How to start driving a car yourself

How to learn to drive a car from scratch

In this article we’ll talk about how to learn to drive a car from scratch: what you need to do for this, what you shouldn’t do and what skills you need to have.

Content

How to quickly learn to drive a car

The main thing in the learning process is not to be afraid of the car, to understand the basic principles of driving, to feel the dimensions and power of the driving force.

It's always worth starting small - don't rush to set the bar high. Try the following exercises with the engine off. This will help you perform actions while driving without looking at your feet and without being distracted from the process of driving:

Switch speeds. Understand in what position this or that gear is fixed.
Practice the process of turning on the turn. The right turn is activated by moving up, the left - by moving down. It will be easier to remember if you understand the movement of the steering wheel. When it rotates, the finger of the left hand seems to set the correct direction.
Rotate the steering wheel while gripping the wheel with both hands. Feel the boundaries of the extreme left and extreme right steering positions.

Practice these exercises for a couple of days and you will be ready to drive. Even if you worry, your arms and legs will act automatically. You will feel in control of the situation.

Confidence that you are in control of the car is the most important thing in mastering driving skills.

How to learn to drive a manual car

Most drivers are trained in manual transmission vehicles. This is what is called a classic of the genre, because:

Manual transmission is the most complex. When acquiring the skills to drive a manual vehicle, it is easier for the driver to switch to alternative transmissions.
Driving a car with a manual transmission allows the driver to be more focused behind the wheel, which subsequently makes him more attentive and focused on the roads.
A manual transmission allows you to pick up and decelerate faster, which makes it possible to better feel and control the car.

The best way to learn to drive is to trust an experienced instructor. Listen carefully and try to follow the specialist’s recommendations as accurately as possible.

What is important to understand when you get behind the wheel of a manual car?

on the left - clutch;
in the middle - brake;
on the right is gas.

The most basic pedal is the clutch. Using it, you can set the car in motion. To do this you need:

press the clutch pedal;
remove the car from the handbrake (it is on the right);
engage neutral gear (on a stationary vehicle, the lever is already in the desired position);
slowly release the clutch.

The car will roll. In order to continue moving, you must:

press the clutch all the way;
engage first gear (move the lever to the left and away from you);
smoothly squeezing the gas pedal, slowly release the clutch (the main thing is not to be afraid of the sounds that appear and not to drop the clutch, slowly adding gas).

After a couple of attempts, you will perform these actions automatically. At first it won't turn out perfect. You might go deaf. Don't panic, just try again.

How to change gears on a manual transmission

To go faster, you need to gradually increase the speed by changing gears.

To accelerate the car, you need to press the clutch pedal and smoothly release the gas. At the same moment, engage the next gear and increase the gas.

When it's time to change gears:

1st gear - up to 20 km/h;
2nd gear - 20-40 km/h;
3rd gear - 40-60 km/h;
4th gear - 60-90 km/h;
5th gear - 90 km/h or more.

Nikita Orlov, auto expert:

“It is better to learn driving on an old and, oddly enough, faulty car. When I was learning to drive, the driving schools only had Zhiguli cars of varying degrees of serviceability, without power steering, air conditioning and other joys of modern technology.

Once you learn to drive a bad car, you will feel confident driving almost any car. Learn to drive a manual transmission and, when you switch to a car with an automatic transmission, you will feel both self-confidence and additional comfort.

If you already know what make and model of car you will buy after receiving your driver's license, it makes sense to look for an instructor for just such a car. Then, when you get behind the wheel of your own car, you will hardly feel the difference. In any case, only perseverance and daily practice will make you a real driver.”

How to learn to drive an automatic car

With an automatic transmission, driving becomes automatic. There are many advantages:

You don’t have to be afraid of “kickbacks” when a car rolls backwards on a hill.
You don’t have to use the handbrake on hills or when stopping: the system locks the wheels itself.
There are only two pedals under your feet. Essentially, you control with one leg. You can forget about the process of squeezing the clutch, learning which causes problems and fears for most.
You don't have to listen to the engine to change gears in time.
In winter, there is no need to prepare for the maneuver in advance, as is done in mechanics.

All that is required of a driver driving a car with an automatic transmission is knowledge of traffic rules.

