Solveig (is it appropriate to use your first name?)-
In my 20s I graduated from college, travelled in Europe, returned home in need of a temporary job and wound up driving a taxi cab in northern NJ with daily trips to the NYC airports and and into Manhattan. Earlier, while in college (Rutger University - Newark, NJ campus - that's a whole other story), I drove a Nabisco delivery truck to grocery stores. So, I learned something about driving. I don't know if I was a great driver, but I didn't have any accidents and after 2 months the cab company had me train all their new drivers.
Anyway:
1. Familiarity with your vehicle - I drove the same cab every day. After a couple of months it was like an extension of my body. I knew exactly how it would react to almost any situation. One thing I used to do in my own car, every winter with the first major snow fall, was go out to the largest parking lot I could find and practice skidding, donuts, sliding backward, whatever. I felt much more in control.
2. Know the driving culture of the area. In NYC drivers are aggressive, but alert. If someone signals or starts to make a move the surrounding traffic adjusts to the expectation they will follow through. If you start to do something and then hesitate this is a receipe for an accident. In other places I have lived people thing nothing of stopping side by side and having a leisurely chat.
3. Be a defensive driver. I never assume someone will make a turn just because they have a turn signal on (or that they will stop for a red light or stop sign for that matter).
4. Use your side view mirrors. They allow you to be aware of blind spots.
5. Don't tailgate. You never know when the driver in front of you will do something unexpected or you will become distracted.
6. Take it easy. Usually racing to get someplace only saves you a couple of minutes and increases your risk substantially. Don't let other drivers intimidate you into going too fast. If some #&&**! is tailgaiting, flashing lights, whatever and it's bothering you, just pull over and let them by.
7. Don't have a heated discussion while you're driving. If you need to talk something out, pull over.
I remember drivng back to Lexington, KY from Chicago after a full day's work when I was much younger. I got pulled over by a state trooper about 20 minutes from home because truck drivers had alerted the police I was weaving badly. No, I was not intoxicated. I was falling asleep at the wheel. Now if I am drowsy, I pull over and sleep for 15 - 20 minutes and then I'm fine. Driving is dangerous. Stay alert.
What to pay attention too? Your own level of alertness. Your own emotional state. And, the other drivers (it is a safe assumption they will do the unexpected).
Be safe. Tom
(Yes, of course.)
Wow, thank you! What a useful set of instructions, and much appreciated.
I admit I wasn't at all sure that such things could be explained, but this is very helpful.
