These helpful tips steer A Formula 1 Driving students toward a successful driving career!
1. Never dry steer! Mover your car lightly by lifting off the brake pedal, THEN let the car MOVE steer with fast hands, and slow car. This allows you to measure and control your car.
2. Keywords “PULL” or “TURN” mean BLINDSPOT AND SIGNAL! When the examiner says, “Pull over, pull out, Back Right/Left, turn left/right”, communicate immediately by signaling, and turn your head and LOOK, then plan how, and where to execute the maneuver!
3. When Turning Left or Right, look UP to see the COLOR of the Signal! If amber or red STOP first, then proceed right.
4. Full “set back” stops. Stop dead on Yellow. Do not Roll on RED!
5. For hand over hand steering, start with the opposite hand for the turn at the top of the wheel.Cross over with the other hand 1/4 turn. return hands via left hand at 9 o’clock and right hand at 3 o’clock on the wheel. No two hands at the same place! Only use the top half of the steering wheel. This requires PRACTICE to smooth out steering.
6. When you even think of braking, Look in the Rearview Mirror to avoid getting rear-ended. Most of the time there are escape routes forward, left and right. Always surround yourself with space for the car, and visibility for the driver!
7. Just before entering an intersection, look ahead for a horizon point, lock your arms steering straight, then release your head to SCAN: check left-center, right-center for DANGER! Exaggerate turning your head! This observation is 30% of your driver exam.
8. When roadside parking, always turn the wheel all the way(2 circles) right except UPHILL WITH CURB. Remember “Superman” UP UP AND AWAY! Or UCLA- Always right except ” uphill curb left always.” Turn steering wheel ALL the way LEFT.
9. Remember to get back into the right lane- it’s the law KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS (right lane is for slower traffic, left lane is for passing or turning left so get up to speed limits and move back to the Right lane! Get back to right lane after 10secs in left (up to spd of flow)
10. S.I.P.D.E: Scan Identify Predict Decide Execute. Constantly SCAN mirrors. Predict what’s going to happen, make a decision and do it! Constantly THINK around your vehicle: What speed is it? Who’s around me? What lane should I be in? TURN your head constantly, what is your next direction? Move your eyes predict another road user’s behavior, and your defensive reaction.
11. Be artful and predictable. A good driver signals intentions, checks blind spots, speeds up on lane changes. Communicate with road users position yourself with the flow, get up to maximum speed limits quickly. Beware and be aware! Do not follow the poor examples of other drivers- they are not being given a road test!
12. Do not assume other drivers will stop or give right-of-way (r.o.w.) for you-use your horn!!! COMMUNICATE. Remember you must practice parallel parking and reverse parking, practice between 1-3 hours per week or you will require extra lessons.
13. Stick to the posted speed limit, within 2kms aboveor below is perfect. You may only do 5km over or under the speed limited. Observation is paramount, so exaggerate your head turn when scanning intersections, or do a slow, CAREFULL blind spot check.
14. Keep your mind ahead of the car! SCAN 15 secs. ahead of traffic. Think and plan the 5-W’s: Where am I going?, What is the speed limit? How will I get there? Should I lane change? What is the next direction? Who is around me? What should I be doing, …turn your head!
15. If you are challenged by another motorist on a lane change, Lift off the gas pedal, slow down, and cancel your signal, then execute your lane change BEHIND the aggressor. Show extreme caution at all pedestrian crosswalks, and especially within the parking lots.