Whether you’re a race car fan or not, you have to marvel at how these individuals can take on a 500 mile race and keep the concentration up for the duration of the ride. While this isn’t a likely scenario for you, it does offer suggestions on how to tackle your driving responsibilities throughout your hectic schedule. Here are a few things you can learn from the best drivers in the world.
Anticipate and Look Ahead
When you’re driving almost 200 miles per hour, looking ahead and anticipating the moves of others is easier said than done. Let’s face it, even doing that at 60 miles per hour is a tough task. However, it’s important to get into this habit sooner rather than later. If you see an aggressive driver in your rearview mirror that’s driving too fast and weaving out of traffic, it’s best to just get out of the way. The same goes for looking ahead. If something bad is about to happen, you can avoid it, instead of becoming another part of the accident.
Drive a Manual
Obviously, there’s no sense in driving a manual transmission when an automatic will do, right? Automatics provide an easier route to get to your destination, and you don’t have to worry about using the clutch or shifting. Despite their ease of use, automatics actually make you a lazy driver. Because you don’t have to shift, many drivers use their extra hand to eat, talk on the phone, or put on makeup, making them a potential driving threat. Using a manual shift makes you have to concentrate far more and thus makes you a better driver. Plus, once you get it down, a manual transmission is awfully fun to drive.
Always Be Fresh
The night before a big race, most race car drivers try to rest up and get their focus ready for the task at hand. They have a grueling race ahead of them, and without sleep, they’ll fall short of their goal. On a day-to-day basis, you only have to drive a short distance in comparison. Even so, rest becomes important. The more well-rested you are, the better your focus becomes. It seems like a no-brainer, but each day, someone falls asleep at the wheel, causing a catastrophic accident. When in doubt, hit the sack rather than hitting the road.
Prep Your Car
Before every big race, the driver and his crew undergo exhaustive maintenance and inspections to ensure the integrity and performance of the vehicle. You should do the same. If you notice your car making strange noises or driving oddly, don’t wait. Take it to a mechanic immediately. They can diagnose the problem and save you from an accident waiting to happen, like a blown tire or something else that’s potentially dangerous.
You don’t have to become a race car driver to know how to drive a vehicle. Instead, heed the advice of these drivers. It isn’t a great task to follow these tips (except maybe the manual transmission), and you’ll rest easy knowing you’re one of the best drivers on the road.
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