Emile Driving School

Traffic jams have become a common sight across the cities in the USA. Whether you blame it on the unorganized intersection points, frequent constructions of buildings, rush-hour backups or any similar incidents; road congestion is something you cannot ignore to deal with. It may be more of a concern if you are a new driver and wish to commute to the workplace, university, or friends by your personal vehicle.

Driving in heavy traffic can be indeed dangerous and frustrating. It calls for your complete attention on the surroundings as well as awareness of other drivers around. With so much to focus on, many drivers feel the anxiety and as a result, impact their performance on the road. However, with some basic driving guidelines in mind, pulling through may not be as challenging as you think. Here are a few tips to help you –

Leave Early

The best way to reach your destination on time is to avoid heavy traffic situations in the first place. That means either you take a different route with little or no heavy moving vehicles or start from the home at least fifteen minutes before your usual timing to avoid the rush. The peak traffic hours may vary in your area or city, so depending upon when you expect the flow of traffic to be the heaviest, plan your driving timings accordingly.

Go Slow

If you happen to run into a lot of traffic, it is advised to slow down and not zigzag on the lanes. You might be tempted to drive faster to avoid delays, but cannot save much time by doing that anyway. There can be unforeseen obstacles arising out of nowhere; and by driving hastily and losing your patience, you can end up causing a vehicle collision or crash. So, take your foot off the accelerator and keep your eyes peeled on the road.

Merge, Don’t Weave

As hinted upon a while ago, switching the lanes rapidly isn’t a wise move to make. It is because you can never predict what other drivers are up to, so playing around the road can land you up with regrets later. The safest thing to do is to wait and watch the flow and speed of other vehicles and merge with them slowly as you get a chance. Remember not to overestimate your driving capabilities or move in and out; it is totally unnecessary and risky.

Maintain a Reasonable Distance

Our driving school experts cannot stress enough that drivers have to keep a buffer zone (distance) with vehicles that are ahead. This gives time to react and apply brakes in case of an unforeseen obstacle or an erratic driver coming your way. Generally, it is recommended to keep two to five seconds distance between you and other cars. You can measure that with steady objects such as light poles or road signs. Also, be vigilant for brake lights. If you find the driver in front slowing down, you should do that too.

Practice Defensive Driving

Just because you are practising safe driving doesn’t mean that other drivers are too. Some drivers can be extremely rash and aggressive and some can be completely negligent – either way, it is your loss. So, don’t try to indulge with them or get too close. Use your defensive driving skills and be proactive with your responses. Try to identify unsafe vehicles and road turns. And, let the other drivers know what you are doing by giving them proper indicators. Almost all states have a five-second limit to turn on your blinker, thus ensure you follow that.

In this modern era, where everyone wants to be independent, it is mandatory to learn how to drive a vehicle. Knowing driving you will not have to depend on others for dropping you from one location to another. But, where you must learn car driving, you should comprehend what driving mistakes can put you in trouble. Whether you are a pro or new driver, you might have committed a few of the driving mistakes which you should have not. Minor mistakes and ignorance can lead to huge accidents, and it is the reason for which one should be aware of the blunders not to commit while driving the car.

So, let us learn what common mistakes must be avoided while driving a car.

Not adjusting and checking mirrors – Rear and side view mirrors are not there to enhance the beauty of your car. They are there for some purpose. They help you to see what is behind you and on either side of the vehicle. Sadly, there are many drivers who don’t use mirrors while driving and then have to face serious accidents. To avoid any casualty, it is mandatory to adjust the mirrors in the right position and to use them while driving. Moreover, side mirrors are helpful in changing lanes. Positioning mirrors properly before driving is the best practice that drivers should include in their driving habits.

Driving without proper pressure in tires – This is the biggest mistake that many drivers commit. They ignore tires of their car and its condition, but it should not be done at any cost. Flat tired can blow out, and you may lose your control while driving. You are well aware of what can happen on losing control over the vehicle on the road. If you don’t want to put your life at risk, then keep a check on the condition of the tires, especially after a weather change.

Driving when in anger – You might have heard that anger can destroy everything, and this can come true if you drive in anger. If you are annoyed or frustrated because of some reason, stay away from your car. Speeding or applying brakes suddenly in anger can put your life at risk.

