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Some of the frustration many drivers face on the road is when new drivers are taking their driving lessons. These new drivers seem to drive a lot slower than the other drivers on the road and they often won’t immediately take their right-of-way when they should. Sound frustrating to you? Here are a few tips to help licensed drivers reduce their frustration when they come across a driver-training car.

  1. Following distance: - The only way for drivers to get enough experience to pass a government road test is to spend time on the road. However, it doesn’t mean you need to get too close to them. Remember what the minimum safe following distance is in the city? Yes, it’s minimum 2 seconds. You may want to keep a little more space between you and the driver-training car. The new driver is not as smooth on the brake and gas as you are. Their braking is often harsh instead of smooth and they may be making jerky movements on the gas from time to time as well as they learn how to handle the vehicle.
  2. Visual lead time: - Look ahead of your current position on the road to see what the traffic pattern is doing in your lane. If you see a number of vehicles changing lanes one after the other, you do the same. This may mean you’re changing lanes before you really know why. But think of how satisfying it is knowing you passed a problem that would have possibly slowed you down. Keep in mind that many driver-training cars would have their student often drive in the right lane. When you’re looking well ahead, look for the rooftop sign of the driver-training car. Why wait until you know for certain it’s a driver-training car before you attempt to change lanes? Doing it early helps to reduce your frustrations and keep moving.
  3. Be Patient: - Since decision-making is new for new drivers, patience is a big part of driving near them. Laying on the horn when you want them to move isn’t going to make the situation any better. It could actually make it worse. It may cause the new driver to panic and do the wrong thing, or perhaps even freeze. This would delay your movement more than ever. Instead, give them a few more seconds to make up their mind. And yes, it really is a few more seconds. I know it may seem like an eternity, but it’s not.
  4. Rules of the road: -These drivers are learning the rules of the road while also learning how to drive smoothly. They may not always remember they are allowed to make a right turn at a red light after stopping, they will always come to a complete stop at a stop sign before proceeding and they will be traveling at the speed limit. The same things you did when you were learning to drive. Give them an extra few seconds and all will be good. Remember the driving instructor with them is guiding them along. They sometimes need those few additional seconds to get the driver moving.
  5. Flow of traffic: - You may be surprised when you see the driver-training vehicle in the left lane doing the speed limit. Why wouldn’t they be traveling faster with the flow of traffic? Well, they most likely changed lanes so they can make a left turn. Give them a chance before you give them a hard time. They’ll be out of your way in a few seconds.

These few tips can help you safely deal with people learning to drive, plus it helps them learn in a calmer environment.

 

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