Warning signs for drowsy drivers
Eyes closing or not focusing by themselves
Difficulty in keeping your head up
Yawning constantly
Not remembering driving the last few minutes.
Drifting between lanes, tailgating, or missing traffic signs
Jerking the car back into the lane after drifting
Use positive self-regulatory sentences
Acquire a supportive driving philosophy.
Act as-if positive when you feel negative.
Adopt cooperative role models and symbols for cars and driving.
Practice self-witnessing for objective self-awareness.
Regularly consider the effect of your driving on others.
Come out swinging positive when getting into trouble with others.
Shrink your emotional territory.
Learn to satisfy the sense of personal freedom through smart driving.
Try signaling before switching lanes
Try signaling before switching lanes
Not tailgating the car in front of you
Not stopping in the road to talk to pedestrians or other drivers
If you are driving slowly, pull over and allow any aggressive drivers to pass.
When at a signal, avoid blocking the right-turn lane or having your radio too loud.
And, as a car phone is a major distraction while driving, use it as infrequently as possible.
When parking your vehicle, do not use a parking space for the disabled, unless you are disabled.
As a rule, try not to take more than one parking space and avoid hitting the car next to yours with your door.
What to do when confronted by an aggressive driver
Make every attempt to get out of the way.
Do not rise to a challenge by speeding up or attempting to hold
your own in your travel lane.
You should always wear your seat belt. It will keep you in your seat, and behind the wheel, in case you need to make an abrupt driving also, of course, protect you if a collision maneuver. It will occurs.
Avoid eye contact. Ignore gestures and refuse to return them.
Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location, and direction of travel.
If you have a cellular phone, and can use it safely, call the police.
Many police stations have special numbers
such as 77.
If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road stop a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.
The right attitude for driving
Stay out of the way
Stay out of the way. Give aggressive drivers plenty of room to get around you.
Drive defensively. Do not assume other drivers will follow traffic rules.
Do not insist on your right-of-way if another driver is challenging you.
Give a tailgater an opportunity to pass you by changing lanes.
Be alert to those who are putting on makeup, talking on car phones, reading, eating or otherwise not paying attention to driving.
Give cars room to merge ahead of you.
Follow these tips to avoid rude or aggressive driving tendencies yourself.
Dont make eye contact with an aggressive driver.
Dont use obscene gestures.
Use your horn sparingly.
Dont block the passing lane.
Dont switch lanes without signaling.
Avoid blocking the right-hand turn lane.
Do not tailgate.
Dont get distracted by the car phone.
Dont play the radio excessively loudly.
Allow plenty of time for your trip.
Driving is transportation, not competition. Want to compete? Find a racetrack.
Be courteous, even when other drivers are not. Retaliating wont get you where you are going any sooner. Dont assume the other driver is out to antagonize you; he or she may just be in a hurry, too.
It is not your job to teach others to drive. If, for example, you block a speeding car to slow it down, you might be inviting trouble. Leave law enforcement to the police.
Make time good instead of making good time. If it takes 25 minutes to get to work, why leave yourself only 15? Leave earlier and dont play beat the clock.
If driving makes you impatient, play music or listen to a book on tape to pass the time.
Smart Driving Tips for New Drivers:
You are biggest risk of having a bad accident is within the first two years of you passing your driving test. Follow these hints and you can reduce this risk.
After passing your test it will be strange to find an empty front passenger seat. The first time you drive take someone with you for support. Think seriously about displaying a P plate.
When you do have to drive completely alone, begin on roads that you know but remember to keep a road atlas in the car in case you get lost.
When you get your confidence, drive like you own the car, not the road!
You have learnt to drive and passed your test by sticking to the rules. Stay this way and you will stay alive ! So will your passengers and others on the road.
Your quick reactions wont always stop you having an accident. Spotting and responding to problems ahead in plenty of time will.
Drive in a way that suits your ability and the traffic conditions. It doesnt impress anybody if you drive fast in the wrong places and you could end up in a lot of trouble.
Have plenty of sleep, especially before making a big journey and take plenty of rest breaks to restore your alertness. Listen to the radio for traffic reports and make sure you have enough fuel.
Fiddling with the radio or a cassette when your driving can be distracting, so can playing your sound system so loud that you cant hear the sirens of an emergency vehicle.
Give your mates a lift, but remember you are the driver so you are in control. Dont succumb to peer pressure. If they give you hassle, drop them off at a bus stop!
Keep your eyes moving but dont scare your passengers by turning your head away from the road ahead when talking to any of them!