Not using your turn signal – Many drivers forget using turn signals while changing lanes or turning. For this reason other drivers on the road don’t get time to react and can bang into your car if they are driving at high speed. In order to stay away from accidents it is highly recommended to make a habit of using turn signals whenever changing lanes or taking a turn.

Getting distracted easily – Using the phone or talking to co-passengers while driving is a common habit of most of the drivers. But, do you know that such distractions can turn out to be disastrous? Just a blink of an eye can put you in an unfortunate situation. So, never use phone or chit chat while driving. If you cannot stay away from your phone, then prefer switching it off or put it on silent mode when driving.

Bad seating position – You may think that position of the driving seat does not play a vital role, but, actually, it matters a lot. Many drivers sit far back from the steering wheel because of which they couldn’t control their car in a difficult situation. Sitting back will make it difficult to apply brakes in a critical situation. To keep troubles at bay, adjust the seat in the right way so that you don’t have to extend your arms and legs to control the car.

For most of the car enthusiasts out there, driving is not merely a right but privilege. Their vehicles are the job they earn from, an effective weapon against odd weather conditions, and a dear friend to spend idle time with; in short as precious as their lives!

Cars and bikes are more than just transportation. They have become a means to freedom and travel anytime, anywhere you want to. However, with that, comes a lot of responsibility – of people sitting beside you and other ones driving on the road.

When behind the wheel, everyone considers themselves to be a great driver. However, playing the clutch from the brake pedal and accelerator doesn’t make one a safe and successful driver. Driving is a skill that demands constant honing and polishing. So, no matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement.

Here are a few tips to help you become a better driver –

1. Overcome the Distractions

There are countless numbers of accidents reported globally every year. And the biggest reason – well, distraction! When driving, there are possibilities to get indulged in the conversations with your passenger or lost in your favorite music. Even your own personal or professional thoughts can take over your mind, making you lose your attention on the road. So, ensure that you don’t get swayed away by your emotions or mobile calls; be alert.

• Keep the Focus Ahead

When following the cars in front of you, it is almost impossible to evaluate what may be happening further up the road. That is why driving school teachers advise keeping a sufficient distance from other vehicles and scanning the road up to twelve seconds ahead. Doing this every time on the road helps you to generate a perfect sense of anticipation and prevent nose-to-tail collisions with other cars. It also saves you fuel and reduces extreme wear and tear on your brakes.

• Avoid Over-Speeding

In the fast, modern world like today, everybody wishes to get to their destinations sooner. But, do you think that speeding is a sensible way out for that? Of course, no! Speeding, in fact, increases your risk of getting into an accident and injuring yourself and others in the process. So, if you want to enjoy your adrenaline highs, you better hit the racecourse and not the ordinary roads. For driving safely on streets and expressways, you need to adhere to the recommended speeds.

• Use Headlights

Now, that may sound very obvious to you, but several drivers are found using their day time running lights even when it gets dark. That can be very risky during heavy rains or on foggy roads. Therefore, make sure that you use headlights as soon as the visibility starts to reduce. Resort to rear fog lights (or front fog lights, if fitted) for better illumination on the road. And, switch them off as soon as the conditions improve.

• Merge with Traffic

Most of the severe collisions happen at lane merging points. Some drivers are aggressive lane cutters and become a huge nuisance for others that are already smooth and consistent on their pace. Hence, if you aim to be an efficient driver, learn to stay calm. Keep complete control over the speed of your vehicle and merge with traffic like a zip.

Finally, drive as much as you can. Have the points mentioned above in your consideration and take professional driving tuition, if possible. Driving is a skill that needs practice. So, treat it with respect it deserves.

Just when you are enjoying the drive with the songs on while experiencing the wind entering through the side window of your car, another motorist seems to go above and beyond in the rash driving department. That is when you realize that staying safe on the road not only involves good driving practice but also watching out for people with poor driving skills. Such skills can only be learnt by joining a professional driving school.

What is Defensive Driving?

Defensive driving prepares you physically and mentally for the unexpected. It involves strategies that teach you to remain calm while you are driving. It teaches you to not only protect yourself but also make sure the other person is safe when anything goes wrong on the road.

