Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 11:16:04 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Subject: driving hints and tips/F
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
has a British bias but still worth a read :)
(orig ref: http://www.hippy.freeserve.co.uk/driving.htm)
Alistair
Hippy's Driving Hints and Tips
Whilst the Highway Code is a useful document on the theory of driving it
does not prepare the learner driver for the reality of driving with other,
experienced, road users once they pass their test.
Having spent many hours, covering many miles, on a variety of different
types of road; the Happy Hippy is delighted to offer his observations on the
behaviour of other road users that he has encountered ...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please Note
Although the following advice has been taken to heart by a great number of
road users; the advice does not appear as part of the Highway Code and has
not been sanctioned by any authority or regulatory body in respect of road
safety matters.
There may be drivers who will inform you that some, or all, of the advice
given in this document is misconceived, dangerous or just plain wrong,
however, the vast number of road users who appear to have already discovered
this advice by self learning can't be wrong, can they ?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
When approaching a vehicle pulling out of a junction ...
Always flash you headlamps once, and briefly, so that the other driver knows
that you are there. This will prevent that vehicle from pulling out in front
of you thinking that you may give way and are anticipating their pulling
out.
When pulling out from a junction ...
To make sure that an approaching car has seen you, wait until it is about
twenty feet away before executing your manoeuvre.
If turning right across a carriageway, don't indicate. A car approaching
from your right will give way ( thinking you are turning left ). When you
pull across the front of that vehicle; another vehicle, from your left, will
eventually give way to you to free the six mile traffic jam behind the
vehicle which will let you out.
When pulling out of a lay-by ...
The use of indicators may confuse other drivers so do not use them. This is
especially necessary when executing a U-turn with traffic approaching in
both directions.
When joining a dual carriageway from the right ...
Always pull in to the right hand lane before accelerating as any approaching
cars will not expect you to have turned across them and in to the inside
lane.
Always make sure that any cars on the carriageway are close enough to have
seen you before executing the manoeuvre.
When leaving a 70 mph limit and entering a 30 mph limit ...
Maintain the same constant 50 mph to ensure maximum fuel consumption
efficiency.
When on a dual carraigeway ...
Remain in the outside lane and never exceed the speed limit. This will
enable other drivers to also maintain the legal limit easily and will make
their driving less stressful.
When approaching a speed camera on a dual carraigeway ...
Ensure that you brake to 60 mph almost immediately before the camera ( ie,
when you first see it ) before checking to see if you are on a dual
carriageway with a 70 mph speed limit. The driver behind will appreciate the
warning that there is a speed camera on that road.
Headlights ...
It is unnecessary to turn headlights on under most conditions as it is
obvious that if you can see other drivers then they can also see you.
Rear foglights ...
These are turned on by a switch inside the car. The same switch turns them
off.
In heavy rain; the switch that controls the rear fog lights also controls
the full-beam setting for the headlamps of the car behind you.
Rear fog lights can be used to indicate to other road users that it was
foggy where you were driving the day before last.
Front foglights ...
These should be on at all times your headlamps are turned on. Continual use
of the switch that controls these lights will cause damage by over use.
When stuck in a stream of traffic in the outside lane of a motorway ...
Always undertake just as a lorry is pulling out from the inside lane to the
middle lane in front of you. This allows you to also cut-up the driver that
you have just undertaken.
Never use your indicator as this allows other drivers to pre-empt whatever
manoeuvre you make.
When you are being undertaken on a motorway ...
If a lorry pulls out from the inside lane to the middle lane in front of the
car undertaking you; never, ever, ever, accelerate so that the car
undertaking you can't pull back in and cut you up.
Whilst waiting at a set of traffic lights ...
Always keep your foot on the brake ( especially if you have a rear, centre
mounted, brake light ) as this lets the driver behind you know that you have
stopped.
If you cannot keep your foot on the brake; ensure that you rev the engine
and use the clutch to roll your car backwards and forwards whilst waiting.
It is best to be rolling backwards when the light changes from red to allow
the inside lane of traffic ( if present ) to move away first.
If parked between two cars ...
Always put your hazard warning lights on. This ensures that drivers think
you are pulling out and will make them slow down which is useful when you do
move off.
