How To Avoid Going Into A Spin

Author: Elizabeth Murphy

When driving your car in snowy or any kind of wet weather, it is important to know what needs to be done in order to avoid going into a spin, which causes you to completely lose control of the vehicle. Cars have more trouble in inclement weather, and it sometimes seems that they weren't meant for snowy weather at all! In fact, it is always recommended that people do not drive in blizzard conditions because of this well-known fact. However, there are those who cannot avoid driving in the snow or any inclement weather due to work or other extenuating circumstances. Then again, cars can spin in the rain as well.

Practice Makes Perfect

It isn't common practice to recommend driving in conditions such as the snow, but if there is a parking lot nearby with no cars present, it is a good idea to practice driving in snowy conditions if it is something you know you cannot avoid. It is important to know how to steer in snowy conditions, how to brake when the roads are slippery, and what to do just in case you ever go into a spin. If you do spin in the empty parking lot, everything should be okay. However, the idea behind practicing is to not go into a spin, and not do any damage to your car so you need a car repair.

Braking

When braking in bad weather conditions, how you brake depends on the type of vehicle you are driving. If driving a truck, you have to step on the brakes a lot harder than in a car. In cars, you should only have to tap on the brakes gently to avoid sliding or spinning. Spins cause accidents, which might leave you in need of a car repair. In a responsible way (not doing doughnuts in the parking lot), you can practice working your way out of a dangerous skid that can lead to a dangerous spin. This will also come in handy if you ever skid in rainy conditions as well. Through practice, you become more familiar with how your car reacts to slippery conditions and you also become familiar with how to work your way out of skids and spins.

On the Road

A great way to avoid a dangerous spin is to keep an eye on the car in front of you and not follow too closely. You may be calm, but there are other people who tend to panic when road conditions are not safe. If you notice that someone is not driving safely, maneuver around them if possible. If it seems that it will be too dangerous to maneuver around them, follow far behind them so that in case they lose control, you have plenty of time to safely brake. Braking too hard can cause you to spin.

In instances where black ice may be present, drive safely. Anytime that it is below freezing outside, the chance for black ice exists whether there has been precipitation or not. You never know when someone might throw a McDonald's cup out their car window and a puddle of soda has frozen on the road. If you do feel the car skid, simply let up off of the gas and under no circumstances hit the brakes. If you do need to hit the brakes, make sure you pump the brake lightly, instead of slamming down on it with your foot. This will help prevent a skid and keep your brakes from locking. This applies to all road conditions. If you are in a skid, steer in the direction of the skid. Steering the opposite direction can make the situation even worse by risking turnover.

Practicing in snowy conditions in an empty parking lot can certainly allow you to know your car better. It also prepares you for slippery road conditions of all types during any time of the year. However, it is in the snow that most spinning accidents occur, so it is important to stay very aware of the conditions and of those driving around you in order to be as safe as possible.

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About the Author:
Driving in inclement weather can be a dangerous prospect. It's important to practice safe driving habits before an accident occurs, so that you can prevent having to pay for a car repair.

Your Teenager And Driving - Setting Up Ground Rules For Borrowing The Car

Once your teenager has learned how to drive and has passed your state's driving exam, the next thing you should expect to hear is, "May I borrow the car?" Hopefully you have already had this conversation with your teen in advance, but if not here are some issues to discuss with them

1. Set up some ground rules from the very beginning. These will be in regards to things that are non-negotiable when it comes to your teenager driving a car. This would include a serious talk about driving and alcohol, having passengers in the car, and where the car may be driven to. Even though these things should have been topics of discussion long before you have a teenager with a driver's license, many parents wait until the last minute to talk with their teen about these matters.
2. Agree to a list of these rules with your teenager and then type them up and let everyone involved sign the list. Be very detailed about what you expect so that there is no confusion later on. Make sure that the consequences for breaking a rule in the agreement are harsh and then be willing to stick to the terms you have decided upon. The agreement will serve as a contract between you and your teenager as to what will and will not be allowed. All adults living in your home should be willing to sign the agreement along with your teen.
3. Let your teen know that you are there for them. Starting to drive will open up a whole new world for them that will take some adjustment. They need to know that you are there if they run into a situation they are not sure how to handle.

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How to Parallel Park A Car

How to Parallel Park a Car
Author: Richard Jenkins

Parking in the gap between two vehicles is known as reverse parallel parking. We reverse into the gap because cars have greater maneuverability when driven in reverse than they do when going forwards. With practice you'll be able to reverse parallel park into a gap of 1.5 times your own car length. You will not need to be this good on your driving test however.

On today's busy roads reverse parallel parking, as with all reversing manoeuvres, is a potentially dangerous maneuver and should always be executed with care.