In defensive driving classes, students are taught to enhance their driving skills by focusing on the risks associated with driving and anticipating any such situation by making sound decisions. But such decisions can only be implemented after knowing the status of roads and environment conditions once you have gone through defensive driving training.

What does a basic defensive driving course include?

Defensive driving training and courses can vary from state to state depending upon the laws preached by that place. However, the basics for most of the courses remains the same.

Let us discuss some of the basics that are covered during a defensive driving training-

1) Don’t Tailgate-

People drive hastily and forget to maintain a 3-sec gap between their vehicle and the vehicle ahead, which can result in collisions. If the speed is high, the crash can be fatal or cause an impact on your physical and emotional health. Besides, you may end up severely damaging the car that would cost you tons of money on the repair.

In defensive driving training, students are taught to reduce the risk of these accidents by making them practice every day so that they develop a habit. Besides, students are directed to exercise caution and develop a good sense of judgement.

2) Psychological Factors-

For some, the drive becomes automatic, and they don’t remember their journey upon reaching a destination. Moreover, some of the people are so engrossed in their thoughts that their focus on the road gets blurred. That is why defensive driving training becomes necessary so that people can scan their surroundings while driving and do not have a mind full of wavering thoughts. Teachers in the training program try their best to inculcate the art of controlling psychological factors and overcome emotional distress and road rage.

3) Safety Equipment-

Most of the people do not take safety equipment seriously while driving, and most of the automobile crashes lead to severe injuries just because the driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt. Seat belts are the standard safety equipment, and defensive driving teaches you to consider various other items like airbags, child safety seats and headrests in order to protect yourself and the fellow passengers from the unexpected.

4) Accident-Prevention Techniques-

To become a pro at driving, one must recognize the potential hazards before they arise and adjust accordingly by driving safely. That is only possible when you are taught the types of risks one can experience on the road and how to tackle them. Here are some skills that a student learns in a defensive driving training course-

• Maintaining the focus by scanning the condition of surroundings and road.
• Avoiding tailgate and practising 3-sec rule.
• Adjusting speed and carefully crossing roads.
• Making use of safety equipment.
• Inspecting the car and its part before taking it out on the road.
• Analyzing environmental conditions.
• Making sure to follow the traffic laws.
• Taking care of fellow vehicles by driving safely.

Everyone has to go through a driving school to learn the basics to drive a car and to obtain a license, but many people end up in disappointment. The reason behind their regret is the inadequate quality training they receive in the institute that ends in failing the driving test, no license or a bad learning experience. Finding the right driving school for quality driver’s education can lay a solid foundation for achieving your driving license and lifelong driving skills.

Enrolling yourself in any driving institute without knowing their details and confirming their professionalism from pervious learners and checking reviews can be risky. You may not receive proper guidance regarding driving a car and may not develop the essential skills to drive one. Such foundations are open for the sake of money and not for the success of their students.

There are various things a reputed driving school covers that help their students to gain certain skills and cover important points while fake institutes can waste your valuable time and put you at risk. Here are some consequences a person has to deal with if they go to a poor-quality institute-

1) Ruining Initial Experience-

In the licensing process, the state requires the new drivers to complete a specific amount of practice driving hours on the road. This is only possible when the beginners are taught the right skills and given practice hours to recall what they have learnt and to use the knowledge of the laws. If the teachers have not given the ample understanding of the rules, regulations and basics to drive a car solemnly, then it can lead to a bad initial experience.

New drivers can easily be discouraged and scared if something goes wrong since they lack the knowledge to handle the situation. A small crash, a complication in operating the gears or a frustrated parent in the passenger seat are some of the reasons to demotivate a person. Instead, learning should be done with patience and the right pace of how a student can absorb the material well. This will make them feel confident and capable behind the wheel.

2) Inadequate Knowledge and Wastage of Money-

The primary purpose of driver’s education is to learn the fundamentals of operating a vehicle. If the instructors are unprofessional or do not pay attention towards their students, they will not know the correct rules of the road. Unexperienced students driving on the road without the proper help of their teachers can prove to be dangerous for other drivers and for themselves.

Fortunately, each state approves a new learner as a driver once they clear the two-part test to ensure that new drivers are worthy enough to be on the road before they are given a driver’s license. The two-part test consists of a written portion that covers the laws and the driving portion is to practically implement the knowledge to operate the car. A proper driver’s training course will allow students to prepare confidently and pass the test.

If you opt for the wrong institute, you would probably end up giving the test multiple times until you pass them. Most states allow the learners to take the test numerous times until they clear it. Besides, each state has its own rules and requirements on the timing between the attempts. Every test is going to charge you money until you achieve the license; therefore, a lousy institute can waste a lot of your money. 

3) Not Developing Driving Habits-

If you are enrolled in a low-quality institute, you may learn the bare minimum and not all the essential things that may include skills of defensive driving, basics, dangers of distractions and various other things. On the contrary, a great driving course can develop good learning habits in the initial phase of driving lessons to solidify the base.

People just love road trips. Whether it is a weekend getaway with friends or a week-long adventure time with family, the idea of driving to your holiday destination is super fun. However, these easy-to-take vacations do come with a few guidelines to make your journey safe and enjoyable on fast traffic expressways.

Driving on highways can be nerve-racking, especially for first-timers who were thinking that it is same as navigating on local streets. The roads are not familiar for them and venturing into the interstate seems like a new world of experience. Also, there are no traffic enforcers really, so, maintaining a caution becomes more of a challenge.

However, to prevent all of this becoming a reason for your disappointment, we are presenting a quick guide to make your driving experience less problematic and secure –

• Assess the Road and Pick the Speed

Agree to it or not, but speed is one of the most ignored aspects of driving. People get enticed to drive on high speeds as the roads are wide and traffic is light. But there are signboards everywhere indicating the desirable speed limits. So, use them as your guide and stick to the limit to ensure your safety and of other drivers on the road.

Also, make the best use of your common sense and evaluate the conditions on the roads. If you are driving during the night or rains and in case the lanes are wet or tightly packed, then you better take heed and maintain a slow speed throughout.

• Learn to Switch the Lanes

The art of lane changing is the most crucial one, specifically on highways where vehicles are driving fast. New drivers are often seen on the wrong lanes or unable to switch to other lanes. They aren’t able to recognize the speed differences and alter their vehicles’ speed. Some even forget giving the appropriate signals, which often result in severe car collisions.

Remember, your one wrong move is enough to lead to accidental consequences. So, learn how to keep an eye on the differential in speed and make a move only when you are sure enough.

• Maintain a Safe Gap

You should always keep a wide distance between your car and other vehicles. It is because traffic is mostly unpredictable, and it is hard to foresee when the drivers ahead of you may suddenly apply a brake. So, by ensuring a reasonable gap, you buy yourself enough time to hold back and avoid any major mishaps.

Driving experts recommend following a three to a five-second rule where you look for a signboard or flyover as a reference point and get there only after a car in front of you passes it.

• Overtake the Appropriate Way

Another critical aspect of highway driving is overtaking. As per recent studies, the majority of car accidents happen on highways as a result of error of judgment when overtaking. Thus, you must learn to anticipate the speed and activity of the vehicle in front of you by giving it a keen look as it approaches by.

Try attending a few professional driving lessons to improve your judgment and timing.

• Take a Few Breaks

Driving on expressways can get quite tiring and monotonous for the new drivers traveling alone. Boredom can set in due to little changes in the landscape, and there is nothing much to keep up with your alertness level. As a result, there can be drop in your concentration levels and an increase in the chances of accidents.

Therefore, the best way out is to pull your vehicle aside and find a layby area for some rest. Refresh yourself and have some water and chocolates to get instant energy to carry on your journey.

Driving phobia is common in millions of adults because of several reasons. They say either they are afraid of driving or don’t like driving at all. Many people even suffer driving anxiety because of a mishap they experienced in past while driving. If you also feel stressed when it comes to driving, you may have a phobia of driving. Generally, this phobia makes people think that their life will be in danger when they will ride the vehicle. When on the driving seat, they experience a racing heart, panic attacks and even feeling of terror.

However, in this fast-growing world, it is important to be confident and self-dependent. You can’t be dependent on others to drive you from one place to another. So, it’s necessary to face the fear of driving. To help you in overcoming the phobia, we have listed some helpful ways below.

