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Keeping a safe space

...people are killed and injured as a result of running out of space...

This section contains similar advice to that is often given to learner drivers - but don't be misled into thinking that this is 'kids stuff'...

As far as space is concerned, the only difference between learners and advanced drivers is experience.

Given that people are killed and injured as a result of running out of space, the information on these pages will go a long way towards keeping you, and your loved ones, safe on the road.

Space travel

Astronauts don't need the skill of controlling the space around their rockets – there is virtually no chance of them bumping into another spaceship, nor of them being hit from behind!

Back down here on Earth drivers still have to 'driving in space' but for them the space is man made - that is, driver-made. If you are familiar with a view similar to that shown in the picture above when driving - you're not making enough space for yourself, or for those following behind.

Drivers need to keep a safe space between their vehicles and other road users, bollards, trees and walls, etcetera – the safety bubble.

This section will explains the basics of maintaining a safety bubble around your vehicle.

Space to the front allows you to react sooner and gives you more time to stop - reducing the risk of a broken neck as a result of being hit from behind.

Space to the front

The safety space in front is the easiest one for you to control. You can adjust the gap between yourself and the vehicle in front by simply varying your speed. If you regularly get a close up view of large vehicles (or slow vehicles for that matter!) you need to develop the skill of maintaining a safe gap.
The picture on the right was taken from a car travelling at about 15 mph. The driver has kept back for three reasons.

• To leave a safe stopping distance (especially as the view ahead is severely limited).
• To get a view of the road ahead by looking underneath the vehicle in front.
• To maximise space as the driver enters a narrow section of road over a bridge.

Your forward safety gap must always be large enough for you to stop safely if necessary; an easy way to maintain this gap on a dry road is to use the 'two-second rule'.
On a clear road you should always be able to stop safely.
You will often here trainers say that you should be able to stop 'well within the distance that you can see to be clear ahead' - but this is not enough, especially if you are driving fast. You need to be able to stop in in half of the clear distance that you can see ahead - this gives a good margin for error if, for example, another car comes around a bend on your side of the road at the same speed as you.

The Two Second Rule

Applying this rule is easy. First, watch the vehicle ahead pass a static marker point. A tree, a phone box, a lamp-post, a motorway bridge or any other fixed reference point.
As the vehicle passes the fixed point, recite the following phrase at a normal speaking rate:
'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule'
This should take approximately two seconds to say.
You should have finished the phrase as, or before, you reach the fixed reference point.
If you pass the point before you finish speaking, you are too close to the vehicle in front; pull back and try again.
In poor weather conditions your gap should be at least double.
As the vehicle passes the fixed point, recite the following phrase at a normal speaking rate:
'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule - and more time in the wet' This should take approximately four seconds to say.
Again, you should have finished the phrase as, or before, you reach the fixed reference point.
Initially the gap might seem to you to be very large – if this is the case, it's indicative of the fact that up to now, you have been driving dangerously close and trusting 'good luck' to keep you alive.

Tyres and tarmac

The two-second-rule will help you to maintain a safe distance when your car is moving, but you must also consider the gap to the front when you stop in traffic queues.

• What if the car in front rolls back?
• What if your foot slips off the clutch?
• What if you are facing down hill and your handbrake fails?

If you always leave enough room to steer around the vehicle in front the gap should be big enough for any eventuality (about 2 metres).
An easy way to measure this for yourself is to use the 'tyres and tarmac' rule. When stopped behind another vehicle you should be able to see its rear tyres and some of the road surface behind them.

If you are travelling at 50 mph and someone overtakes, you are still travelling at 50 mph and have not lost anything.

Keeping a safety space to the rear

If the vehicle behind is following too closely, you need to increase your forward safety gap. Doing this will protect you and the driver behind in an emergency because there will be enough room for you both to stop safely.
Another easy way to control this gap is to allow the vehicle behind you to overtake; this will make no difference to your journey time but it will reduce the risk of a rear end shunt and a broken neck. You are not in a race!
I often come across drivers who seem to consider that when they are overtaken, the other drivers are 'stealing their space'. This is insanity!

At any time there are millions of vehicles joining roads behind you and ahead of you.
If you are travelling at 50 mph and someone overtakes, you are still travelling at 50 mph and have not lost anything.
If you are male and consider being overtaken an 'affront to your manhood' – see a doctor and get a life! (Another term might be 'grow up'!)

