My mother just bought a new car, well new to her, it's a 2002 Sable. My mother don't drive and since
my father's stroke, he can't drive so the driving duties for my mother and doctors appointments belong
to my children and me. With multiple drivers I found we all have very different driving habits. My daughter
5' 3" and I'm 5' 10 1/2" yet she sits back further than me and lounges more.

Here are some of my driving habits:

I sit close to the steering wheel with my knees bent, like I'm in a chair.

I sit straight up, I put the seat back up to it's most vertical position.

I drive with both feet; left foot for brake, right foot for gas.

I drive with one hand, very seldom at 10 and 2 or 8 and 4, where the want your hands now because of airbags.

I have a CD player but I listen to sports talk radio more than anything else.

My driving habits...

My husband is taller than me but he sits closer to the wheel than I do.  I like my legs almost straight out in front of me. 

I check my sideview and rearview mirrors a lot when I'm driving.

I never listen to music, it's usually talk radio or a movie the kids are watching. 

I use only one foot, right for gas and brake.  I like driving barefoot.

I usually drive with one hand, my right.  The left hand is usually twirling my hair.  ;D

I hate when my husband drives my car because it takes a while to get everything back to a comfortable position.  My husband's truck has two settings, driver one and driver two buttons.  So all I have to do is hit one button and it goes to my setting.  I wish my car had that. 

I get really caught up in the music I'm listening to and often find myself either going very fast or very slow because I stop thinking about my speed, this is why I use the cruise control a lot of the time.

I just have a couple fingers on the wheel most of the time, down on the right hand side of the wheel because I like to rest my arm on the center console.

I also drive with both feet, I only use my right foot for the gas, I use my left for the brake and if I'm in a manual for the clutch as well.

I tend to loaf and often (when I have the cruise on) will cross my legs.. which is just awful I know!

I check my sideview and rearview mirrors a lot when I'm driving.



I too check my mirrors constantly, I like to know what's around me at all times.



I tend to loaf and often (when I have the cruise on) will cross my legs.. which is just awful I know!



I don't think I've ever used the cruise control, If I get too comfortable I'm liable to fall asleep.  ;D

I sit straight up, I put the seat back up to it's most vertical position.

I drive with both feet; left foot for brake, right foot for gas.

I drive with one hand, very seldom at 10 and 2 or 8 and 4, where the want your hands now because of airbags.


I keep one hand, usually at 7, which is most comfortable for me somehow.

The straight-up thing, I do as well. I feel like if I lean back, I'll get lulled into being too relaxed.

The both feet thing I don't do.. I tried it.. my foot rests too easily on the gas when I'm braking, which can't be good for the car.

I tend to drive with one hand on the wheel.

Whenever I pull into parking spots, I often misjudge how much the car can fit in, so I always end up having to back up and re-pull into the space.  Because of this, I often tend to look for spots where I can pull through to the spot infront, so I can drive right out when I am done, and now have to go in reverse

Whenever I turn a corner at a light, I automatically drive over to the right lane.  The proper way is to turn into the right lane, then signal and move over to the left lane, but that's just so much work.  I don't YET have my full driver's license (going on a few years now that I still have my G1), so the day I eventually take my drivers test, I'll have to remember to do it the proper way.  After that, it's back to the wrong way ;D

I drive very close to the steering wheel, and put the seat up as far as it will go...with the back straight up. I am very short (about 5'2") and have a hard time seeing if I don't sit that way.

I drive with one hand usually...but sometimes I place both of my hands inside the steering wheel and drive.

I only use my right foot for the gas and the brake

I listen to music usually all the time when driving and I sing when listening to it.

I have to adjust everything when I go in the car (seat, mirrors, steering wheel, etc)...because Chris is a lot taller than me.

I am seated further away from the steering wheel but only to a point where I can still bend my elbows and knees.

I only use my right foot for the accelerator and the brake.

One thumb on the wheel, about 8 o'clock.

Seat all the way back and somewhat reclined (I'm 6'3"), unless someone's riding in the back seat directly behind me.

Usually 5 mph over the speed limit, zipping around slower vehicles..

