Lesson 2: Advanced Driving Cont.

• Look for warning signs – Junctions are crash hotspots, so stay alert and check your speed.

• Get in the right lane early – Those arrows on the road aren’t just decorations.

• Use your mirrors before changing lanes – No one likes a last-minute lane swapper.

• See a traffic queue? Join it – Cutting ahead makes everyone hate you.

• STOP means STOP – Not "slow down and roll through if no one’s looking."

• GIVE WAY means… well, give way – Wait for a safe gap before pulling out.

Before Entering a Junction 🚗🔄

• If your exit is blocked, don’t enter – Unless you enjoy being the reason for a traffic jam.

• Be a considerate driver – Maybe, just maybe, others will return the favor.

Turning Right ➡️

• Check your mirrors first – No one likes a surprise right turn.

• Signal, then slow down – Don’t make it a guessing game for the drivers behind you.

• Move just right of the center line – But don’t wait in the oncoming lane like a daredevil.

• Don’t cut the corner – Precision > speed.

• Watch for cyclists and pedestrians – If they’re crossing, they go first.

Turning Left ⬅️

• Check your mirrors – Cyclists and motorcyclists love sneaking up on the left.

• Signal, then slow down – Common courtesy (and common sense).

• Stay close to the left-hand edge – Unless you're driving a truck and need more space.

• Let cyclists pass before turning – Because crashing into one would ruin everyone’s day.

• NEVER overtake and then turn left – That’s just setting yourself up for an accident.

• If pedestrians are crossing, let them – It’s the law, and also the decent thing to do.

Turning Into a Main Road 🚗➡️

• Look both ways – Just like you learned in kindergarten.

• Wait for a safe gap – Playing chicken with oncoming traffic is a terrible strategy.

• No short-cutting corners – This isn't a racetrack.

Roundabouts: The Great Circle of Confusion 🔄

Roundabouts are like the traffic world’s merry-go-round—except nobody’s having fun if you don’t follow the rules.

Before You Enter:

✅ Pick your exit before you get in. Guessing mid-spin is a rookie move.
✅ Check mirrors, reduce speed, get in the right lane. This isn’t NASCAR.
✅ Give way to traffic already in the roundabout. They have VIP status.
✅ Look out for cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. They’re the ninjas of the road.

Turning Left ⬅️

1. Signal left before you enter (not halfway through—too late!).

2. Give way to roundabout traffic—don’t just barge in like you own the place.

3. Stick to the left lane and exit smoothly while still signaling left.

Going Straight ⏩

1. Select a lane (if arrows aren’t there, read the flow).

2. No need to signal yet—stay cool.

3. Give way, merge safely, and stay in your lane like a pro.

Turning Right or U-Turn 🔄

1. Signal right before entering (yes, BEFORE).

2. Stay in the right lane, unless you enjoy surprising people.

3. Keep signaling right until you exit—then switch to left if needed.

The Roundabout Commandments

🚗 Thou shalt let others exit before entering.
🚗 Thou shalt always yield to traffic from the right.
🚗 If thou miss thy exit, do NOT panic—just go around again.
🚗 NEVER drive the wrong way (unless you want to be in tomorrow’s news).
🚗 Do NOT park or stop inside the roundabout. Seriously, why would you?
🚗 Beware of large trucks! They take up more space and might crush you against the center island.

Special Cable Beach Rule

Some ‘roundabouts’ there actually stop circulating traffic to let others through. Confusing? Yes. Just roll with it.

Leaving Your Car Like a Responsible Adult:

✅ Turn off the engine and headlights.
✅ Put the handbrake on—rolling away is not an option.
✅ At night, park on the left side of the road and use parking lights on busy roads.

🚗 Final Parking Tip: If you have to ask yourself, "Am I blocking traffic?" the answer is probably YES.

Holding a child in your lap while driving? Bad idea. You might think you’re protecting them, but in a crash, physics has other plans. Your arms are not stronger than kinetic energy—so do the responsible thing and buckle them up! It’s not just common sense; it’s the law.

