#driving tips

Note that im in the US so idk how much of this will be applicable to some of you but I tried to keep it pretty general

1. Find a place (preferably nearby your house) where the roads are typically not busy/empty and just drive around in circles to get a feel for your car. Notice how long it takes your car to break, how hard you have to push the gas pedal to reach a certain speed….the more familiar you are with your vehicle the more comfortable you’ll feel driving it

2. Get your tunes/podcast/media prepped! Driving is a much more enjoyable experience when you’re in control of the music. Make yourself a playlist of all your favorite songs and sing your heart out while you’re driving!

3. Say a prayer to Hermes, or whatever entity you believe in for safe travels before you set off

4. Be a defensive driver! Take classes/look up videos on how to do defensive driving on YouTube. You can’t always account for other people on the road, but you CAN account for how you react to it

5. BE PREPARED!!!! Pack emergency supplies in your car in case of an emergency, prepare yourself on what to do if you’re ever in an accident. Knowledge is power, the more you know the less room your anxiety has to make things up

6. Be kind to yourself. You’re gonna mess up sometimes, people are gonna honk at you because you’re going too slow, or too fast, or whatever perceived wrongdoing however real. Try not to let it get to you. Remember that you’d rather be a safe driver than a dead driver.

BONUS ROUND OF HIGHWAY SPECIFIC TIPS!

1. When in doubt, stay in the slow lane

2. Get into your exit lane VERY EARLY. If it says your exit is 5 miles away, start preparing to merge so you have ample time

Do NOT park or stop under an overpass or bridge during a tornado or high winds.

I know it seems like a safe spot, but it's not. It's extremely dangerous and you're better off parking out in the open on the edge of the road.

The reason is because they can easily turn into a wind tunnel. If the wind seems strong outside of it, it will be stronger under it. Not only can it potentially rip vehicles or people out from under it, but also suck in debris.

Not only that, but I'm adding this photo as an example for my next point

This is a pic from a YouTube Livestream Max Velocity is doing for a storm currently hitting Wisconsin right now. Where talking hail, high winds, rain, and tornadoes.

That big imagine the center of his stream? That's a traffic cam watching an overpass that he pulled up. There are several cars who just stopped in the road under an overpass. It began as just a few cars that stopped on the sides, but then others just decided to stop in the actual lanes. No one could get through so everyone driving up to it was forced to stop even if they didn't want to.

There was no accident or anything blocking the road. The camera actually panned over showing there was nothing there on the other side of the overpass. There was no confirmed tornado, either; just wind and rain. These people literally just decided to stop.

For several minutes those cars at the front formed a traffic jam for roughly a half mile. For several minutes all those cars were sitting ducks at the mercy of whatever weather event decided to happen. Now, thankfully, the lead cars finally decided to start driving so the jam cleared so any potential disaster didn't come to pass.

But if they hadn't moved on and something did happen, that would have just become a slaughter zone.

Stupid moves like that at the wrong time is an easy way to earn yourself a hospital room or a casket.

When you need to adjust yourself in a parking spot, pull out as straight as you can (no turning your wheel unless absolutely needed). Go out as far as you're able (ALWAYS check around and behind you!!!!), then pull back into the spot. It should look something like this:

A really common occurrence in very cold weather with wind and heavy snow is your rims getting gunked up with snow and ice. It causes your tires to be unbalanced and in turn shake at higher speeds.

Today, for me, it was finally bad enough out that my rims filled with snow while parked at work. Granted I was able to knock most out with a wheel weasel after I got home but the wobbling was slightly annoying. Said weasel is now junk because it's filled with road salt.

So if your car starts to wobble and wiggle: don't panic. Check to make sure your rims are cleaned out.

Apologies for the unfocused pics. I was holding my phone one handed in the blowing snow and could no longer feel my fingers.

Driving in the Rain: Tips for Safe Driving

Rainy weather can make driving more challenging, but it doesn't have to be dangerous. By following a few simple tips, you can stay safe and avoid accidents.

Here are some tips for driving in the rain:

Slow down. The first and most important rule of driving in the rain is to slow down. Wet roads make it harder for your car to stop, so you need to give yourself more time to react.

Increase your following distance. You should also increase the following distance between your car and the car in front of you. This will give you more time to stop if the car in front of you brakes suddenly.

Use your headlights. Even if it's not dark out, you should use your headlights when it's raining. This will help other drivers see you and avoid accidents.

Turn on your windshield wipers. Wipers help to clear the rain from your windshield, so you can see the road clearly.

Be careful of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is when your tires lose contact with the road and start to slide. This can be very dangerous, so you need to be careful. If you start to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction of the skid.

Avoid driving through standing water. If you see standing water on the road, avoid driving through it. Standing water can hide potholes and other hazards, so it's not worth the risk.

Be patient. Driving in the rain can be frustrating, but it's important to be patient. Don't get angry or aggressive with other drivers.

By following these tips, you can stay safe and avoid accidents when driving in the rain.

Here are some additional tips that can help you drive safely in the rain:

Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the road conditions and be on the lookout for hazards, such as puddles, debris, and other drivers.

Use your signals early. This will help other drivers know what you're doing and avoid accidents.

Be prepared to brake suddenly. The roads are slippery in the rain, so be prepared to brake suddenly if necessary.

Don't tailgate. Tailgating increases the risk of rear-end collisions.