Music varies--usually a local rock or alternative station, sometimes CDs, depending what I feel like.

I dont drive - to me thats a good habit !

I do not drive either...

...perhaps we should have a Pedestrian Habit...Good and Bad?

I drive with one hand on the wheel (left hand) the other is usually resting on the gear shift

I am short (5' 2") so I am quite close to the steering wheel but to make up for it I recline my seat quite a bit

Of course, I use both feet because I drive a standard but if I were driving an automatic I will only use one foot

I don't use the CD player often, I mainly have the radio on. 

I have the very bad habit of talking smack about drivers that do dumb things  :P

I dont drive - to me thats a good habit !


Me Too, Brian,I've been taking public transportation for almost 20 years.

My driving habits...

~ I don't like the seat too close to the steering column, so I usually adjust it to somewhere in the middle (my husband is tall and likes the seat slid all the way back)

~ I like the back of the seat to be more upright

~ I use one foot for gas and brake

~ I always look in the rear and side-view mirrors to be sure of what's around me

~ I always listen to music when I'm driving, and it's either a classic rock station or a CD that I've put in

Hand on heart, my driving habits aren't too bad...

...but my pet hate is those who think indicators are pretty flashing lights bolted onto their car, that serve no purpose whatsoever!  ::)

I don't drive...anymore. But when I did drive, I was always sitting right on top of the steering wheel with the seat straight. Like others who have posted, I am short (5'2") so I wanted to see the road. I used to laugh when everyone would try to get into the driver's seat after I had driven like Carlos who is 6'1" or when I took the car to the shop.



Cat

I drive a manual, so I have to use both feet.

I keep a proper distance from the steering wheel (that is: when my arms are stretched, my hands can still rest on the top of the steering wheel).

I check my mirrors every few seconds (although I tend to forget the right hand side, especially when making a right turn).

I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt (and insist on my passengers doing the same).

I rarely listen to the radio or CD's while driving. Too much fuss for my daily 15 minutes drive to and from work...

I try to keep a proper distance from other cars, although it's not always easy...


Bad habits...? Maybe just one:

I've a tendency to exceed the speed limit by 10 to 15 mph. :-[ Oddly enough, I only do this inside the built-up area.

I have a question for those of you who use two feet, are you driving automatic when you so this?  Is this because you learned to drive using a manual?  My husband used to drive a stick shift, and he would only use his left for the clutch, right was for brakes and gas.  Out of curiosity I tried using both feet pulling out of my driveway today, I about wrecked the car.  ;D ;D ;D



I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt (and insist on my passengers doing the same).





I alway wear mine.  My passengers must wear them too.  Also, if it's a child they need the proper child seat if they're riding in my car. 

My seatbelt is always on before I even realize. It is just a habit-and a good one, too. And yes, everyone in the car wears theirs, too.



Cat

I have a question for those of you who use two feet, are you driving automatic when you so this?  Is this because you learned to drive using a manual?  My husband used to drive a stick shift, and he would only use his left for the clutch, right was for brakes and gas.  Out of curiosity I tried using both feet pulling out of my driveway today, I about wrecked the car.  ;D ;D ;D
 


The first new car I bought was an 88 1/2 Ford Escort GT, it was a 5 speed manual transmission. It was the only stick shift
I ever owned and I only had it for 4 years. Every vehicle since then was an automatic yet I still drive with both feet, it just
seems natural to me.

I'm afraid of Robin's driving,She scares me sometimes in the car.I'm always praying that she doesn't get into an accident.

...but my pet hate is those who think indicators are pretty flashing lights bolted onto their car, that serve no purpose whatsoever!  ::)


Really, what purpose do they serve???  :D

I am guilty!  I rarely use them.  My bad!

I steer with my knees when I am cleaning or adjusting my sunglasses.

I did something today that I must admit was.. rather.. bad.

Now, I sometimes talk on the phone when I'm driving along, but usually just when I'm on the highway, it really makes no difference because I'm essentially going in a straight line at a constant speed.. today however.. I was sending a text message whilst going from the highway on to a rural route.. when I started going over the rumble strips I decided it was time to put the phone down.  ;D

I did something today that I must admit was.. rather.. bad.

