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Two Car Tips
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Dec 31, 2021 08:21:21   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
1. Hold the steering wheel at the 8 and 4 positions. This prevents injury to your fingers, hands and arms if the airbag deploys. It's also more restful for your arms because they're not up high on the wheel. I have seen videos of police driving this way, so I'm not the only one. I have also seen recommendations for 9 and 3.
https://driversed.com/driving-information/driving-techniques/steering/

2. Open the driver's door with your right hand. When you do this, the door doesn't open as far, which is good if there is a bike or car passing by.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/heres-why-you-should-always-open-your-car-door-with-your-right-hand/?_cmp=diytipshintsnl&_ebid=diytipshintsnl12302021&_mid=462082&ehid=73A5119F6D6B55A335D41D8BD7D8D335A74FB2CE

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Dec 31, 2021 08:41:42   #
bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY
 
Also keep thumbs OUTSIDE the wheel, prevents broken thumbs! BTW not easy to remember to do it, been grabbing the wheel for so long it's automatic.

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Dec 31, 2021 09:18:39   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
bobmcculloch wrote:
Also keep thumbs OUTSIDE the wheel, prevents broken thumbs! BTW not easy to remember to do it, been grabbing the wheel for so long it's automatic.




Yes, it's hard to overcomer automatic.

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Dec 31, 2021 19:30:14   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
As a lifelong bicyclist, I think you missed the point of #2. Opening your door with the right hand encourages you to look for bicyclists so you don't open the door on one. Opening the door even partially without first looking for bicycles coming can result in serious injury or even death to a bicyclist.

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Dec 31, 2021 20:47:48   #
Jon_Armitage Loc: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
 
So, we have to do the opposite in the UK?

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Jan 1, 2022 07:12:54   #
daldds Loc: NYC
 
I read something last year that nine and three is safer than 10 and two. Can’t remember the source.

Years ago I taught my daughters how to drive. Now my last grandchild will be learning very soon. An important number I teach is 1.47, rounded off to 1.5. That is the distance the car travels in fps when multiplied by mph: i.e., 20 mph = 30 fps.
So, consider 70 mph, or 105 fps and the fact that it takes a minimum of 1/3 or a second to recognize that a problem is in front of you. That’s two car lengths before you initiate any action.
You can fill in the rest, city or interstate.

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Jan 1, 2022 09:11:24   #
EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace
 
jerryc41 wrote:
1. Hold the steering wheel at the 8 and 4 positions. This prevents injury to your fingers, hands and arms if the airbag deploys.
I heard about this years ago. Not that I faithfully practice it, though.

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Jan 1, 2022 09:15:48   #
Abo
 
A workmate while he was on a first (and last) date, took out a car door, as well as the exiting driver of a parked car;
seriously injuring the exiting driver.

My workmate was exonerated. In this state it is an offence to open a car door into traffic apparently.

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Jan 1, 2022 09:22:34   #
raymondh Loc: Walker, MI
 
Perhaps #2 tip might also be applicable to opening your fly?

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Jan 1, 2022 09:22:43   #
leftyD500 Loc: Ocala, Florida
 
daldds wrote:
I read something last year that nine and three is safer than 10 and two. Can’t remember the source.

Years ago I taught my daughters how to drive. Now my last grandchild will be learning very soon. An important number I teach is 1.47, rounded off to 1.5. That is the distance the car travels in fps when multiplied by mph: i.e., 20 mph = 30 fps.
So, consider 70 mph, or 105 fps and the fact that it takes a minimum of 1/3 or a second to recognize that a problem is in front of you. That’s two car lengths before you initiate any action.
You can fill in the rest, city or interstate.
I read something last year that nine and three is ... (show quote)


Good tip, thank you for sharing.

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Jan 1, 2022 09:26:39   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
Abo wrote:
A workmate while he was on a first (and last) date, took out a car door, as well as the exiting driver of a parked car;
seriously injuring the exiting driver.

My workmate was exonerated. In this state it is an offence to open a car door into traffic apparently.


In most states it is illegal to open a car door into traffic without checking first that it is safe to do so.

Reply
 
 
Jan 1, 2022 09:53:18   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Jon_Armitage wrote:
So, we have to do the opposite in the UK?


No, you have to follow the right-hand rule, same as always.

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Jan 1, 2022 10:02:35   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
jerryc41 wrote:
No, you have to follow the right-hand rule, same as always.


If you want the same effect of using your right hand with the left drive cars, you would use your left hand with right drive cars, encouraging you to look for traffic before opening the door.

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Jan 1, 2022 10:04:42   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
JohnSwanda wrote:
If you want the same effect of using your right hand with the left drive cars, you would use your left hand with right drive cars, encouraging you to look for traffic before opening the door.



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Jan 1, 2022 10:17:37   #
jgunkler
 
Here's a simpler way to teach safe following distance. It's the same no matter what your speed.

Watch the car in front pass some point you can keep your eye on (a road sign, crack or flaw in the road, etc.) and then count slowly "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three." If your car does not pass the identified point by then you're at a safe following distance.

daldds wrote:
I read something last year that nine and three is safer than 10 and two. Can’t remember the source.

Years ago I taught my daughters how to drive. Now my last grandchild will be learning very soon. An important number I teach is 1.47, rounded off to 1.5. That is the distance the car travels in fps when multiplied by mph: i.e., 20 mph = 30 fps.
So, consider 70 mph, or 105 fps and the fact that it takes a minimum of 1/3 or a second to recognize that a problem is in front of you. That’s two car lengths before you initiate any action.
You can fill in the rest, city or interstate.
I read something last year that nine and three is ... (show quote)

Reply
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