Take motorway tuition and seriously think about advanced driver training. Research shows that it makes better drivers.
Driving a four wheel drive motor doesnt suspend the laws of physics. You can still lose control if you ask too much of it.
Dont leave valuables in your car where they can be seen because this invites a break in.
Keep space from aggressive drivers. Dont get involved in trouble.
Be seen. Whenever you need to turn your windscreen wipers on switch your lights as well.
If you are driving on a slippery or loose surface use the foot controls very gently.
Taking drugs and driving, like drinking alcohol before driving is a definite No..
Before driving abroad you need professional advice.
Keep some tools in your car !
If you are driving alone, particularly if you are a woman you should:
a. Plan your journey properly and let somebody know your route.
b. Carry a pen, paper, maps, first aid kit, torch, small change, warm clothing/blanket and a fire extinguisher.
c. Carry a mobile phone (only for emergencies).
d. Carry a personal attack alarm.
e. Be sure that your car is in good order and join a recovery organization
If your vehicle breaks down, dont panic.
There are far more friendly people on the roads than those who would wish to harm you.
* If you can, pull up where there are houses, street lighting and a telephone.
* If you are somewhere remote you are at less risk if you stay inside your car. Use your mobile phone. If you have to walk take your personal attack alarm with you.
* If a stranger does offers assistance, note their car number, keep your doors locked, speak to them through a closed window and send them to get help
Practicing patience in the car will ease your mind
Practicing patience in the car will ease your mind and take you far.
Drive smart and put a smile in your heart.
Ask yourself if its right for you to tailgate. How do you feel when someone tailgates you
They made a mistake Give them a break!
Listen in on your thinking behind the wheel. Do you fuss and cuss and make a big deal That is unhealthy for your body and mind. Drive with Aloha toward all humankind.
Do you feel locked into traffic, unable to move Worried you will go crazy if you cannot get out of it Try some quick mood changers: start singing make silly animal sounds, listen to music that calms you, tune in to talk radio, put a talking book in your tape player, enjoy a moment to yourself, mentally plan a vacation trip, look around and enjoy the scene, become one with the traffic flow, count your blessings.
Just go with the flow no matter how slow
Drive with Aloha Spirit. Let someone go ahead.
Keep children safe in cars. Always fasten their seatbelts. Always use car seats securely in place in the back seat.
Rushing, tailgating, and lane hopping Relax and play follow the leader, Resist the urge to be an impatient speeder.
Enjoy the journey. If another driver bothers you, get out of the way. Be smart, turn down challenges. Set a good example. Dont try to teach other drivers a lesson.
Make it a safe trip. Keep a cool head, an alert eye, and a steady hand.
You are in traffic -- driving like a maniac. You moan and groan -- are you anger prone Give up your bad mood -- it is no fun to be rude. Take things in stride -- enjoy the ride. Arrive alive.
Take it easy, why drive yourself crazy Keep peace in the car and on the road.
You can learn to love traffic. Enjoy the ride. It is part of your journey in life.
Treat other drivers as you want them to treat your son or daughter.
Frustrated Upset Angry Quick make silly animal sounds.
They will help you calm down.
Think bad, feel bad, be bad. Think nice, feel nice, be nice. It is your choice
Dont fight -- Drive right. Dont compete -- Just follow along. Dont do wrong -- Sing a song! Dont swear -- Learn to care!
Thin and act like the driver of this car is dedicated to non-violence
Avoid win-lose situations. Look out for win-win opportunities. Help other drivers along the way. Be a supportive driver. Spread your random acts of kindness around.
Avoid the hassle of left lane driving. Because that is where road rage is thriving. Have you tried the right lane lately It is slower, safer, smarter, nicer
Dont let your bad mood do the driving. Think kind thoughts and drive with Aloha in your heart.
Reason with yourself: Anger is unhealthy Dont express it, dont suppress it, confess it! Forgive and live!
Dont think of it as being cut off. Think of it as helping someone in trouble.
You dont feel like being nice Just act as-if you are -- and you will be.
Preserve the spirit of community. Give a courtesy wave to reward civility
Does it seem like the other lane is always faster Be safe and stay in your lane You will get there just as quick.
Hey, car lovers! Respect one another.
Go ahead, make your day. Be a nice driver all the way
Let someone go ahead of you. Brake for people on foot. Avoid blocking the passing lane. Resist following too close. Make a full stop when required. Go slow around the bend. Signal ahead of time. Do these things and you are a good driver.