If you regularly find that you are stressed by vehicles following too close behind, start to allow a little longer for your journeys. And use the extra time to slow down and let people pass. It might well be that the driver behind is an idiot. All the more reason to have him in front where you can see him!'

How do you like tailgaters?

A sure way to get a tailgater to follow even more closely is to 'bang on the brakes to teach him a lesson'.
You won't teach him anything. Except that he is having a bad day and that he has an idiot in front. By all means show your brake lights early when you see a problem ahead, but don't get mad!
For lots of information about dealing with tailgaters see the SmartDriving section on 'Tailgating'.

Reversing

When reversing, you have direct control over your rear safety gap.
The important point to remember here is to drive slowly, so that you can always stop safely if required.
Perhaps more important than speed when reversing is knowing that there is a gap. Its easy to see the road or car-park 3 or 4 metres back, but what's immediately behind you.
The blind spot immediately behind can be a particular problem with larger SUV's (4x4's) and 'people carriers' but it is still an issue with smaller cars. Sadly, almost every year we hear a tragic story of someone, often a parent, running over a child because they did not know that the child was behind the car.
If you regularly reverse in situations where there are kids around, fit a special 'rear blind spot' lens, mirror or camera.

Less space... Less speed.

Keeping a safety space to the sides

You need space to the sides to avoid pedestrians, cyclists, oncoming vehicles, horses and many other hazards.
You can control this space by holding back from narrow gaps until you are 100 per cent certain that there is enough room for error.
Allow at least two metres' (two yards') clearance when passing cyclists – a court case some years ago laid down the principle that a cyclist is entitled to wobble!

Another way to gauge an absolute minimum safe distance past cyclists is to imagine the bike, and and adult rider, lying flat on the road – how much space would they take up?

One of the biggest problems with space to the sides is found in side streets packed with parked vehicles.
Sometimes you have no choice but than to squeeze through a narrow gap. In these situations slow down to compensate – this might mean walking pace.
A court ruling in the UK determined that a cyclist has a 'right to wobble' - leave enough wobble space!

All conditions are temporary! Stay alert and drive in the moment...

Life can become very temporary for those who get it wrong by not leaving a safe space...

Making allowances for temporary conditions

You will sometimes need to have extra space around you.
Think about how the following factors may affect the safety gap that you need to leave.

• Driving when you are tired
• Driving when you are unwell
• Driving a strange car
• Driving in wet weather 
• Driving in windy weather
• Driving in fog
• Driving on snow and ice 
• Driving when preoccupied by personal problems 
• Driving in a strange place 
• Driving a car with a full load
• Driving at school time

http://www.smartdriving.co.uk/Driving/DefensiveDriving/Space/Space.htm

Tailgating - Following too close

How many times have you looked in your driving mirrors and seen the word 'OVLOV' (Volvo - backwards) written in large letters against the backdrop of a huge radiator grill filling all the available view.

Tailgating is a habit that most people get away with most of the time. By 'get away with' I mean that they are not involved in accidents and do not get stopped by the police; because of this, their perception of danger is diminished.

Some categories of tailgaters ...

• Dreamers
• The distracted
• The short sighted 
• Winners
• Bullies

Each of these are explained on the next page - this section also has some solutions to help you deal with drivers who follow too closely.

But who are these tailgaters listed above, and why do they do it? Let's start close to home.

• When was the last time that you had to brake sharply to avoid colliding with the car in front?
• Or cursed under your breath (or out loud!) because the driver in front was holding you up?

The next page explains each type from the list above... Do you fit any of them?

Different types of tailgaters

Most of us consider that we keep a safe distance; however, if you have had to brake suddenly because the idiot in front has taken emergency action or is simply dithering, you have been following too close. If you have been following too close, which category do you fall in to?

Dreamers

Dreamers are drivers who often drift off into a daydream behind the wheel.
Dreamers pay very little attention to what is going on around because there are more important things in life to think about! After all, who cares what's happening in front when you're thinking about a date, a new hairstyle, your girlfriend, getting away from it all ... We all daydream, but there's a time and a place - maybe that's not when we are driving.
Lots of dreamers end up getting away from it all ... permanently!