Now, I sometimes talk on the phone when I'm driving along, but usually just when I'm on the highway, it really makes no difference because I'm essentially going in a straight line at a constant speed.. today however.. I was sending a text message whilst going from the highway on to a rural route.. when I started going over the rumble strips I decided it was time to put the phone down.  ;D


Ah...so THAT's why I couldn't decipher any of the words. ;D

I do not drive either...

...perhaps we should have a Pedestrian Habit...Good and Bad?


Ummmm - I have a bad habit of growling at people who walk on the "wrong" side of the footpath - and if they question my growl I shriek madly "DO YOU DRIVE ON THIS SIDE TOOOOOO ?????????".

I haven't driven for years now but when I did.
I sit fairly close to the wheel and with the seat very upright, I don't like lounging. You need both feet to drive a car in the U.K ! By law you should keep checking your mirrors so I do. Like Andy I was guilty of getting too involved in the music and often found myself speeding up in time to it. My only bad driving habit was pulling out of junctions way too fast. Oh I was crap at hill starts too.

Ah...so THAT's why I couldn't decipher any of the words. ;D


;D

Actually, I did garble it.

I meant to say "Sure! Did you want to go to Guido's?" but I ended up saying.. let me look at my outbox - "Sure! Did you want to go t"

Me do left foot clutch, right foot gas/brake.  My hand's at 12 o'clock when I'm shifting, 10 and 2 when cruising.  Keep at least 5 car lengths space in front of me, same behind if possible.

My driving habits are generally good.

I pull my seat all the way forward, pull up as vertical as possible and position the steering wheel at it's lowest setting. I am short and don't have real long legs, so unless I am driving for miles and miles on a long stretch, I'll usually keep my back very stiff.

I always have my seat belt on. Check my mirrors. Wash my windshield when I can.

I use my right foot for both brake and gas.

I always have music or talk radio/traffic updates playing unless I have a lot of people in my car.

Usually I'll drive with one hand, one on the steering wheel and the other on my shift gear.

The 2 things I do that drive hubby crazy are wash the windshield obsessively and turn my turn signal on too soon (but that's only when there's nowhere else to turn, if there are 2 side streets, I'll wait until I pass one, then turn it on).

Oh, and I can't stand having the seat back straight up...it hurts my back...but it's usually only on the first or second "click"

I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt (and insist on my passengers doing the same).


So do I...and I think it's a very good habit to get into!  :)

I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt (and insist on my passengers doing the same).

It is the law to the seatbelt when driving in the UK

I hardly use the brake, slowing down just by taking foot off the gas.
I do a hundred things while driving (coffee, cigs, phone...)
I change the CDs in the player
I pet my dog
I yell at people
I sing to people.

Another bad habit I reminded myself of last night, I tailgate so much when people annoy me.

Like last night, I'm coming across the bridge and this guy puts his foot down and goes around me.. to gain all of 30 feet or whatever right.. now not only is that annoying, but I was running about 75-80.. it's really not like I was going slow.. so I get right on his ass, as close as I can. My thinking is a) My car is built like a tank and thus my odds of coming off unscathed are far higher. b) His car looks expensive, might not want it totaled and c) I'd just love to ruin somebody's day.

why would anyone drive with two feet?

why would anyone drive with two feet?


One word: manual.

One word: manual.


Well, some people who drive automatics use both feet (even though you're not supposed to)...

My parents both tend to drive that way... ::)

I never learned to drive a stick. I tried and the guy's whose car I was trying to learn on, I think I left his transmission somewhere on the road behind me.  :-\\



Cat

Well, some people who drive automatics use both feet (even though you're not supposed to)...


I don't understand why you wouldn't.

I do both, I find that when I'm in traffic I drive with both feet because it's stop start, stop start, but when I'm on the highway I'll just use my right foot.

I don't understand why you wouldn't.

I do both, I find that when I'm in traffic I drive with both feet because it's stop start, stop start, but when I'm on the highway I'll just use my right foot.


but...the car slows down just by removing your foot from the accelerator.
i barely have to touch my brake on drives...


but then i'm not going 80 all the time.

but...the car slows down just by removing your foot from the accelerator.
i barely have to touch my brake on drives...


but then i'm not going 80 all the time.


