Advice for new drivers

[Nebuchadnezzar]

My nephews friend was in an auto accident over this past weekend that killed himself and another driver. I'm not going to speak about that accident except to say this boy was a new driver and if he was taught properly, he may be alive today.

1. Never drive faster than the speed limit. The speed limit is there for a reason, it's there to keep you safe and other drivers safe. Plus, it actually does save on gas, it saves on the wear and tear of your car and it's so much more relaxing.

2. This ones my favorite because I should have followed it but didn't. Always wait 1 or 2 seconds after a traffic light turns green. You never know if some jack *** is going to fly through the light and T-bone your vehicle. This is what happened to me and if I would have waited just for 1 second, I wouldn't be disabled today and in constant pain.

3. When turning right on red or pulling out of a driveway and a car is coming with their turn signal on wanting to turn down the street you're pulling off of. Wait until they turn, you never know if they are aware of their turn signal being on and will plow into you. It will be your fault as well.

4. Never trust another driver telling you it's ok to turn. Never turn blindly into oncoming traffic, it never ends good. You may get away with it for years and years, it only takes one time for you to not only kill yourself, but someone else.

5. Always drive a little slower in the rain. Especially during the first hour of the time it starts rain or if it's been a while since the last rain. During the summer months, when it don't rain as often and can take a couple months before it does. Rubber, oil and transmission fluid builds up on the road, moreso at intersections. When it rains, it loosens this buildup and it makes the road very, VERY slick. If you break normally coming to a stop light, you may just slide right through the intersection.

6. Drinking and driving is for idiots. If you drink and drive and you wreck, you deserve everything that's coming to you.

7. Never drive with more people in your car than can be seated. It's very dangerous and you can't see.

8. Don't text and drive. Nothing more needs to be said, just don't do it.

9. Always wear your seatbelt. I was lucky during my accident because I didn't wear my seatbelt. The garbage truck hit me and it pushed me over to the passenger seat. If I was wearing my seatbelt, my whole left side would have been crushed. Like I said, I was lucky and I always wear my seatbelt now.

10. When driving a pickup truck, always remember that they aren't the same as cars and handle differently. The rear end is much, MUCH lighter and on wet or snowy roads, you can loose control very easily.

I can't think of anything else, if anyone wants to add to the list, please do so.

EDIT:
11. Do not, I repeat, do not go hill hopping. Buffalo Ridge may be fun, until you're in the air and see another car on the other side of the hill. Oh, and Devils Backbone and Ebenezzar are very dangerous even for expierienced drivers.

Number 11 is for the kids who live on the west side of Cincinnati. Well, it's for everyone, but you know what I mean.

[Interceptor]

Master the break pedal. It takes movement to cause a collision.

Master the rear view mirrors. Know where your blindspots are.

ALWAYS take your time when driving - especially on turns where there is a pedestrian crosswalk. Tonight I saw a young woman hit by a vehicle because the car did not check/yield to the pedestrian in the crosswalk. You may get some idiots who cross in the middle of the street but it is WAAAAAY less of a hassle giving way than to hit them.

Stay out of the highway passing lanes especially if you are a beginner.

[CKWI88]

I grew up in the countryside in New England....so to who applicable:


Trees win, you lose.

[BANJAXED]

I bought a much bigger car for safety reasons as well.

FJ Cruiser > Honda Accord.

[Jasonew6]

My comments on the OP:

1. If you are never going to go faster than the speed limit, stay in the right lane.
2. Don't need to "wait", better to look before pulling out.
4. This is truth!
5. See 4

11. No, don't hill hop, but Buffalo Ridge is a fun road to drive with the right car if you know what you are doing.

My own addition:

1. Don't tailgate. Especially in the rain.
2. Don't hurry to pull out in front of someone if there is no one behind them. Especially in the rain. And especially if you are going to obey OP #1.

[Patrick D from 83]

Control your road rage.

I have zero road rage, and have never crashed in my entire life.

The closest thing I ever came to an accident was a lady backing into my non moving car in a parking lot.

[BengaliJack]

Dont read and drive, DONT let your DOG stand on the wheel and drive and if your 96 year old grandmother SHOULDNT have a license....be a good guy and DRIVE HER TO THE HOSPITAL!