Driving Techniques

[cyled]

I thought I would start a thread on driving techniques for people to share. Through racing and knowing people who have done autocross I have picked up a few tips that have been helpful for day to day driving.

I will start with two I like (there is more)

1) Mirrors. I adjust my outside mirrors and review mirror so that it is one long image. In other words, if a car is coming up on me to the left in my left side mirror, I have it adjusted so that as the right side of their car disappears from that mirror it is showing up in my review mirror. One magazine tip suggested not to move your head more than 33 degrees either way (like I carry a protractor but you get the idea). Basically the idea is to elimate blind spots. Most people adjust mirrors to look along side the car, that creates a blind spot if people are at your rear quarter. You have to turn your head too far around to see them.

2) When driving in traffic, drive to just to the left of the car infront of you so you can see the car(s) in front of the one infront of you. A lot of people watch the taillights of the car infront of them. By the time you see them come on it is usually too late. If you are looking at the cars infront of him/her, you will start breaking before him/her (which is usually happens with me). It is a good way to avoid panic stops. If I am in the left lane, I will run with my left tires on the solid line to see far ahead.

So there are a couple that seem to be helpful for me.

[Slowpoke]

yep. I adjust my rightside mirror almost all the way out. I don't want to see any portion of my car. I want to see what's in my blind spot. Same with the laft mirror.

[LincMercLover]

Ditto on the mirrors. I keep the rear view slightly towards the passenger side, as to help with keeping track of who's along side of me and like you said, make that panaramic view. I always keep to my left anyway, just habit I guess... As for the one car link for every 10MPH, umm... ya, right... :D

[SergntMac]

I learned the mirror stuff in 1964 Driver's Ed, and it works. Good advice to anyone not properly schooled, thanks.

But this "drive on the line" doesn't shake out. What if the guy comming towards me is doing the same thing, and the guy behind him, and so on? Is this why the driver's outside mirror seems to "fall off" a lot around here?

Good to look ahead as far as you can see, but there's no substitute for maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and staying in your lane. Your suggestion means well, but could be very problematic for those who don't think it through. Sorry, this is not a safe driving technique under any cir***stances.

[LincMercLover]

Not OVER the line, just closer to it than the other side. If I'm on a narrow lane though, my car stays right in the middle. I think you would be able to spot someone quick enoph to move out of your periferal on your driver side to save your mirror, more so than the passenger side.

[cyled]

On the line issue, let me clarify. I am talking about a 4 lane highway. The only safe thing on a two lane is to stay back and try to look through the windsheild of the guy in front of you. If it is a semi or what ever, keeping your distance is the only safe way to go.

[JAL]

And please remember the big trucks like me out there.

It can take me 4 football fields to stop. When I'm loaded, I'm grossing around 80,000LBS or under.

People like to cut in front of the trucks when they come to a stop...good move...you just took away my braking distance.

Lastly, don't EVER tap your brakes if a big truck is too close to your bumper. Bottom line is I weigh 80,000 Lbs, you weigh 3-4000. You lose.

Increase your distance if a big truck is tail gating you.

Jeff=Will now get off his soap box.

[Kelly]

I'am with you JAL, I drive heavy equipment around the Twincities and people are allways pulling into the idiot space and putting on their brakes, then the fun begins.

[Billatpro]

My pal Chuckie has learnd me good about you BIG Truck guys, stay the hell out of your way!!!
JAL what are doing driving "LOADED" Sarg.. get this guy!!

KED, where you at up there, I'm in Andover, aint seen a MM anywhere

[MAD-3R]

There are two kinds of 4 wheels, THe quick and the FLAT!

[Fourth Horseman]

From my (wannabe) fighter pilot experience I'd like to add SA: situational awareness. Keeping a picture in your head of what's around you at all times, it has saved my bacon more than once. Goes along with what you guys are saying about the mirrors. If you have good vision through your mirrors you can see what's around you and keep that in your head for those times when you have a split second to save your life and can't afford to look before you take action.

[O's Fan Rich]

Mirrors? What mirrors?:beer:
Want to learn to drive defensivley? Ride on two wheels . When i took the Motorcycle safety class, they told us to ride like every driver on the road is out to kill you!! On purpose!! It's amazing what that does for you.

[Kelly]

Billatpro, I purchased my Marauder on BuckHill RD at the Burnsville LM dealership on Sept 5th. they had sold 3 others by then, I've seen two in the Lakeville area, we used the have a construction yard in Andover on 7th ave. N off highway 10. My Marauder spends it's days about 4 hours north of where you live, I'll prob. see ya driving around during the next construction season, I hide out in those "construction ahead" zones we all love.

[Billatpro]

I'll keep an eye out for you "in the zones" did you take look at our other Marauder pic I posted last night? Black is Bad :beatnik:

[SergntMac]

Bill...sup with the die-cast MM? Any good news yet?

[LincMercLover]

I thought that was why you guys go to those truck stops... to "unload"? :D