• Keep the environment in the car calm – Whether the car is moving or not, the first and the most important thing is to create comfortable surroundings in the car. Wear comfortable clothes and feel relaxed before you begin driving. Also, play a piece of soothing music in the car that will help in reducing your stress level.

• Don’t drive alone – Driving alone may also be the reason behind your nervousness. So, after getting fully licensed, take short trips with an experienced person for the first few weeks. Once you get used to driving, start driving to shorter distances alone. Slowly, you will get over your fear and will not need someone with you while driving.

• Use positive affirmations – Affirmations will remind you that you are capable of making the desired changes. So, whenever you feel anxious or nervous, speak out the following statements to yourself loudly.

• Driving is a common everyday activity, and I too can do it.
• I can, and I will overcome my fear.
• I will overcome all my negative thoughts and will drive confidently. Nothing is impossible.
• I will be a careful driver and will follow all the rules of safe driving.

• Try simple meditation – Meditation is a great way to unwind, focus and relax. Also, doing meditation regularly will help you get rid of negative thoughts. Moreover, you need not join a meditation class to focus on. You can easily find numerous meditation videos on YouTube.     

• Take a driving course – Several new drivers are afraid of driving because of lack of training. They are not confident about their driving skills. This is a valid reason to join the driving school to learn driving from professionals. Taking a driving course, you will learn everything about driving and will soon become a good driver.

After joining driving classes at Emile Driving School, you will surely find out that your fear of driving has reduced to a great extent. You will overcome your phobia under the guidance of experts and will confidently traverse the roads.

Learning how to drive safely can be a challenging task, especially for the new teen drivers. There are a specific set of skills required to obtain the driving license and finally, take control of steering in your hand. That is where the role of driving tuition comes into picture where a dedicated instructor teaches you how to drive correctly and within the defined laws of your state.

From the beginning and intermediate level to the advanced one, the professional driving school in your community help you master new skills as well as improve old skills. Moreover, they provide you with the exact amount of knowledge you need in order to pass the driving test and become a good driver for the rest of your life.

So, if you have been lately pondering over whether or not to join a driving school, read through some of the things you will learn there, and nowhere else –

• Vehicle Control

Usually, anyone who starts driving can pursue moving of a car from one point to another easily and quickly. However, what matters is the ability to control it in certain situations. A good driver has to know when to stop the car, and when to keep a particular pace.

All this might not sound very technical at first, but in reality, requires a lot of practice. Only with consistent efforts put in, you can develop this skill and drive with ease.

• Local Traffic Laws

Attending driving lessons is essential to understand the kind of road rules and traffic laws of your city. Though, most of them are easy to interpret and don’t really require an advanced knowledge level; revising them from time to time is essential.

The biggest benefit of being thoroughly clear with them is that you can drive sensibly and avoid all sorts of legal issues, such as after a crash or accident.

• Traffic Movements

When you are stuck in a jam, it is vital to have a proper sense of reading the traffic. You should know who has the right of way and who does not so that you don’t end up colliding with others and then blame them for the loss that happened to your vehicle.

Fortunately, a good driving school teaches you all these concepts in detail and with utter clarity to minimize the chances of accidents and make the right decision while driving.

• Basic Car Mechanics

Knowing the built and mechanism of automobiles isn’t mandatory; neither are they tested during the driving tests. However, having a basic understanding of car mechanics is a skill that might be of great help if your car breaks down or the tires runs flat.

So, even if your training institution charges an extra fee to offer your lessons on this topic, don’t hesitate. It will surely be worth it later in the future.

• Defensive Driving

Defensive driving strategies go beyond basic traffic rules and laws. These are essentially safe driving techniques that enable drivers to identify potential hazards when on the road and reduce the road risks by making well-informed decisions.

Attending a few classes on defensive driving makes the procurement of driving license quicker and insurance rates lesser.

There is nothing as calming as driving through hills with your loved ones and absorb the beauty of nature. Passing through the lush green trees and experiencing the tranquillity is something that one wants after getting done with the workload. As enjoyable as it is, though one must take care of the safety precautions to deliver it in a safe fashion so as not to spoil the experience. 

