Driving Tips for newly licensed driver

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Zakumi786

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Hi I have recently gotten my Drivers License and I'd like some tips.

When I did my lessons and went for my test I always used the hand brake whenever there was an uphill stop.
However in Jhb traffic it is impractical to do this every time I have to move a few inches.

I would like to know what are most of the forum members habits when it comes to uphill starts, especially in slow moving traffic.

Do you use the handbrake, or use the brakes or balance between clutch and accelerator?

I would like to know which is the best method to use.

Also since I only really trust myself with using the handbrake(being a recently licensed driver) how do I master balancing the clutch. Obviously I know the best way is to practise it and I know I have to find the biting point when lifting the clutch but I'd aprreciate some theory tips.

I've read elsewhere that you can switch from brake to accelerator and simultaneously lift the clutch.

Another way I've read is to lift the clutch to biting point 1st and then switch from brake to accelerator.

Also how do you balance between clutch and accelerator without using any brakes...
 
Foot on brake and clutch on hill. When you want to move take foot off brake and put on accelerator, simultaneously lifting the clutch and determining biting force vs rpm (you don’t want to burn your clutch pulling off).

Takes practice but you will get there. My first car was such a skidonk the handbrake was useless on a hill so I had to learn kind of fast.
The trick is to move fast enough to not let the car roll back.

Whatever you do, do NOT balance between acc & clutch (riding the clutch) unless it's your own car and you have loads of money! I watch these guys infront of me and see them moving back & forth with no brake lights on – incredible how many do it.

Another way I've read is to lift the clutch to biting point 1st and then switch from brake to accelerator.
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I think you would probably stall if you did that. You need a few more revs that just idle to hold you on a hill.
 
Zakumi786 said:
Hi I have recently gotten my Drivers License and I'd like some tips.
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Study the laws of traffic circles, esp regarding pre-lane selection and indication. 80% of road users haven't got a clue. Don't become one of the 80%, Please :D
 
Added to that I think the law has changed.

In my day you were allowed 1/2 a meter or a meter rolling back so you did not have to use a handbrake (like in my case i couldn't on a steep hill in SeaPoint where the bastard made me stop). Embarrased to say I had been driving for a while before I did the test, so I had already mastered it.

Now I think you not allowed to roll back at all when you pull off.
 
When I did the test over 10years ago you were not allowed to rollback at ALL....

As a more general thing though, the K53 rules (i think thats what they're called) are downright dangerous for everyday driving in my opinion.. you spend more time paying attention to whats going on next to you and behind you than in front of you.
 
Ivork said:
Now I think you not allowed to roll back at all when you pull off.
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Yup, K53 rule. Of course in reality though, keep the distance between yourself and the car in front of you on a hill, because again - a lot of people roll back!
 
carudden said:
Study the laws of traffic circles, esp regarding pre-lane selection and indication. 80% of road users haven't got a clue. Don't become one of the 80%, Please :D
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+1000

Find out how a traffic circle works. Dont be a pig and drive around the ouside (left hand lane) on a dual lane circle if you don't intend taking the very next exit.
I may have joined before you, so on your right, and may be taking that exit too. And I will and if you go strait......kaboom!
 
enigma243 said:
Whoever came up with the idea that a multi-lane traffic circle is a good idea, should be shot...
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They're fantastic, but we ALL have to know how to use them.
I am pretty damn sure that we have failed miserably to educate our road users on traffic circle use.
 
Remember Everyone else has the right of way execpt you :) being a newbie driver and all that
 
Ivork said:
A funny thread from a while ago about traffic circles. http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...-using-traffic-circles-especially-in-Pretoria

Wait till the 2010 WC esp the europeans that fly in and out of circles get here.
Tow trucks are going to be kept busy for sure lol.
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One of the scariest experiences I've had in a car has been driving in Amsterdam, it's as if they simply don't slow down at traffic circles. When you factor in loads of bicycles, crazy drivers, trams etc. it's amazing that their roads are so much safer than in SA. I actually feel a lot more comfortable and less stressed on our roads.

@Zakumi786: Keep left and pass right, please don't stay on the right if someone comes up behind you, regardless of how fast they are going. I find the most frustrating thing about driving on a highway is being stuck behind a vehicle going 1km/week faster than the one it's passing.
 
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Good on you for trying to not be in the 95%.

As you put it, go practice it. Theory is only that. You will get used to the car, clutch and driving in general and eventually look back and think how much of a noob you were when you passed your driving test.
 
Please get your speed up on the onramp to the highway so you can slot yourself into the traffic without making the slow lane trafic slam on brakes.

Exits to offramps are marked with vertical yellow signs showing distance, they start at III (300m)then II (200m) then I (100m), if you're not in the left lane by I then you've stuffed it up and drive like a life insured charrow lietjie in his dad's beemer.
 
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i don't think the traffic circles in SA (or at least the ones i've seen in JHB) are practical because they're too small to pull off the proper circle rules safely, hence why nobody hardly ever follows those rules and treats them like a normal yield junction.

anyways, to the OP, to drastically decrease your chances of being involved in an accident:

1) keep a safe following distance and increase it if the idiot behind you does not understand physics and insists on riding on your tail, so you don't get rear ended if the car in front of you comes to a sudden halt.
2) ALWAYS check your blind spot. you don't need to twist your head all the way around, just a quick glance at your side mirror and use your peripheral vision. you don't want the trauma of knocking a biker off his bike because you didn't see him.
 
To add to the above, try not to drive in somebody else's blindspot. Make sure that you can be seen and make your intentions clear.
 
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