Category: Driving News

Passing another car is only legal when it’s safe and permitted by road markings, signs, and traffic laws. Here’s a breakdown of when it’s legal—and when it’s not:

✅ When It’s Legal to Pass Another Car

✔️ On a Two-Lane Road:

• Broken yellow line on your side: You may pass if it’s safe and there’s no oncoming traffic.
• Both lines broken: Either direction may pass when safe.

✔️ On Highways/Freeways:

• You can pass on the left, and sometimes on the right if the vehicle ahead is turning left or in slower traffic (check local laws).
• Always use your turn signal before changing lanes.

✔️ When There’s a Passing Zone:

• Confirm it’s marked by signs or road lines allowing passing.
• Make sure there’s enough clear distance ahead to safely pass and return to your lane.

❌ When It’s Illegal or Unsafe to Pass

🚫 Solid yellow line on your side

• Passing is not allowed.

🚫 Hills, curves, or blind spots

• Never pass where you can’t see at least several hundred feet ahead.

🚫 Near intersections, crosswalks, bridges, tunnels, or railroad crossings

• These are high-risk areas; passing is often prohibited.

🚫 School zones or areas with pedestrian traffic

• Risk is too high for sudden stops or unpredictable movement.

🚫 In no-passing zones

• Look for posted signs or road markings that explicitly prohibit passing.

 

To legally drive a vehicle, you typically need the following three essential documents:

✅ Documents You Need to Legally Drive

1. Valid Driver’s License

• Proves you’re authorized to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be appropriate for the type of vehicle (e.g., standard, commercial).
• Must be current and not suspended or expired.

2. Vehicle Registration

• Shows that your vehicle is legally registered with your state’s DMV or transport authority.
• Usually kept in the glove box.
• Must be current (renew annually or biannually in most states).

3. Proof of Insurance

• Verifies that you have the minimum required auto insurance (liability at a minimum).
• Can be a physical card, digital copy, or app-based proof depending on your state.
• Must be presented if pulled over or involved in an accident.

🔍 What Is a DUI?

A DUI occurs when a person operates a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both. This includes:

• Alcohol: BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of 0.08% or more (in most U.S. states)

• Illegal drugs: Including marijuana, cocaine, etc.

• Prescription or OTC meds: Even legally taken medications that impair alertness

🚔 What Happens If You Get a DUI?

1. Immediate Consequences

• Arrest: You’ll likely be arrested and taken to jail.
• Vehicle impounded: Your car may be towed or impounded.
• Booking: Includes fingerprinting, mugshots, and a record of the offense.

2. License Suspension

• Administrative suspension: Often happens immediately, even before court.
• Duration: Typically 6 months to a year for a first offense. Longer if there was injury, high BAC, or prior DUIs.
• You may need to install an ignition interlock device to regain driving privileges.

3. Court and Legal Penalties

• Fines and court fees: Often range from $500 to $2,000+
• Jail time:
  • First offense: May be 1–30 days depending on the state.
  • Repeat offenses: Can lead to months or years in prison.
• Probation: DUI offenders often receive 1–3 years of probation with strict conditions.
• Mandatory DUI classes: Substance abuse education and treatment programs.

4. Insurance Consequences

• Your car insurance will:
  • Skyrocket (if not canceled)
  • Require SR-22 insurance (proof of high-risk coverage)

5. Long-Term Effects

• Criminal record: Affects employment, housing, and travel (some countries deny entry to DUI offenders).
• Job loss: Especially if your job involves driving or has a strict conduct policy.
• Restricted travel: Countries like Canada may deny entry after a DUI conviction.

6. Additional Costs

• Towing and impound fees
• Court fees
• License reinstatement fees
• Ignition interlock device installation and monitoring
• Lost income due to court dates, jail, or job loss

What You Should Do If You Get a DUI

• Hire an attorney: Don’t try to handle it alone.
• Follow court orders: Complete all classes, pay fines, attend hearings.
• Avoid repeat offenses: Another DUI makes everything much worse.
• Get help if needed: Alcohol or substance counseling can help prevent it from happening again.

 

There are many common misconceptions about driving that can lead to unsafe practices, legal trouble, or general confusion. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most widespread ones:

1. “Hands-free means risk-free.”

• Reality: While using a hands-free device is legal in many places, studies show it’s still a major cognitive distraction. Your brain is focused on the conversation, not the road.

