Often forgotten prodedures
When we begin driving, we usually try hard to remember and employ all the new driving rules and tips coming our way. Back then, novice drivers are studying to get a learner’s permit, trying to impress driving instructors, or doing everything “by the book” to pass the licensing exam.
Early drivers may lack experience, but they are usually trying to put their newfound wealth of driving knowledge effectively to work. Experienced drivers may have logged plenty of hours at the wheel, but often forget some of those early-learned procedures.
My advice has always been to keep driving like your state examiner is with you, or at least as if you are being watched by the police (and you likely are). That way, you might better remember to follow the recommendations of your state driver’s guide.
I was reminded of drivers’ tendencies to become too complacent and let their precision driving deteriorate when reader J.M. wrote, “Routinely I see people waiting to make a left turn with their wheels already turned in preparation for the turn. This is dangerous! If someone rear-ends them they will shoot out into oncoming traffic and could have a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle. Keeping their wheels straight until they proceed with the turn is much safer.”
That’s a tip most of us likely learned during our driver education classes, but per J.M.’s observation, many have forgotten.
Another procedure to practice is looking ahead as far as you can as you drive. Obviously, drivers need to pay attention to vehicles, objects and situations close by, but Washington State Patrol troopers have told me that too many drivers develop a habit of not looking much farther than their car’s hood. Doing so will not allow you proper reaction time for emergency situations developing down the road.
Troopers have also relayed to me that many drivers add to their stress and tension during driving by gripping the steering wheel too tightly. Maintaining a vise-like grip with your hands will rapidly spread the tightness to you arms, shoulders and neck. Since being relaxed while you drive is important to your decisions and actions, adding undue physical tension is ill-advised. Normal, relaxed breathing is recommended too. Pull over to a safe spot and “chill out” if you experience heightened anxiety for any reason.
One driving habit that runs rampant among seemingly experienced drivers is following too closely behind the vehicle ahead. Not only is it one of the leading causes of accidents, it’s illegal and is definitely a practice that would trigger the failure of a driver licensing exam. Few young drivers fail for that reason because they have so recently learned about maintaining proper distance ahead. Sometime after the test, however, drivers seem to regularly “forget” how to do it.
A driving procedure that is not necessarily forgotten, but rarely practiced by most drivers, is avoiding left turns. It’s not practiced by most drivers, that is, except UPS drivers. Those delivery drivers and other adopting fleet operators make a habit of it.
In a regimented way, since at least 2001, the UPS Corporation has made a continuing study of avoiding left-turn accidents, while improving delivery times, saving fuel and reducing emissions.
Left-hand turns, whether at intersections or mid-block, cross oncoming traffic and are about five more times likely than right-hand turns to involve accidents. So, UPS began planning routes to use mainly right-hand turns. Right away, they found that with less stopping and waiting, delivery efficiency was improved even if the right-turn routes were longer. Their policy does not forbid left turns totally, but over 90 percent of all turns made by their drivers are to the right. Exceptions might be in residential areas where traffic is light, or if a series of right turns takes a driver too far off reasonable course.
Now, UPS has built a GPS navigation system called ORION (on-road integrated optimization and navigation) that incorporates the “right turns are better” theory.
If you want to try it when traffic’s dense, go past your intended left turn, make three right turns, and you’ll be on the road you wanted with little delay!
Readers may contact Bill Love via email at precisiondriving@spokesman.com.
