Good Ways to Practice Driving?

Question

I just recently received my permit, and have had my first lesson. I plan on going to my second lesson to make sure I know the basics of moving around in the busy streets of LA.

Problem is, however, that I most likely will not be ready to be driving around like everybody else without being some kind of hazard. I want to practice my driving skills while still being safe and not being a hazard to others.

Any good tips on how to practice? Thanks!

Answer 1

If you have an adult who can take you out driving, see if they can do it in the late evening. Go into an industrial area, (god knows LA has enough of those) and drive the deserted streets that are jambed with trucks during the day. It will give you a chance to drive in a relatively quiet setting and you will have railroad tracks, traffic signals, 4-way stops and just about ever other kind of traffic control situation you could think of.

The previous answers are very good ones. One thing to remember. For at least the first two years you drive, you need to focus 100% on your driving. Radio off... or down to a level you can still hear "traffic" around you. If you end up with a carload of your friends, and they get loud and start messing around, pull over, stop and just sit there. When they ask you what's going on, tell them that you refuse to jeopordize their lives because you are distracted. You wanted to watch what was going on. Yeah.. they will give you crap about it, but that's better than a ride in a ambulance... or worse.

Good luck and you asked an excellent question.

Answer 2

Practice Driving

Answer 3

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an empty parking lot.. once you get some experience go out to a back road or neighborhood where there's very little traffic so you can learn to actually drive on roads without the stress of having cars all around you.

Answer 4

i was asking that how can i find a car to practice how to drive a car

Answer 5

Here is how to practice while still being safe and not being a hazard to others: ride in the front passenger seat while a more experienced driver is driving and pretend as much as possible that you are the one driving and having to make decisions about the present moment. You can do this entirely in your mind or you can mimic the motions necessary, depending upon your comfort level with the driver and so forth.

The previous answer states some good practices... but not how to practice.

Answer 6

Excellent question. Here's some advice.

1) As you get into the car, tell yourself "if I'm not careful, I could kill or injure someone." I mean, that's the bottom line. So think about that. I'm 54 years old and have driven since I was 15, and I tell myself that every time.

2) Drive so that even if another driver makes a mistake, you won't have an accident. Be aware of the situation. Don't hesitate to slow down. Look for potential problems.

3) Don't eat in the car. If you're hungry, pull over and eat.

4) Don't be distracted. Don't focus your attention on how to change channels on your sattelite radio, etc. Don't talk on the cell phone. If someone calls you, pull over the return the call.

5) Every ten seconds or so, glance in your side mirrors and rearview mirror. Be aware of what is around you.

6) Keep two seconds of travel time between you and the car ahead of you. Unfortunately, that is sometimes not possible on urban freeways. If not, focus your attention on what is going on in front of you.

7) Don't drive angry.

8) In residential neighborhoods, glance underneath parked cars as your approach them. Children will often stand or play between parked cars. If you see little feet, that child may dart out in front of you.

9) Know where you're going. If you get lost or confused, pull over and check the map.

10) No traffic violations.

11) Drive a car with ABS (anti-lock) brakes. These let you steer around a situation rather than plowing into it. In fact, I had to do just that last week.

12) Make sure your car is well-maintained and everything -- lights, wipers, etc. works.

Ok, so that sounds like a lot. So let me simplify. Most accidents are caused by too much speed or too little attention. Don't have a heavy foot on the gas pedal and keep your brain focused. If at all possible, take a defensive driving class. Best wishes.