On an automatic, the gear selector looks slightly different than on a manual transmission. There are three programs:

P - parking. The same handbrake. Having pressed the brake pedal, you have stopped completely and realize that you will not move for the next couple of minutes. You can put the shift lever in park mode and release the brake pedal, thereby immobilizing the car.
R - reverse speed. Everything here is simple and clear. Squeeze the brake pedal all the way, move the lever to position R, release the brake pedal, and the car will roll back.
N - neutral speed. This transmission is used quite rarely. It is needed when driving in difficult areas, when you need to get out of a deep hole.

Learning to drive a car with an automatic transmission is much easier than with a manual one. But if you learn to drive a car with an automatic transmission, you won’t be able to drive a manual one.

This is because the car does too much for you. This is especially noticeable in new generation cars with various cruise control systems, when you do not need to press the gas pedal.

Get into the car, press the brake pedal, release it - the engine is started. And now the car begins to move smoothly without unnecessary vibrations and slipping. We sat down and drove off.

The automatic transmission is designed to make life easier for the motorist. For example, it is very convenient in city traffic, when you have to change lanes a lot, also changing gears. Or, on the contrary, stand in a traffic jam, periodically rolling up 3-4 meters.

But if you want to become a universal driver, you should start learning with a manual transmission. And when you drive it like an automatic, then you can switch to an automatic.

How to learn to feel the dimensions of a car

For beginners, unlike experienced drivers, it is always difficult to navigate in space and feel where the car ends. This is why you need training at the race track.

The more experience, the better you will feel the dimensions. But first, let's give some tips to make the process go faster:

On the road you should not look under the wheels of your car. Don't try to see the asphalt in front of them. The gaze is directed only forward.
When driving backwards, it is important to understand how the wheels move and where the bumper ends. To do this, they usually focus on the rear brush, if there is one.
Before changing lanes in traffic, show the turn and look in the mirror. When the neighboring car is completely behind you, feel free to change lanes.

Don't be afraid to practice. Set challenging tasks and complete them. They won't work right away. But when you complete the exercise several times in a row, you will feel that there is nothing difficult about it and everyone can drive a car.

And if you are planning to buy your first car, use the recommendations that we have prepared for you. The site contains a whole section of articles in which we tell in detail how to purchase a used car and what to watch out for when choosing. Read reviews of used models from different years of production on our blog. We also run a Youtube channel, where you will find many useful and interesting episodes.

How to overcome fear when driving a car? How to learn to drive confidently, restoration of driving skills.

Obviously you've decided to start driving! This is very cool and great! However, questions like “ How can I learn to drive safely and confidently?” torment many novice car drivers.

This problem faces many driving school graduates who have just received their coveted license. And fear of driving happens with a long break and little driving practice - here you need to restore your driving skills (because once you learn how to drive a car, you cannot unlearn it.).

The situations are different, but the methods of struggle are essentially the same. I personally was very afraid to drive on my own after driving school, but now I know how to learn to drive a car confidently, how to learn to drive a car without accidents and without stress !

Where does it come from and how to overcome fear when driving?

The fear of self-driving is primarily a lack of practice. It’s the same as if you just learned how to use scuba gear, and they threw you into the water and told you to go ahead and swim)

In our driving schools they very rarely teach well - it’s a sad fact, but it’s true. At my driving school I had an instructor with a broken-down 9-wheeler that was falling apart into parts right under my butt. The instructor was smoking and yelling. I'm sure this is not uncommon. Naturally, he didn’t teach anything. At the end of the training, I managed to change the instructor and thank God! The second one also didn’t explain much, but at least it was calmer and I had to drive a well-groomed Skoda.

This is an introductory part to make it clear that your fear of driving is normal, especially if you are taught little and have the same abilities as everyone else)

Tips on how to overcome the fear of driving, how to learn to drive confidently and how to learn to drive a car without accidents (also suitable for restoring driving skills):

