1. Step on the brake and release the accelerator – step on the accelerator and release the brake
The principle of “step on the brake, release the accelerator – step on the accelerator, release the brake” helps drivers remember how to react quickly in urgent situations, ensuring safe driving. The driver should only use the right foot to control the accelerator and brake pedals, the left foot should be left out (applicable to automatic cars). This is a simple principle, avoiding confusion between the feet and controlling driving in all situations.
“Step on the brake, release the accelerator – step on the accelerator, release the brake” – Simple but important rule to maintain safety while driving (Source: Collected)
2. The 3-second rule
The 3-second rule maintains a safe distance between vehicles on the road, especially when traveling under traffic lights.
When the green light is about 3 seconds left, the driver should prepare to stop to avoid sudden braking which could endanger the vehicles behind. Conversely, when the red light is 3 seconds left, the driver should prepare to move his foot to the gas and press gently to help the vehicle move slowly, avoiding sudden acceleration which could endanger the vehicle in front, drive safely!
The 3s principle helps maintain a safe distance and react flexibly on the street (Source: Collected)
>> See more:
- Fines for running red and yellow lights according to new regulations
- 6 ways to look up car fines, common errors and fees
3. Follow the water
When you encounter a flooded road, do not rush ahead, but instead drive behind the other vehicle to observe the situation. By watching the vehicle in front, you can see how deep the water is and determine whether the road is safe to pass.
Below are signs and ways to help drivers overcome the inevitable situation of wading through water and drive safely:
- Identification sign : Water up to half the wheel, about 20 – 25 cm, is safe.
- How to handle :
- Go slowly to avoid creating waves, water will rise above the wheel axle and may enter the engine’s external air intake.
- Turn off the air conditioning (AC) to help the engine not take on the extra load of the AC
- After passing through the flooded area, stop the vehicle in a safe place and check to see if there is any debris stuck in the front radiator fan or if the license plate is missing.
- If you wade through water for too long, it can affect the brake pads, leading to poor braking performance. You need to go slowly and apply the brakes continuously to dry the brakes.
If the vehicle in front of you passes safely, you can continue following with more confidence. Conversely, if the vehicle in front of you encounters difficulties or has to turn around, you should also consider turning back or finding another way. Careful observation will help you avoid risks, ensuring the safety of yourself and other vehicles.
Observe and learn from the vehicle in front to drive safely through flooded roads (Source: Collected)
4. Dogs avoid the tail, cows avoid the head
When driving on the road, it is not uncommon for drivers to suddenly encounter animals, especially in rural areas. To handle driving situations safely, the principle of “Dogs avoid the tail, cows avoid the head” is that drivers need to brake to reduce speed, ensure safety, and ensure that there are no people or vehicles on the side or behind before suddenly turning is a useful advice that you need to remember.
For example, if a driver suddenly encounters a pack of dogs on the road, he should steer towards their head. This is because dogs tend to turn and run away when they see a car approaching. On the contrary, if he encounters a pack of cows, he should steer towards their tail. This is because cows tend to run straight ahead when they feel threatened or when they hear a loud noise.
5. Shift up to gain momentum, shift down to compensate
When driving, shifting gears correctly helps drive safely, save fuel and protect the engine from damage. The principle of “Upshifting to gain momentum, downshifting to compensate” is an important skill that every driver needs to master.
When you want to change gears, gain momentum to reach the appropriate speed, helping the vehicle move more smoothly and efficiently. This helps avoid the situation of “forced gears” that makes the engine work too hard, causing serious damage to the machine and can even lead to the vehicle stalling in the middle of the road.
On the contrary, when you want to downshift, it is necessary to release the accelerator to reduce speed, maintain the engine speed at a stable level, make the downshift smooth and avoid shock to the engine. Before downshifting, you need to “compensate” by pressing the accelerator very quickly.
Note: The condition of shifting gears to gain momentum and shifting gears to compensate for the throttle only applies to vehicles with MT gearboxes, because the AT gearbox automatically calculates the appropriate gear shifting.
>> See more:
- How to drive a manual transmission car properly and safely for beginners
- Instructions on how to drive an automatic car and the meaning of the symbols on the car’s gear lever
When driving, shifting gears properly helps save fuel and protects the engine from damage (Source: Collected)
6. Drink alcohol, do not drive
Studies show that even small amounts of alcohol can impair your ability to drive safely. Drinking and driving is not only illegal, but is also a major cause of many serious traffic accidents. When you drink alcohol, your judgment and reflexes are impaired, increasing the risk of accidents while driving.
If you have driven a car after drinking alcohol, choose alternative means of transportation to return home safely such as:
- Use taxi or motorbike taxi services
- Have a friend or relative pick you up
- Walk if possible or take public transport
>> See more: Latest fines for alcohol concentration in cars
Dangers of drinking and driving: Choose safe means of transportation to get home (Source: Collected)
7. Master your speed and keep your distance
According to the Ministry of Transport’s Electronic Information Portal, more than 80% of traffic accidents are caused by drivers speeding and not controlling their speed. As speed increases, the ability to stop in time before an obstacle decreases, and the force of impact also increases, leading to more serious consequences in accidents.
