Driving
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Clear snow from your car's headlights, taillights, brake lights, and indicators before driving.
Many drivers fail to clear lights covered in snow or ice; halogen headlights may melt snow but other lights need manual clearing.
- Clean headlight enclosures with a soft cloth or brush to avoid scratching the plastic.
4 people, independently
Avoid splitting your attention behind the wheel by texting or making calls.
Distracted driving is the primary cause of most traffic accidents, which can result in serious harm or fatalities.
4 people, independently
Clear snow from the whole car, not just the glass, to stop it from sliding onto your windshield during braking or flying off into other drivers' paths.
Snow can shift onto the windshield and blind you under braking, or blow off and hit other drivers; leaving snow on the roof is illegal in some jurisdictions.
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Drive in a predictable manner instead of being overly polite or cautious.
Predictability is the top way to prevent crashes; acting friendly or timid can actually make you hazardous.
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- Drive predictably rather than attempting to be polite or generous.4
- Drive predictably.2
If you miss your exit, take the next one instead of making dangerous maneuvers to correct course.
Cutting across lanes or darting through traffic does not save time and can lead to a wreck.
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snow, ice, clear, car24
Carry kitty litter in your vehicle to pour under tires for traction if stuck in snow.
Use dedicated winter tires instead of all-season tires for better safety in snow.
All-season tires are inferior to winter tires; even a basic car becomes a great snow vehicle with proper winter tires.
3 people, independently
Use a large, two-handed scraper or broom for snow removal instead of small ice scrapers.
Small ice scrapers do not work well with heavy snow.
one person who lived it
Start the car and let it warm up before scraping snow; clear the roof and hood first, then the windows, so inner layers melt and slide off easily.
Letting the innermost layer melt allows the snow to slide off easily.
- Opening the door may let snow drop onto seats if there is deep snow.
one person who lived it
- Start cleaning door windows first while the car's heat and rear defrosters melt the windshield ice, then wipe the windshield clean.1
Use a step stool to clear snow and ice from the roofs of tall vehicles like SUVs or trucks.
Large plates of ice on high vehicles can become lethal projectiles.
one person who lived it
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Use a remote starter to let the car's heat and defrost systems clear ice and snow for about 15 minutes.
Letting the systems work it out is effective.
one person who lived it
Slow down and anticipate ice on bridges even if the ground road appears dry.
Bridges cool faster than ground roads in winter.
one person who lived it
Keep a full-sized shovel in your car so you can dig out if you become stuck.
3 people, independently
Consider the difficulty of reaching the roof when choosing a large vehicle for snowy climates.
One person found it very difficult to see or reach the roof to brush off snow on an SUV.
- Based on one person's experience with an SUV
one person who lived it
Cover your windshield with a tarp or sheet tucked under door frames before snow or ice accumulates to avoid scraping.
You can remove the cover instead of scraping or brushing.
- May freeze solidly if preceded by freezing rain or moisture between layers.
- Only works effectively in light snow; heavy snow makes removal difficult.
3 people, independently
Broom snow off your car with a large shop broom as a faster alternative to scraping.
It is much faster.
one person who lived it
Hit the bristles of a snow brush against a tire to clear out remaining snow without scratching the vehicle.
The tire is a surface you will not scratch.
one person who lived it
Remove aftermarket LED lights from front bumpers if they are not connected to dimmers.
They blind other drivers.
one person who lived it
Read the instructions and precautions for tire chains, including speed limits and removal guidelines.
To avoid damaging your vehicle; one person broke their chains and damaged their car by exceeding 30 mph and failing to remove them when roads cleared.
one person who lived it
Avoid using scrap cardboard or towels to cover windshields, as they can freeze solidly to the glass.
They can freeze solidly to the glass.
one person who lived it
Leave extra space between your car and the vehicle ahead when stopped at icy intersections.
This provides room to pull over or escape if someone slides into you.
one person who lived it
Avoid using brass scrapers on vehicles.
They can destroy glass, window seals, and painted surfaces near windows.
one person who lived it
Wax and wash your car regularly to make snow removal easier.
It helps greatly with snow removal.
one person who lived it
Stick newspaper to the windshield with saliva before sleeping.
Peeling it off in the morning leaves a completely clean window.
- Worked in windless Seattle
one person who lived it
Cover your windshield with torn cardboard held in place by wipers overnight.