Take private driving lessons with an instructor found through recommendations from your friends. It helps! When you pay an instructor (who has already been tested by someone you already know in the business), the driving instructor treats you differently. He will explain, instruct, teach. Never be tempted by reviews on the Internet, almost all of them are not real. I took driving lessons from a second instructor, who is calm and in Skoda - training in a driving school and privately - heaven and earth) In order to more or less drive a car I took 15 private lessons (in money, to learn how to drive a car normally, this is somewhere 12,000-15,000 rubles—adjusted for 2016) —everyone needs it differently, depending on their abilities (I had very pitiful abilities at that time).
Take a ride with a driving instructor or someone close to you (if anyone can teach how to drive a car ) along the home-work route . I went with my husband. I am lucky that my husband is a super-constrained person who can explain how and what should and should not be done. My superhero husband traveled with me from work to home for almost 3 months. I repeat that I had weak driving talents, a lot of uncertainty when driving and even a real fear of Kamaz trucks in particular). Gradually, you need to add a route home-shop, home-dacha, and so on. You need to learn to drive a car gradually, at YOUR rhythm.
Take a ride around the nearest area that you know well - slowly, carefully.
If possible, before traveling on your own, learn to park decently. This was the problem of one of my friends. She risked going to work (Moscow Tushinskaya metro station - if anyone knows, it’s difficult to stand there even for a pro) and couldn’t park. I had to take time off and go home. She was so nervous and even cried. Then she began to study near the house in the parking lot. Everyone helped her: all the neighbors, passers-by - strangers taught her! I recommend following suit and practicing first. Parking is very important if you want to be able to drive well - without stress (NO-SRESSSSSS. )
When traveling, DO NOT turn on the radio! DO NOT talk on your phone —put it on silent and your bag in the back seat. If you want to learn to drive well, to overcome uncertainty when driving, you need ALL YOUR ATTENTION.
At first, DO NOT drive children, girlfriends or parents , unless, of course, they teach you how to drive safely. Girlfriends can sit quietly for minutes. 5 maximum, and children cannot sit quietly at all) Parents panic, ooh and ahh, charging you with additional nervousness and fear. Concentrate on driving. By the way, it’s also better not to take your favorite dog with you at first.
Control your nerves while moving. If you are very nervous, it is better to stop in a comfortable place and let your body relax. Sit back in a comfortable chair, breathe 1-4 (at 1 - take a deep breath, count to 4 and slowly exhale through your nose). After 5-10 minutes, your heart will slow down, and clarity of thought and calm will return to you. If you are nervous, but not too much, breathe at 1-4 at long traffic lights (of course, remembering to keep an eye on the road).
DO NOT GIVE UP FROM DRIVING. If there is the slightest opportunity to steer, sit down and drive! There is always a temptation to take the subway, bus or passenger seat. The temptation is great, but don’t give in, don’t go over to the dark side of weakness)
Try to buy your own personal car. My friend said this: “A car is like panties – it’s personal!” This way you won’t be able to shirk: “Why did you buy and pay insurance and taxes. + no one but you will ride it.” The first car, ideally, is an inexpensive foreign car with an automatic transmission or a CVT. If money is tight, buy an older one, but a better brand. Don’t buy products from the domestic automobile industry - you’ll only lose the desire to drive, it’s hard to call it a car and they are very dangerous to life in the event of an accident. The old Audi is better than the new Lada - my personal opinion!
Look in all mirrors: forward, backward and to the sides. Remember, when regaining your driving skills or if you want to learn how to drive , it is important to look in all the mirrors - literally a split second and you are safe. Danger on the road often flies from behind))) You need to control the space around you because sometimes a weak-minded creature appears in the traffic, rushing at great speed and rearranging itself in a chaotic manner. It happened to me that such a MACHO jumped out from under me, and I jerked the steering wheel and almost got into an accident - it was scary beyond words. In a word, it is better to notice the flyer in advance and give him space in front of you so that he dives and does not hit you.
Don't be afraid to do something stupid on the road due to nerves or lack of experience. Most often, little things do not lead to accidents (or at least they don’t lead to serious accidents) because there are many experienced drivers around and they prevent accidents (think about who would want to scratch the lacquered side of their beloved car, bought on credit with the last family money))) they often the wives love the car more)))). If they honk at you, then you need to translate it like this: “Caution! I'm on my way here. “They don’t insult you, but they warn you about their approach or that you are doing something wrong. Other drivers are usually quite reasonable people, and they will do everything to prevent an accident from happening. Be sure to put a sign on the rear window that says I'm a newbie! An example of my first accident: first I rammed the side of LIAZ))) an hour after LIAZ, out of nerves, stuck in the back of a Nissan - no one was hurt (except, perhaps, the bus)))), there was no aggression from other drivers, who even consoled me .
Never mess with auto idiots! If someone is unhappy with your low speed or hesitant start at a traffic light, do not engage in conversation with them, do not roll down the window and do not look at the aggressive driver. Pretend he or she is not there. If the aggressor intercepts you and forces you to stop, lock the doors, don't go out, and don't talk to him or her. The idiot will yell and leave!
Try to avoid traveling in rain or snow for the first time. In fact, if you change your tires in time, then even an icy road is not scary at low speeds. But falling snow or rain, when you can’t see anything, is a threat.
If you live in Moscow or in the Moscow region, do not drive after 23.00 on the Moscow Ring Road! This is truck hell, a motorist’s nightmare - hundreds of trucks in 4 rows at a decent speed, overtaking each other, pinching everyone and not letting them in - horror!
Always keep a positive attitude! Encourage yourself, praise yourself, be proud of yourself! It is very useful to tell yourself that you are great, that you can do it. Try to think of the trip as an interesting adventure, a cool experience!