On your driving test , if asked to perform a reverse parallel parking maneuver the examiner will expect you to:

1) Reverse into a space of about two car lengths,
2) Park your car at the Curb safely, smoothly and under control.
3) Perform effective all round observation
4) Remain at a safe distance from the parked car,
5) Do not mount the Curb and stop reasonably close to it.

Different driving schools teach different methods of how to reverse parallel park. Here is one of the most popular.

1) Make sure that the parking space you intend to park into is at least 2 meters longer than your car.

2) Pull up beside the vehicle in front of the parking space. Try and keep as little lateral distance between the two vehicles as possible.

3) Check your mirrors before you stop in case you need to indicate your intention to stop to a following road user.

4) Stop and apply your hand brake. Change straight to reverse gear. Check your mirrors and do an all round observation including checking your blind spots. If all is clear look over your right shoulder and begin to reverse.

5) As the back of your car passes the back of the front car quickly steer left full lock.

6) When your car turns to an angle of 45 degrees turn the steering wheel right full lock.

7) Using your left wing mirror as a guide wait until the car is parallel before performing the last turn to the left to straighten the wheels.

8) If needed move forward in order to straighten up your wheels.

9) Apply the handbrake and select neutral or park.

Parallel parking video tutorial

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/how-to-parallel-park-a-car-316014.html

About the Author:

Richard Jenkins is owner of the driving test website www.driving-test-success.com

And here is a video for our American friends (a slightly different technique).

How to Parallel Park a Car

Defensive Driving Lesson Plans - Being Safe Means Being Smart

Jonathon gives an excellent series of tips regarding defensive driving. However, I still think the core issue is driver training and education. If drivers followed their training and obeyed the law then people wouldn't need to drive as defensively (although the tenets of defensive driving are in that training so they would!). The answer is to get people to drive safely.

No matter which defensive driving course you choose, defensive driving lesson plans vary little from state to state. All secured driving plans are designed with one purpose in mind, and that is to teach drivers how to avoid becoming involved in accidents.

All safe driving lissons will include classes on how to anticipate trouble before it starts by observing traffic patterns, recognizing warning signs, and knowing the defensive driving techniques to employ to prevent accidents instead of having to react to them.

Pay Attention!

A lapse of attention is the single largest cause of accidents, and in particular those accidents which involve drivers not far form their own homes. Drivers who are traveling on familiar roads often relax their attention more than they should. defensive auto driving plans however, stress the importance of drivers maintaining complete focus on both their own driving and the surrounding traffic and potentially dangerous road conditions or hazards.

To simply understand and heed the rules of the road regarding right of way is often not adequate to prevent an accident from occurring. Safe Lessons for driving will always recommend that it is safer to yield the right of way in an uncertain situation than to issue a challenge.

You're The Only Sane One Out There

You can never be certain about the driving abilities or mindset of any of the other drivers with whom you are sharing a roadway. Driving tips will include instructions on how to develop the philosophy that you are the only person driving that stretch of road who concentration encompasses not only your vehicle, but all the vehicles and potential road hazards around you.

Driving defensively means learning to read situations before they fully develop. Riding lawn mowers are often ridden by homeowners who assume the responsibility for the grass growing right down to the edge of the road, and they may come right out into the road to get it. Learning to drive defensively will have you one lane over before the lawn mower even gets to the side of the road.

Driving courses will usually include advice on how to stop tailgaters. Most drivers think that by pumping their brakes, they will signal the tailgating vehicle that it is too close, but what they are often doing is simply adding to the other driver's frustrations. Even worse, they can actually end up being hit from behind.

The defensive driving lesson plan will instead suggest that you simply slow down to a speed just below that of the other traffic, without hitting the brakes. The tailgating vehicle can then drive around your car safely, even though its driver may shoot you an aggressive look or hand gesture in passing!

You can also find more info on defencive driving and defensive driving tips. Seekdefensivedriving.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about defencive driving.

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NH to Fine Left Hand Lane Drivers

The term "passive aggressive" has been used to describe these sort of drivers and I think it's quite a good phrase. The less lane changing the better. It's a sign that they are not really paying attention.

clipped from www.thenewspaper.com The New Hampshire state House Transportation Committee on Tuesday heard testimony on legislation that would make New Hampshire the first northeastern state to increase its maximum speed limit to 70 MPH since the federal government ordered the state to drop its speed limits from 70 MPH to 55 MPH in 1974. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by David L. Smith (D-Nashua) was designed to bring New Hampshire into line with the states outside of the northeast, most of which already have roads posted at 70 MPH or greater with Texas holding the top position at 80 MPH. The measure would also make it a $50 offense to hold up traffic in the fast lane. Smith intends to boost highway safety by allowing state police and other law enforcement to crack down on passive aggressive drivers who insist on driving slowly in the far left lane, obstructing the flow of traffic. The legislation requires that police issue a warning on the first offense and a $50 ticket for any subsequent offense.

