Tips from Professional Drivers on How to Be a Safe Driver & Save Fuel

Recently I read an article by a woman irritated by drivers who rudely blocked entry ways and drive ways when waiting in traffic lines. Perhaps you are one of those people who sit idling your engine waiting and waiting for a left turn.

The following are tips from professional drivers and my own experience on how to drive safely and save fuel.

United Parcel Service (UPS) drivers do not make left turns where there is no traffic control, i.e., stop signs, yield signs or left turn arrows. Follow their lead and go to an intersection that has traffic control and make your way back to the driveway or entryway now positioned so that you will be making a right turn.

Many accidents are caused by drivers who take risks trying to get a left turn after idling their engine in traffic jams for 5 to 10 minutes. These drivers may also be harried and hurried as they didn't allow enough time to get to a destination and then got stuck in a traffic jam waiting for a left turn.

We live in a competitive society. Unfortunately, many carry that competitive spirit on the road--being able to beat traffic to make a left turn becomes another competition. Don't be a competitive driver--there is nothing to win and a lot to lose. Risking a left turn in heavy traffic where there is no traffic control can cause property damage and even yours or other people's lives. A good driver is not competitive on the road.

Plan your route so that you are making all right turns in heavy traffic areas. Or better yet, plan your route to avoid traffic jams. If you don't have to be out in traffic, don't be. If possible, postpone going shopping at the mall, grocery store or drug store to when there is less traffic. A good way to do this is by using mapquest or yahoo maps. If planning a driving vacation, use these tools and switchboard.com or whitepages.com to find restaurants, and other tourist attractions. Also, check out http://itravel.mobi/ to find rest stops along your route.

Drivers who work for the United States Post Office (USPS) are taught a very simple rule--look twice before crossing intersections. At an intersection a driver or pedestrian may be in your blind spot. Look both ways--then look both ways again. During those extra seconds a vehicle or driver will move out of your blind spot and into visible range.

Ever notice truckers parked on merge lanes at interstates? Most likely, those drivers are sleeping. When driving through four states several times in one year, I took a cue from truckers. When I felt drowsy, I pulled off the interstate, found a safe place to sleep, locked the car, set my cell phone alarm to ring after 20 minutes and napped for that amount of time. Upon awakening, I drank tea, coca cola, or coffee, then, began driving again. Of course, this precipitated a bathroom break for the next stop. I used that break to get out and walk around. Walking, or any form of exercise, increases circulation, thus preventing fatigue.

Most of us learned in driver education to keep our eyes on the road and not be distracted by things going on around us--in or out of the vehicle. If the kids are fighting in the back seat, remain calm, pull off the road and administer discipline. Once everyone is calmed down, resume driving. A driver who is stressed is not a safe driver.

To keep your eyes from "highway hypnosis," exercise your eyes by reading road signs or focusing on different parts of the roadway. Don't be fiddling with the radio, applying makeup, talking or texting on your cell phone. If you need to make calls do it when you stop for a break or wait till you get home.

Don't be an uptight driver. If another driver makes a mistake, unless they are driving recklessly and irresponsibly (in which case use your cell phone and call 911), give them the benefit of the doubt.

In summary, to be a safer driver and save gas:

1) Don't make lefts in heavy traffic areas unless there is a stop sign, yield sign, or left turn arrow
2) Look twice at intersections
3) Allow extra time to get to a destination
4) Don't be a competitive driver
5) Plan your route by using mapquest or yahoo maps and switchboard.com or whitepages.com
6) Pull off the road and nap if drowsy
7) Keep your eyes on the road, but exercise your eyes by looking at signs or different parts of the road
8) Don't be distracted by things in or out of the vehicle
9) Don't drive when stressed
10) Don't be an uptight driver

For a complete list of Rules of the Road, see your state's website. Practice these rules and you will be a safe driver and save gas as you won't be idling your car in long lines of traffic trying to get a left turn.