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12 tips for a beginner: how to get a license and start driving a car

The traffic police record a decrease in the issuance of driver's licenses to new drivers. But this is most likely due not to the fact that there are fewer applicants, but to the fact that every year it is becoming more and more difficult to pass the exams. In addition, the department has practically gotten rid of the corruption component: “buying rights” is almost impossible today.

We tell you what needs to be done by a person who has decided to get behind the wheel, but does not yet know where to start and what awaits him in the future.

1. Choose the right driving school

For several years now, it has been impossible to pass exams externally, that is, without studying at a driving school. Therefore, it will not be possible to avoid the educational institution. And you need to approach choosing a driving school just as responsibly as choosing a university or graduate school. The sad reality is that most driving schools prepare students solely to pass driver's license tests. But primary knowledge is very important, so it is necessary to find a decent educational institution.

Read reviews on the Internet, talk to friends who recently graduated from driving schools, check whether the educational institution is in the traffic police register (“you can find a driving school on the official website of the department”). The best driving schools are most often either former or existing driving schools with a long history. The teachers there are experienced, and in addition to the mandatory program, they provide additional knowledge that will later be useful on the road. Another advantage will be the presence of your own site (or even better, a racing track) for practical training.

2. Learn tickets

To pass the theoretical exam, you will have to cram for tickets. Some of them contain answers, the correct ones of which seem illogical, but these are trick questions. Give them every minute of your free time, take tests on sites where the traffic police exam is simulated. For example, on “Behind the Wheel.”

3. Repeat practice exercises

Driving in the city is more difficult. The training course does not include much practical training in urban conditions, and the instructor may not suit you for one reason or another. All of them are professional in terms of driving experience, but some are practically incapable of transferring knowledge.

Again, you should turn to your friends and the Internet in search of a good instructor. It will be useful to you not only for preparing for the practical exam, but also to instill driving skills in the city, where you will soon have to drive independently. Neighbor Uncle Vasya with 30 years of experience will not be suitable: the instructor’s car must be equipped with additional pedals, and he himself must have the right to train driver candidates. By the way, if you have found a really good instructor, then you should study with him even after receiving a driver’s license.

4. Pass a medical examination

Before the exam, you must undergo a medical examination and receive a certificate stating that you have no medical restrictions for permission to drive vehicles. Driving schools traditionally centrally bring groups of candidates to take exams, and in some places they also provide cars for passing practical exams. But imaginary support from a driving school will not help. Long gone are the days when you could come to class, press buttons, pretend to have completed the exercises on the playground and, after driving 100 meters in the city, get a driver's license.

Today, all exam classes are computerized and literally covered with cameras that record every movement of traffic police inspectors and driver candidates. Cameras are installed both on the site and in the car itself. It is a rare inspector who will commit forgery, since regulatory authorities constantly review camera footage.

The tickets are memorized and you have prepared for the practical exams with an instructor. Therefore, the main thing is not to be nervous and focus on the process. Inspectors of examination departments claim that most often candidates “fail” exams precisely because they are very nervous, although they have all the knowledge to receive a certificate.

5. Pick up your first car

It doesn't make much sense for the first car to be new. But Ladas, Samaras and other junk cars must be swept away, if only for reasons of one’s own safety.

The ideal option, in our opinion: a simple foreign car aged 2-3 years, for example Renault Logan/Sandero. Such models have an impenetrable suspension, fairly reliable power units and transmissions.

