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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 08:17 AM
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Default Post your driving tips here

Anything goes if it improves driving safety, helps in awkward situations, etc...

Here's a couple of mine for starters:

-Stopping on the motorway hard shoulder, turn your wheels towards the grass bank. If someone runs into you, your car won't run across three lanes of motorway

-Parallel parking - Look for a reflection of your car in shop windows, you might just be able to gain a few inches without fear of bumping into someone else.

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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 08:20 AM
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If you are not actually overtaking right now, KEEP FOOKIN LEFT!

Talking of hard shoulder - amazed how many people I have seen just indicate and pull out Build up speed then merge eh?

Plan ahead...
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 08:37 AM
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Tip 1,

keep out of my way

RW
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Steven_RW
Tip 1,

keep out of my way

RW
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Steven_RW
Tip 1 thru 100,

keep out of my way

RW
Best advice ever

Mine is don't reset your trip counter when pulling out of the petrol station, unless you want to snap all your column stalks off!

Neil.

PS RW are you two coming by here on your way to Hull?
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 08:53 AM
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ALWAYS use your indictaors at a roundabout
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 09:17 AM
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good post greg.

similar to your hard shoulder one, when waiting on a main road to turn right at a junction into a side road, don't have the wheels turned right in readiness as if you're hit from behind you will be pushed into oncoming traffic.

when moving to the left or right for whatever eason, as well as having checked the mirrors regularly before and during the manouvre, look over your shoulder to check the blindspot just before moving. i learnt this as the 'lifesaver' move on a bike, but applies equally to car driving as well.

there are the more obvious ones like using indicators, moving over lanes etc, but they're all covered by the general rules of the highway code. the fact that people don't really follow them shows that they are not taught properly and / or properly enforced by the lack of traffic police these days
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by foreigneRS
but they're all covered by the general rules of the highway code. the fact that people don't really follow them shows that they are not properly enforced by the lack of traffic police these days
Unfortunately the highway code isnt the Law, so it would be difficult for a policeman to actually enforce it unless a specifc offence occured such as dangerous driving etc and thay were sure they had enough evidence for a conviction/FPN
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 10:50 AM
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ALWAYS use your indictaors at a roundabout
Totally Agree! Drives me crazy
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 11:03 AM
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how about if it's a small roundabout and you're going straight over? flash your hazard lights?
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 11:05 AM
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Mainly for females, but i've seen many men that this applies to aswell...


driving whilst talking on the phone is considered to be very dangerous...


but not as dangerous as you stopping in a daft fookin place to talk on it, like on a roundabout or a blind bend like i saw somebody this morning doing
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 11:12 AM
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dont crash and always think of other drivers, things you hate people doi is sure to be close to things other people hate so dont do it
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 11:15 AM
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similar to your hard shoulder one, when waiting to turn right at a junction, don't have the wheels turned right in readiness as if you're hit from behind you will be pushed into oncoming traffic
if your wheels are straight you could be pushed into 2 lanes of traffic though
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 11:26 AM
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When at a roundabout, you GIVE WAY TO THE FUCKING RIGHT

When using a push bike, maybe observing traffic light signals rather than ignoring them and riding through red lights may be a good idea.

If on a motorbike, maybe understanding that the wrong side of the road is not there just for you to use as a second lane in heavy traffic and may indeed be there for the traffic travelling in the correct direction
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 11:50 AM
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Here's another.

When going round a bend, if the point where the sides of the road converge up ahead is coming towards you, then bend is tightening, if it's running away from you, it's opening - Time to put the power down
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by ballin
similar to your hard shoulder one, when waiting to turn right at a junction, don't have the wheels turned right in readiness as if you're hit from behind you will be pushed into oncoming traffic
if your wheels are straight you could be pushed into 2 lanes of traffic though
Not at a T junction, when you are on a main road, turning right into a side road

Originally Posted by Gra
If on a motorbike, maybe understanding that the wrong side of the road is not there just for you to use as a second lane in heavy traffic and may indeed be there for the traffic travelling in the correct direction
So true
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:01 PM
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NASCAR drivers, when out on the public roads, dont just turn left
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:13 PM
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At night using full beam turn em off straight away if a cars coming the other way instead of blinding em for a few seconds ya complete set of bastards!
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by ballin
if your wheels are straight you could be pushed into 2 lanes of traffic though
eh? don't get you

if you mean that you could get pushed into the back of something, well that's not as bad as the being pushed into something coming towards you.
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by foreigneRS
good post greg.