The Right Seat for the Right Age 🪑

👶 Infant Seat (0-20 lbs / 0-9 kg)

• Designed for the tiniest passengers—who have big heads compared to their little bodies.

• Rear-facing only! This keeps their fragile necks safe in case of sudden stops.

• Best spot? Back seat. (Front seat only if there’s no airbag. Otherwise, it’s like strapping them to a boxing glove.)

• If they need attention, pull over. No multitasking at 60 mph.

👧 Toddler Seat (20-40 lbs / 9-18 kg)

• These wiggly explorers need a forward-facing seat, securely strapped in the back seat.

• Seat belts matter! Follow manufacturer instructions like you’re building IKEA furniture.

• Talking to your kid is fine—but use your rearview mirror. No turning around like you’re in a movie scene.

🧒 Preschoolers (40-55 lbs / 18-25 kg)

• Not small enough for a toddler seat, but not big enough for an adult seatbelt. Enter the booster seat!

• Booster seats lift them up so seat belts fit properly.

• No, standing behind the front seat to “see the road” is not an option (unless you want to test gravity the hard way).

• Some cars have adjustable seatbelts for kids—use them!

If your car has child safety locks, USE THEM. Kids get curious, and you don’t want them testing the "open door" feature while you’re cruising down the highway.

🚗 Bottom Line: If you love your kids, strap them in. Safety first, road trips second

Driving at Night & in Bad Weather 🌙🌧️

Night driving isn’t for the faint-hearted—it’s harder to see, and everyone seems to forget how headlights work.

✅ Use your headlights properly. Not using them is dangerous; using them wrong is blinding.
✅ Clean and check your lights. A one-eyed car isn’t just weird—it’s a hazard.
✅ Use full headlights at night unless in a well-lit area—then dip them, because nobody likes being flashbanged.
✅ Dip your headlights when meeting or following another car. We all like to see, thank you.
✅ If blinded by oncoming headlights, slow down! Don’t just guess where the road is.
✅ Fog lights are for fog. Not for showing off.
✅ DO NOT drive with hazard lights on. That’s for when you’re stopped, not moving.

🚗 Pro Tip: If visibility is bad (rain, fog, storm), stay home if possible. If not, drive as if everyone else is blindfolded.

Reversing: The Ultimate Trust Exercise 🅿️🔄

Reverse parking: some people nail it, others turn it into a 10-minute spectacle.

✅ Before reversing, check behind you. Kids, pets, and trash cans don’t move themselves.
✅ Reverse SLOWLY. You’re not in a Fast & Furious scene.
✅ If you can’t see, get a spotter. A second pair of eyes is better than playing bumper cars.
✅ Use reversing lights. They’re not decoration; they warn others.
✅ Reverse into driveways when possible. So you can drive out like a champ instead of awkwardly backing into traffic.
✅ NEVER reverse from a side street onto a main road. That’s just asking for trouble.

🚗 Bonus Rule: If reversing takes you more than three tries, maybe it’s time to reconsider your strategy.

Waiting & Parking: The Art of NOT Being That Guy 🅿️🚦

Parking should be simple. So why do people still make a mess of it?

✅ Always park where it's safe and allowed. If you have to ask, it’s probably not.
✅ Check before opening your door. Cyclists and motorcyclists don’t appreciate surprise attacks.

Where NOT to Park (Unless You Want to Make Enemies) 🚫

🚗 Near a pedestrian crossing (because people walking > your parking convenience).
🚗 Near a junction (unless you like near-misses).
🚗 At a bus stop (buses need room, and so do the passengers).
🚗 On a sidewalk (not a genius move).
🚗 In front of someone’s driveway (unless you want them to key your car).
🚗 On double white lines (even if one is broken—rules are rules).
🚗 Where there’s a No Parking sign (duh).

Bonus “No-No” Parking Spots:

🚗 Near schools (children + unpredictable behavior = bad combo).
🚗 On hilltops or sharp bends (where no one expects a parked car).
🚗 Next to another parked car (double parking) (unless you want to block everyone).
🚗 Opposite traffic islands (because… traffic islands).
🚗 Where you block a sign. Signs exist for a reason!

Merge Lane