Removing the cardboard in the morning leaves a clear windshield.
one person who lived it
Keep one snow brush in your car and another inside your house so you always have access to one without getting snow on your seats when entering the vehicle.
This ensures you are never out somewhere without a brush and avoids having to enter the car before clearing snow.
one person who lived it
Avoid using cruise control when driving in winter conditions.
You lose tactile feedback from the accelerator if you hit ice, and systems may deactivate unexpectedly upon slippage.
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Wipe snow off the top edge of the car door frame with a gloved hand or arm before opening the door to prevent snow from falling onto the seat.
3 people, independently
Carry kitty litter in your vehicle to pour under tires for traction if stuck in snow.
4 people, independently
Install a dashcam to record footage for review after accidents or distracting events.
Dashcams can protect you from being blamed in accidents and allow you to review footage if curious.
one person who lived it
driving, drivers, drive, safe47
Be predictable on the road rather than trying to be 'nice' by yielding right of way unexpectedly.
Do not interpret flashing high beams as a challenge to fight.
In many places, it simply means the driver wants to pass.
- In the US, some interpret it as a challenge to their manhood.
one person who lived it
Avoid staying in another vehicle's blind spot; pass or slow down instead.
Driving next to another car limits escape options for both drivers.
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Keep a safe following distance and pay attention, regardless of speed limits.
The person in front may slam on their brakes even if the speed limit is low.
one person who lived it
Be aware that driving slower than the flow of traffic can be dangerous.
Drivers on cruise control who are not paying attention may approach you quickly.
one person who lived it
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Be predictable on the road rather than trying to be 'nice' by yielding right of way unexpectedly.
Ambiguity kills; safe driving depends on accurately predicting other drivers' actions; waving people in can lead to accidents and partial responsibility for damages.
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Do not swerve for crossing animals; maintain your course.
It is very unsafe to swerve.
one person who lived it
If you do not feel comfortable driving or performing tasks while driving, choose not to do them.
It is not worth the risk.
one person who lived it
Check your speed on local, winding roads even if you know them well, because you cannot see what is around the bend.
You need to be able to stop if there is an obstacle like a tree or animal across the road.
one person who lived it
If stuck in a ditch, do not floor the gas pedal.
Doing so will likely dig you in deeper.
one person who lived it
As a pedestrian, do not wave cars through; stand back and wait for a safe gap in traffic.
Waving can encourage unsafe behavior; waiting ensures safety.
one person who lived it
Do not yield right-of-way to bicyclists if doing so forces them to act unpredictably.
It puts them in danger and they will not appreciate it.
one person who lived it
Do not accept a driver's wave to enter traffic if it puts you in danger from unseen vehicles in other lanes.
A polite wave does not account for vehicles in inside lanes that could still cause a collision.
one person who lived it
Scan using your entire windshield rather than just a small central area to detect threats earlier.
Many drivers restrict their view to a tiny square, missing peripheral dangers.
one person who lived it
Practice steering out of skids in a safe area away from other cars to learn control skills.
One person found these skills very useful after learning them over time.
one person who lived it
Accept arriving slightly later rather than risking safety to save time.
Safety is worth the extra time.
one person who lived it
Keep a safe following distance, use turn signals, and drive predictably.
This reduces the risk you pose to others.
one person who lived it
Do not use four-way flashers while driving in rain unless you are a hazard.
It looks like you're turning from the side, which could create a bad situation.
one person who lived it
Commit to your driving decisions and do not hesitate or change your mind mid-maneuver.
Hesitant drivers are among the most dangerous on the road.
2 people, independently
- Drive with purpose and do not second-guess your actions at intersections.1
Be cautious of SUV and 4x4 drivers who believe their vehicles can handle any weather.
They are described as the most dangerous assholes, even if they are from the area.
one person who lived it
Never rely on other drivers waving you through; always verify safety with your own eyes before proceeding.
Others may be polite but unaware of hazards behind them, such as illegal passers, leading to severe accidents like being struck by trucks or t-boned.
2 people, independently
Be extra alert for distracted drivers when a rainbow appears.
Other drivers may look away from the road to view or photograph the rainbow.
one person who lived it
Use turn signals but never trust them as a guarantee of intent; assume the driver may not turn despite signaling.
