9 Things We Learned (And Promptly Forgot) From Driver's Ed | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

9 Things We Learned (And Promptly Forgot) From Driver's Ed

PSA for everyone who drives.

131
9 Things We Learned (And Promptly Forgot) From Driver's Ed
dinothunderhippie.files.wordpress.com

I'm going to give credit to my roommate, Courtney Tschantz, for co-authoring this with me.

Please do not think that we are writing this because we are the best drivers on the road. Our combined total of speeding tickets will tell you a different story. We are writing this because if we are being honest, we are all bad drivers who need reminding that we are bad drivers. So here are some ways we can become better drivers and not make other people angry.

1. Please use your turn signal.

Yeah, you know that little lever on the left of the steering wheel? The one that makes a little arrow start blinking? It’s there for a reason...specifically, when you are planning to turn. I don’t know what you learned in Driver’s Education, but I learned that you use this little blinker doohickey 100 yards before you’re about to turn ,and not right as you are turning. Also, please use this when you are changing lanes. It's common courtesy. They didn’t install these into cars just to take up space, you fools. So please use it.

2. If you hear a siren, then move over.

Do not, under any circumstance, stay in the same lane when an ambulance is trying to get by you. Especially if you’re on a highway and there is a major accident. Let the EMS through so they can do their job. Do you want to be responsible for the death of someone because the EMS couldn’t get through?

3. Do not drive exclusively in the left lane.

This is called "camping" because you are essentially contemplating the meaning of life in the left lane like you would on a camping trip. In the woods, you are not in anybody's way. On the road, camping is considered to be extremely annoying...especially if you are going below the speed limit in the left lane. The left lane is supposed to be for passing only. If you have to pass someone, then pass. And then get back in the right lane so those of us who want to pass you can do so and go on with our lives.

4. Two lane road etiquette.

News flash, you can pass people who are going slower than you want to go. I know, it’s a shocking epiphany. However, you can only pass when you have a dashed line on your side, or if there is a dashed line in between the lanes. That being said, if you are going slow, you will be passed. Do not speed up as you are being passed, this will only piss off the driver trying to pass you.

5. Driving an ego machine slowly is not impressive.

Especially if you want to go 20 mph under the speed limit. Yeah, you know what / who I’m talking about.

6. Do not drive in the snow.

Unless you know what you’re doing and have four-wheel drive (or all wheel drive), don’t drive at all. Just walk. The exercise and fresh air will be good for you. Know your limits, and your car’s limits. Plan on slowing down early at stop lights. However, here's the truth. No one knows how to drive on ice because no one can predict how their car will lose control. Go slowly, test your brakes often (by tapping them slightly), and give the road your undivided attention. Texting while driving is dangerous enough when the weather is good. Doing it while there is snow and ice on the road puts you at a much higher risk for ending up in the emergency room. Also, if you start to skid, try not to over-correct, and always remember that more accidents occur in rainy weather than in ice...usually.

(You only "know what you are doing" if you are from a state or country above the Mason-Dixon line.)

7. Driving with cyclists on the road.

Yes. Cyclists exist. Even if you are a road cyclist, you hate driving with them on the road. It makes you nervous because at any minute they could swerve off or pop a tire and go flying into your lane. So that’s why you give them four feet of space. It’s kind of the law. If you give us four feet of space and don’t honk at us, we would greatly appreciate it.

8. Roundabout etiquette.

People still have issues with knowing what “right of way” and “yielding” mean. The cars in the circle trump cars that are waiting to enter the traffic circle / roundabout. If you are outside the circle, then wait your turn to enter. That said, effectively driving through a roundabout also requires taking initiative. If you have good motion perception skills, then you understand that a car entering the roundabout from a different point at the same time as you will not hit you if you are both going the same speed. This means that you and another car can get through a roundabout at the same time. This is why roundabouts are more efficient than three or four way stops. I know this may be hard to understand, but please try.

9. Don’t use your cruise control when you’re driving in the rain.

This is such an important issue that not many people know about. Think about it; the car doesn't know it's raining outside. So when cruise control is on and the wheels hit standing water, they can over-rotate and cause the driver to lose control. The car will try to keep moving at its set cruising speed, which is dangerous when you hit a big puddle of water. There are countless stories of people spinning into ditches because of this, and yet Driver's Education still does not mention it. If it is raining outside, then turn the cruise control off -- and then also turn on your headlights because it's annoying for the rest of us if you don't.

Obviously, these are not the only areas of driving that need some work -- don’t even get us started on people who park like they’re five-years-old! But here’s the deal. We are all adults, and we are all trying to make it to Christmas. So please, if you value your life and the lives of others, then take these tips to heart and try to be a safe and considerate driver.

From Your Site Articles
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl with a hat

This is for the girls who have dealt with an emotionally, mentally, physically or verbally abusive father.

The ones who have grown up with a false lens of what love is and how relationships should be. The ones who have cried themselves to sleep wondering why he hurts you and your family so much. This is for all the girls who fall in love with broken boys that carry baggage bigger than their own, thinking it's their job to heal them because you watched your mother do the same.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf Quote
"DESTINY IS FOR LOSERS. IT'S JUST A STUPID EXCUSE TO WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM HAPPEN." - BLAIR WALDORF.

The world stopped in 2012 when our beloved show "Gossip Girl" ended. For six straight years, we would all tune in every Monday at 9:00 p.m. to see Upper Eastside royalty in the form of a Burberry headband clad Blair Waldorf. Blair was the big sister that we all loved to hate. How could we ever forget the epic showdowns between her and her frenemy Serena Van Der Woodsen? Or the time she banished Georgina Sparks to a Christian summer camp? How about that time when she and her girls took down Bart Bass? Blair is life. She's taught us how to dress, how to be ambitious, and most importantly, how to throw the perfect shade.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Moments Every College Freshman Has Experienced

Because we made it, and because high school seniors deserve to know what they're getting themselves into

562
too tired to care

We've all been there. From move-in day to the first finals week in college, your first term is an adventure from start to finish. In honor of college decisions coming out recently, I want to recap some of the most common experiences college freshmen experience.

1. The awkward hellos on move-in day.

You're moving your stuff onto your floor, and you will encounter people you don't know yet in the hallway. They live on your floor, so you'll awkwardly smile and maybe introduce yourself. As you walk away, you will wonder if they will ever speak to you again, but don't worry, there's a good chance that you will make some great friends on your floor!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

21 Things I've Learned About College Life

College is not what everyone expects it to be.

286
laptop
Unsplash

The college years are a time for personal growth and success. Everyone comes in with expectations about how their life is supposed to turn out and envision the future. We all freak out when things don't go exactly as planned or when our expectations are unmet. As time goes on, we realize that the uncertainty of college is what makes it great. Here are some helpful reminders about life in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Lessons I Learned My Freshman Year

The first year of college opens your eyes to so many new experiences.

131
johnson hall
Samantha Sigsworth

Recently I completed my freshman year of college, and boy, what an experience. It was a completely new learning environment and I can't believe how much I learned. In an effort to save time, here are the ten biggest lessons I learned from my first year of college.

1. Everyone is in the same boat

For me, the scariest part of starting school was that I was alone, that I wouldn't be able to make any friends and that I would stick out. Despite being told time and time again that everyone had these same feelings, it didn't really click until the first day when I saw all the other freshman looking as uneasy and uncomfortable as me. Therefore, I cannot stress this enough, everyone is feeling as nervous as you.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments