# Driving "rules" that they don't teach you in driver's ed **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 1, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254 "2010-02-01T16:08:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/41 "2010-02-01T19:44:44Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > It’s not a race, or any other kind of a contest, out there, people. If somebody else acts if it is, just let them go. Your responsibility is to do your part to help keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely. This is a good one. If you are behind someone who is going too slow for you, and you change lanes to undertake, the slow-poke will almost always speed up, and may speed up to match or slightly exceed your speed, preventing your passing. Many people react to this by going even faster, and it turns into a stupid race. Keep in mind that your goal in this situation is not to **pass** , but to **go faster** than you were when you were stuck behind that jackass. If you move over to pass and you end up going the speed you like, then **YOU WIN** whether the jackass speeds up or not or whether you ultimately pass or not. Mission accomplished. If the jackass speeds up to a speed I like, then I am more than happy to move right back in behind him or her and continue on our merry way at a reasonable speed. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/42 "2010-02-01T19:56:14Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > Don’t ride with your foot on the brakes, tapping the brakes periodically, unless there really is no other option. It wears out your brakes and annoys the person behind you. I actually did learn this one in driver’s ed, as well as that brake-tapping is often the result of driving with one foot on the brakes and one on the gas, and that’s why you shouldn’t use your feet that way while driving. I learned to drive on manual cars, so I always use my right foot on the accelerator and brake, saving my left for the clutch (even if it’s not there). Plus I learned how to make a hill start in a manual car without using the handbrake, putting my right foot on the brake and accelerator at the same time while operating the clutch with my left foot: I’m not sure if I could still do that without thinking very hard about it. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/43 "2010-02-01T20:16:26Z")
One that I didn’t learn in driver’s ed, but from my dad, thirty+ years ago: When changing lanes, check your rearview mirror for vehicles behind you in that lane. When you can clearly see both of the headlights, it’s safe to change. This leaves enough space between cars for safety. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/44 "2010-02-01T20:22:41Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > 100% correct, and I too get a lot of pissed of looks and middle fingers when I do this as well. Actually NOT 100% correct. The appropriate thing to do is to match speed with the other lane and merge at the choke point. Zooming up and cutting in simply creates shockwaves throughout the line, and is the reason so many people are flipping you guys off. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/45 "2010-02-01T20:29:12Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > Actually NOT 100% correct. The appropriate thing to do is to match speed with the other lane and merge at the choke point. Zooming up and cutting in simply creates shockwaves throughout the line, and is the reason so many people are flipping you guys off. And if that speed is a start/stop at about 10 km/hr, which it usually is? Yes, I go to the end of the merge lane, get up to the 10 km/hr and merge in, same as I would if I was merging in to 110km/hr. The point is, don’t slow down and try to get in as soon as you can, get close to the end of the merge FIRST, then merge in. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/46 "2010-02-01T20:30:51Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > A little tip I learned when I was a lot younger is when driving an automatic transmission car, is to **shift into neutral** , when trying to stop on ice or snow. While in neutral, if you have anti-lock brakes, just brake normally. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, pump the brakes, do not stomp on them. You should be able to stop easily. If you are driving a standard transmission, just put the clutch in, and brake as noted above. My husband recently taught me this too, I had never learned it. He told me the reason is because as your braking on ice/snow, if you are still in gear, the transmission is still pushing against the force of the brakes, making them slightly more ineffective. Not sure why it makes a difference, but he’s got extensive drivers’ training, so I assume he kind of knows what he’s talking about. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyMarine2092](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyMarine2092](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyMarine2092)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/47 "2010-02-01T20:59:10Z")