If you're in traffic? You tap the accelerator, then 30 yards up the road, you tap the brakes? You don't do this?

I don't understand why you wouldn't.

I do both, I find that when I'm in traffic I drive with both feet because it's stop start, stop start, but when I'm on the highway I'll just use my right foot.


Yes, but then what if you're braking and stepping on the gas at the same time?  :o

I never learned to drive a stick. I tried and the guy's whose car I was trying to learn on, I think I left his transmission somewhere on the road behind me.  :-\\



Cat


I first learned on a manual...and even though I haven't had to drive a vehicle with that type of transmission in a long time, I'm glad I learned because now I can drive either!  :) 

Yes, but then what if you're braking and stepping on the gas at the same time?  :o


I'm co-ordinated.

When you drive a stick, you need to have foot co-ordination, it just stays with you.

I'm co-ordinated.

When you drive a stick, you need to have foot co-ordination, it just stays with you.


Yes...I know how to drive a stick-shift, and for that I do use two feet...

But when it comes to automatics, I always use the right foot only...that's how I was taught!  :D

Yes...I know how to drive a stick-shift, and for that I do use two feet...

But when it comes to automatics, I always use the right foot only...that's how I was taught!  :D


I was never taught how to drive an automatic.. It never really required any actual thought... it's sort of like 'Forward momentum for Dummies'  ;D

I was never taught how to drive an automatic.. It never really required any actual thought... it's sort of like 'Forward momentum for Dummies'  ;D


;D

now  you're definately not borrowing my car.

;D

now  you're definately not borrowing my car.


;D

I first learned on a manual...and even though I haven't had to drive a vehicle with that type of transmission in a long time, I'm glad I learned because now I can drive either!  :) 


I never learned to drive a manual.  When my husband and I first started dating he tired to teach me...I couldn't get out of 1st, so I got out of the car and walked home.  ;D

I never learned to drive a manual.  When my husband and I first started dating he tired to teach me...I couldn't get out of 1st, so I got out of the car and walked home.   ;D


LOL!  ;D ;)

I drink coffee, eat doughnuts, fumble with CDs, and read liner notes (sometimes simultaneously), and then I get p*ssed when I see other drivers talking on their cell phones! 
"Hang it up and drive, lady! 

WTF?  I ordered a Boston Creme and this is coconut filling...who plays clarinet on this piece? Lemme see that again..."
:D :D :D

Is shouting at other drivers mandatory?

Is shouting at other drivers mandatory?


No, but it is graded.  (I give myself points for every adjective I can put before I resort to one of George Carlin's Seven Deadly Words)

Good Habit:  Instead of 10-and-2, where (in an airbag-equipped vehicle) I'm likely to get my arms blasted back into my face (resulting in a broken arm or broken nose), I'm more of a 9-and-3 driver. 

Good Habit:  I've always used the same foot for brake and gas.  In a panic situation, many "two-footed" drivers (left foot for brake, right for gas) have found themselves mashing down with both feet.  Hilarity (by which, I mean the crunching of metal, shattering of glass, and the removal of meat from the gene pool) then ensued. 

Any time you're simultaneously braking and accelerating, you're making a big mistake - you get neither the braking nor the braking you need.  By using only one foot for the gas/brake pedals, you may sacrifice 0.1-0.2 seconds to switch pedals - but in guaranteeing that you can't make that mistake, you'll have more than made up for it.

I'd encourage anyone reading this thread (experienced driver or not) to find a reputable racing/driving school and inquire about  advanced driving / highway survival / emergency manoeuvers training for non-racers.  There's probably one in your area, and even if it doesn't save your life a few years from now, it'll still be the most fun you'll have that weekend.

Bad Habit:  Going through a list of common bad habits that I've already fixed, and realizing that I don't know what my remaining bad habits are.

The bad habits you know about, you can fix.  The bad habits you don't know about, will kill you.  Remember, 50% of those idiots on the road really do have above-average driving skills, but does that mean they're safe?