Defensive Driving - Six Important Professional Driving Techniques

A good reminder of some basics that need to be second nature.

At the heart of defensive driving is a driver's ability to anticipate situations, including the mistakes of other drivers, especially during less-than-ideal driving conditions.

You may be an excellent driver and a master of road rules, but there's nothing like a basic knowledge of defensive driving to minimize risks on the road.

Here are six of the most important defensive driving techniques:

1. Let other drivers know of your intentions early

Sudden stops, turns and lane changes often lead to accidents because they catch other drivers by surprise. Hence, one of the basic rules of defensive driving is to clearly communicate to other drivers exactly what you are about to do. For this reason, it is crucial that your brake lights, head lights, signal indicators and other driving lights are working. If they are not, have them checked right away. Otherwise, defensive driving is not an option.

2. Being predictable helps

Having all your indicators in good working order is great, but they won't help much if you can't be predictable. Defensive driving is synonymous with being predictable - you do what you're expected to do. If you're signaling a left turn, then make a left turn. Don't signal that you're going left then suddenly turn right. And, by no means, don't keep signaling a left or right turn then just going straight ahead for miles and miles. In defensive driving, one never makes a move that confuses other drivers on the road. Surprises are great, but never when you're driving.

3. Know where you want to go

The first rule of defensive driving is: know where you want to go. There's nothing quite as dangerous as making a sudden turn or stop, which is something that drivers do when they are not sure about where they are headed. Ditto for driving slowly then suddenly zooming fast. If you're confused about where you you want to go, you're probably confusing other people on the road as well. If you're lost, park your car and regain your bearings. Check a map or street directory or maybe even ask someone for directions. The worst thing you can do is drive around aimlessly. That's like looking for trouble with a capital T.

4. Make signaling a habit

One of the best defensive driving techniques is to signal every time you turn or change lanes. That way, you never catch other drivers by surprise. Make signaling a habit. Even if the road appears to be deserted and there seem to be no other vehicles around, signaling your intent is always an excellent defensive driving practice.

5. Warn others as you stop or slow down

When making a full stop or slowing down for whatever reason, it's a good defensive driving technique to let other drivers know of your intention. You can do this by tapping the brake pedal a couple of times so that your brake lights flash and clue in others behind you that you are slowing down or stopping. This is especially important if the driver behind you is driving fast and approaching quickly.

6. Try to anticipate the worst in others

It may sound cynical and 's not a good rule to follow in life but, in defensive driving, it pays to anticipate the mistakes of other drivers on the road. For instance, many drivers routinely signal a turn but don't turn at all. Meanwhile, others don't signal at all and then suddenly turn. Many people disregard stop signals or try to run red traffic lights so keep a watchful eye out for these instances.

Serg Caro. So, don't forget that a basic knowledge of Defensive Driving helps drivers substantially minimize risks on the road. Please feel free to ask questions concerning vehicle insurance at Car Insurance forum.

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2008 Driving Laws Target Minors And Cell-Phones

This is a good summary of upcoming laws regarding cellphone usage while driving. It's all well and good but it smacks of politicians being too scared to ban cellphones outright.

2008 Driving Laws Target Minors And Cell-Phones
By Steven Thomas

In 2008 six states have new driving laws going into effect that relate specifically to minors,cell-phone use and text messaging by drivers. Some of the new laws are secondary enforcement laws that will not be enforced unless the driver is violating a primary law such as speeding, reckless driving or running a red light. All of the new laws listed below provide exceptions for emergencies, reporting illegal activity and use by public safety officials.

California has two new driving laws that relate to hands-free cell-phone use and minors. The first law is called Senate Bill 1613 and goes into effect on July 1 st 2008. The new driving law prohibits the use of a wireless telephone while driving unless a hands-free device is used as a talking and listening device. The other new California driving law is Senate Bill 33. This law prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless telephone or any mobile device while operating a motor vehicle. Unlike the other new California driving law, there are no exceptions for hands-free devices.

Illinois also has two new driving laws that will go into effect on January 1 st , 2008. One of the new laws is Senate Bill 140. This bill prohibits drivers under the age of 19 from using any type of hand-held communication device such as a cell-phone or text messaging device while operating a motor vehicle. The other new law falls under the same bill and prohibits school bus drivers from using a cell-phone while the bus is transporting children to and from school.

Nebraska has their first cell-phone legislation going into effect on January 1 st , 2008. Legislative Bill 415 prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless communication device while driving. This legislation includes personal digital assistants (PDA's), mobile or cellular telephones, messaging devices, audio-video players that send or receive messages, and laptop computers. This bill is a secondary enforcement law.