2. “I drive better when I’m a little buzzed.”

• Reality: This is a dangerous myth. Even small amounts of alcohol impair reaction time, coordination, and judgment. “Buzzed driving is drunk driving.”

3. “Speeding slightly is no big deal.”

• Reality: Even 5–10 mph over the speed limit increases stopping distance and the severity of crashes. It’s also illegal and can still get you ticketed.

4. “I don’t need to use a turn signal if no one is around.”

• Reality: Using your signal is still essential—it’s a habit that promotes safety and is required by law. Skipping it can cause issues if someone appears unexpectedly.

5. “Four-wheel drive makes you invincible in snow or rain.”

• Reality: 4WD helps with traction but doesn’t improve braking or cornering on slick surfaces. Many crashes happen because drivers overestimate 4WD capabilities.

6. “Newer cars don’t need maintenance as often.”

• Reality: Modern cars are more reliable, but skipping oil changes, brake checks, or tire rotations can still lead to breakdowns and expensive repairs.

7. “It’s okay to coast in neutral to save gas.”

• Reality: Coasting in neutral can reduce control of the vehicle, especially downhill. Modern fuel-injected engines often use less fuel when you coast in gear.

8. “You only need to check your mirrors—not blind spots.”

• Reality: Mirrors don’t show everything. A quick shoulder check is critical, especially when changing lanes.

9. “If the speed limit is 70 mph, it’s safe to drive 70 mph in any condition.”

• Reality: Speed limits are for ideal conditions. You’re legally and morally expected to slow down in rain, fog, or heavy traffic.

10. “You can’t get a ticket for driving too slowly.”

• Reality: Driving significantly below the speed limit can be dangerous and illegal, especially if it disrupts the flow of traffic.

11. “I don’t need to practice driving before my road test! I’ll be fine.”

• Reality: No, you will not. The reality of driving is much different than our minds depict it to be. Before even attempting a road test you should have had 6-hours of driving lessons with an instructor!

 

Who is Joshua?

Joshua Robert Brown was a high achieving teen who was bound for great things, as he had been accepted into a prestigious music school in Boston, which he was supposed to attend after his high school graduation. Tragically these plans were cut short by a terrible accident. Joshua’s truck hit a puddle of water leading him to hydroplane and crash into a tree. Joshua fought for his life for nine days but his life was cut short on July 9th.

What is Joshua’s Law?

After Joshua’s death, his parents, Alan and Christy Brown, advocated for stronger driver education. With the help of Alan and Christy the requirements have developed safer roads!

For 16-year-olds to get a Class D license:

• Complete 30 hours of classroom instruction (or online equivalent)

• Do 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training at a driving school (or 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 of which must be at night)

• Hold a learner’s permit (Class CP) for at least 1 year and 1 day

• Pass a road test

17-year-olds must meet similar requirements, but the classroom and driving course isn’t always mandatory depending on their permit date.

Driving in a torrential downpour is dangerous, but if you must drive, here are critical tips to do it as safely as possible:

🚗 Before You Drive

1. Wait it out if possible – Avoid driving unless it’s absolutely necessary.
2. Check your wipers – Make sure your windshield wipers work well.
3. Turn on headlights – Even during the day, use low beams for visibility.
4. Inspect tires – Proper tread and inflation are essential to avoid hydroplaning.

🌧️ While Driving

1. Slow Down

• Rain reduces traction. Drive 10–20 mph slower than usual.
• Speeding increases the risk of hydroplaning.

2. Keep Distance

• Triple your following distance from other cars.
• Avoid sudden braking – brake gently to avoid skidding.

3. Avoid Standing Water

• Never drive through flooded roads. It only takes 6 inches of water to stall a car and 12 inches to sweep it away.
• If you can’t judge the depth, turn around.

4. Use the Center Lanes

• Water pools more in the outside lanes and along curbs.

5. Defog Your Windows

• Use AC or defroster to maintain clear visibility.
• Open windows slightly if needed.

⚠️ If You Start to Hydroplane

• Don’t brake or turn suddenly.
• Ease off the gas, keep the steering wheel straight.
• If your car starts to spin, turn gently in the direction you want to go.

🛑 If Visibility Is Near Zero

• Pull over to a safe area (not the shoulder if possible).
• Turn on hazard lights.
• Wait until the rain eases before continuing.

