Positioning Your Vehicle Properly

In order to get your driver’s license you may have to demonstrate the ability to parallel park your vehicle.  This controlling of your vehicle’s forward and backward motion requires you to be able to steer, use your mirrors, and possibly change position in your seat for the best view.  Your tires and how they grip the road when you speed up, brake and steer also has a lot to do with positioning your car in any situation.  In order to steer well, you should always be seated properly in the driver’s seat and use the hand over hand method of turning the wheel.

Parking is not the only time you need to be concerned with how your vehicle is positioned.  Traversing corners on country roads is a good example.  On some lanes you can see far enough ahead that you will be able to take the turn at the posted speed limit.  On other roads you will need to slow down due to poor visibility.  Curves and turns have a vanishing point – the point where offside and nearside converge – and being able to assess any potential hazard will allow you to position your vehicle properly in the turn.

When you are driving you always need to make sure that all four wheels of your vehicle remain on the road surface to keep the vehicle stable.  Make sure you take your bends as close to the right or left hand side of the road as applicable and try not to cross the centre in case of oncoming traffic.  Steer well clear of cyclists and horse back riders if at all possible and slow right down when you pass them. Driving safely and knowing where your car is positioned at all times will keep you from getting involved in an accident.

Published by admin on June 9th, 2008 in Road Safety, Hazard Perception Test, Driving Lessons