Got My Drivers License!!

[Rozzie]

Quote:
and Rabbit Chew Toy...

 

[Rozzie]

One piece of advice from me:

If you have not learned how to read a map, do so NOW. Beg help from everyone you know. If your parents cannot read a map, talk to your friends' parents, your Geography teacher, your History teacher, etc. Heck, go down to the local firehouse or police station and ask the folks there to help. They'll probably be happy to. Call a scout leader. Any scout leader. They'll probably help you, too. Find a way to learn to use maps the old fashioned way. Make sure you do not have to rely on GPS.

Also, learn to know directions. While you may get these mixed up at times, especially away from home, in your own area you should be able to find North, South, East, and West. It greatly simplifies finding places while you drive. Learn the directions while standing at the front door of your house & use that as a way to orient yourself. You should know what places lie NORTH of your house, SOUTH of your house, etc. This will help you keep them straight.

Also, if you will be driving in a city of any size with regularity, learn a few key landmarks, if you haven't done so already. The tallest, most visible structures are good landmarks. Things you can see from a great distance are the best. Even if you have gotten turned around, you may eventually find your way to one of these, and will be able to know what way to head.

 

[PineappleMama]

Oh good one Rozzie.

Is the ink safe for animals? If so that opens up a lot of ideas... bedding for rodents... "newspaper" for geckos... dogs...

Another thing... KNOW your gas mileage... if you know that + how much gas you put in then even if your gas gauge craps out you'll still make it to a fill station... BEEN THERE... I don't depend on that gauge for doodly anymore.

 

[resurreccion858]

thanks guys ill be sure to learn how to use a map. but i honestly dont know anyone who uses them =/
there all on gps =[

 

[Rozzie]

Quote:
And, right now, put winter gear in your car if you are in a cold climate (I didn't catch where you are).

If you live where it is cold, you should have AT A MINIMUM

winter boots & warm socks
a very warm coat, scarf, hat, mittens/gloves
a couple of blankets or warm sleeping bags (I like to carry a zero degree sleeping bag in my car)
A change of WARM clothing is very wise if you wear lightweight clothes, shorts, skirts, kilts, etc. (I'm covering my bases here...)
a good ice scraper!
a snow shovel & a bag of sand or two
A jack. Do you have any idea how many people have flat tires & can't change them because they don't have a freaking jack?
A few of those hot hands, if possible, in case you get stranded and have to walk.
I suggest some granola bars & some bottles of water, though they will freeze. Don't put them in with your emergency clothes.

You can't count on your cell phone to get you help.

Pineapple Mama: I take the covers off the phonebook. I'm not sure about those. I'll also take it away when Rabbit gets to the yellow pages. I'm not so sure about the yellow paper. Ohio State says modern newspaper inks are organic. So, I'm not all that worried about the black inks. http://ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/0136.html

 

[Rozzie]

Quote:
Check your local fire department. I bet some of the guys will take on the project of helping you learn. If not, try a different firehouse.

I use maps. I don't even own a GPS. I have taken a 6,500 mile trip and a 4,000 mile trip in the last two years, both with my handy state atlas & maps. I guess my new phone does have a service I can pay for monthly that makes it do GPS stuff, too.

Oh, I did borrow a GPS for one trip, once. Hated the thing. Every time I wanted to check our location, the blasted thing would lose satellite signal. It's not much good in some remote areas. Someday you may want to drive in these areas. Knowing how to read a map can actually save your life. I am a bit of a techno-geek, but find a GPS incredibly distracting while I'm driving. They also always want to send me onto roads I don't want to take, like busy freeways in major cities, where I like to take the smaller roads with saner speeds.

 

[PineappleMama]

Hey GPS and Google maps are AWESOME! Won't hear any denial from me.

But, fact is that batteries DO die... if your car bat dies is your GPS gonna work?
That's why it's nice to have a paper map somewhere just in case.
If nothing else you can tell whoever you call for help how to get to you!

If you've got your phone... great... but what number to call?
If your folks are asleep, out of town, you have their car... etc then you'll need to call a service.
You can call information... at how much a pop? And have them dial, another fee, until you get one that answers.
OR you can have the entire directory at your fingertips.

AND ALL FOR FREE! Yeah, phone book is a great backup.

I still Google if I'm going somewhere new, but off chance... recycling a phone book as part of our emergency gear is a good plan B.

And in case you haven't seen any of my rants ... PLEASE USE YOUR BLINKERS. My poor kids. I think when they drive... even 30 years from now they will hear me screaming "Use your freaking blinker moron it's the little stick poking out of the big wheel!!" should they ever try to turn or do a lane change without one. Ah the impressions we leave...

Seriously though, a good number (I figure) of rear endings happen because folks have no indicator that someone's going to slam on their brakes beforehand... thus they've no time to react and hit you. In my state it's their fault, following too closely, but YOU still have to deal with police, insurance hassle/rates rising (in my state no matter who is at fault your rates can go up!) and/or the inconvenience of not having a working vehicle. Not worth it IMO so I use my signals... add in the fact that the insurance company might easily decide to total my POS Ford, since the total worth for scrap is likely less than to fix it... then I'd really be up a creek... for those with payments this can be a nightmare... NOPE, not worth it to not take 1 second to flick on a blinker.

Hmmm... pet peeve much?

 

[Dunkopf]

Best advice is to not go through an intersection unless you know it's clear. Lots of people just press the gas when the light turns green. Don't tailgate, about 40% of accidents and just stupid and easy to avoid. When you park in a parking lot try to make it so you can pull forward to get out. Don't back up unless you absolutely have to, it's 20-30% of all accident claims and is the hardest to prove fault on. If you have an accident, especially in an intersection grab a witness. People almost always stop. The cop can't usually tell who is at fault. Remember a witness in your own car is worthless.

I spend my whole day looking at wrecked cars and talking to people about their accidents. I hear it all unless they are dead.

 

[sourland]

Congratulations, drive with care. You may not know it, but everyone else out there drives like an idiot.

The first time each of my children drove away on their own were the toughest things I had to endure as a parent.

 

[3goodeggs]

buckle up, don't text and drive, don't fiddle with the radio, pull over and use your phone.
It only takes and instant of not being alert. 'Be alert. The world needs more lerts."