To be the best driver you can be you have to be aware of the worst that’s out there. Forewarned is forearmed. If you understand the things that can happen you will be able to prevent many dangerous situations or handle them better when they occur.

If you’re a decent driver who pays attention to the rules of the road, you’ll know that the biggest danger on the road is your fellow driver rather than yourself. You’ve heard it a million times. It’s impossible to know the driving skill of another driver or his state of mind. The oncoming vehicle may be driven by an emotional teen or a drunken middle-aged man. It may be filled with noisy children and a distracted mother. It could be another teen, chatting away on her cell phone, oblivious to what is going on around her. You must be alert to any sudden and unexpected moves made by anyone else. There are some accidents that cannot be avoided, but if you remain aware of other drivers you can avoid many of them.

It’s a good idea to keep your car in good condition. Keep the oil changed and do routine checks and maintenance. A rattle-trap car that putt-putts down the street, coughing and smoking all the way, will be a danger not only to you but to other drivers. Should brakes suddenly give out you could be rear-ended. Windshield wipers that don’t work properly can block your view of other traffic and might even prevent you from seeing important road signs and signals. You can also be sure that a car that isn’t maintained will catch the eye of a police officer sooner or later, and you really don’t want that.

Weather is an important factor in safe driving. Heavy or prolonged rains can make roadways slick or difficult to see. Roads that become iced over are very dangerous. Snow can obstruct vision and make roads very hard to navigate. Stay off the roads when there are weather advisories against driving, and be sure to install tire chains before the bad weather sets in if you live in an area where they are necessary. Know what to do to come out of a skid, and how to maintain control of your vehicle when your wheel traction is less than optimal.

Think through various scenarios and plan ahead what you’ll do when caught in a dicey traffic situation. Remember that you will never rear-end someone no matter how quickly they may come to a stop if you have allowed enough room between your vehicles. Keep your distance. It gives you wiggle room for reaction.

A big danger for teens when driving is their belief that they are invulnerable and their willingness to take risks. Drag racing or daredevil driving kills many teens each year. So does drinking and driving or driving under the influence of drugs. Innocent passengers get killed due to the foolish antics of a showoff. The privilege of driving is awesome, but so is the responsibility that goes along with it.  Take it seriously because your life depends upon it.

Oh man. It’s today. Your palms are sweaty and your face just broke out because you’re so stressed. You get to drive with a complete stranger, watching your every move and judging you to see if you are worthy of a drivers license. Oh man, oh man, oh man.
Hey, don’t worry. You can do this!

The road test is the last hurdle you’ll have to clear to get your driver’s license. The testing officer will ride with you in your vehicle and will assess the skills you’ve learned and practiced. It can be nerve-wracking, sure, but if you’ve studied carefully and practiced sufficiently you should be well prepared for this. And no, it’s not a good idea to bring your Rules of the Road pamphlet with you for quick, easy reference during the test, even though you really want to. Reading during driving is discouraged.

Your examiner will go through a short routine before you hit the road, making sure that your signals and brake lights are working properly. Double-check these before you leave home. This would be a bad time to find out that your rear tail light is busted so you have to reschedule.

Once you’re under way remember to use your signals at all appropriate times. You will also likely be asked to use hand signals to ascertain whether you know how to use them if your turn signals don’t work. Always be certain the hand signals you use with other drivers are the ones in the book. And breathe. Remember to breathe.

Your examiner will ask you to do routine maneuvers such as changing lanes and merging with other traffic. Use your rear-view mirrors and look over your shoulder when doing these. Show the examiner that you’re aware of the traffic around you. Stay within the speed limit at all times and listen carefully to his instructions. This is not a good time to answer your cell phone if it rings; in fact you should turn it off or leave it home altogether.

Be aware of all traffic signs and obey them. Come to complete stops at stop signs and know the routine for four-way stops. Keep in mind that most people have forgotten how to navigate these, and you must still be careful even if you have the proper responses down pat and it’s your turn to go first at a stop sign.

Parallel parking is traditionally the hardest part of the test. You can perfect your parallel parking by setting up cardboard boxes in a deserted parking lot somewhere and practicing until you can do these with your eyes closed. Remember to open them for the actual test.

During the exam you’ll have to demonstrate that you can back up, do a three-point turn, and park correctly on a hill. Before you know it your test will be over and you will have earned your driver’s license. Congratulations! Celebrate your achievement, but remember that it’s harder to get your license back than it is to earn it in the first place. Keep your record clean and clear of points and you will never have to go through this again… until you are seventy years old.