5 Driving Tips You Should Have Learnt In A Driving School

There are essential things anyone learning how to drive must know. But unfortunately, today, most people don’t go to driving school. Some road drivers today are either self-taught, while others learn from their peers.

In Nigeria today, there’s a large number of people that have never attended a driving school. But, they can drive. Learning how to move a car is not the only important thing about driving. Other aspects of driving complement your ability to drive. As such, driving schools are essential. 

If you’ve missed the opportunity to learn how to drive from a driving school, here are some essential tips you can learn now.

Essential Driving Tips For Both Beginner And Old Drivers

1. The Three And Nine Driving Position

What self-taught driving might not have taught you is the importance of the three and nine driving positions. For this driving position, your left hand should be on the nine positions and your right hand on the third steering position. This way, your hands are widely apart, allowing you to access other car control devices without leaving the steering quickly. 

For instance, if you’re in traffic, depending on your vehicle, you can move your thumb to the horn button and press it without leaving the steering wheel.

2. Use Your Car Mirrors To Scan Ahead While Driving

Car side mirrors are not built merely to beautify the car. They play an essential role while driving. If you attend a driving school, these are some things you’ll be first taught. Before making any move while driving, check your side mirrors. 

Your side mirror is essential while parking, changing lanes, pulling over, and overtaking a vehicle. It’s also to use your mirrors to avoid confusing other drivers or causing road accidents.

3. Speed Limits And How To Safely Use Them 

One of the preliminaries of driving school is that you’ll learn about speed limits. On our roads today, one of the common causes of accidents is drivers not adhering to speed limits. 

Every road has its speed limit. The speed limit of a residential/school road is not the same when you’re on the highway. In Nigeria, the law imposes a maximum of 100 Km/hr for cars on the highway and 50 Km/hr for residential areas in towns, villages, and cities.

4. Always Make Use Of A Trafficator 

A trafficator is an indicator light that signals to other drivers or pedestrians that you’re about to turn. Using a trafficator is essential to reduce road accidents. But unfortunately, not many Nigerians use trafficators. 

With a trafficator, you click on it when you’re approaching an area you’ll want to turn. It signals to other drivers and pedestrians to slow their pace.

5. Learn And Follow The Blind Spot Rule

Indeed, there’ll be areas that’ll appear blurry or unclear when you look through your rear or side mirror. It is where the blind spot rule comes to play. The rule states that while trying to negotiate another lane and can’t see your back clearly, you should physically turn around.

Physically turning helps you weigh the extent of safety before moving over. It requires a shoulder check and a mirror check to see behind clearly. 

Conclusion

Amongst drivers in Nigeria today, the percentage of those who learnt to drive from a driving school is smaller. It is one of the leading causes of road challenges faced on the roads. But, with these tips, you can learn driving tips you didn’t know before now.