 

Hand-over-hand turning is a steering technique where one hand pulls the wheel down while the other crosses over to continue turning it. It’s widely taught in driver’s education and offers several key benefits:

✅ Benefits of Hand-Over-Hand Turning:

1. More control during sharp turns

• Especially useful for tight corners, U-turns, and parking.
• Lets you turn the wheel more quickly and accurately.

2. Keeps both hands on the wheel longer

• Compared to one-handed turning, this method keeps more consistent contact, improving control.

3. Better balance and body position

• Helps keep your upper body centered and balanced, which matters if you need to make quick corrections.

4. Safer for emergency maneuvers

• You can respond faster when swerving or recovering from a skid.

5. Improved precision at low speeds

• Ideal for slow maneuvers like parallel parking, 3-point turns, or driving in tight spaces.

⚠️ Note:

• At higher speeds, like on highways, you usually don’t need full hand-over-hand turns—push-pull steering (also called shuffle steering) is smoother and safer.
• In vehicles with airbags, some instructors now recommend keeping hands at 9 and 3 o’clock instead of crossing your arms fully, to avoid injury if the airbag deploys.

 

If you get in a wreck, here’s exactly what you should do step-by-step, as calmly and safely as possible:

 1. Check for injuries

• Check yourself and passengers for injuries first.
• If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately.

 2. Move to safety (if possible)

• If the car is drivable and it’s safe, move it to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic.
• If not, turn on your hazard lights and stay in the car unless it’s unsafe (like fire, smoke, etc.).

3. Call the police

• Even for minor accidents, it’s usually legally required to call the police, especially if there are injuries or major damage.
• They’ll file an official report which is important for insurance.

4. Document everything

Take clear photos or videos of:

• Damage to both cars
• License plates
• The scene (position of cars, street signs, debris, etc.)
• Any injuries if visible

5. Exchange information

Get this from the other driver:

• Name
• Phone number
• Driver’s license
• License plate number
• Insurance company and policy number
• Take a photo of their insurance card if possible

Do not admit fault — just stick to the facts.

 6. Get witness info (if any)

• Ask for names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened.

7. Report to your insurance

• Call or use your insurance app to report the accident as soon as possible.
• Provide all details and photos you took.

8. Get a copy of the police report

• You may need this for your insurance claim.
• Ask the officer how to obtain it.

If you have any other questions about driving contact A1-Driving Schools @ a1drivingschools.com!

If you hydroplane (lose traction and start sliding on wet roads), stay calm and take these steps right away:

🚨 1. Don’t slam on the brakes

• Braking hard can make you skid more.

• Ease off the gas pedal slowly.

🛞 2. Steer gently in the direction you want to go

• Don’t jerk the wheel — just steer smoothly to stay straight.
• If your car’s back end is sliding out, gently steer into the skid to regain control.

⚙️ 3. Wait until you regain traction

• Your tires will eventually reconnect with the road.

• When they do, you can begin to gently steer or brake if needed.

⛔️ 4. Avoid sudden moves

• No sharp turns.

• No quick acceleration or hard braking.

🧠 Bonus: How to prevent hydroplaning

• Drive slower in rain or puddles.

• Make sure your tires have good tread and are properly inflated.

• Avoid using cruise control on wet roads.

• Drive in the tracks of the car in front of you if possible.

If you have any further questions about driving contact us at A1-Driving Schools! Courses like risk reduction can help deepen your understanding of situations like these, so try and take one!

Defensive driving is always great for many reasons, not just insurance! Here are just a few of the reasons why you should give defensive driving a chance:

1. Increased Safety

• Helps prevent collisions by anticipating potential hazards.
• Encourages scanning the road ahead, checking mirrors, and being prepared for others’ mistakes.

2. Lower Insurance Costs

• Many insurers offer discounts for completing defensive driving courses.
• A clean driving record (fewer accidents and tickets) also keeps premiums lower.

3. Reduced Vehicle Wear and Tear

• Smooth braking and acceleration prevent unnecessary strain on your car’s engine, brakes, and tires.
• This can lead to fewer repairs and longer vehicle life.

4. Fewer Traffic Violations

• Defensive drivers are less likely to speed, run red lights, or make risky lane changes.
• This helps avoid fines, points on your license, and license suspensions.

5. Reduced Stress Behind the Wheel

• Being prepared and alert helps you stay calm and make better decisions.
• You’ll feel more in control and less reactive to aggressive or erratic drivers.