Drivers need to carefully observe the distance table when driving on the highway to help drivers estimate the distance to the vehicle in front. At the same time, when a vehicle stops behind another vehicle in traffic jams or at a red light, the driver should stop at a suitable distance from the vehicle in front, so that the license plate of the vehicle in front can be seen, and the road surface ensures safe driving.
Driving at a reasonable speed helps you maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front and have enough time to react when necessary, avoiding unexpected collisions. In case the vehicle in front suddenly stops or slows down, you will have enough distance to stop safely, avoiding causing a series of accidents.
>> See more:
8. Always wear your seat belt
Seat belts help keep your body in the seat, minimizing the risk of serious injury in the event of a collision. When an accident occurs, the force of the collision pushes you forward with great force and the seat belt is a way to reduce the impact, protecting the head, neck and spine of the driver. Therefore, the driver and the passenger should avoid wearing the seat belt incorrectly, such as wearing the belt first and then wrapping around the body or not wearing the belt subjectively. Because this is not effective in keeping the driver in the seat when a collision occurs.
Wearing a seat belt is a mandatory requirement when participating in traffic by car (Source: Collected)
9. Always be alert and pay attention to the road
When participating in traffic, the driver’s ability to judge quickly and react promptly to unexpected situations can limit the risk of accidents, ensure traffic safety, and drive safely. Remember, the more deserted the road is, the more likely all vehicles will be subjective. For example: When it is about to rain, motorcyclists will go faster and drive more recklessly, or when driving on a long highway, it is easy to make the driver lose concentration and fall asleep.
In the event that the driver loses concentration for just a few seconds, it can lead to serious consequences, causing injury or even death. To avoid this situation, drivers need to be alert on roads such as: intersections and roundabouts, densely populated areas and schools, curved roads and roads with limited visibility, bad weather conditions, … or bad weather conditions, long, deserted roads with few residents. At the same time, drivers need to constantly monitor the directions through the rearview mirror, to observe behind as well as observe blind spots on the road.
Keep your distance, use mirrors, look far and focus when driving (Source: Collected)
>> See more: 13 “GOLDEN” tips for SAFE driving at night
10. Use turn signals to change lanes
Drivers need to be proactive before changing direction and turn on the reverse/switching turn signal early to help the vehicles behind proactively avoid, know the driver’s intention to change lanes, thereby creating smooth coordination and safe driving on the road. Using turn signals properly not only helps you avoid unfortunate accidents but also shows respect and responsibility towards other road users.
Turn on the turn signal at the right time and turn it off at the right place (Source: Collected)
>> See more: Failure to signal and latest fines for cars and motorbikes
11. Increase speed to merge into new lane
Changing multiple lanes should be done one lane at a time, avoid changing two lanes at once, almost going sideways is very dangerous for the vehicles behind. When you need to merge into a new lane in traffic, it is very important to increase speed safely and reasonably. After observing and ensuring that there are no other vehicles around, increase speed to quickly merge into the new lane, helping to minimize the time you occupy the current lane, reduce the risk of obstruction to other vehicles, and drive safely.
>> See more: What is a lane violation? How is driving in the wrong lane punished?
12. Check mirrors and blind spots
Rearview mirrors and blind spots are essential elements for you to be able to observe everything around the car fully and accurately. By regularly checking and understanding the position of the rearview mirrors as well as blind spots on your car, drivers will reduce the risk of accidents and build a safer traffic environment.
Enhance traffic safety with mirror and blind spot checks (Source: Collected)
13. Do not use your phone while driving
There are many cases of using the phone while driving leading to unfortunate accidents. This is a dangerous behavior and causes serious consequences, harm to health and other related problems. Therefore, you need to focus your full attention on the driving process and the surrounding situations to ensure the safety of yourself and other vehicles. Let’s take simple but necessary actions to maintain safety on the highway.
Focus on driving to maintain traffic safety (Source: Collected)
14. Regularly check the condition of the vehicle
By performing regular checks at a genuine car maintenance service center to get the best and most reasonable car care. You can detect and fix basic problems early before they become serious, driving more safely. This helps you reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns and save on long-term maintenance costs.
The basics of routine maintenance include checking the oil, tires, brakes, electrical system, and cooling system. Following a schedule and reminding yourself to do these checks regularly will help you keep your car in top condition, while improving safety and saving you money on maintenance costs.
Regular car maintenance helps your car run better and drive safer.
Above is all the safe driving experience for new drivers, hopefully with the above information will help drivers understand the driving rules, safety during the move. Drivers need to ensure that the driving process always stays alert, has fastened the seat belt, controls the speed and really calmly handles unexpected situations, because being subjective in the driving process is something that should not happen!