1. Make sure the machine is OK.
This may seem obvious, but before you leave you need to make sure that the machine is OK. Do you have enough gasoline? Where on the way can you refuel? When was the last time you checked the oil and water level? Is the car running as usual or do you hear any noise? Is the wheel OK? Are there license plates? After spending two minutes before departure, you can avoid the many hours delay on the way.
2. Plan a route.
If you are driving on an unfamiliar route for you, study the map and try to remember the road as much as possible. Do not hesitate in advance to learn about the landmarks of more experienced drivers. When buying a car in the cabin, you can order a computer navigator, which will be built into the dashboard and help you plan the route. The same navigators are sold separately - in this case you independently fix it in the cabin. Suitable and pocket personal computer (up to $ 600) or a laptop (from $ 800) with a GPS receiver ($ 200-400).
3. Take care of comfort
If driving is convenient for you, then nothing will distract you while driving. Adjust the chair and mirrors so that the dead zones are minimal. Adjust the air conditioner to the optimum temperature. Connect your mobile phone to the hands-free device - a very high percentage of accidents occur when the driver holds the phone with one hand. But even with hands-free reduce conversations to a minimum, so as not to be distracted from the road.
4. Leave ahead of time
If you have time left, you will be much calmer and avoid a lot of unpleasant situations. When you are late, you are more likely to be nervous and often take risky maneuvers that can lead to traffic accidents.
If the road that you are going to take will take more than two or three hours, it makes sense to stop for a few minutes, drink water and take a break.
5. Observe the rules of the road.
Yes, there are completely useless and stupid road signs, as well as employees of traffic police, who think much more about their own wealth than about traffic safety. But more often the rules and speed limits are due to clear and understandable reasons, and by adhering to the rules, you take care of your own safety. Avoid harsh maneuvers: if you are rebuilding from a row to a row, you have not noticed a nearby car, then if you move smoothly, and the second driver will have time to avoid a collision. When rebuilding, turn on the direction indicators and only after making sure it is safe, follow it.
6. Be careful
On the road, try to stay away from cars that loop, move unevenly, stagger from side to side. Behind the wheel of such a car may be a drunken, inexperienced or too elderly driver, or the car is in poor technical condition and can no longer go otherwise.
If possible, do not approach trucks, trolley buses or buses. The review in these vehicles is worse than in a car, and when the driver is rebuilt, you may simply not notice.
If you are driving a truck, keep a distance of at least 20 - 30 meters. The rear wheel of the truck often "grabs" a pebble from the road, which can get into your car. Not to mention the fact that from trucks and garbage trucks sometimes drop out large objects (buckets, shovels, mounts, etc.) that pose a threat not only to the condition of your car, but also to your health.
7. Observe the movement along the lanes.
Drive strictly on its lane: in case of an accident you will find it easier to prove your case, and the probability of a collision in this case is much lower. And on the strip it is better to keep a little to the left of the center. The left side you see and control better than the right one.
8. Enter a strict rule for children who are with you in the car: you can only distract your mother on vital issues. With all the other questions you need to wait until you can get distracted from the road - for example, at a traffic light. Let the children have toys, books, players with headphones, electronic games - anything that the kids can take on themselves.
9. And the most important rule - do not be nervous. The roads of the big city are a big, unceasing stress, and your task is not to succumb to it. If any situation on the road has led you out of yourself, stop, calm down and only then continue the way.
MAN'S VIEW
Nikolay Korzinov, editor of the magazine Popular Mechanics
Studies show that, compared to men, women need 40% more time for practical driving instruction. Therefore, if communication with the instructor does not give you joy, do not rush to go on a free voyage: better find a more professional mentor. Drive with it until you feel confident at the wheel.
Parking in reverse - the horse of the man and the Achilles' heel of almost every woman: it is better to master this skill immediately than to experience embarrassment and stress day by day. Find a training ground with your mentor, place the racks on it, simulate two closely parked cars, and try to squeeze your car between them without hitting the racks. Once for the tenth parking skill will be found. But to do backtracking maneuver even more comfortable will help parking sensors. When approaching the invisible driver obstacles on the machine with such sensors, you will hear a characteristic squeak.
Some women drive too carefully, getting out of the flow of less safe drivers. This can lead to an accident. As practice shows, "white crows" on the roads more often than ordinary ladies, fall into accidents. Therefore, having seen before itself the blinking green signal of a traffic light, passing in yellow, do not hasten to stop! The driver of the car behind, being sure that you do not pass a traffic light without stops, may not be able to brake. For the same reason, it is not necessary without the need to drive at a speed of 60 km / h on the left "high-speed" lane. This can make others angry and provoke the most malicious of them to cut you. Better stay to the right or (shh!) Go with the speed of traffic.
It is a mistake to assume that there are only gentlemen on the roads. A turn signal for many of the drivers - only the occasion will accelerate, so as not to miss someone ahead. Therefore, before rebuilding, be sure on the central and side mirrors of the rear view, make sure that such a maneuver is safe, and only after that, smoothly maneuver. Try to immediately learn how to maneuver in traffic jams or traffic lights: for this you need to find a compromise between an overly aggressive and overly cautious manner of rebuilding.
A breakdown in the way for a woman is always more stressful than for a man. Therefore, make sure that your car is in a technically sound condition. If you feel something is wrong, immediately contact the familiar men or car service specialists. In case of unforeseen, keep with you phones emergency services and vehicle evacuation.
Few women can replace the punctured wheel themselves. Therefore, if the model of your car allows, it is better to install tires of Run Flat technology on it. If you lose pressure in them, you can drive another 80 km of track on the reinforced sidewall of the road at a speed of up to 80 km / h. Usually this is enough to get to the nearest tire fitting.