Immediately after purchase, it is worth changing all the fluids in the car, even if the seller claimed that he had carried out a complete maintenance before the sale.

6. Buy a sticker

Without compulsory motor liability insurance, access to public roads is prohibited, so you will have to apply for a “motor vehicle license.” There is an increased coefficient for novice drivers, however, according to traffic police statistics, novice drivers get into accidents less and less often. Whether to take out a comprehensive insurance policy is a personal matter, but the price of the policy can be very high. Although in case of a serious accident it will cover car repairs.

Also, beginners are required to stick a special “Beginner Driver” sticker on the back of the car. For its absence, a fine of 500 rubles is imposed.

7. Don’t be shy about emergency lights

It’s understandable that a newbie would want to immediately start driving a car to work. But it is better to make your first trips on open roads, and not during rush hour. And it’s best to drive your own car with an instructor at first.

It is advisable to start driving independently in the right lanes. There is no need to prove anything to anyone and try to become the fastest on the road - this only increases the risk of getting into an accident. It is better to keep the speed a little lower than the permitted speed. And there is no need to be nervous if, God forbid, the car stalls, and people behind you are always in a hurry honking. Make your face look like a brick, turn on the emergency lights, exhale, start the car, turn off the emergency lights and drive off, as you were taught in driving school.

8. Be careful

You should not park your car on a slope: it will be more difficult to move off than on a flat surface. Even if you are perfectly aware of the dimensions of the car, park so that your neighbors have the opportunity to leave without problems. In the cold season, be sure to warm up the car - cold starts and loads reduce the life of the engine and transmission. Before your trip, be sure to check if your headlights are working, if there are any leaks, and if your license plates are dirty. If they are not read, the traffic police inspector has the right to issue a fine of 500 rubles.

9. Keep learning

No matter how good the driving school and instructor are, it won’t hurt to take an emergency driving course if they exist in your region. A beginner does not need advanced programs that teach how to make a police U-turn, move in a column and evade pursuers. But basic courses will instill safe driving skills and an adequate reaction to road surprises: from potholes to pedestrians who suddenly appear on the roadway. In the vast majority of cases, training takes place in your own car.

10. Pay fines

Sooner or later this will happen - the first fine in your life will come from a camera recording violations. Many banks offer to enter information about your driver’s license and cars into their mobile applications, after which the automation will monitor the appearance of fines. Most of which can be paid for at a discount.

You can also enter information about your driver’s license and car at Gosuslugi, and at the same time connect the so-called State Post (does not work in all regions). In electronic form, decisions on fines are sent to her literally a couple of hours after the violation has been committed.

11. Don't relax

After a month, a novice driver becomes so comfortable on the road that he already considers himself a Schumacher. At this point he often gets into accidents. Don’t relax: if the trips went well in the first month, this does not mean you need to relax your attention.

The second time cutoff is a year of driving. At this point, almost everyone already feels confident. Take your time - the road will always teach you a lesson.

On the road you don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Therefore, remember the main rule (unfortunately, it is not in the traffic rules): give way to the fool.

How to learn to drive faster: useful tips and tricks

If you've made up your mind to get behind the wheel, learning to drive can be a real challenge if you don't approach it thoroughly. We have prepared a review covering the main pitfalls in this matter.

The theory is not as scary as it seems

There will be no problems with the theoretical part. A sufficient amount of educational material is freely available, and in order to speed up the memorization process as much as possible, you should always have a paper brochure at hand. It all depends on perseverance and the desire to learn the rules as quickly as possible. And modern computer programs will allow you to practice passing traffic rules exams; they will also point out mistakes and help you remember the correct options. One of the most popular driving training programs is 3D Instructor; there are also online simulators, for example, pdd-online.com, auto.mail.ru, pdd-test-online.ru.

With practice, everything is much more complicated, but there are ways to make this part the least painful and time-consuming.

Secrets of the first steps

The speed of learning to drive depends on several factors. Firstly, from innate abilities, speed of learning new skills and flexibility of thinking. Secondly, from the talent of the mentor. Therefore, you need to choose it wisely. It is important that he is a calm, patient person who can clearly explain the basics of driving to a beginner.

A nervous mentor who screams over and over again when commenting on a student’s actions can forever discourage students from learning. A good private instructor or an experienced driver from a driving school, and it is better to look for them through the recommendations of friends and acquaintances, and not through an advertisement, will relieve unnecessary stress during training. And, as you know, what a person does with joy, he does better.

