BASIC RULES FOR SAFE DRIVING

Congratulations on acquiring your driver’s license. Now learn to drive safely.
Much love.
UNCLE PACKSMAN

There is much to learn in driving with PACKS; Patience, Awareness, Courtesy, Knowledge, Skill.
However, to keep you minimally safe on the road until you gain experience, there are several important rules to integrate into your driving habits as quickly as possible. Below are lists of rules and the more common dangers you will encounter as you drive. Be alert and stay alive. Your responsible attitude toward driving and your desire to be a safe driver will keep you safe.

Collisions happen! YOU AND ALL YOUR PASSENGERS MUST WEAR SEAT BELTS!!

RULES - in addition to Patience, Awareness, Courtesy, Knowledge, and Skill.
1. Never drink and drive and never let your passengers push you!
2. Always signal!! Signaling shows you are an aware driver.
3. Drive to the right – PASS on the left. DON'T HOG THE LEFT LANE.
4. Scan your mirrors constantly.
5. The safety components of your vehicle must be in tip-top shape! They are: brakes, lights, windshield wipers, horn, clean windows and mirrors, defroster.
6. Always allow a driver who wishes to pass you, do so.
7. Don't tailgate. FRONT-END DAMAGE IS MORE DANGEROUS AND COSTLY.
8. Don't get even. Don't educate other drivers or play games on the road.
9. Maintain a steady rate of speed and go with the flow wherever possible.
10. Stay alert to the possibility of an accident, especially at intersections, at dawn, and at dusk.
11. Adjust your driving to time of day, traffic, road, and weather conditions.
12. Be aware of your physical and mental condition and adjust your driving to make allowances for any sub-optimal condition such as illness or fatigue.
13. Always know exactly how to get where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Give yourself enough time to arrive in time without stress.
14. Concentrate on driving – it's a full time job.
15. There are lots more rules to learn.

DANGERS FROM OTHER DRIVERS
1. Sudden moves without signals
2. Red light & Stop Sign runners
3. Tailgaters
4. Slow vehicles on fast roads & fast vehicles on slow roads
5. Improper road entry, i.e., stopping on a merge lane
6. Improper road exit, i.e., slowing down on a highway prior to exit
7. Drivers who play games
8. Drivers who do not know where they are going
9. Drivers who stop at green lights
10. Rubber-neckers
11. There are lots more dangers

DANGERS FROM OTHER SOURCES
1. Slippery roads
2. Poor visibility
3. Poor road condition & poor signage
4. Improper vehicle conditions
5. Animal entry on road
6. There are lots more dangers

I'll see you next week.
Uncle Packsman