Although millions of Americans are licensed to drive automobiles, learning to drive safely and confidently can be a challenge. Every vehicle offers its own unique set of skills to master, but there are several fundamental ideas that should be kept in mind by all drivers, whether new or experienced.
Safety should be among the most important parts of learning to drive. Automobile deaths have decreased drastically in recent decades, due primarily to the development and standardization of safety features on new cars. Ensuring that a car's safety features are in good working order is the first step to driving.
A car should not be driven unless it is in good running order. The horn should be audible to alert other drivers in case of emergency. Brakes should be inspected regularly, and replaced when necessary. Additionally, all mirrors and windows should be kept clean. Mirrors should be positioned to afford the driver the greatest field of view, and should be adjusted each time a new driver enters the car. Seat belts should always be worn, and proper procedures should be followed for installing and driving with child seats.
Driving every car is different, and a good driver will become acquainted with his or her vehicle before setting out on the road. Reading the owner's manual is a good place to start. Basic vehicle operation consists of starting the car, using the gear selector, gas pedal, and brake, as well as steering and using the car's directional signals.
Drivers should carefully operate the gas and brake pedals until they become familiar with how much force is needed to make the car start and stop. Steering should be done with two hands, positioned at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions on the wheel unless making a turn. Use the directional lights (the lever is usually located on the steering column) to notify other drivers of all turns.
There are several other driving skills and features of a car that drivers should be aware of. Operating the headlights and windshield wipers is essential for driving at night or in bad weather. Also, if the vehicle is equipped with features such as fog lamps or 4-wheel drive, the driver should know how -- and when -- to use them. A part-time 4-wheel drive system is usually activated by a lever or button on the car's center console. Fog lamps may be controlled by the same mechanism as the headlights, or may have a separate switch or button nearby.
For cars equipped with manual transmissions, learning to shift and operate the clutch are additional challenges that require practice.
Skilled driving doesn't end with mastering the operation of the car itself. Knowing the rules of the road and how to read road signs is essential to safe driving. Stop signs, traffic lights, speed limits, no-parking signs and railroad crossings may be obvious to most drivers, but other signs, such as those permitting or restricting certain turns, or indicating lane changes, need to be fully understood before the driver sets out. Additionally, road markings are important to understand. For example, the kind of lane-dividing lines used tell drivers whether they can change lanes. Solid lines mean motorists should not cross lanes, a divided line allows for changing lanes.
Finally, a driver should become familiar with the specific challenges of driving in a specific region. Different weather conditions demand certain skill, such as knowing how to drive in heavy rain, snow and ice, or fog.
Besides the differences in weather, drivers in different states must obey specific traffic laws that may differ from state to state. These may include the allowance of certain turns, such as U-turns or turning right at a red light. Most states also provide a maximum speed limit that must be followed when speed limits are not posted.
