SMOOTH DRIVING (AUTOMATIC CARS)

You just got your driving license a short while back and you’re still taking baby steps when it comes to driving. Maybe you got your license some years ago but you still fear the road. You might have many years of driving experience but every time there is a passenger in your car they cannot stop sweating and praying you all make it your destination. Well, welcome to extra driving lesson 101 (at no fee but my account is still open). Let’s see how you’re going to become better and smoother at driving.

Smooth driving is simply moving your car without unnecessary random jerky and swerving movements. A smooth ride is enjoyable and even leaves you and your passengers eager for the next one. Smooth driving improves your car’s fuel economy, raises the confidence of your passengers in you, reduces the rate of your car’s wear and tear and puts you at a lesser risk of causing a road accident. Let me start with smooth driving for automatic cars since they are the majority on our Kenyan roads.

1. Keep calm.

The first step to becoming a smooth driver is to be relaxed. Anxiety will make you uncomfortable and tensed and you might miscalculate actions and movements. Drink adequate amounts of water and take a deep breath before you start driving. Avoid thinking of misfortunes that can happen when driving. Thinking of how you might mess up and crash your car will increase your fear and anxiety. Keep your mind clear of such negative thoughts and focus on the road. You can put on some music at a low volume to help you relax.

2. Master steering and differentiate between the pedals.

A common mistake encountered when driving an automatic car is pressing the wrong pedal. This can be a costly and deadly mistake. The clutch in manual cars sometimes helps to prevent the consequence of doing this but since automatic cars have no clutch they just play along and obey the command. In an automatic car it’s very easy to press the accelerator when you intend to brake and vice versa. I’ve mistakenly done this severally. For those with older cars and some newer models it is easier to know the difference- the brake pedal has a larger surface than the accelerator pedal. For the rest you just have to practice. You can find an empty field or parking lot and practice as you alternate between the pedals and note the feeling and stretch of your right leg (which is recommended for sole use when driving) when you press each individual pedal.

You can incorporate the brake practice with the steering practice. If you have cones, use them to set up your manoeuvre positions. Set them for small angle turns and corners and gradually move to sharp turns and corners and master when to turn the wheel, how much to turn, when to turn back the wheel and how much to do it. Also practice when driving on the road (without the cones of course and observing road safety) and with time you should be fine. Before you start driving set your seat to a comfortable position where you can easily reach the pedals without outstretching your legs and you can hold and turn the steering wheel without outstretching your hands. Your hands should not be fully stretched when holding the wheel to avoid rigidity. Rigidity does not allow you to take in the road imperfections through the wheel and it’s easy for you to keep unknowingly moving out of your lane into other lanes and oncoming lanes. It also makes it hard to turn the wheel and swerve while keeping the car in control in case of anything. Ensure there is a slight bend on your elbow when you hold the wheel and relax your hand.

3. Predict.

Driving is all about prediction. It’s like you’re some sort of prophet but with no special powers. Predicting helps you to determine the appropriate action and precaution to take. Don’t look at your car’s bonnet or on the car directly ahead of you. Look ahead, at least 2 to 3 cars ahead. This helps you know in advance the situation ahead and take the appropriate action, for example brake early and gradually or avoid a collision. Looking at the car directly in front of you will make you brake suddenly and throw your passengers around and it increases the chances of you rear-ending that car. Looking further ahead also helps to keep the car centred in the lane and anticipate turns and bends which helps determine how much to turn the wheel. A while back I had this problem of not staying centred in my lane and I was the type of driver that moves out of the lane then swerves back but after practising this I’m now good at sticking to my lane (pun intended). Looking at the car directly in front of you will make you subconsciously move in the direction the car is moving. If the car moves outside the lane you will also move out of the lane. The theory or principle behind this is that as a driver you tend to subconsciously steer to the direction you have fixed your eyes.

4. Stick to the limits.

Even when driving as you look ahead, maintaining keenness and predicting correctly, you might miss a few details on the road, things like unmarked bumps or bumps with very faded marks. If you drive within the indicated or required speed limit you stand a high chance of slowing down smoothly before you hit the bump. Also, if you stick to the limits and there arises a need for you to swerve (say when avoiding a pothole you’ve seen suddenly), you can manage to do it smoothly and safely and keep your car in control. While driving within the stated limits, keep your distance from the car in front of you to avoid hard braking or rear ending. Luckily, these days some cars come with adaptive cruise control that helps the driver to do this.

5. Practice.

An old adage states that practice makes perfect. This is true when it comes to driving. Having theoretical knowledge is not enough to become a good and smooth driver. You need to practice to achieve this effectively. Each individual has their rate and pace of learning so the time of practice should vary accordingly.

A final word for the parting shot: Never sacrifice safety for smoothness. If there’s danger react as quickly as you can. Patience is also key to achieving smoothness when driving. Don’t be in a rush, don’t be rash, be reasonable and considerate.