- Driving basics.
It's not something we ever talk about in driving.
It's not something we teach
or offer for new drivers who are learning how to drive
and it's not something we offer as a refresher course
for drivers that have been driving for a number of years
and their skills may have deteriorated over time
and they need a refresher course.
But every other skill that we do,
we have basics of those skills.
As some of you may or may not know, I take jujitsu.
Every Monday, I go to a fundamentals class in jujitsu.
If you learn how to write or you want to write a book,
there's fundamentals of writing
that you need to practice all the time
and you need to build on for your advanced skills.
The fundamentals of driving
when you start learning how to drive,
get into a parking lot, work with pylons
and figure out where your vehicle is in space and place,
where it is in relation to other vehicles on the roadway
and other road users.
It's a fundamental skill because speed differentials,
different road users are traveling
at different speeds on the roadway
and you need to be able to determine
how fast you're going in relation to that vehicle
or that other road user
so that you can maintain your space margin
because space margins will make you a safer, smarter driver
and keep you out of trouble
so that you don't get into a crash.
You always want to stop
so you can see the tires of the vehicle in front
making clear contact with the pavement.
That's approximately one vehicle length of space,
and you want to maintain
a three to four second following distance
behind other traffic.
And the way that you know that,
yes, you can do that counting thing
with the fixed object and whatnot, but nobody does that.
You need to use the throttle for controlling space.
If you're using the brake for anything
other than coming to a stop,
slowing down for turning traffic in front,
controlling your speed on a downgrade or unexpected events,
then you're using your brake too much
and you're being reactionary in traffic
and giving up control of your vehicle.
This video is made possible by the course package,
pass your driver's test first time.
Because we know that your driver's test
is the most stressful day of your life
and without some form of driver training,
your chances of passing are less than 50%.
As a bonus, we'll include both the defensive
and winter driving smart courses.
These will make you a safer, smarter driver
and reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.
Click down in the description there and get full details.
As well, observation.
Shoulder checking
every time you change directions of the vehicle.
Sarah A. asked me the question about why do I shoulder check
on a left hand turn when there's a concrete barrier there?
The reason is is because of consistency.
You want to be consistent
in your basic observation skills
so that these become habits
and you don't have to think about it
and you're going to be a safer, smarter driver
because even when you get tired or make mistakes,
you're still going to have these observation skills
in place and do your shoulder checks.
As well, signaling.
Signal every time that you change directions of the vehicle
both forward and in reverse,
whether you're on a roadway
or whether you're in a parking lot.
Always signal and communicate to traffic,
to other traffic your intent.
Practice the basics, practice the fundamentals of driving.
Be consistent in those fundamentals.
Know the hard and fast rules.
For example, not changing lanes in an intersection
because changing lanes in an intersection
and moving through an intersection
are two separate maneuvers.
40% of crashes happen at intersections
so you want to reduce the chances
of being involved in a crash
at this high risk area along the roadway.
Practice the fundamentals,
know what the fundamentals are
and be consistent with your fundamentals
to both pass your driver's test
and be a safer, smarter driver.
And remember, pick the best answer,
not necessarily the right answer.
Have a great day, bye now.
Hang on there one sec.
The thought of failing your driver's test
is what keeps you up at night right now,
click the link over here,
check out the smarter driver course package that guarantees
that you will pass your driver's test first time.
Click the link and check that out
and have a great day.
All the best, bye now.