What is the best way to drive?
Contrary to stereotypes, Polish drivers drive better and better. “We are more cultured on the road, we use road knowledge more often and we follow the rules more and more,” says Marek Konkolewski from the Police Headquarters. But you still have to learn along the way. Here are some tips that even experienced road users can find useful.
Contrary to stereotypes, Polish drivers drive better and better. “We are more cultured on the road, we use road knowledge more often and we follow the rules more and more,” says Marek Konkolewski from the Police Headquarters. But you still have to learn along the way. Here are some tips that even experienced road users can find useful.
zip ride
For many, the one who uses this technique is considered a rogue. Meanwhile 
Riding a "zipper" or "zipper", i.e. the mutual passage of cars from two lanes with a narrowing of the road is a cultural solution and improves the traffic flow. Therefore, if you see that someone from the final lane wants to pass in front of you, give way. But for the slider to work, the cooperation of both parties is required - if you are driving in a narrowing lane, do not change it all the way. Before that, you will block those who follow you.
Hands on the wheel
When you hold the steering wheel with one hand, the chance that you will avoid an obstacle that suddenly appears on the road is reduced by as much as 30-40%. At the same time, 70 percent drivers happened to completely let go of the steering wheel and ask the passenger to hold it, and as much as 90 percent. admitted that they had a chance to drive a car with their knees. Usually this bad habit concerns experienced drivers. “They are convinced that if they have a driver's license for several decades, nothing bad can happen,” explains Marek Konkolewski from the Police Headquarters.
Watch your speed
Although cars are getting more and more advanced security systems, even they cannot overcome the laws of physics. It takes 100 meters to slow down at a speed of 40 km/h, but at a speed of 200 km/h this length increases to 200 meters! Remember that roads are designed for a certain speed - on a winding or mountainous trail, off-road behavior will not work. Slower speeds also mean smoother traffic—traffic lights in cities are increasingly being programmed so that only those traveling at a given speed will have a green wave.
Driver position
When we sit behind the wheel, our back should lie flat against the back of the seat. Your thighs should be in contact with the seat. The point is that the driver's body should have the maximum possible contact surface with the seat. In this way, we improve the "feeling of the car" while driving. Another thing is the position of the legs. After depressing the clutch pedal, the left foot 
The rider's knee should be slightly bent. Don't forget about the position of the hands. The correct position allows you to place your wrists on the steering wheel at 12:00 with straight arms.
Steering wheel turn
Although it seems very simple, the vast majority of drivers do this maneuver incorrectly. However, keep in mind that this is one of the most important aspects of driving. It is on the effective use of the steering wheel that our lives can depend, for example, when pulling a car out of a skid. Remember that the most effective hand position on the steering wheel is the so-called “XNUMX:XNUMX” position. This is the starting position for the three types of twists that we can distinguish:
1. Race turn : As the name suggests, this type of turn is most commonly used by drivers involved in sports car racing. The basic rule of this maneuver is to keep your hands in the starting position (a quarter to three) until they intersect. In the case of road vehicles, this turn is most often useful when avoiding obstacles (such as potholes), gentle turns up to 45 degrees, maneuvering when overtaking other vehicles or changing lanes.
2. Turn of the road : This type of steering is to prepare (with your hands on the handlebars correctly) to the starting position before entering the turn. Thus, by holding the steering wheel in the middle of the turn, we can quickly counter or deepen the turn depending on the needs and conditions on the road. To perform this maneuver, it is necessary (when turning to the right) to raise the right hand up (about 10:00) on the steering wheel and make a turn, while allowing the left hand to slide on it. When our hands are in the starting position, we can stop the steering wheel. Thanks to this, if necessary, we make adjustments with a racing twist, without taking our hands off the wheel. This method is best for smooth 90 degree turns.
3. Rally reversal : This is the most complex and difficult maneuver. It consists in quickly turning the steering wheel with the help of shifting hands. This skill is especially useful when maneuvering in a parking lot or driving a slalom. To make this turn correctly (in this case to the right), start with a racing maneuver. At the moment when our arms cross, the right hand should be on top of the steering wheel, continuing to turn with the left hand. When it is also at the bottom, move it to the top of the steering wheel, continuing to twist with your right hand. So we will avoid mutual locking of hands.
Roads of Trust is a program to protect the life and health of people on national roads, co-financed by the European Union from the Regional Development Fund under the Infrastructure and Environment Program.