Another secret to quickly learning to drive is practice, or rather, a lot of practice. The folklore about “how I sat down and immediately drove off” has not been confirmed by statistics. Everyone was a dummies for some time; everyone, without exception, needed time to feel confident behind the wheel.

Driving school - fast?

As practice shows, students after an express course with a private instructor either take a long time to pass, or already on the way they suddenly find out that they missed something very important. Therefore, despite the fact that a driving school cannot be cheap, a driving school is more reliable! When choosing it, it is worth checking whether the driving school provides discounts.

The biggest mistake most potential drivers make is choosing a driving school closer to home. The best way to choose the right driving school is to use the recommendations of friends who are convinced of the professionalism of the mentors and the organization of all processes. The second option is to clarify a few nuances with the driving school. How many years has it been in existence? Is there a license? What is the pass rate for traffic police exams? What is the professional experience of the instructors? Draw the right conclusions based on the answers. Driving schools are not a cheap pleasure, so it’s worth checking out sites with discount coupons and choosing the best option for yourself.

Learning means teaching yourself

No matter how talented the mentor is, you need the right attitude to learn quickly. For a while, you need to forget about doubts, fears, and awkwardness. Don’t be embarrassed to ask what is not clear during the learning process; you should repeat failed actions until you win.

Throughout the learning process, it is important to maintain a positive attitude towards the process, and for this you need to notice the slightest victories. We managed to move from the spot the first time, and not the fifth time - great, we managed to park in a small space easily and smoothly - a great reason to praise ourselves. In this case, the entire learning process will consist of small successes, and self-confidence will grow with each lesson.

Little tricks for those who value time

You need to get into the car with the feeling that you can do everything. Such self-confidence will save not only nerve cells, but several activities.
Purpose is what helps create miracles! Without clear motivation, learning can take years, so it’s a good idea to make a list of why you need to learn to drive and why it’s urgent. And also determine the desired dates for passing the exams.
In any car, especially someone else’s, and even if you only have to drive for a few minutes, you need to adjust the driver’s seat “to suit you.”
There should be no distractions while driving! The phone must be set to vibrate mode or turned off. Choose comfortable shoes and clothes. And “throw all homework out of your head” before the start of the lesson.

But even if you follow all these rules and have talent, you won’t be able to learn to drive in a couple of lessons. We need to be patient. And also, no matter how quickly you need to get behind the wheel, you should remember that driving a car is associated with risk for yourself and others. Therefore, until you gain confidence in your abilities, even if you have a driving license, a novice driver needs to be doubly attentive and careful.

Driving in the city: tips for beginners

Any big city is a high-risk zone. Experienced motorists know what and how to do in order to preserve themselves and their car. But novice drivers don’t know everything.

Many practical tips and recommendations are encrypted in traffic rules . But the Rules are stated in dry clerical language and, moreover, while trying to inspire something, they do not explain why and why. And this is just important: after all, drivers, not understanding the reasons for the appearance of some prohibitions and restrictions, will believe that these idiotic rules were invented by some idiots for other idiots. We will partially fill this gap, and at the same time we will touch on non-obvious things that even driving schools are silent about.

Left mirror

The traffic regulations do not say anything about the use of rear-view mirrors , except that they should be there. Use is taught in driving schools . But in a rare driving school, a beginner will be told that when he is standing in the far left lane, waiting for the opportunity to turn left, it is very useful to look in the left mirror before performing the maneuver. And even if they do, the newcomer will not be able to fully appreciate the meaning of what was said.

Yes, in this situation you do not expect a threat from behind on the left side - after all, there are lanes for oncoming traffic. This is the whole ambush, since in reality there may also be passing transport - for example, emergency services and big bosses. And on illegal grounds - anyone. We are in Russia, gentlemen! Therefore, it is better to play it safe and take a look at the left mirror before starting to move.

Passing traffic moving in oncoming lanes is a common occurrence. So when turning left, check the left rear view mirror.

Right mirror

blind spot in almost all cars is at the rear right. So, when preparing to change lanes to the right in heavy city traffic, sometimes it’s not enough to look in the right mirror. A short glance over your shoulder with a head turn to the right and back will allow you to more accurately assess the situation.