The distracted

We all get distracted from time to time, however, some drivers have developed distraction to a fine art.
Perhaps the most obvious are those who persist in believing that it is safe to use their mobile phones or other communication devices on the move. I've seen truck drivers watching TV, drivers reading newspapers, map readers and drivers trying to control their kids.
Then there was the lady who commuted from Birmingham to London and found the journey so boring that she devised a contraption to strap 'puzzle books' to her left knee. She did this so that she could while away the journey by completing crosswords and other brain teasers (although she didn't have a clue when she was stopped by the police!).
Still, if you are a compulsive reader or puzzle book addict, your 'hobby' will be useful to pass the time if you are faced with a long convalescence period (after you crash).

The short-sighted

While not literally short-sighted (although I sometimes wonder!) these drivers are unable to relate their speed to their overall journey time. In their impatience to 'get there' , they try to gain extra seconds by sitting inches away from your rear bumper.
The short-sighted along with the winners (see below) have the capacity to become aggressive if they feel that you are being unreasonable by taking up the piece of road that is rightfully theirs.
If you look far enough into the future, you will discover that there comes a point where time doesn't matter any more - that's where you are heading.
Ten seconds saved on your journey is not ten seconds added to your life - and the risks involved might well result in 20 years being subtracted from your life ...

The winners

The winner just has to come first and pass any other driver who has the audacity to be in front of him.
The crazy thing is, they don't 'win' - the cars that they pass won't appear on their driveways 10 seconds behind them. There is no one waiting at home with a chequered flag!
Winners drive in your slipstream and will overtake at any cost; they seem totally ignorant of the fact that however many vehicles they overtake there will still be a few thousand more in front.
I often wonder if winners are like train-spotters keeping a notebook with the registration marks of all the vehicles they have passed.
If you are one of the winners here's a thought for you ... Only another 22 million or so registration numbers to collect and then you'll have the set!

The bullies

There seem to be a small minority of drivers out there who get some kind of warped pleasure from harassing others. This behaviour was taken to an extreme in France and some other European countries in the 1990's with a spate of drivers being literally 'bumped' off the road from behind.
The best thing to do with bullies is to ignore them. They thrive on attention. Refuse to be a victim and they have no one to bully - just pull over and let them pass.
Brawn, maybe ... Brains? Definitely not!

Some others

There are others who could almost be forgiven for their tailgating, however, the risks are not diminished and in some cases could be greater.
Maybe the tailgater is rushing to an emergency, perhaps with a pregnant wife on board.
Or it could be a dreamer who is driving that way because he/she has just received some life changing news.
Then there are the advanced drivers who take up an 'attack position' prior to overtaking, but who leave less than the recommended absolute minimum one-second gap. These drivers are keen on road safety but have somehow missed the point!
It helps to recognise that whatever is happening in the mind of the driver behind it's not personal - the other drivers don't know you, all they see is some idiot in front who is in the way - if these drivers were to glance at the sat-nav estimated time of arrival the would see that it doesn't change whether they are 10 car lengths behind or 50 and that there is virtually no change even if they overtake 20 cars! They are simply stuck in their own blinkered world's.

Solutions?

The first thing to consider is whether or not you are causing or aggravating the tailgating situation. I don't want to be impolite...
But are you a 'road hog'?
While there is no excuse for the dangerous practice of tailgating, some might argue that there are sometimes mitigating circumstances.
Do you drive too slowly on open roads?
No one expects you to drive like Lewis Hamilton; however, it is reasonable to expect drivers to make progress on today's busy roads. If you are enjoying a day out in the country, or are simply in a mellow mood, pull over from time-to-time and allow others to pass.
Perhaps you're a 'speed cop'?
Some drivers take it upon themselves to enforce the speed limits. An example of this is the motorway driver who sits in lane three at 70mph when there are opportunities to move back into lane two (It's your neck!).
Just plain lazy?
Many drivers sit for prolonged periods in lane-two of the motorway, presumably because it's too much trouble to move back to lane-one. This behaviour can be frustrating for any following driver, but is especially so for truck drivers who lack power and need to maintain their momentum, especially on uphill gradients. By modifying your own behaviour you can do a lot to reduce the risk posed by tailgaters. However, there will always be times when you are innocent but still feel harassed.

What are your options?

If you are faced with a tailgater there are various courses of action that you can take to deal with the situation ...