Driving defensively is smart. Driving altruistically is even smarter. Careless driving is bad. Defensive driving is better. Aloha Spirit driving is best.
Drive under the influence of awareness. It will save a lives.
How much are you driving over the speed limit right now Is it safe to do that
Do you see someone driving at the speed limit They are doing a good thing. They are saving lives.
Did you know that most traffic accidents are caused by driver error Please watch out and be alert.
Do you feel frustrated in traffic Are you impatient Take a deep breath. There is time to slow down.
Is your radio playing very loud Have a heart and be considerate of your neighbors on the road.
Last year more than 40,000 Americans died in traffic accidents. Almost 4 million people were seriously injured on the road. Dont take risks! Protect each other.
People are walking up ahead. Approaching fast is threatening to them. Be gentle and your car will be too.
Are you having negative thoughts about another driver Do you feel justified that you are in the right Then you are in a state of road rage! To back out of road rage start singing or making silly animal sounds. Then give yourself pep talks about human rights, noble feelings, smarter choices, acceptance of diversity, forgiveness, giving people greater latitude. Think like an Aloha Spirit driver, and you will act like one!
Anger released is anger increased. Anger transformed is anger dissolved. Anger and indignation weaken your immune system and your heart. Tolerance and humor diffuse anger, reduce stress, and keep you alert. You can make smarter choices and enjoy hassle-free, safer, more pleasant rides. And feel part of the community of drivers.
Never assume that an apparently aggressive act was
Never assume that an apparently aggressive act was intended.
Inhibit your own anger by taking deep breaths, keeping yourself calm or putting on relaxing music.
If you are being hassled by another driver, try not to react. Avoid making eye contact.
Keep your doors locked and your windows up.
When stopped in traffic, leave enough space to pull out from behind the car you are following.
Try not to disassociate yourself from the people in the cars around you.
Pretend other drivers are people you know.
First and foremost make every ...
First and foremost make every attempt to get out of the way.
Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold-your-own in your travel lane.
Wear your seat belt. It will hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver and it will protect you in a crash.
Avoid eye contact.
Ignore gestures and refuse to return them.
Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location, and if possible, direction of travel.
If you have a cellular phone, and can do it safely, call the police.
If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road, stop a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.
Driving Etiquette
When driving, pay attention to the task at hand
Do not stay in the left lane if you are going slower than the traffic to your right
If you are not passing another car, remain in the right lane
If a car is approaching from the rear, flashing its lights, move over as soon as you are able
Do not tailgate, leave a 2 second space between you and the car ahead of you
Do not slam on your brakes if a car is tailgating you
Do not ride your brakes
Do not change lanes if there is a car in the lane you want to move into going faster than you
Be courteous to others, if you cant make a move without obstructing others on the road dont do it
Check around your car when changing lanes in order to do so safely
When entering an interstate, speed up to match the speed of the oncoming traffic before trying to merge
When leaving an interstate, slow down only when you are totally in the deceleration lane
When moving into a turn lane, wait until you are in the lane to brake
When driving behind someone make sure your high beams are off
Green means GO
Red means STOP
Blue means MOVE TO THE RIGHT and if it follows you, it means you are screwed)
Use your blinker to signal a lane change, or a turn
Do not forget to turn off your blinker
When encountering a funeral procession, pull over to show respect for the deceased unless you know the SOB, that is
And finally for all you tourists out there in happy-go-lucky land, plan your trip before you leave home so you know where you are going
Dont take traffic problems personally
Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver
Don t make obscene gestures that makes you a player and suddenly it begins to escalate
Don t tailgate
Use your horn sparingly the polite honk can be misinterpreted
Don t block the passing lane some drivers think you re doing something to them when you do this
Don t block the right hand turn lane
Allow adequate time for your trip.
Create a relaxing and comfortable environment in your car. Play relaxing music with a beat slower than your heartbeat, one music afficionado suggested.
Behave cooperatively, you ll get repaid in kind. If you re aggressive, you trigger in others a natural instinct to fight back and drivers will often try to twart your progress not let you into a line of traffic, for example
Be diplomatic, you will be able to move through traffic with amazing ease. Sometimes drivers will go out of their way to help you.
Driving in congested traffic is really a challenge to your diplomatic skills, and your ability to communicate effectively with others
if you do happen to catch sight of aggressive driving, stay away and contact the authorities when you get the chance. Even if you re not being chased down the highway by a sideswiping maniac, you could be saving a life other than your own.