# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/61 "2010-02-01T22:50:28Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > 1. Do not take a left turn from the right lane. > > 2. Do not take a right turn from the left lane. > > Thank you. While we’re here, don’t make a left turn into the right lane and don’t make a right turn into the left lane. Oh, and if you see a semi with it’s right blinker on in the left lane, don’t go around him on the right…that never ends well. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/62 "2010-02-01T22:54:00Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > How 'bout pulling into the intersection while waiting to turn left? > (Though I don’t know if this is regional, and don’t really remember if they taught this in driver’s ed.) > > Anyway, almost all drivers in NJ will do this—they pull half way into the intersection while waiting for a gap to make their turn. This way, when the light changes, at least one or two cars will make the turn. > > Occasionally I’m behind somebody who doesn’t use this technique, and it is a frustrating experience, especially if they wait through a couple light cycles waiting for the gap that never comes. Around here the majority do not pull into the intersection, but a reasonable number (including me) do. The correct procedure is not mentioned in the Georgia Drivers Manual. I was once stopped at a light with a cop car behind me. Okay, I thought, here is where I find out if pulling into the intersection is illegal. I pulled forward. I did not get pulled over by the cop, but the cop stayed at the white line, so I was no wiser. My son recently went through drivers ed. He was told that you are supposed to stop at the white line, but if you do that there are some intersections where you would never get through, so in practice you might as well pull forward. Brilliant. ---
**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, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/63 "2010-02-01T23:24:44Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > 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. Yet another reason why it’s illegal to pass in an intersection (though I know in this case the passing driver didn’t see). My father saw this exact thing happen about 12 years ago, but it didn’t end nicely. The car making the turn was at the head of a line of six cars, and the car at the rear made to pass everyone. So the passing car was in passing gear (about 130km/hr +) when it hit the turning car broadside, which happened to be full of five teenagers. Four of them died, one is in a wheelchair. The driver of the passing car was also killed. ---
**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, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/64 "2010-02-01T23:40:53Z")
Stuff that should be incredibly obvious, but clearly isn’t: Don’t throw cigarette butts out your car window. It’s gross and makes you look like you were raised in a barn. If you’re really unlucky, it could [set your car on fire](http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/20077448/detail.html) ([here’s another expensive car fire caused by a thrown cigarette butt](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/02/18/BAGM9BDF021.DTL)), or cause a [brush fire](http://www.fire.qld.gov.au/news/view.asp?id=1246). Texting while driving is illegal in some places, and incredibly stupid everywhere. The same goes for driving while wearing headphones. If you drop something while you are driving, DO NOT bend down to pick it up unless your car is stopped. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/65 "2010-02-01T23:52:14Z")
> [@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. > > More to come, and please add yours. I agree with the first three, but number four, nope. If you can read the license plate of the car in front of you, you are not close enough. 😃 By allowing so much unused space at stop lights, you get a quicker back-up at rush hour, inciting road rage to everyone behind you. Plus, if you’re trapped by being too close, how in the world is the car jacker going to steal your car? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/66 "2010-02-02T00:08:57Z")
Mine: Don’t just use vehicles’ positioning, signalling and direction to work out WTF is going on. Use every clue around you. Some driver seems to be hugging the lane divider in an unnatural way? That’s usually because they’re thinking about changing lane, but haven’t yet made the decision. But they may do so without signalling, so pre-empt it. If you can see other drivers’ faces and heads, use them to guess what they’re about to do. Head direction and expression can give a lot away. Passing a van? Can you see the driver in the mirror eating a sandwich? He might decide to open the door spontaneously to get out and fart, so take a wide berth. Kid on the sidewalk? _Always_ take evasive action, even if that kid appears just to be walking down the street - because they’re totally unpredictable. Even if they’re with their parents. Kid on a bike? Double the evasive action. Never ever trust anyone’s signals until you see their car actually begin to move in that direction. Let other vehicles pull out of side turns or get around obstacles whenever safe and possible - keeping the road flowing will usually assist you by unblocking the opposing lane, but if it doesn’t, it’s good to be nice. Don’t trust the traffic lights, because they can’t predict assholes. - 25 years’s driving, usually quite a lot over the speed limit, of which 24 years have been without a single wreck (though I did slide off the road on black ice for the first time ever, two weeks ago - though no damage, except to my wallet - the tow truck earned £200 for 3 minutes’ work, grr). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/67 "2010-02-02T00:13:54Z")
This one may be regional (but I don’t think so) - make your complete stop _before_ crossing the sidewalk when you’re coming out of an alley or parking lot. First off, there may be a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk (which you may or may not be able to see), and second, if you can’t go right away, blocking the sidewalk is an asshole move (as is blocking a crosswalk). Turn your lights on when driving into the sun, as well - it helps drivers behind you see you with your taillights on. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/68 "2010-02-02T00:17:43Z")