"One Way

When exiting an adjacent street onto a one-way road, it is wise to look in both directions. Even from a direction where nothing should appear, something can appear. Municipal vehicles, a garbage truck that backs up, a cyclist, special services vehicles - there are a lot of options. For large cities this is a fairly common occurrence.

Oncoming traffic on a one-way road? Yes, easily!

Fear the professionals

It is believed that professional drivers are better trained than amateur drivers. Perhaps so, but the theory frankly does not work for public transport drivers.

There is a clause in the traffic rules that requires you to give way to public transport. But not a word about the fact that such transport can taxi out of a stop suddenly, right in front of you and without any light signals. Unfortunately, this happens, and most often at the hands of minibus drivers.

Therefore, we go around the stopping points, pushing ourselves as far to the left as possible from them. At the same time, we are solving the safety problem of pedestrians who suddenly jump out.

The level of training of public transport drivers is highly questionable. And now anyone can become a legal taxi driver - sometimes there are no restrictions on experience. Moral: minimize the risk of contact!

Take care of karma

Statistics say that almost a third of road accidents in Russia involve pedestrians . And although in 20 thousand cases out of 53 thousand (2017) pedestrians were found guilty, it is still unpleasant to hit them. And because guilty drivers are punished, the discipline of pedestrians does not improve.

In cities, the most suitable place for collisions is narrow streets, lined with parked vehicles on both sides. And, of course, courtyard driveways. It is clear that short-sighted pedestrians in such cases may suddenly appear on the roadway. The driver’s chance to avoid contact is to crawl stupidly at a snail’s pace in order to have time to react to the jumping object. Even if it's just a cat, your karma is unlikely to improve.

Guess which object usually appears first from behind the gap between parked cars. And only then will an adult lean out to “assess the distance” to the moving cars.

Don't tempt!

Traffic regulations don’t even hint at this, but it is in cities that theft from car interiors is common. Protection methods are quite simple: try not to park the car in dark, remote corners. It’s better in well-visited parking lots, under residential windows, under streetlights—it might even make sense to wait until a good spot becomes available.

And it is also very important not to leave things in the car that could attract the attention of a potential burglar. It is better to hide bags, packages, boxes from prying eyes.

Simple Arithmetic

Parking is a real punishment for most city residents, because there is often not enough space. However, there is no reason to squeeze into narrow gaps between standing cars so that there is a risk of damaging their body parts with your doors.

It’s clear that we’re not that worried about scratching someone during disembarkation and landing. However, it’s even more likely that they’ll ruin something for us, because we have only one car, but it’s squeezed between two.

Problems of choice

50–80 meters from the traffic light the green eye begins to blink. The question arises: should we push or slow down? The first option may be fraught with a fine - city intersections are covered with cameras. And the second one is from the rear. And we need to decide quickly.

Anyone moving directly behind you may not be prepared for sudden braking. In case of contact, he will be to blame, but you will also lose time and nerves. Therefore, before pressing the brake pedal, it never hurts to look in the rearview mirror to assess the level of readiness of whoever is behind. If he is not looking at the smartphone, but keeps a reasonable distance, you can slow down.

This is relevant in all places where heavy traffic requires sudden decelerations - in particular, at unregulated pedestrian crossings. And if you tend to occasionally brake with your engine, show your intentions in advance by pressing the brake pedal.

Blink or you'll lose

Traffic regulations require all maneuvers to be indicated with turn signals, which is quite reasonable and fair. Unfortunately, some drivers neglect this - partly because there are too many maneuvers during city driving.

The tip is simple: don’t be lazy to turn on your turn signals, even if the road is relatively empty. The sooner you show your downstream neighbors your intentions, the calmer and safer the maneuver will be for everyone. And when driving through intersections with crossings, it is also useful to give a hint to pedestrians - many of them understand the light signal very well.

With all their advantages, navigators are a little late in providing recommendations in a busy road network, and in addition they simply distract from driving the car.

Trust but check

A navigator is a useful thing, but no one has canceled the “yin-yang” concept. In the stockade of city intersections, the navigator is often late with its recommendations. Sometimes we see that someone in a 50-meter area is trying to quickly change lanes from the far left to the far right or vice versa. This is almost certainly an adept at driving using a navigator.

And if you use such assistants, do not rely entirely on them. It never hurts to look at the route on a map in advance to identify such places and not drive yourself into a trap. Minimizing the number of rebuilds benefits everyone.