New Jersey has had a hands-free law since 2004, but in November of 2007 the law has been amended from a secondary enforcement law to a primary law. This means a driver that violates the hands-free cell phone law can be pulled over and ticketed solely on the basis of using a cell-phone without a hands-free device. The amendment also prohibits text-messaging while driving. The text-messaging portion of the bill is effective on March 3 rd , 2008.

Oregon has passed a new law that goes into effect on January 1 st , 2008. Oregon House Bill 2872 prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using any type of mobile communication device while they are operating a motor vehicle. The law includes text-messaging device and does not include an exception for hands-free devices. The law includes drivers under 18 and driving with a provisional driver's license, a special student or instruction permit. This new law is only enforceable as a secondary offense.

Washington State has two new driving laws that relate to cell-phone use and text-messaging. The text-messaging ban begins the January 1 st 2008. This new law is called EHB 1214 and it prohibits the use of an electronic wireless communications device to send, read or write a text message. The other new law is ESSB 5037. This new driving law goes into effect on July 1 st, 2008 and prohibits drivers from holding a wireless communication device to their ear. There are exceptions for tow truck drivers, emergency vehicles and talking in hands-free mode. The two new laws in Washington State are secondary enforcement laws. If you are ticketed for text-messaging, the infraction will not become part of your driving record and the information is given to insurance companies or employers.

Steve Thomas is the webmaster of http://www.drivinglaws.org a website that provides information about hands-free driving laws in the United States.

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DMV Driving Test - A Guide For Teen Drivers

I think good driving starts when you first get behind the wheel and start instruction. Here's a good summary of what a teen driver needs to do to pass with flying colors.

DMV Driving Test - A Guide For Teen Drivers, From Learners Permit To Drivers License In 5 Steps
By David P

The DMV driving test does not have to be a stressful experience. If you follow our simple steps...it should actually be one of the most memorable and positive times of your life!

5 steps to passing your test:

1. Choose a reputable driving school

   Driving schools really vary in price. But the phrase "You get what you pay for" has never been more true.

   Bad schools normally save on costs by cutting corners. They may carry multiple passengers, use older or less safe vehicles, spend less on training of instructors, or even cut lessons short.

   Good schools will work with you and your parents to be sure you get the most out of every minute of every lesson.Just ask around, and be sure you choose a driving school with a good reputation for quality and value...not just low prices. Is this really the time for "cutting corners?"

2. Spread out your lessons

   If you want to pass the driving test, it is essential that you pace yourself. You have to build a solid base of basic driving skills before you can move on to more complicated things. Some parents might want to give you a "crash course" and throw you right out there into the busy stuff as soon as you get the learners permit, but if you do too much too soon, a "crash" course might be just exactly what you get. You will also get a lot more out of upcoming lessons if you have mastered the material from the previous lesson first.

3. Practice a lot with your parents

   This one is HUGE! You need 50-100 hours of supervised practice time with your learners permit before you should even think about taking the driving test. Whatever it takes, make sure your parents are on board on this one. Make it as pleasant for them as possible to practice with you by taking their advice and being polite with any questions or disagreements.

   Remember, if you make it unpleasant for them to practice with you, it is you who suffers. You won't get enough practice time with your permit, and ultimately you won't be ready for the DMV driving test.

4. Practice the right things

   Don't just "be the driver" on all of your family errands. You need a lot more practice than that, and you need more variety. If you are only practicing on the way to school, to the store, and to the post office, you are really only practicing a very limited number of driving scenarios, over and over again.

   The end result will be a limited set of driving skills because of a lack of variety of experience while driving with your learners permit. Ask your parents to take special trips to practice certain skills. Whatever you, your parents, or your driving instructor think you need to work on. Just keep practicing until you get it right every time. That is exactly what your learner's permit is for!

5. Take a DMV practice test

   Most driving schools will offer a DMV practice test as a part of their program. The practice tests will help you to understand what will be asked of you on the real thing, and hopefully show you that you are ready so you can be confident at the DMV. Just be sure to ask the driving school ahead of time what the routine is, and if you need to add a special lesson for the practice test, do it. It is well worth the time and money.

   
   

At our school we do a full 90 minutes just focusing on DMV driving test issues. The driving school should put you through a formal practice driving test or two, following the same routine you will be asked to go through on test day.

See our site for a lot more helpful tips on the process and on safe driving. http://foothilldriving.com

If it is the written driving test you are trying to prepare for, MyPracticePermitTest is where we get all of the practice permit tests offered in our classes. They are thorough and updated with all new laws every year. They are at http://www.mypracticepermittest.com/pages/dmv-practice-test.html

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