When driving on a highway, and approaching an entrance ramp move to the empty left lane to allow the slower moving merge traffic on. If you are then travelling slower than the general flow of traffic, move to the right. As a general guide line, strictly from my own observation: one a 3 lane highway the right lane is for the posted speed limit, the middle lane is for 5-10 over, the left is all gloves off. If you are being approached from the rear by a faster moving car it is still best to move over. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/48 "2010-02-01T21:07:55Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Seriously? You mean if I’m going 65 in a 65 mph zone, I’m traveling too slowly if people are passing me on the right? Really? > > I’m sure the police will understand your explanation. Defensive driving 101 is that YOU are NOT the police of other drivers, and that it’s safer to go with the flow of traffic, and get in the lane that matches other drivers of the speed you want to go. It’s not your job to hold the ‘fast’ lane to the correct speed limit. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/49 "2010-02-01T21:11:16Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > And if that speed is a start/stop at about 10 km/hr, which it usually is? Yes, I go to the end of the merge lane, get up to the 10 km/hr and merge in, same as I would if I was merging in to 110km/hr. The point is, don’t slow down and try to get in as soon as you can, get close to the end of the merge FIRST, then merge in. My tactic, which is almost 100% successful in helping the line get moving steadily again, it to pull into the ending lane and match speed with the next car in line (ie the one that was either in front of or behind me before I changed lanes). We then proceed to the merge point with much greater alacrity, since it traps most of the “rush up to the end and cut in” people behind me, where they have to play nice. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/50 "2010-02-01T21:11:18Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > Coast into a curve accelerate out. I actually came in here to add this one (something similar, anyway): “You should be able to comfortably accelerate while in a curve, or you’re likely going too fast.” ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/51 "2010-02-01T21:37:04Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > My tactic, which is almost 100% successful in helping the line get moving steadily again, it to pull into the ending lane and match speed with the next car in line (ie the one that was either in front of or behind me before I changed lanes). We then proceed to the merge point with much greater alacrity, since it traps most of the “rush up to the end and cut in” people behind me, where they have to play nice. That’s fine provided there is room. I often see people drive up to the choke point where it’s nearly a stand still of bumper to bumper trafic. At that point they need to weasle there way in which makes traffic stop. I see people that are already in line, get out of line and do this. It’s wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Kyrie\_Eleison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kyrie_eleison/32/7682_2.png) [@Kyrie\_Eleison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyrie_Eleison)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/52 "2010-02-01T21:39:19Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > He told me the reason is because as your braking on ice/snow, if you are still in gear, the transmission is still pushing against the force of the brakes, making them slightly more ineffective. Not sure why it makes a difference, but he’s got extensive drivers’ training, so I assume he kind of knows what he’s talking about. I think I understand this. If you’re in drive, and you’re pumping the brakes, as you would do in slippery conditions, each time you release the brakes power from the engine is going to the drive wheels, propelling you forward a bit. Never thought about that, and I’m not sure I would have the presence of mind to remember to throw an automatic into neutral in that situation. But I mainly drive a car with a standard transmission, so it’s mostly a non-issue for me. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/53 "2010-02-01T21:45:06Z")
I told my son: “Driving a car is simple. I can teach a chimpanzee to drive. The tough part is watching out for all the other idiots out there!” ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/54 "2010-02-01T21:52:52Z")
In more of a “things I want to complain about, written as a ‘rule’” vein, here’s a few: 1. When you find yourself in the wrong lane at an intersection, please continue with the flow of traffic, even if it means you overshoot your turn and have to double-back. DO NOT, by any means, JUST PARK YOUR FAT ASS IN THE INTERSECTION, BLOCKING HUGE FRIGGIN’ SWARTHS OF TRAFFIC JUST BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE THE 17 BRAIN CELLS NEEDED TO DECODE A STREET SIGN _AND_ DRIVE AT THE SAME TIME. THE “LEFT TURN ONLY” SIGNS SHOULD’VE CLUED YOU INTO GETTING OUT OF THE LEFT-TURN LANE PRIOR TO YOU GETTING TO THE INTERSECTION. 2. Do not take a left turn from the right lane. 3. Do not take a right turn from the left lane. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/55 "2010-02-01T21:57:10Z")
That’s a violation in NYC (and probably elsewhere). There are signs all over the city reading “Don’t Block the Box” just for that purpose. IOW, don’t even enter an intersection unless you can see you’ll make it all the way across before the light changes. Also, AFAIK, NYC is the only part of the country where right turns on red aren’t legal unless posted. BTW, braking in neutral really does help you stay in control in snow and ice. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/56 "2010-02-01T22:20:31Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Caviat: They might actually teach this stuff now, but it’s been 23 years since my last driving class. Also, switch the right/left if you drive on the left in your country. > > 1. When you’re the first car at a stop light, don’t just go on green. Look left and right and then proceed, in case a late, crossing car is trying to beat the light. This has probably saved my life at least once. and when first in line at a light you should accelerate faster than normal so the people behind you can make the light. Each car has to accelerate at a slower rate than the car ahead of them to maintain space. > [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > 1. Keep at least a half car length behind the car in front of you at a traffic light. This avoids trapping yourself should you become the target of a car-jacking or other unfortunate scenario. If everybody did this it would gridlock traffic with all the additional spacing. If you have to worry about someone assaulting you consider every person behind you a potential road rage person for taking up space at a light. 1. When exiting on a 4 leaf clover intersection slow down and get behind the person who is entering. This frees up a space on the highway for the person entering and you need to slow down anyway to make the curve. conversely, when entering a highway accelerate to traffic speed. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/57 "2010-02-01T22:38:58Z")