Drivers frequently signal without turning, which can lead to near-misses or collisions if you act on the signal alone.
2 people, independently
Be cautious of steep, narrow, or unpaved roads on scenic detours.
They may be impassable or dangerous.
one person who lived it
Treat every driver as if they are out-of-state and unfamiliar with the area to maintain caution.
This assumption helps maintain caution.
one person who lived it
Obey traffic laws and maintain control of your vehicle regardless of gestures from others.
You are liable for tickets and damages even if someone else signaled you to move.
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Stay out of the way of excessive speeders and let police handle enforcement.
To avoid risking an accident.
one person who lived it
Keep yours and your passengers' safety at the forefront of your mind and avoid engaging in road rage.
Road rage is childish and unnecessary.
one person who lived it
Never eat while driving.
It is another distraction like texting.
one person who lived it
If you enter the wrong lane, follow it to your destination instead of making unsafe maneuvers to switch back.
This aligns with driving legislation.
one person who lived it
Keep running if you are late for the bus, even if the driver appears to be waiting.
Some people stop running and stroll leisurely once they see the driver waiting, which is discouraged.
one person who lived it
Watch for motorcycles when driving on backroads.
Riders often prefer these routes.
one person who lived it
Immediately create space anywhere you see an idiot driver to avoid potentially getting killed.
To avoid death.
one person who lived it
Follow traffic rules rather than relying on eye contact or gestures to determine right-of-way.
Relying on eye contact is described as a nightmare; relinquishing right-of-way confuses others.
one person who lived it
Test your car's reactions to emergency braking and slippery surfaces in a safe, empty environment.
You won't have time to learn how your car reacts during a dangerous unexpected situation.
one person who lived it
If you are a nervous driver scared of freeways, take alternative routes for safety.
It ensures safety for you and others when you are afraid.
one person who lived it
Drive defensively as if every driver is a drunk cop.
Defensive driving keeps everyone alive.
one person who lived it
Operate your vehicle assuming a child, dog, or cat might run out in front unexpectedly.
one person who lived it
Let speeding drivers pass without engaging, as road rage provides no benefit and risks safety by prolonging adrenaline exposure.
You aren't the police and have nothing to gain; engaging means spending hours coming down from adrenaline.
one person who lived it
Avoid drivers who frequently hit their brakes or glance down, as these behaviors suggest distraction or unpredictability.
Road awareness is the best defense.
one person who lived it
Drive safely while assuming other drivers may be distracted or impaired, and avoid getting angry about things you cannot control.
Getting upset about uncontrollable factors is less effective than focusing on your own safe driving.
one person who lived it
Assume you will make mistakes while driving to help maintain alertness.
Acknowledging your own potential for error keeps you vigilant.
one person who lived it
Use GPS as an aid rather than your only navigation method so you can develop direction sense.
Relying solely on a navigator keeps your mind distant; navigating independently builds direction sense.
one person who lived it
Expect drivers to go slow when entering freeways due to emotional caution about danger.
Entering a freeway is perceived as dangerous, triggering cautious behavior which equals going slow.
one person who lived it
If you have ridden a motorcycle, drive your car more actively and attentively by considering other drivers.
Motorcycles change your perspective on driving.
one person who lived it
Use 'inside' and 'outside' instead of 'left' and 'right' when describing road positioning to reduce confusion.
It causes less confusion.
one person who lived it
Avoid speeding during holidays.
Law enforcement often increases presence and targets impaired drivers on these days.
one person who lived it
lane, traffic, move, lanes29
Use your turn signal to communicate your intention to change lanes or merge.
When a driver signals to join your lane, slow down or switch lanes to create ample space instead of blocking their path.
This courteous and predictable behavior lowers the risk of road rage with minimal effect on your own trip.
5 people, independently
Move out of the left lane if other drivers are passing you on the right.
The left lane is for passing while the right lanes are for cruising; camping in the fast lane is against the law in many states.
- Unless you live in the UK, Australia, or Japan.
3 people, independently
- Move out of the left lane if you are not actively overtaking, regardless of your speed.2
Let other drivers merge into your lane to alleviate pinch points and prevent braking in your lane.
It speeds up overall traffic flow.
- This only works if every driver follows these rules; if others do not, you may be taken advantage of.
one person who lived it
Stay in your lane during heavy traffic rather than weaving, as collective lane-switching creates incidents that cause major delays.