Just grin and bear it
The first and most obvious choice is to grin and bear it - in other words: do nothing.
While the fact that you do not get annoyed by the driver behind might show great strength of character, it still leaves you vulnerable if the car ahead stops suddenly; even if you can stop safely, the following driver is almost bound to hit you.
Teach him a lesson!
A common reaction by many people is to brake sharply in an attempt to 'teach the following driver lesson'. Other drivers will touch the brake pedal lightly to illuminate the brake lights without slowing the car down.
On the face of it, this second option might seem like a good idea - after all, you are simply giving the driver a wake-up call. However, you could provoke a road rage incident with disastrous consequences; it's also possible that driver behind could over react causing someone to slam into the back of his car.
Speed up to escape
Never a good idea!
By speeding up you are decreasing your forward safety gap when there is a car in front. If you are on an open road you are at of risk driving blindly into danger without enough space to stop in an emergency.
Added to this, there is a strong chance that the following driver will simply speed up with you; you will then have a situation where you are travelling faster, still being tailgated, and not paying sufficient attention to the road ahead because you are distracted by the tailgater!
Double your forward safety gap
This is often cited as the solution for the tailgating problem. But even this solution carries a degree of potential risk.
While the extra gap ahead will allow both you and your follower to stop safely, it could provoke erratic overtaking manoeuvres as the follower sees his gap! This is particularly dangerous where visibility is restricted or in double white line systems. 

The best solution?

Perhaps the best solution is one that was, as far as we know, devised by fleet safety expert Dave Nickerson.
Dave suggests that you should simply add one second to your forward safety gap.
By easing back gently and opening the gap ahead you will create more time and space in an emergency.
The extra second will allow time for you to spread your braking in order to give the following driver time to react. You can then slow down and open your forward gap to double, or greater, when a safe overtaking opportunity arises.
By simply opening your forward gap by a second is reduces the risk of erratic overtaking - especially important where there are double white lines or there is a restricted view.
Let them pass ... If the driver stays behind, slow down further or pull in and allow him to pass. I would, however, suggest that you leave out the 'cheery wave' as he drives by!
Finally, keep in mind the fact that you are not there to pass judgment. We all know that drivers who follow to close are dangerous, but remember that there are many reasons for tailgating. Your job is to stay safe for the sake of yourself and your loved ones when the situation arises. If you feel angry about the situation, note the registration number of the offending vehicle and report it to the police - at least that way you'll still be alive to complain when they tell you that they are unable to take any action!

http://www.smartdriving.co.uk/Driving/DefensiveDriving/Tailgaters/tailgaters.html

A Perfect Day -- Think! Road Safety Campaign

ANTICIPATION!.. Watch this video and THINK about how much you anticipate while driving...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqCxBzHBgiY

FirstTimeDriver Guide: How to choose a driving instructor

Get driving lessons

You are spending money on driving lessons, so it’s important to take your time over choosing a qualified driving instructor or driving school, and one that you feel at ease with.

In the UK, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) approves driving instructors. Only DSA Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) or DSA licensed instructors under training can charge you for driving instruction.

How can I tell if a driving instructor is DSA approved?

It is important to check the badge in the driving instructor’s windscreen. A green octagonal badge shows the instructor is fully qualified and an ADI.

A pink triangular badge shows the instructor is not yet fully qualified, but undertaking practical training. But they are allowed to charge you for driving instruction.

The DSA is working on improving the standard of driving instructors and have introducedgrades for ADIs. Grade 4 is competent, and Grade 6 indicates a very high standard.

ADIs and DSA licensed driving instructors under training are also now checked to see if they have a criminal record with the CRB.

How can I find a driving instructor?

You can find a local driving instructor using the ‘find a driving instructor’ search box on the top right of this page.

Or, you can ask your friends and family to recommend a driving instructor or driving school. (But remember, they must be an ADI or a DSA licensed driving instructor under training if they are charging you for lessons.)

Driving schools or independent?

Some driving Instructors work by themselves, while others are part of bigger driving schools such as the AA, BSM or Red. Whatever type of driving instructor you decide to go with, make sure you talk to them directly (and not just their salesperson) to make sure you like and feel comfortable with them.

As with any service you pay for, it’s often best to shop around and compare at least two or three driving instructors (or driving schools) before you make a final decision.

What qualities should you expect in a good driving instructor?

Like any teacher, some driving instructors will be better than others. FTD heard of one driving instructor who had a penchant for 1970s’ heavy metal on the car stereo. Another driving instructor built in a trip to the butchers to pick up the shopping for his wife as an essential part of every driving lesson.  But luckily examples of driving instructors such as these are rare.

