, and it also includes exercises where you must get past obstacles. You will not only hone your skills but also learn what your car can do.
8. Ignore aggressive drivers
Every day we run into rudeness and bad behavior on the road. It throws us off, makes us nervous, and badly hurts our concentration. Don't stoop to the level of aggressive drivers or react to their words and actions, or it could end in a crash.
9. Notice what is around you
Constant practice will help you become a good driver and get rid of the fear of slippery roads, but it isn't enough. You also need to develop "situational awareness." You should see everything around you: signs, crosswalks, speed bumps, road markings, cyclists, and so on.
10. Get behind the wheel as often as possible
Practice pays off handsomely in the long run. Don't miss any chance to drive somewhere, and don't be afraid to get behind the wheel. Following your car's maintenance schedule will also help you avoid breakdowns that could strike at the most unexpected moment.
Remember that a driver is responsible not only for themselves but also for the lives and health of their passengers, so stay alert on the road!
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