Sharpening Your Basic Driving Skills

Driving isn’t like riding a bicycle. If you don’t drive often or perform certain maneuvers for extended periods of time, it’s likely that you won’t perform them quickly or correctly when the need arises. Keep your basic skills sharp with the following tips from the AAA Foundation:

LEFT TURN ARROWS
Many busy intersections have dedicated left turn lanes with their own arrow or traffic light. The signal for the left lane usually turns green before the other traffic can go. But left turn signals can be tricky.

1. Sometimes the green arrow turns to yellow and then red. Sometimes the green arrow just turns off, which means you can still make a left turn if traffic allows it.
2. Here the arrow turns yellow, briefly, before turning off. Be particularly cautious here; it's best to stop rather than charge through a potentially dangerous intersection.
3. When you see the green arrow go out, be alert! Do not turn left into oncoming traffic. If you have any doubt at all, stay in the lane until the arrow turns green again.
4. Once you have started your turn and are in the intersection, do not hesitate or dawdle. Move through the intersection briskly.

LANE CHANGING
Lane changing on busy highways can be difficult for even the most experienced drivers. The secret is to plan ahead by knowing what other vehicles are doing around you.

Be smarter than the other guy! Use your turn signal every time you change lanes. Before you make your move, look in your side and rearview mirrors to make sure the lane is clear. If there is another vehicle in the lane, or if there is another vehicle in the right lane behind you (at a distance) which is overtaking you at a fast speed, stay where you are. Wait for that vehicle to pass you.

Remember you have blind spots, and that the blind spot on the right is larger than on the left. Before you change lanes, turn your head carefully to check the appropriate blind spot. When you decide it is safe, turn the steering wheel in the direction you wish to go. Change lanes quickly, but smoothly. Do not wander as you change lanes. You always want to appear confident and in control of the situation. Once you've successfully negotiated the lane change, make sure your turn signal is off.

FOUR-WAY STOP
The rules for a four-way stop are like those for a two-way: Stop and look for oncoming traffic, and proceed when it is safe to do so.

You may occasionally arrive at a four-way stop sign at the same time as another driver. In such cases the driver to the right has the right of way. However, not all drivers know this. If someone to your left decides to go first, let them!