Category: Driving News

 Driving in Rain

• Slow down: Wet roads reduce traction and increase stopping distance.

• Increase following distance: Leave extra space between you and the car ahead.

• Use headlights, not high beams: Low beams make you more visible; high beams reflect off rain.

• Avoid hydroplaning: If your car starts to skid on water, ease off the gas, steer gently in the direction you want to go, and don’t slam on the brakes.

Driving in Snow & Ice

• Drive slowly: Speed limits are for ideal conditions; go slower when it’s slippery.

• Gentle movements: Accelerate, brake, and steer smoothly to avoid skids.

• Increase stopping distance: It can take 10 times longer to stop on ice than dry pavement.

• Clear your car: Remove snow/ice from all windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof before driving.

• If you skid: Steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go, and avoid braking hard.

Driving in Fog

• Use low beams or fog lights: High beams reflect off the fog and make it harder to see.

• Slow down and increase following distance.

• Use the right edge of the road or painted lines as a guide to stay in your lane.

• Avoid sudden stops: Brake gently so drivers behind have time to react.

• If visibility is near zero: Safely pull off the road, turn on hazard lights, and wait until conditions improve.

Above anything else, a solid foundation in driving will benefit you more than anything else! You can always start or continue to get better with driving lessons!

If two vehicles arrive at a stop sign at the same time, the driver on the right has the right of way. In other words, you must yield to the car on your right. This is often referred to as the “right-hand rule.”

Step-by-Step Guide

1. First Come, First Go: If one driver stops first, that driver goes first.
2. At the Same Time: If both drivers stop at the same time, yield to the driver on your right.
3. Opposing Vehicles: If two vehicles face each other, and one is turning left while the other is going straight or turning right, the left-turning vehicle must yield.
4. Pedestrians and Cyclists: Always yield to people crossing the intersection, even if it’s your turn.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Waving others on: Don’t try to “direct traffic.” Stick to the rules to keep traffic flowing safely.
• Rolling stops: Always come to a complete stop. It gives you time to assess who goes first.
• Assuming others will wait: Not every driver follows the rules, so be cautious and defensive.

Why This Rule Matters

Following the right-of-way rules at stop signs prevents confusion, reduces the risk of accidents, and keeps traffic moving smoothly. When all drivers know the rules, intersections become safer for everyone.

 

1. If You’re on the Main (Through) Road

• Keep driving straight or follow the curve of the road.
• Yield to any cars entering from the side road (if there are yield or stop signs posted for them).
• Watch for pedestrians crossing at the junction.

2. If You’re on the Side Road (the “T” part)

• You’ll usually face a STOP or YIELD sign.
• Come to a full stop if required, then:
  • Turning right: Signal right, check for traffic coming from the left, and turn when clear.
  • Turning left: Signal left, yield to oncoming cars from both directions, then complete the turn safely.

3. If It’s an Uncontrolled Intersection (no signs)

• Vehicles on the through road have the right of way.
• Vehicles on the ending road must yield.
• Always yield to pedestrians and cyclists.

4. Extra Tips

• Use your turn signals well in advance.
• Slow down as you approach in case traffic rules require you to stop or yield.
• Stay in your correct lane when turning.
• Never cut corners—turn into the closest available lane.

You can get additional help through courses like Defense Driving, which not only benefits the quality of your driving but lowers your insurance aswell!

Many drivers unknowingly harm their cars with everyday habits. Here are the top ways you might be accidentally destroying your car—and what to do instead:

1. Ignoring Warning Lights

• 🔥 Check Engine, Oil, Battery—they’re not suggestions!
• ❌ Ignoring them can lead to engine failure, overheating, or a dead battery.

2. Riding the Brakes (or Clutch)

• 🛑 Constant braking—especially downhill—overheats brake pads.
• 🕹️ Riding the clutch (manual cars) wears it out faster and leads to expensive repairs.

3. Revving a Cold Engine

• 🚫 Revving right after startup (especially in cold weather) damages engine components.
• ✅ Let it idle gently for 30 seconds to circulate oil.

4. Running on Empty Often

• ⛽ Low fuel can overheat or damage the fuel pump.
• 🧊 It also increases the chance of debris entering your engine.