similar to your hard shoulder one, when waiting to turn right at a junction, don't have the wheels turned right in readiness as if you're hit from behind you will be pushed into oncoming traffic.

when moving to the left or right for whatever eason, as well as having checked the mirrors regularly before and during the manouvre, look over your shoulder to check the blindspot just before moving. i learnt this as the 'lifesaver' move on a bike, but applies equally to car driving as well.

there are the more obvious ones like using indicators, moving over lanes etc, but they're all covered by the general rules of the highway code. the fact that people don't really follow them shows that they are not taught properly and / or properly enforced by the lack of traffic police these days
some good points there mate but the wheels turned right one could be argued, just say some one did hit you from behind with your wheels turned right you would say have more or less a head on, without the wheels turned you would be side swiped possibly twice from both directions that is if you are turning onto a main road from a side road.

But its a good point if you are on a main raod turnig right into a side road to keep the wheels straight, so if you did get hit up the arse all you would do is roll forward.

Does that seem about right
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:37 PM
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some more tips, gained from motorbiking and an advanced driving course that i did with ex babylon

if the corner is going to the right, move to the left as far as possible (without driving down potholes or in the shite) so that you can see as far as possible around it.

the same for a left hander, but move to the right obviously, only crossing into the other lane if you're absolutely sure it's safe to do so and yielding back into your own lane if anything approaches.

when wanting to overtake something, don't follow too closely. following at a greater distance allows you to see further ahead to see other dangers (signposts for junctions etc) as well as oncoming traffic. when there is an overtaking opportunity approaching, you can anticipate it and accelerate at the right time so that by the time you reach the back of the vehicle in front you are already travelling significantly faster than it to reduce the time that you are exposed to the greatest danger.

then there's some good sayings that it wise to remember and apply:

stay slow until you know

tyres and tarmac - in other words don't stop too closely behind the vehicle in front in traffic in case you need to manouvre around it, give yourself clearance if they roll back, can see ahead further etc, etc.

more paint, more restraint - the more white paint that there is between lanes indicates how much danger there is on that stretch of road. you will see a dashed line on a normal 'safe' stretch that changes to having the dashed paint twice as close when it gets a bit riskier. then you'll have chevrons, solid lines etc. basically, it's a guide to a hazard on the road ahead, so if you are looking to overtake but see the lines on the road increasing, you should wait until you've passed the hazard and the lines reduce again.
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by andyt
some good points there mate but the wheels turned right one could be argued, just say some one did hit you from behind with your wheels turned right you would say have more or less a head on, without the wheels turned you would be side swiped possibly twice from both directions that is if you are turning onto a main road from a side road.
But its a good point if you are on a main raod turnig right into a side road to keep the wheels straight, so if you did get hit up the arse all you would do is roll forward.
Does that seem about right
Ok, so depending on the road conditions at the time, take the action that would result in least risk/injury
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:41 PM
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allways drive to the road conditions at the time
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:42 PM
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Nice one nick

However,
Originally Posted by foreigneRS
the same for a left hander, but move to the right obviously
I agree in principle if everyone did the same, but, you are putting yourself in more danger by doing this with 99% of the driving population that will try and cut the corner on the "white line" apex in the oncoming direction
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:43 PM
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when turnig right onto a main road move as close to the line in the middle of the road so people behind can pull beside to turn left

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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by andyt
allways drive to the road conditions at the time
Your speed should always be such that you can safely stop before the nearest potential danger (and yes, this could mean 20mph on a country lane round a bend )
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by andyt
some good points there mate but the wheels turned right one could be argued, just say some one did hit you from behind with your wheels turned right you would say have more or less a head on, without the wheels turned you would be side swiped possibly twice from both directions that is if you are turning onto a main road from a side road.

But its a good point if you are on a main raod turnig right into a side road to keep the wheels straight, so if you did get hit up the arse all you would do is roll forward.