Good driving instructors should make the most of your lesson time. You should have their full-attention throughout the lesson, with no stops to pick up or drop off, fill-up with fuel or make phone calls. They shouldn’t shout or make you feel uncomfortable in any way, even if things go wrong.

Your driving instructor should always:

• Be punctual
• Arrive in a clean well-maintained car
• Have a prepared lesson plan based on the DSA Syllabus.

Remember, you are the customer and paying to learn to drive.  If you are unhappy with your driving lesson or driving instructor, try and discuss it diplomatically to resolve any issues. If nothing changes, then you may decide to find a new driving instructor.

Driving instructor checklist:

We’ve made a handy list of points to consider when choosing someone to help you learn to drive:

Times and location:

• Do they teach in your local area? For example, near your home, work or college.
• Is the driving instructor available at times to suit you? For example, after work and weekends.

Driving lesson quality standards:

• What grade has the DSA given the instructor (Grade 5 or 6 is ideal)? Ask your driving instructor to bring their certificate to your first lesson.  Or, if they’re still a DSA licensed instructor under training, can you negotiate a discount?
• What car do they use and is it fitted with dual controls?  Learner drivers may find it easier to learn with a smaller car that’s in good condition and less than three years old. If you are particularly short or tall, then you may want to ask if the car is suitable for your needs.
• How long has the instructor been teaching learner drivers?
• Does the driving instructor pick-up other students during a lesson? (This could impact on your lesson time and divert the driving instructor’s attention.)
• Do you know anyone else who has used the driving school or driving instructor? What did they think of their driving lessons?

Driving lesson costs and materials:

• How much does the driving instructor charge (remember cheapest isn’t always best)? Does the cost cover a full-hour of tuition and exclude picking-up, dropping-off time?
• How long does the driving lesson last? Some instructors will want to offer two-hour lessons. This can be a long time even for experienced drivers. It might be more convenient for the driving instructor, but a longer driving lesson could be tiring and demoralising for you,
• Can you try an initial lesson out for free, or at a discount, to see if you will get on with the driving instructor?
• Does the driving instructor offer a discount for block bookings?
• What is the driving instructor’s policy if you cancel a driving lesson?
• Are any additional study aids such as DVDs or workbooks included in the price?

You can find more DSA information on choosing a driving instructor at www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring

http://firsttimedriver.info/find-driving-instructor/how-to-choose-a-driving-instructor/

How to Drive a Car Safely

Follow these guidelines and you will enjoy driving more, and increase your chance of arriving safely as well!

   Steps

Never consume alcoholic beverages before driving. This is the most frequent cause of serious accidents. If you drink, use a non-drinking designated driver, a taxi, or sleep over.

Check your car over mechanically, including headlights, brake, and taillights, the brakes, and suspension regularly, or have this done by a capable mechanic. Failures of any of these components can create a dangerous situation.

Mentally prepare for driving. If you are distracted, upset, or unusually tired and sleepy, do not drive. This also applies to driving when you are using medications which may cause drowsiness. If you are taking a cold medication or antihistamine, read the warnings on the label.

Observation and anticipation are key skills to master.If you remain very observant ,of everything,and learn to predict others actions you will be well on your way to being a safe driver and avoiding being the victim of others mistakes.

Turn your lights on whenever visibility is limited, such as at dusk, while raining, in tunnels, and similar. To avoid being hit, first you must be seen! Older drivers can only see 1/3rd as well as younger ones.

Follow street signs and traffic lights, but use your judgment too. Don't try to beat red lights. And expect others to try to do so, so give them time to go through, particularly trucks that have trouble slowing down. Always stay at a safe distance from other vehicles. A general rule is the farther you are from them, the safer you are.

When you try to run a red light, there are many grave hazards. You take the risk that someone will turn in front of you (thinking that you must be stopping). Or, when the light changes, someone will pull out from the side and into your path. Or, a pedestrian (perhaps a child) will step out into the crosswalk on the far side. You are probably speeding and are committed to running the light, so the accident will be a severe one. The resulting carnage will be your fault, and you will have to live with it for the rest of your life. Keep in mind here that, it is exceptionally difficult for the other driver, when looking at your vehicle head on, whether your are about to accelerate, stop, or even how fast you are going.

Use turn signals to indicate where and when you're going to turn. Other drivers need to know this. This includes lane changes, to warn approaching drivers of your intentions. It's not only safer, but, it's common courtesy. Signal as soon as you decide that you would like to make a turn, then look for a space into which to make the turn, not vice versa. This gives other drivers more time to notice you, and perhaps even open up a space for you.

