Some basic rules of driving:
1. A signal light is used to indicate an upcoming turn. Flipping it on two seconds before the actual turn is pointless and a dick move.
2. Accelerate to highway speed on the onramp, then merge.
3. To exit a highway, signal, then turn onto the off-ramp, then decelerate
4. Go easy with using brakes. Maintain sufficient space between the vehicle ahead so that brake tapping isn’t necessary – it causes a chain reaction for everyone behind. Remove foot from gas pedal, or, for manual transmissions, downshift.
5. If cars from two side-by-side lanes entering the Armdale circle at different rates, something is very wrong.
6. Never switch lanes while in the Armdale circle – be in the proper lane before you enter. It is a black-hole of blind spots and changing lanes is likely to cause a collision. Know where you’re going.
7. Be ready to move on an advanced green. There is a line of people also trying to get through. The presence of an advanced green light would indicate that its a nasty intersection to get through otherwise. Be aware that others need to get places too.
8. Enter the nearest lane on the street when turning left or right at an intersection. Complete the turn, signal and then enter the further lane if that’s where you need to be.
9. If turning left when stopped at a red light, signal well ahead of time to give fair warning to people behind you – give them the option of using the other lane (if available). Fuck you otherwise.
10. Drivers have one job – to pay attention. The rest is secondary. Watch for traffic lights. Watch for pedestrians. Be ready to move.
Any ideas on other slick tips for not being a jackass on the road? Please share.
—Ihatemymorningcommute
This article appears in Feb 6-12, 2014.
I don’t drive a Mantra but those are pretty good driving tips.
Three bitches and no commenters yet, I feel like I’ve stumbled onto the Island of Lost Bitches.
Hey Ihatemymorningcommute
To add to your very well laid out points, I run a very successful retail business on Spring Garden Road and live in a waterfront condo and drive a very expensive car so I expect every driver out there to follow these rules so my very expensive car, paid for by my successful retail business on Spring Garden Road isn’t damaged. Better yet I would appreciate it if everyone would pull over and let me drive through so the diamonds on my car handles do not get damaged. I really don’t know why city hall turned down my application to have preferred parking for me and my artist boyfriend throughout the city. It’s not like I don’t run a very successful retail business on Spring Garden Road.
Boring. TL-DR.
First slick tip… If you know you can’t drive safely or properly, leave the damn car home in the driveway. Don’t dare think of picking up those keys. Get your finger busy calling a taxi or put your coat on to walk to bus stop. Do us all a favor by staying off the road, especially in winter.
Hey you try doing this drunk. We’re out there risking our lives every…. many of the days!
Driver test rules…
Take a spin around the block, don’t hit anything, speed, or run a red light. Take as long and as many tries as you want to back your car into the spot, as long as you don’t hit anything. Great, licensed for life to drive in any/all conditions.
Here’s one:
Don’t write Coast bitches whilst driving…
Take the bus.