Does that seem about right
i meant when on the main road waiting to turn right into a side road.

i hadn't thought about the waiting at the end of the side road at a t-junction scenario. i'll edit my original post to make it clear.
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:46 PM
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How about when your attacking down some windy country lanes.....keep an eye on where the telegraph poles in the distance go as it gives you a good indication where the roads going

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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:48 PM
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1. when using the motorway, overtake on the inside as all the other usless c*nts stick to the two outer lanes, occasionly brush the hard shoulder if necassary

2. just get out the fookin way

3. dont crash as sitting it traffic jams is shit!
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by John Laverick
How about when your attacking down some windy country lanes.....keep an eye on where the telegraph poles in the distance go as it gives you a good indication where the roads going

maybe, but it doesn't necessarily tell you that there's a herd of cows around the next corner that you can't see for the hedge.

that takes us back to some previous points about road position and matching speed to conditions and visibility
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:55 PM
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When going around any 2 lane roundabout, or one way system, try not to be absolutely level with the car in the adjoining lane. If you are slightly ahead or behind, half a car length say, a quick tap of the brake or accelerator (as appropriate) will get you ahead of, or behind, that car, should it try to change lanes with no indication. This has saved my bacon from people that dont have a fucking clue how to drive roundabouts three times.

Does that make any sense?
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by foreigneRS
Originally Posted by John Laverick
How about when your attacking down some windy country lanes.....keep an eye on where the telegraph poles in the distance go as it gives you a good indication where the roads going

maybe, but it doesn't necessarily tell you that there's a herd of cows around the next corner that you can't see for the hedge.

that takes us back to some previous points about road position and matching speed to conditions and visibility
I didn't say use it as your only point of reference!! You still have to look down the road as well...it just gives you an indication of the route the road is likely to follow.

I do it loads
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 12:57 PM
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Drive to what you see, not to what you know.
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 01:01 PM
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Dont be TOO hesitant, the amount of times ive shouted "GOOOOOOO" at a roundabout or junction is unbelieveable!

And something else, when its dusk but not dark i.e you could see without lights if you had to and headlights dont even light up the road, then why use headlights? just use side lights as for me it actually impares vision for oncoming cars if its not dark and you have a pair of headlights coming towards you
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 01:03 PM
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A few tips from the IAM (small PDFs) to fuel the discussion


Ice on the road
When backward is best
Brakes to slow, gears to go
Under Pressure ? Don't ignore your tyres
Think Once, Think Twice... Think Bike
How not to skid
Don't take on that tailgater
See and be seen
Respect the weather, dealing with the white stuff (no, not cocaine )
A turn for the worst
Belt up in the back
Too tired to drive
What to do when our roads go to pot
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by imaloverofcars
Dont be TOO hesitant, the amount of times ive shouted "GOOOOOOO" at a roundabout or junction is unbelieveable!

And something else, when its dusk but not dark i.e you could see without lights if you had to and headlights dont even light up the road, then why use headlights? just use side lights as for me it actually impares vision for oncoming cars if its not dark and you have a pair of headlights coming towards you
As there is some high statistics to suggest that cars with headlights on all the time are alot less likely to be involved in accidents.
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 01:05 PM
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Be aware of your surroundings.

Hedges down country lanes will often mean there could be a hidden turning coming up.

Overhanging trees often means the road is more slippery thanks to leaves, sap, general tree deposits, and the fact that the road is shaded from the snulight, so will dry out less quickly, or will simply be colder.

Read the road properly at all times, but especialy when pushing on - read four cars in front, so yuo are best suited to anticpate.

Always assume the other guy in front is an idiot - makes you much less susceptible to a crash if you constantly underestimate people's abilities.
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by John Laverick
How about when your attacking down some windy country lanes.....keep an eye on where the telegraph poles in the distance go as it gives you a good indication where the roads going

my dad used to do rally driving, he said to watch the hedge line as when its moving you can see where the road goes, but if your driving towards a bit of hedge that aint moving then a sharp bend is coming up

summut like that anyhow lol
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 01:21 PM
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wipers on lights on.

To touch again on the main beam, if driving on the motorway , even with an armco , the main beam can still blind drivers in the other side

for this reason I am considering using this on the arseholes who dont turn them off

1 million candlepower.

And dont get me started on FOGLIGHTS when it isn't FUCKING FOGGY
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 01:31 PM
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c*nts that drive along a LOOONG 50mph road


at 30!!

does my fucking head in!!!!
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