Drive Better: Tips for Driver Improvement
Driving is a skill that evolves over time, and no matter how long you’ve been behind the wheel, there’s always room for a little fine-tuning. Whether you’re mastering defensive techniques, cutting out risky habits, or learning to stay cool in heavy traffic, brushing up on your driving skills benefits everyone on the road.
Here are some essential strategies to help you start driving better today.
Identify Areas for Improvement
Before you start making meaningful improvements, it’s helpful to understand your own strengths and weaknesses behind the wheel. Start by assessing your driving habits: do you tend to speed? Do you get distracted easily? Are you confident in heavy traffic or bad weather? Recognizing specific areas for improvement gives you clear goals to work on.
Reduce Risky Behaviors
Risky driving behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, or failing to signal, increase your chances of an accident and create stress on the road. Incorporate these strategies to drive calmly and safely.
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Practice patience: Giving yourself extra travel time can help reduce the urge to speed. Arriving safe and stress-free is worth the extra few minutes.
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Keep a calm mindset: Focus on the journey, not just the destination. Breathing exercises or other calming techniques can help you stay collected and avoid reactive driving.
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Eliminate distractions: Put your phone out of reach and set up your GPS or music playlists before driving. Staying fully engaged with the road allows you to make better, safer decisions.
If you’re looking for help overcoming risky habits, a defensive driving course is a great option. Not only will it reinforce safe practices, but drivers who successfully complete the course can also potentially lower points on their driving record. Plus, you may qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
Work on Your Handling
Good handling makes for a safer, more enjoyable drive. To start, adjust your seat for maximum comfort and visibility, and make sure your motor vehicle is in top shape:
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Check your tires and brakes: Well-maintained tires and brakes are essential for control, especially in bad weather.
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Keep your steering and suspension systems in good order: These directly impact your ability to smoothly handle curves, turns, and bumps in the road.
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Practice smooth braking and acceleration: This not only saves fuel but also keeps your passengers comfortable and reduces wear on your vehicle.
Incorporate New Driving Skills
The driving world changes all the time, with new technologies, updated laws, and evolving safety guidelines. Staying current with these changes helps keep you — and everyone else — safer.
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Explore new vehicle technologies: Many newer cars feature advanced driver assistance tools. Learning how to use these safely can help you handle today’s roads with greater ease.
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Update your driving posture: While you may have learned to grip the wheel at “10 and 2,” experts like the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) now recommend the “9 and 3” position for better control.
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Stay informed on changing laws: Some states or cities periodically update traffic laws, such as new regulations on cell phone use or road sharing.
Practice Regularly to Build Confidence
Just like any skill, driving improves with regular practice. If certain maneuvers make you nervous, such as parallel parking or driving in high-traffic areas, take time to practice in a controlled setting. For example, practice in an empty parking lot to build comfort with complex turns.
Enroll in a Driving Course
Sometimes, the best way to enhance your driving skills and build safe driving habits is through structured training. Enrolling in a driver improvement course helps reinforce key techniques, introduces advanced skills, and keeps you up-to-date on the latest traffic laws and vehicle technologies. Whether you’re looking to improve on your own or have received a court order to attend, successfully completing a driver improvement program can give you greater peace of mind on the road.
At Stop and Go Driving School, our certified instructors provide personalized feedback to help you tackle specific areas of improvement. By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills and confidence to drive more safely and effectively. And with options for in-person and online courses, you can find a learning format that works best for your schedule and needs.
Take the next step toward becoming a safer driver. Register for a Stop and Go Driving course today!