Trucks are a special hazard. Give them extra room. They cannot see other vehicles as well as you can in a car. If there is an accident between a car and a truck, the driver of the car will be the one most at risk.

Use the horn only in when necessary to avoid an accident. It is rude, it is upsetting to others (possibly causing road rage), and adds to noise pollution.

Don't block your vision. Avoid decals, dangling objects from the rear-view mirror, and similar. Stop and clean off fogged or iced windows. Surface treatment such as "Rain-X" improves visibility through rained-on glass. (The kind sold on a towel, rather than in a bottle, is frequently overpriced.)

Use your mirrors. Good safe driving involves not only a great awareness of what is in front of you, but what is behind you, what is next to you. Every vehicle has blind spots; know what yours are, and make allowances for those of other vehicles

.

Expect other people to make mistakes and bad decisions. No one is perfect. If you learn to expect or anticipate it, to take it into account, you will be ready when they eventually do make mistakes. (If you leave some room around yourself, you'll often be safe even if you and another driver happen to make or fail to notice mistake at the same time.)

Quick stops are a recipe for crashes, since people behind often have to stop even quicker, and aren't always paying attention. But make them anyway if you must in order to avoid hitting a person or another car head-on; a front-to-rear collision is usually much better.

Maintain your car properly. For example, if your wheel falls off and you have an accident, your insurance company will find that you are at fault. Minor things count, too. Change windshield wiper blades when they begin to streak the windshield during use. Also keep your windshield washer reservoir filled regularly to clear mud or debris from your windshield.

Keep all four tires properly inflated. This will give the best traction, mileage, and performance. Replace worn tires. Wet traction deteriorates before tread wears to its legal limit because the water has only smaller places to be squeezed out to; replacing at 4/32 can be wise. ^[1] Check your spare when you check your four tires.

Loose objects inside a car can be hazardous. Keep the dashboard and interior clear of objects or debris that could slide around and interfere with driving, fall and block your steering wheel, and similar actions. Cups, bottles, and other objects can slide under the pedals and interfere with your driving. Objects on the deck under the back window can fly forward in hard braking and injure you or one of your passengers (if any). Make a habit of drinking only water, sugar-free and milk-free drinks in the car. If you don't fear a mess from evasive maneuvers (though you should accept one if it must happen), you may more readily make them when appropriate.

Talking on cell phones while driving is seriously detrimental in terms of the effect on your attention to driving. Pull off the road to use cell phones or other distracting devices or items. In some states, such as Oregon, they have outlawed, but not enforced these, no talking on your phone. At the very least put the cell phone in a holder, on speakerphone. If traffic is not heavy a brief call to a police non-emergency number to assist a stranded motorist is appropriate, or nearly always to an emergency number to report a dangerous situation.

Do not eat while driving, and if you drink (non-alcoholic of course!), do so carefully. Spilling a drink while driving can cause you to be distracted and leave the road or not notice a dangerous situation suddenly occurring.

Use care when transporting animals. Keep pets in the back seat or a pet carrier. Having the family dog decide to jump in your lap while driving in traffic can cause a dangerous distraction. Don't put the pet somewhere it is likely to be forgotten in the car and cooked.

Driving on ice requires special care. If you find yourself suddenly on ice (or black ice) do not slam on the brakes; you could lose all control. If you must slow down, put your vehicle in a lower gear and/or apply brakes lightly and steer straight. Four-wheel drive is for getting unstuck, not driving faster. It will not stop you significantly better than a regular car, all of which have four-wheel brakes already.

On ice, do not turn your steering wheel. A common cause of serious accidents in winter is when a driver turns his wheels on ice. This has little or no effect, until he passes the ice (say, while going under a bridge); suddenly, the tires regain their traction, and the vehicle steers violently to the side and into a bridge (or other obstacle).

When in a turning lane, don't suddenly change your mind and pull into traffic: make the turn everyone is expecting you to make, and recover later. Do not follow a turning car closely if it blocks your view of traffic coming the other way.

No accident is a good accident! Whether or not you are at fault, hardly matters! You still are at risk of injury or death. You still have to get your car fixed or replaced. And, even though you are "in the right", the other driver may successfully argue the opposite.