Game theory suggests staying in your lane is worth it; one incident from reckless cutting can shut down a lane for two hours, offsetting any minor time gains.
- Weaving may only be faster if you are one of very few people doing so.
- This strategy may change with driverless cars.
one person who lived it
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Use your turn signal to communicate your intention to change lanes or merge.
It helps other drivers understand your intentions and prevents accidents.
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- Signal before braking when preparing for a turn.3
One person reported letting faster drivers pass them on the highway to gain peace of mind by following in their wake.
It ensures they are not the primary target for police.
- This involves driving at speeds exceeding the limit (e.g., 85 vs 100+).
one person who lived it
Keep a following distance of about 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead on highways.
This may allow you to avoid braking when the driver in front slows down, preventing shock waves of braking that can travel miles down the road.
one person who lived it
Wait for space in the open lane to merge, rather than speeding up and forcing your way in.
Speeding up ahead of a closing lane and forcing entry causes traffic backups.
one person who lived it
If a tailgater fails to change lanes despite an open one, change lanes yourself to let them pass, then return to your lane.
Focus on safety over being right.
one person who lived it
Move over when you see someone approaching quickly from behind.
Drivers appreciate it when you let them pass while they are in a rush.
one person who lived it
If driving a large vehicle, brake early and gradually rather than hard-stopping at the last second.
Drivers behind you may not see stopped traffic ahead due to your vehicle's size.
one person who lived it
Reserve the left lane (or inner lane) for faster drivers and emergency vehicles.
It is courteous.
- In countries with left-hand traffic like the UK, reserve the right/inner lane instead.
one person who lived it
Keep a large following distance in heavy traffic to create a buffer for gradual slowing.
It allows you to slow down gradually without having to stop abruptly.
one person who lived it
Let reckless drivers or tailgaters pass you to create space and avoid potential accidents.
Giving them a wide berth helps avoid accidents.
one person who lived it
Leave ample space between vehicles to allow others to merge safely.
Maintaining a gap allows traffic to pass through or merge quickly and safely.
one person who lived it
Leave a few minutes earlier instead of trying to make up time.
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Leave a large following gap if your vehicle has inferior braking capabilities compared to the vehicle ahead.
Stopping times differ between vehicles with manual drums and those with anti-lock brakes.
one person who lived it
Employ zipper merging at highway exits to alleviate traffic jams and driver frustration.
Joining the flow at the final moment minimizes congestion and avoids bottlenecks.
- Some people do not understand zipper merging or believe they should always get to do whatever they want.
3 people, independently
Drive at a moderate speed in open lanes during heavy traffic rather than flying down them.
It helps ease the hostility from drivers who perceive you as an asshole.
one person who lived it
Drive smoothly and predictably, changing lanes early and indicating clearly.
Smooth, predictable driving maintains a steady traffic flow and makes your actions easier for others to anticipate.
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Prolong braking slightly to ensure you arrive after another car if timing is close.
It simplifies the order of who goes first.
one person who lived it
Let faster traffic behind you pass regardless of your speed or lane, and avoid speeding up to compete with them.
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Wait for a clear passing lane before overtaking a tractor-trailer; never sit alongside them.
Sitting alongside or slowly overtaking a semi is one of the most dangerous situations on highways because trucks are large and will win any collision.
2 people, independently
Signal your intention to merge back immediately after physically passing a truck.
It lets the driver behind know you plan to move over.
one person who lived it
Move to the right lane if you are traveling at the same speed as the vehicle in the adjacent right lane, unless you are actively passing.
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Use the left lane only for passing; move to the right lane immediately after overtaking.
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Stop speeding unnecessarily after calculating that the time gain is negligible.
one person who lived it
Avoid letting the fuel tank get completely empty often to protect the fuel pump.
Mechanics advise it is bad for the fuel pump.
- Advice from family members who are mechanics
one person who lived it
Drive the car forward slightly after parking at the pump so the hose passes behind the vehicle.
This prevents the hose from scratching the roof.
one person who lived it
Check brakes, tires, spare tire, jack, and jumper cables; rotate or replace old tires; and do not let gas get too low.
one person who lived it
Check tire pressure and fluid levels when the engine is warm after arriving at your destination.
Helps avoid delays.
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