Do the math. Speeding 10 miles over the limit on the highway will save you less than 5 minutes on the average commute. Being polite to cops will increase your chances of getting a warning. Driving tired is as bad as driving drunk. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/69 "2010-02-02T00:20:32Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Absolutely. You’re doing the limit in the left lane? Really? What makes you think that’s OK? What part of the term “speed limit” don’t you understand? ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/70 "2010-02-02T00:33:26Z")
My dad raced motorcycles for 25 years and then taught me how to drive. Among other lessons, he taught me: • When backing up, do not twist your body around to look out the back window. That’s why you have mirrors. Use them. This way, you can see out of your peripheral vision if another vehicle is coming at you, and you are still in complete control of your car. Not that you can do fuck all about it if you are backing into a parking space and someone hits you from the front. And yes, I can parallel park without turning around in my seat. • Steer into a skid; it’s counterintuitive. Best to practice on an empty icy parking lot to get a feel for it. Sometimes, the best way out of a skid/slide is to actually accelerate a little bit (not punch it to the floor either), rather than pump the brakes. Again, that’s an acquired skill. • Brake tappers: It’s because the brake tapper is following the car ahead of them too closely. Dear Old Dad taught me that’s a waste of gas. If you have to tap on the brakes, you lose momentum and subsequently have to accelerate again to come back up to speed once sufficient space between you and the driver ahead of you has been established. Better to lift your damn foot up off the gas, allow the car to coast back to the appropriate speed/distance to the next car, and then gradually feather the acceleration. If you are a brake tapper, please know that I can’t tell if you are stopping right NOW, or if you’re just a douche who’s following too closely. I don’t know if I’m supposed to stand on the brakes to get stopped in a hurry, or if I can use the lift-foot-and-coast method that dad taught. • Trusting other people’s turn signals. Dad says don’t. A very experienced motorcycle driver, he taught me to ignore the other driver’s eye contact, and ignore the signals.\* Just watch their tires. \*If the wheels are rolling, do not trust the other driver to stop. I will brake until the other car is fully stopped, i.e., wheels not moving. • Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, wherever you are going, always have your escape route planned. Dad would ask me, “Okay, if a car goes left of center and comes right at you right NOW… where are you going to go? Know where you’re going to put the car _when_ the unexpected happens.” That passing on the right thing was not a Dadzilla lesson. Just Dogzilla being snarky. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/71 "2010-02-02T00:57:40Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > \ > • Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, wherever you are going, always have your escape route planned. Dad would ask me, “Okay, if a car goes left of center and comes right at you right NOW… where are you going to go? Know where you’re going to put the car _when_ the unexpected happens.” > \ My husband was trained in defensive driving, and I was trained by a professional instructor, and both of us get very itchy when someone sits in one of our escape routes while we’re driving. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/72 "2010-02-02T01:19:10Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > 1. When waiting to make a left turn, stay in your lane and keep your wheels straight. Don’t turn your wheels left and then wait. This way, if a car hits you from behind, you go straight and not into the oncoming traffic. At first, I couldn’t tell how this helped. Then I realized this only applied if you were NOT the first one in line in the turn lane. 🙂 > [@](#): > > 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. I have to raise my eyebrow at this one too. How often does this happen? And aren’t you just providing a would-be carjacker space to escape that he wouldn’t otherwise have had? And now that I think about it, how does it provide an escape route? Where would you go? Onto the sidewalk? Into opposing traffic? Into another lane that already has another car stopped for the light? None of those sound like attractive options. Finally, I can’t believe that (as far as I saw) nobody mentioned the delightful topic-username combo! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![fubbleskag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fubbleskag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fubbleskag)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/73 "2010-02-02T01:30:40Z")
My dad used to give me defensive driver tips whenever we were on road trips together, starting at around age 10. Many have already been named here, but one I didn’t see and still use and share with as many people as possible is this: On a two-lane, if the car coming towards you from the other way has his brights on, focus your eyes on your own white line about two car lengths in front of you. This allows you to maintain vision on the road without going blind and having to wait for your eyes to readjust (as much). > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > {Calgary Hijack}There is a t-intersection downtown with triple left turn lanes - I used to work in an office overlooking that intersection, and enjoyed watching the carnage. Drivers here can barely deal with dual turn lanes; triple turn lanes fry their little melons.{/hijack} I spent 6 years in Calgary, and it was there that my two biggest driving pet peeves were born: 1. People who don’t turn into their own lane. 2. People who yield when there is no yield sign and they have their own lane. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/74 "2010-02-02T02:31:51Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > It’s actually illegal to change lanes when driving through an intersection. Not in my state, but it’s a bad idea all around. > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by **Jackknifed Juggernaut** [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/images/buttons/viewpost.gif](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12062603#post12062603) > \* > 2) When waiting to make a left turn, stay in your lane and keep your wheels straight. Don’t turn your wheels left and then wait. This way, if a car hits you from behind, you go straight and not into the oncoming traffic.\* > [@Leaper](#): > > At first, I couldn’t tell how this helped. Then I realized this only applied if you were NOT the first one in line in the turn lane. 🙂 No, it’s for the first one in line in the turn lane. Don’t turn your wheels until you are actually proceeding through. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/75 "2010-02-02T02:42:06Z")
The most important rule I know is that if you are driving up to one or more stopped cars, don’t ever pass, thinking they’re waiting for a parking space or something. Very often, they are waiting for pedestrians to cross and you can’t see them. Pedestrians get hit every day because the last car in the line tries to pass what they think is a bunch of cars stopped for no reason. This happens to me so often when I stop for people in crosswalks (my state tickets you if you don’t) that if I’m in a van, I won’t stop for a pedestrian on the side of the road, because every time I do, some numbnut will pass me and nearly hit the pedestrian. I’d rather explain to a cop why I didn’t stop and risk the ticket than watch someone get splattered. I personally know someone whose 2 daughters were killed this way, and another boy with brain damage from this. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/76 "2010-02-02T02:44:33Z")
> [@Algher](#): > > Do the math. Speeding 10 miles over the limit on the highway will save you less than 5 minutes on the average commute. …which means if you want to save any real time, you’re going to have to go a LOT faster than that. –The Bad Driver’s Handbook (paraphrased) ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/77 "2010-02-02T02:44:57Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > What part of the term “speed limit” don’t you understand? So you’re gonna stay in the passing lane doing the limit, pissing off the bozo behind you, who then either tailgates you or swerves into the slower lane, then passes you on the inside, and in the next instant swerves back in front of you (all the while steering with one hand since his other is giving you the finger)? Of course, this effect (i.e. risk) is multiplied if you’re blocking more than one care and bozo. What part of minimizing bozo frustration do _you_ not understand? Do you not think that pissing off other drivers may make some of them do dangerous things? Or are you just gonna say, “I’m doing the limit, I have the LAW on my side, so fuck you”? ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/78 "2010-02-02T03:23:13Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > What part of the term “speed limit” don’t you understand? What part of “LEFT LANE FOR PASSING ONLY” do you not understand? ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/79 "2010-02-02T03:26:32Z")
I’m with Karl on this one. If you’re being passed on the right, change lanes. 1. I didn’t learn this in driver’s ed, but it’s a great idea. When I still had my motorcycle, on one occasion I did NOT make my usual quick start at the green (for no conscious reason). A car DID run the red, and I would’ve been killed. > [@](#): > > 1. When waiting to make a left turn, stay in your lane and keep your wheels straight. Don’t turn your wheels left and then wait. This way, if a car hits you from behind, you go straight and not into the oncoming traffic. I did learn this in driver’s ed (30+ years ago). But the reason given was that it prevents you yourself from creeping into the opposite lane. > [@](#): > > 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. Not in driver’s ed. I learned it from being rear-ended. It keeps you from rear-ending the car in front of you in a chain reaction. But my rule of thumb for distance is at least far enough behind the car so you can see where its rear wheels touch the pavement ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254/80 "2010-02-02T03:40:35Z")
From [this site:](http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/speedandspeedcameras/40kmhcbdspeedlimit/index.html) > [@](#): > > A car is travelling at 40 km/h. Another car is travelling at 50 km/h. Both drivers see a child about 27 metres ahead, recognise the danger and brake. The car travelling at 40 km/h will stop safely after 26 metres, avoiding the child. The car travelling at 50 km/h will take an extra nine metres to stop, and will still be travelling at 41 km/h when it hits the child. > > Even a small difference in vehicle speed can make a large difference to the probability of serious injury. > > If a car hits a pedestrian at 50 km/h the car driver is twice as likely to kill the pedestrian than if the car hits a pedestrian at 40 km/h. > For every extra kilometre per hour of speed: > > the stopping distance increases. > the time to react and avoid a crash decreases. > the impact of a crash is more severe on the vehicle, driver, passengers and pedestrians. > the likelihood of serious injury or death increases. We’ve had the argument on these boards about going faster than the speed limit in the left lane multiple times. As far as I know, the speed limit is the speed limit in all the lanes on the road, unless otherwise posted. There are speed limits on our roads for good reasons. If you’re going to be the slowest person on the road, the left lane isn’t the place for you, but no one has the right to go faster than the speed limit because they’re in the left lane. This is one of those situations where the law and safety don’t quite match up, though, because being the only person obeying the law isn’t safe, either. And they sure as hell didn’t teach me _that_ in driver’s ed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-rules-that-they-dont-teach-you-in-drivers-ed/527254.md?page=5)