So myself being a new driver, am really paranoid (at the moment) about doing everything perfect.

So I am asking if anybody would like to share some driving tips. I've got the normal stuff down..But what are some things that maybe is overlooked in the books or classes that I should probably know about? Hell who knows, maybe somebody else will find out something from this haha.

 

The best thing to do is always watch what is happening around you. People generally drive like crap, always be looking ahead to try and anticipate what the moron ahead of you will do. This is particularly true at on/off ramps and in parking lots.

 

Don't tailgate.

Your foot doesn't always have to be mashing a pedal, it is okay to coast.

Turn signals are good to use, apparently people have forgotten how.

Pay attention, and for the love of god don't use your cell phone.

 

Hi `Derek,
Just asking is a major step in the right direction 4-Sure.
The web has a lot of great sites on this subject, but my best advise is to remember that you are driving a machine that can kill/injury yourself or others....& it pays to always drive defensively 4-Real...Oh, and `if you are going 2 Race, take it 2 the Track 4-Sure...(hard/expensive lesson I had to learn) Wish you many safe/happy miles in your Monte Carlo ~> EnJoy your `Journey, & `be safe out there
Driving Tips for Teens

 

Agree with chibi deff dont tailgate, keep foot outta the gas & no phone, even though im bad about doin all of that lol

 

Defense, defense, defense!!!!

It is ALL about defensive driving. Assume that EVERYONE else on the road is a drunken baby killer(sorry for the analogy). Never think you know what the other guy is going to do. Pay attention to everything going on around you.

Just remember:
Speeding in traffic is stupid.
Speeding in the rain, is stupid.
Tailgating, is stupid.(would you really walk half a step behind a baby killer down a dark alley? No? Well, then why would you drive that close doing 70MPH???)
Cell phones, are !#@&ING STUPID!!

Please use your turn signals.
This is what I do. I remember the WORST experience I've ever had driving (winter in a Ford Escort ZX2, all 4 tires were 'racing slick' bald, I was out of allignment and pulling left[when the wheels could grip] I had 3 people in the car[all drunk] a cell phone going off and snow blowing in from every direction.) Now, I take that experience, and I imagine every single car I see is dealing with that exact crisis. That way, I can use every single measure to make sure that everyone in my car(and theirs) is safe.

Be safe out there! It's not as bad as they want you to think in Drivers Ed....It's worse!!!

 

I thought of something when I was driving home for you.

When it's raining, your stopping distance increases 3x.

Also when you have a lot of people / things in the car, it gets very hard to brake. So always give yourself that room!!!

 

Semi's, busses and other trucks need room to stop so try not to cut them off.

 

watch for motorcycles. they are alot smaller and you may not see one if you do a quick glance. be patient, give yourself more time for work/school/etc. if your going just to target or a local store theres no rush to get there. so dont drive like you have to be there as quickly as possible. if traffic is bad then theres nothing you can do about it. dont try to get crazy and maneuver around cars and cut people off. and like everyone else said NO CELL PHONES! they are a huge distraction specially while texting. im young too(18) and i refuse to use my cellphone. if someone is texting you then they can sure wait for you to get to where your going to respond.

 

Make sure that you keep the gas pedal FLOORED!!! Wait... that's what I do in my Monte, lol.

In all seriousness, it looks like everyone has posted really good advice. I'm not sure if I missed it or not, but if no one else has said it the number one thing about driving good is: don't be nervous. Let it come naturally to you and enjoy it. Don't let other things distract you, but always know what your car is doing and what other cars are doing.

I do talk on my cell phone when I drive (I know, bad bad, lol ), but I NEVER text while driving, and I don't understand how people think that's okay. Don't EVER text and drive.