Always turn off your hazard warning lights and do not indicate when pulling
out from between parked cars as other drivers may think that you are parked
up with your hazard warning lights on.
When turning or pulling over ...
It is always best to put your hazard indicators on rather than indicate the
direction in which you are turning as this prevents other drivers from
misinterpreting what you are intending to do.
When manoeuvring ...
Always remember the sequence M-S-M, M-S-M.
This means Manoeuvre, Signal, Manoeuvre, Manoeuvre Some More.
If a car suddenly brakes in front of you ...
It is not necessary to brake or use your indicators as speed of manoeuvre is
of the essence. Other drivers will follow your action whether you change
lanes to overtake or undertake the braking car.
If you are a car exhibitionist ...
Do not hang football scarves out the windows, hang furry dice on your rear
view mirror, fit black tinted glass all round or install a 24 kW music
system as you may be mistaken for a member of Mensa or a world authority on
Domestic Politics in the Middle East.
If you have a mobile phone ...
Use it. That's what it's for. A good, long conversation can work wonders if
you are about to fall asleep at the wheel.
If hands-free kits were any good; they wouldn't be given away free would
they ?
If you have a car with a manual gearbox ...
Consider purchasing a car with automatic transmission. Automatic gearboxes
remove the need for thinking whilst driving.
Many high-end cars with automatic transmission can now be purchased with a
mobile phone included. Leather seats will also aid sleep.
If you drive an HGV ...
You should fit the lowest wattage rear light bulbs possible to conserve your
battery. This is normally done for you by the manufacturer of your lorry.
If you are doing 51 mph and the lorry you are tail-gating is doing 50 mph;
you should aim to complete your overtaking manoeuvre in under ten miles or
twenty minutes - whichever is shorter.
Overtaking manoeuvres should not be attempted until the start of an upward
incline in the road.
Do not fit yellow sidelights unless they look like an indicator that has
just come on to another vehicle that is overtaking you.
Always remember that your HGV is virtually indestructible so you can safely
follow the vehicle in front at any distance.
If you have a company car ...
Remember that non-company car owners will have pulled in to the inside lane
prior to the point where an outside lane is closed to let you through.
If you drive an agricultural vehicle ...
Although you may not be aware of them; the drivers of the cars in the eight
mile tail-back behind you do appreciate that you have a vehicle that does
only 12 mph maximum and would not like you to lose time pulling in to a
lay-by provided every half a mile or so.
Oncoming drivers will also understand that it is impossible to pull a
fourteen foot wide grass cutter up an eight foot wide road without them
having to pull hard on to the verge to avoid it.
If you are towing a caravan or large trailer ...
Drivers following you will appreciate that you are unable to see them and
will understand why you did not indicate when you pulled out when they were
just inches away from overtaking you.
If you are a taxi driver ...
Seat belts are not necessary as taxi drivers are never involved in road
traffic accidents. Not even when another vehicle unexpectedly pulls out in
front of them or suddenly stops without warning. Or when a front tyre
blows-out on a motorway at 100 mph.
If you are a passenger in a taxi ...
Take comfort in the fact that taxi drivers do not need to wear seat belts as
they are never involved in road traffic accidents. Not even when another
vehicle unexpectedly pulls out in front of them or suddenly stops without
warning. Or when a front tyre blows-out on a motorway at 100 mph.
Because a taxi driver can never be involved in a road traffic accident; it
is impossible that you will ever sustain a life threatening or permanent
injury under any circumstance whilst in a taxi.
If you drive or own a school bus ...
Vehicle safety legislation can be ignored as dangers to children are exempt
from moral duty of care.
If you are a pedestrian ...
If you have a small child, or preferably twins, always ensure that you push
their wheelchair or buggy on to the road so that approaching vehicles
promptly become aware of your presence.
Always remember to look left whilst doing this in case a car is approaching
from the left on the wrong side of the road.
If you drive a Volvo ...
Remember; the Highway Code does not apply to you.
If you are a learner driver of a moped and work for Domino's Pizza ...
Your moped is classified as a Volvo for the purposes of Highway Code
interpretations.
