7 Things You Should Be Doing While Driving (But Probably Aren't)

[liberal N proud]

1. Staying with the pack
The classic rule of thumb that the government uses for setting speed limits is that the posted speed should be around the 85th percentile of natural traffic speed. It's often lower than that, though, because a lot of areas go with preset speeds. That means most of the cars are speeding. Translation: if you’re not keeping up with the flow of traffic, you’re presenting a greater risk by going slow.

2. Driving in the right lane
If you’re in bumper-to-bumper traffic, sure, you can be in the left lane, but otherwise, the left lane is for passing only. Not only is staying in the left lane a great way to spark road rage in those around you, but in many states you can get a ticket for obstruction of traffic for staying in the left. Bravo to the officer above for enforcing the rule.
Remember this dude: http://giphy.com/gifs/left-lane-squatter-3o85xLgKOtu3lzfwQg?utm_source=iframe&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=tag_click

3. Braking with your left foot

4. Utilizing your ride's modern technology (put the cell phone down)

5. Using your parking brake even if you're not driving a stick shift

6. Giving your car adequate time to warm up

7. Recording everything
http://www.supercompressor.com/rides/7-things-you-aren-t-doing-while-driving-automotive-habits-everyone-should-have

1 & 2 are probably my biggest pet-peeves when I am on a road trip. And I am starting to think no. 7 is a good idea.

[hobbit709]

1. difficult to do #3 if you drive a standard. When I'm driving my phone is OFF.

#5 is not a good idea in wet, freezing conditions. Cable may freeze and stick.

[liberal N proud]

2. I don't use my cell phone in the car either

When we travel, I will lay it on the console and if someone calls, my wife answers it.
I was rear ended a couple of years ago by a woman texting while drive, she was doing 45 and I was stopped for traffic. She was uninsured on top of it.

Slow driver, left lane loafers and cell phone users are probably the biggest pains on the road. Then you get the slow driver in the left lane and that really screws things up.

[CanSocDem]

3. Braking with your "left" foot?

That is just wrong.

The proper way to brake is to remove your RIGHT foot from the accelerator and use it to apply the brake.

This, firstly, slows the vehicle by removing acceleration and then completes the maneuver by applying the brake. NO confusion in the other drivers who react to the brake lights and slowing vehicle.

No false or confusing signals from illuminated brake lights....


.

[OriginalGeek]

7. Seriously!

I used my left foot for the clutch when I had a standard but now I'm old enough I don't like all that extra work so I don't drive shifter cars. I drive Luxury automobiles that shift themselves.


But man, I would have already been in enough accidents to get my license revoked if I tried to brake with my left foot. IT just isn;t trained for that. I'd like to see where the article writer got that idea from.

[liberal N proud]

8. I don't think I will be trying that anytime soon either

Just the coordination to start doing that is difficult enough.

[SwissTony]

10. I've rarely driven automatics

The idea of using my left foot to brake just seems dangerous. But I guess if you've driven an automatic all your driving life...

But I'd hate to have to switch.

[BlueJazz]

4. One of the most irritating things about drivers "Lagging behind" is the problem when

...drivers/car spread out so much that people (coming from the opposite direction) can't find a "Hole" to make a left hand turn Plus it's a pain to even make a right turn off a side street.

We've all been there...We're trying to turn left and a group of cars go by ...then 10 cars are lagging behind and J-U-S-T enough that you can't safely make a turn but have to wait forever for the last slowpoke to finally go by.

[Facility Inspector]

5. modern cars don't need a warming up period

long idle is destructive to engine, plus it wastes gas and creates unnecessary pollution.

I've gone from -12 F to on the road once I let the idle go down. Never a problem. Takes less than a few seconds.

[mopinko]

11. yup. this is the advice from click and clack, also.

if you have an old car, drive slowly the first couple blocks and you are fine.

[Art_from_Ark]

6. I don't like staying with the pack, especially on an Interstate

There's a greater chance of getting in a multi-car collision that way.

I can sort of understand the idea of braking with the left foot, because there have occasionally been accidents where someone hit the accelerator instead of the brake with their right foot. However, you certainly can't do that if you drive a manual.

[liberal N proud]

9. Staying with the pack vs driving the speed that most drivers are driving

You will see packs of cars running at high rate of speed. usually 15 mph or more than speed limit and they just stay together sometimes real tight. I don't tend to do that either.

But when I am driving the interstate, I will push the speed limit a little between 5 - 10 over depending on what the rest of the drivers are doing or how much traffic is on the road. But I like to be a little lone wolf on the road and not have to drive even more cars.

I always say when I am on the road, I am driving my car while driving all those around me, meaning that I am anticipating what each and every vehicle I am approaching and even those right behind me are doing. By anticipating what the other drivers are doing, I can take adjust my driving accordingly. If I am in the fast lane passing another vehicle and see someone coming up behind me that is faster, I will speed up to get out of their way if possible. Likewise, I will try to wait to pass if I see you before getting in the right line. I don't want to stop anyone from going faster than I am or the speed limit. None of my business. I just wish everyone would be a little more courteous on the road.

Well, that turned in to a small rant.

[we can do it]

12. No to braking with left foot. Who writes this shit?

[liberal N proud]

13. Here is something to think about...

There are probably people out there braking with their left foot all the time.

That and other wild, unsavory, dangerous activities while behind the wheel.

[we can do it]

14. I know.

[Major Nikon]

15. Lots of just plain wrong

1. Not sure where the author gets this "rule of thumb". Speed limits are determined by a variety of factors by traffic engineers and I just don't believe that the feel good speed used by most drivers in any given area is one of those things.

3. Obviously the author has never driven a standard or even thought about driving a standard and the "cased closed" is just stupid. The article cited involves pedal misapplication and doesn't even address which method is preferred.

6. Myth

[WinkyDink]

16. NEVER #3!!!!!!

[GoneOffShore]

17. And don't drive like this guy

https://www.facebook.com/Reseau.icp.france/videos/1647654045519322/?pnref=story

[liberal N proud]

18. He is in front and doesn't want anyone to pass

What an ass

[GoneOffShore]

19. And did you notice how the motorway gendarmes dealt with him?

Got roughed up a bit, but didn't get 'deaded'.

[Frank Cannon]

20. I'd just be happy if people SIGNALED A FUCKING LANE CHANGE.

Or even knew where the goddam turn signal lever is and what it's used for.