Hilly areas have tricky roads, usually covered with snow during monsoon and winters that makes them slippery. Weather conditions can become incredibly unpredictable when it comes to mountainous areas that can directly affect your driving. One must be experienced and trained through a reputed driving school to get on those uneven roads.

Here are some driving tips that will keep you safe during the journey-

1) Give Your Car a Tune-up

Before you head towards the mountains for your perfect vacation, don’t forget to inspect your car. Ensure that vehicles brakes are tight and transmission fluids are filled. Get the systems scrutinized by a professional mechanic who can check heating and cooling systems, battery performance, engine, tyres, exhaust system and brakes. Make sure the tyres are dilated, and a spare is on standby.

2) Fill-up on Fuel

Fuel stations usually get closed in the evening in the hilly areas and travelling to a remote area; you may not encounter many. The other thing that many people do not know is that climbing steep grades require more fuel. Calling for help can become difficult due to network issue in such areas, so it is better to completely fill-up your car before going to such places.

3) Check the Weather Conditions

Before heading towards the hilly areas, keep yourself updated about the weather conditions. Pack all the necessary things required to survive and maintain an emergency kit with yourself. If the weather is freezing, use a sprinkler to clear the glass of any obstruction. If the water has frozen on the windshield, stop at a nearby spot to clean it.

4) Use the Headlights

It is recommended to switch on the headlights during the day time in a hilly region. The reason is that one side of the hill is usually covered in shadow and you do not want it to become the reason of your accident. Therefore, switching on the headlights will warn pedestrians and other drivers about your vehicle. Remember not to flash the high beam on to another car that will blind them entirely and lead to a mishap.

5) Stay Alert-

Although you will get diverted by the breath-taking scenery yet staying focused on the driving must be your priority. Even the briefest moment of distraction can lead to drifting; therefore, focus on staying between the yellow lines. Never be in a rush and overtake other vehicles on the turning points in the rocky region since overtake can lead to falls and accidents as the roads are narrow in mountainous areas.

Clear the driving test and obtain the driving licence before driving any vehicle.

After a long year of studying, writing exams, and moving from one class to another on campus, summer holidays are probably the most exciting thing for college students. Some are eager to get back behind the wheels, while others brace themselves to take it up as their part-time jobs.

But despite all this enthusiasm in teens, many parents feel hesitant in handing over vehicles to them. That may be probably due to their lack of proper driving skills or habit of getting distracted when on the road.

However, if you are one of the lucky ones who have been entrusted by your parents with a nice car, you will need to keep in mind these following tips to keep yourself and others safe on the road:

• Learn and Follow the Road Rules

Before you get in the car, you should know all the road rules, irrespective of where you drive. If you were practicing driving in the past but got out of touch for some time, it is best to refresh yourself with the rules that you learned in driver’s education program.

A good way to start is taking an online driving test or discussing signs or road details that you don’t remember from the course with your elders.

• Avoid All Distractions

According to expert studies, teenage drivers are usually the most distracted and get easily involved in fatal crashes. Now, you may think that texting, chatting, or eating are the only distractions. Well, daydreaming is another big culprit.

Thus, to ensure your safety, don’t let your mind wander off to your studies or personal life. Instead, keep your focus solely on the road.

• Wear Your Seat Belts

Well, this might sound a piece of obvious advice, but most of the college students do not wear a seat belt while driving. They don’t realize how important this one thing is to safeguard against unforeseen accidents.

Hence, no matter how proficient you are at driving, don’t let the risk of injuries or deaths linger on by ignoring the use of a car seat belt.

• Hone Your Defensive Driving Skills

When you hit the road, you get to face a lot of new and inexperienced drivers. And, the only way to prevent yourself from them is to be extra cautious and use those defensive driving skills you learned at professional driving school.

Remember, you have to be proactive and anticipative of what other drivers are up to and do your best to nullify their negligence.

• Watch Out Your Speed

If you are in your teens, then you probably think that driving slow isn’t good for your reputation. However, speed or aggressive driving isn’t great either. Driving rash consumes a lot of gas and also increases the chances of accidents.

On the other hand, if you drive in your speed limits, you can quickly gauge the mistakes of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers, and potentially save many people from losing their lives.