5. Skipping Oil Changes

• 🛢️ Old oil becomes dirty, leading to engine wear and overheating.
• ✅ Stick to your manufacturer’s oil change schedule (usually every 5,000–7,500 miles).

6. Hitting Potholes and Speed Bumps Too Fast

• 💥 Destroys tires, suspension, alignment, and even your undercarriage.
• ✅ Slow down and steer carefully when roads are rough.

7. Using the Wrong Fuel

• ⚠️ Using regular fuel in a premium-only engine can damage it.
• ✅ Always check your owner’s manual.

8. Overloading the Car

• 🚙 Too much weight strains the brakes, suspension, and tires.
• ✅ Stay within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

9. Not Rotating Tires

• 🔁 Causes uneven tire wear, worse handling, and shorter tire life.
• ✅ Rotate tires every 5,000–7,500 miles.

10. Neglecting Regular Maintenance

• 🔧 Skipping inspections, belt replacements, fluid checks, etc. leads to:
  • Breakdown risk 🚫
  • Expensive fixes 💸
  • Lower resale value 📉

A lack of knowledge is one of the easiest ways you can harm your car! You should always be aware of just how dangerous the road is and try to improve your driving skills by taking driving lessons!

You should use your headlights not just when it’s dark, but anytime visibility is reduced or required by law. Here’s a clear guide:

💡 When Should You Use Your Headlights?

🌙 1. From Sunset to Sunrise

• Required by law in all states.
• Turn them on as soon as the sun starts going down—not just when it’s pitch dark.

🌧️ 2. In Poor Weather Conditions

Use headlights during:

• Rain
• Snow
• Fog
• Smoke or dust

In many states, if your wipers are on, your headlights must be on too (even in daylight).

🌫️ 3. In Low Visibility (Less Than 500 Feet)

• If you can’t see about 2 city blocks ahead, turn them on—even during the day.

🚗 4. When Driving Through Tunnels or Mountain Passes

• Required in many areas due to changing light conditions.

🔁 5. When Using High Beams vs. Low Beams

• Use high beams on dark rural roads (no oncoming traffic).
• Dim them when:
  • Another vehicle is within 500 feet (approaching)
  • You’re following within 300 feet
  • Driving in fog, rain, or snow (they reflect light back at you)

⚠️ 6. Anytime You Want to Be Seen Better

• Dawn/dusk hours
• Shaded roads
• Parking on roadside at night

As always, you can always improve your driving through courses like the defensive driving program, as this program has many benefits beyond just improving your abilities. It can also lower your insurance prices!

Knowing who has the right of way is crucial for avoiding accidents and keeping traffic flowing smoothly. Here’s a clear breakdown to help you understand common right-of-way situations:

🚦 How to Know Who Has the Right of Way

🛑 1. At Stop Signs (4-Way or All-Way Stops)

• First come, first go: The first car to stop should go first.
• If you stop at the same time:
  • The driver on the right has the right of way.
  • If you’re directly across from another car and one of you is turning left, the one going straight or turning right goes first.

🔄 2. At Uncontrolled Intersections (No Signs or Lights)

• Yield to traffic from your right.
• If you’re on a smaller road entering a larger one, yield to traffic on the main road.

🚥 3. At Traffic Lights

• Green light: You have the right of way—unless you’re turning left.
• Left turn on green: Yield to oncoming traffic unless you have a green arrow.
• Red light: Stop. You may turn right on red if allowed, but yield to all traffic and pedestrians first.

🚸 4. Pedestrians

• Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks (marked or unmarked at intersections).
• Yield when turning at an intersection, even if you have a green light.
• Stop when school crossing guards signal.

🚌 5. Emergency Vehicles

• Yield to police, fire, ambulance, or rescue vehicles with lights and sirens.
• Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until they pass.

🚍 6. School Buses

• Stop when a school bus has red lights flashing and a stop arm extended—in both directions, unless there’s a physical median.

🛣️ 7. Merging or Highway Entrances

• Cars entering the highway must yield to vehicles already on it.
• On ramps: Use acceleration lanes to merge safely, but don’t force your way in.

🔑 Golden Rule: When in doubt, yield. It’s better to be safe than “right.”

As always, you can always improve your driving through courses like the defensive driving program, as this program has many benefits beyond just improving your abilities. It can also lower your insurance prices!

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!