Turns into traffic (for example, left turns in right-hand-drive countries) are especially hazardous. Plan your trip to make turns with the traffic whenever possible; go out of your way if necessary.

Keep your temper when other drivers are less than courteous, or act dangerously. Give them room, and stay out of their way, let them by, etc., rather than returning aggression or acting a hostile way, which could create a dangerous situation.

Plan your maneuvers to accommodate other drivers. For example, avoid passing someone, only to apply brakes to turn or to slow to look for your street.

http://www.wikihow.com/Drive-a-Car-Safely

What to do if you Hydroplane

This video explains the dangers of driving in the rain, the causes of hydroplaning, and how to avoid hydroplaning in different vehicle types. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TdwuftIUwYY

How to Drive Safely in the Rain

Driving in the rain can be a scary thing, and in the night, it is even worse. It is difficult to see out of the window, and the other car's lights seems to make it worse. Especially when you begin to hydroplane! Here are some tips to avoid getting into an accident while it's raining.

Steps

1. 1
   Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times! Keep all distractions, such as cell phones or even the radio, off and away from you.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Turn on your headlights. It is advisable to use headlights when it is raining, even in broad daylight. This will make it easier for you to see what is in front of you; thus, preventing any accidents.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Keep a minimum of a good five car length from the car in front of you. You never know what other drivers are going to do or what could happen to you! If that feels too close or too far a rule of thumb is 1 second of following distance per 10 miles per hour. That holds true especially in bad weather.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Drive at or below the speed limit to the extent that you are comfortable with, and can see far enough in front of you to appropriately make driving decisions.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Be aware that the maximum speed at which you can drive is DIRECTLY related to your tires. Be sure to know what their condition is in. Radial tires have better traction than the old bias ply polyester tires, but even they lose their ability to grip wet pavement and channel water out as the tread wears out.
   
   
   
6. 6
   Be aware of hydroplaning. This is where your vehicle travels on top of the water and has NO or very little contact with the ground. Your traction is reduced significantly. To safely get out of a hydroplaning situation let off the gas and steer straight or slightly in the direction you must go. Do not make sudden motions and remain calm.
   
   
   
7. 7
   Avoid flooded roads. Never drive through standing or flowing water in a road way unless you have no choice or you are able to follow someone else to judge the depth of the water. Flooding the engine of your car can cause the engine to stall, and deep water can actually float your car and take it off the roadway.
   
   
   
8. 8
   Turn on the defroster if the windshield begins to fog. In hot, muggy weather, air conditioned air (which cannot contain as much moisture) will usually clear the inside of the windshield faster than non air conditioned.
   
   
   
9. 9
   Be aware that brakes can be affected by water. Wet drum type brakes are especially prone to decreased stopping power after driving through deep water.
   
   
   
10. 10
    Watch for splashing from potholes and pools of water that accumulate at clogged storm drain pipes and low areas of the pavement. Highways also develop "ruts" where the heaviest traffic tracks, and you may be able to position your vehicle while remaining in your lane to avoid these.
    
    
    
11. 11
    Use a rain repellent product on side windows and mirrors to clear standing raindrops .
    
    
    
12. 12
    Beware of driving in the rain, especially at night. Motorcycles or even other dark-colored cars can be camouflaged amongst glistening raindrops on side windows and mirrors. It's best to have a light colored car that isn't easily camouflaged in the night.
13. SOME MORE TIPS
14. Change your windshield wipers when they begin to streak or seem to lose their effectiveness. Even in dry climates where they are seldom used, the ultraviolet from sunshine breaks the rubber down, so never assume because you seldom use them they are not worn out.
15. Be aware of your surroundings.
16. Stay calm.
17. In blinding rain on the highway, you may be tempted to turn on your emergency flashers, but their purpose is to alert other drivers you are stopped, and this can cause some confusion, so unless the situation becomes dangerous, you may want to forgo doing this. It is always preferable to pull over if the visibility is reduced to the point you cannot see!
18. Keep your windshield clean on the inside and outside, so visibility is as clear as conditions allow.
19. Keep your eyes on the road at all times.
20. Try inducing skids in clear parking lots to practice so you know what to expect.
21. Drive as safely and calmly as you can.
22. Headlights are important for visibility, but more importantly so other drivers can see you on the road! It becomes difficult to judge where vehicles are if they are missing one headlight, even more so in reduced visibility situations!
23. http://www.wikihow.com/Drive-Safely-in-the-Rain