tfmWhat’s an unspoken rule that absolutely everyone should know, but most people clearly don’t?
When driving, you should engage your turn signal before you start applying the brakes in preparation for your turn.
This is my husband’s “pet peeve”, as he puts it. “Don’t just throw on your brake in the middle of the road! Why are you slowing down? Signal!”
I originally got this one from an Actual Advice Mallard meme.
When driving, if you plan on turning from the turn lane, switch lanes and THEN slow down to turn. Don’t slow to a crawl before leaving the driving lane.
Also, related to proper use of turn signals, you should signal well in advance of your turn. The rule of thumb I learned was your signal should be on for three seconds of before you turn, assuming you’re currently in motion. Additionally, you should actually use your turn signal. Far too many people seem to be scared of the blinken lights. There is no reason not to use your turn signal.
- Changing lanes? Signal.
- Turning from a turn-only lane? Signal.
- Backing out of your drive-way? Signal.
- Pulling out of a parking spot? Signal.
- Moving the steering-wheel for any reason other than continuing to follow the curvature of your lane? Signal.
- Driving in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where you are confirmed to be the sole living thing left on the planet and doing any of the above? Signal.
If you’re turning and think you have a reason not to use your turn signal, you’re wrong. Fucking Signal.
Cant you just fucking read the mind of the person in front? They are clearly thinking of turning way ahead. Sometimes before they enter the car.
I nearly died the first time I turned the blinker on in the new car. I was changing lanes and I put the blinker on to signal I was heading over their. I saw the car next to me and was signaling to let everyone else know I was going to go over when it was clear. Then the car started making all these noise and scared the crap out of me. Come to find out the car warns you with a loud audible alarm if their is a car near your blind spot.
Anyway just wanted to share
The rearview mirror (the one that hangs off the windshield) is for seeing directly behind you. Your side mirrors are for seeing things to the right and left of you. If the driver directly behind you can see your face in your side mirrors, or you can see their front windshield, and your rearview mirror both exists and is unobstructed, then you are driving around unreasonably blind to vehicles overtaking you. This blind spot can be completely eliminated.
The side mirrors should be positioned thus that you have a clear view of the lanes next to you, with the door handle or body of the vehicle just slightly out of view. You can lean and tilt your head if for some reason you prefer a view of what’s going on behind you that is half obstructed by the vehicle you are currently driving.
The goal is to maximize the area covered by the mirrors so you can see more things, not to have redundant views of the same thing.