Driving school will teach student drivers a myriad of skills. There are only so many situations you can prepare for before being in the situation and having to put those skills into practice. While driving teachers try to prepare students, there are still common driving challenges that require extra experience before feeling comfortable. Here are some of the most common challenges and how you can deal with them.
Bad Weather
One of the hardest driving situations is extreme weather. Driving in bad weather is always scary because of limited visibility and intense driving conditions. Whether you are driving through a blizzard, extreme hail or rain, fog, black ice, or dust storms. These types of situations all require the same driving tactics to keep you safe.
- Reduce your speed. When major weather conditions hit, they all come with decreased visibility. When you cannot see as well, the best thing to do is drive slower. If conditions are too scary, pull off the road in a safe place.
- Limit distractions. The most important time to stay focused on the road is when you can’t see as well and you’re feeling tense. Turn down the radio, ask your passengers to be quiet, and make sure you are keeping your eyes on the road.
- Keep emergency supplies in the car. Having a blanket, some snacks, and water in the car so that if you ever need to pull off during extreme weather, you can be safe. Consider keeping an extra phone charger, tools, and a spare tire in your car too.
Drive Around Large Trucks
Large trucks on the road intimidate a lot of people. Truck drivers have a harder time merging because of their size, but they have bigger blind spots on both sides, the front, and the back of the truck. The best way to navigate around trailers is to avoid lingering in those blind spots. Be mindful and watching to see if they are attempting to merge and stay out of the way. Avoid trying to race past them or cut in front of them.
Heavy Traffic
Heavy traffic is common during rush hour and construction zones. These times are terribly inconvenient and usually happen when you are in a hurry. Remembering your basics during these times are important.
- Use your blinker. Letting others know if you are trying to switch lanes or merge is important. Always use your blinker and proceed with caution.
- Plan ahead. Do not wait to move across four lanes to exit until ¼ of a mile away from the exit. Start moving over when you know your exit is coming up.
- Keep your distance. Even in slow traffic, you need to leave some room between your car and the one in front of you. If you are following too close when traffic starts moving, you need to have space for fast braking, if needed.
- Obey all signs. Always obey road signs but pay extra attention to construction zone signs. These signs are often letting you know about new traffic patterns and changes to speed limits. Driving slower and more carefully will help keep everyone safe in construction zones, but it also prevents a traffic ticket, which are more expensive in construction zones.
- Slow down. Try to remember that everyone is frustrated and impatient in these situations. Remember to slow down and remember that speeding and being impatient will not get you anywhere faster and the circumstances are beyond your control.
Aggressive Drivers
Avoid getting aggressive on the roads. Keep a level head and obey the driving laws. Do not race around drivers, engage in racing on the road, or slamming on brakes. Most people do not do things on purpose to make other drivers angry.
If an aggressive driver is pursuing you, ignore them. If they are relentlessly bothering you and putting you and others on the road in danger, it is important to call the police. Too often a situation will escalate and can turn dangerous. It is better to stay safe and call the police than end up with a physical confrontation.
Focus on the Road
In all these situations, there are basic driving skills every driver can fall back on in driving school. Even if you forget all the information you learned in class, remember to use your training. Do your best to remain calm and control the car. If you are remembering the basics, you can trust your instincts.