> [@Kyrie\_Eleison](#): > > Never thought about that, and I’m not sure I would have the presence of mind to remember to throw an automatic into neutral in that situation. But I mainly drive a car with a standard transmission, so it’s mostly a non-issue for me. 1. If I’m in an emergency braking situation I don’t want to deal with the transmission while dealing with the brake, steering, and keeping an eye out for other vehicles. 2. I’ve often needed to accelerate away from things in the process of emergency braking (such as the car behind me that isn’t slowing down in time). I want my car in gear at all times unless the wheels aren’t actually touching any pavement. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/58 "2010-02-01T22:39:29Z")
One I learned sort of the hard way after I moved to Pittsburgh: If the line where you’re supposed to stop is well back from the crosswalk, there’s probably a reason why they want you to stop well back of the crosswalk on a red light. Namely, the big honkin’ buses that go down those narrow streets. If you stop too far up, they can’t turn without getting closer to your car than you’d like. The bus did not hit my car, but it was scary. Also having to do with Pittsburgh buses: do not back up to parallel park when there is a bus right in back of you. Just stop and put on your turn signal. The bus will not steal the space from you (unless the “space” is a bus stop, and in that case you shouldn’t park there anyway). When the bus is honking at you, the proper response is not to continue backing up toward the bus. I saw this brilliant move from the bus last week. Sweep the snow off the roof and windows of your car _before_ you start driving. And don’t forget the headlights and taillights- get the snow off them, too. They sell those brush/ice scraper things everywhere. Have one and keep it in your car. That way, you can actually see out the windows, big chunks of snow and ice don’t fly off the roof of your car and into somebody else’s windshield, and other drivers can see your lights. You should have the lights on when you’re driving while it’s snowing more than a sprinkle, just like you should with rain. If your driveway is on a hill, it’s better to go out of the garage downhill and come in from uphill when there’s snow on the road. That way, gravity is your friend, and there’s less chance you’ll get stuck. My advice for driving in snow and other bad weather: do it only if absolutely necessary. > [@Giles](#): > > I learned to drive on manual cars, so I always use my right foot on the accelerator and brake, saving my left for the clutch (even if it’s not there). That’s the other reason I learned for not using your left foot for the brake. I have only driven a manual once, and don’t intend to make a habit of it. But I still don’t use my left foot for the brake, because it might turn me into an annoying brake-tapper. > [@Enright3](#): > > Defensive driving 101 is that YOU are NOT the police of other drivers, and that it’s safer to go with the flow of traffic, and get in the lane that matches other drivers of the speed you want to go. It’s not your job to hold the ‘fast’ lane to the correct speed limit. You’ll be less stressed if you just worry about your driving and getting safely to your destination, rather than worrying about what other drivers are getting away with. Really. > [@JohnT](#): > > 1. When you find yourself in the wrong lane at an intersection, please continue with the flow of traffic, even if it means you overshoot your turn and have to double-back. DO NOT, by any means, JUST PARK YOUR FAT ASS IN THE INTERSECTION This goes double if there are five or six people behind you honking at you. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/59 "2010-02-01T22:42:20Z")
If you’re slowing, signalling, and preparing to turn across the oncoming traffic lane, for Og’s sake, watch out for someone overtaking you! I learned about tbhis one a few weeks ago. Certain friends’ driveway exits onto a two-lane highway in the middle of a long stretch where there is no other entrance. The driveway entrance is marked with reflectors, and the 911 address, and the name, and everything, but is otherwise a little hard to se due to curves and trees. My friends are always cautious when approaching from the south and preparing to make a left turn into the driveway. Apparently some people just think my friends’ left-turn signal is on by mistake, or they don’t see the upcomong entrance, because even as my friends slow and prepare to turn, they are overtaken. ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/60 "2010-02-01T22:47:33Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > When a lane of traffic is going to be closed ahead and signs forewarn “right lane closed ahead, merge left” both lanes should be used all the way up to the merge point. > I am not being an ass because everyone is stopped bumper to bumper for a 1/2 mile in the left lane and I drive past you in the right hand lane up to the merge point. I do this because it’s the correct thing to do. > I realize most people are not aware of this from all the middle fingers and unwillingness to let me merge going on but I am still correct. _boggle_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254.md?page=4)