| Nothing can mark a driver as capable, proficient | | | | There are three basic skill sets that the smooth |
| and confident, more than a smooth driving style. | | | | driver usually develops. |
| It makes both fellow drivers and passengers, feel | | | | The first is that of Anticipation. When we |
| much more comfortable as they travel the roads | | | | anticipate situations that can develop on the |
| with us. Besides, smoother is safer. | | | | roads, we have more time to factor them in. |
| Now we all get jerked around once in a while. | | | | More time will allow us to drive more smoothly. |
| Maybe we get cut off or simply have to make a | | | | We won't have to "yank the wheel" to avoid that |
| quick, sudden move to position ourselves. But the | | | | car that cut us off, because we'll already have |
| majority of our driving experience wants to be a | | | | backed off just a touch in anticipation. |
| smooth one - at whatever speed we choose to | | | | In order to anticipate developments on the road, |
| travel. | | | | it's kind of necessary to be aware of our |
| So what exactly is smooth driving? It might seem | | | | surroundings. The smooth driver isn't just |
| obvious, but what are the actual traits of a really | | | | monitoring the bumper in front of her. She's |
| smooth driver? | | | | Forward Looking as far ahead of her as she can. |
| The smooth driver places his vehicle in motion in a | | | | She's also aware of who's on her sides. Her |
| calm, predictable and confident way. He strives to | | | | rearview mirrors are almost faded from over use. |
| avoid sudden, unpredictable motion. As he powers | | | | Oh, and by the way, they're correctly adjusted. |
| up, be it quickly or slowly, he does so in a calm, | | | | Awareness of our surroundings is critical to |
| consistent, almost effortless motion. Yup. He does | | | | smooth driving. |
| it smoothly. | | | | Finally, the smooth driver is in tune with his |
| When at speed, the smooth driver avoids sudden | | | | machine. He not only knows how it is handling at |
| stops or jerky turns. Her lane changes are calm, | | | | the moment. He knows how it will handle in any |
| precise and predictable. She doesn't jerk the | | | | number of situations. If need be, he'll make an |
| wheel, suddenly forcing the buggy into another | | | | emergency lane change and correct into his new |
| lane too far and then, suddenly again, jerk it back | | | | lane so quickly that by the time his passengers |
| to correct. When he comes to a stop, be it a | | | | realize there was a problem, they're already |
| slow one or quick one, the smooth driver eases | | | | smoothly back on their way. |
| off of the brake pedal ever so slightly at the final | | | | The smooth driver is a skilled driver. She knows |
| moment of stop, to avoid the car jerking back on | | | | at what speed she can enter a turn, given her |
| its haunches and spilling coffee all over the place. | | | | independent rear suspension and how her wheels |
| She also doesn't wait until her "shotgun" | | | | will squat into it. He knows that if he has to stop |
| passenger has both feet firmly pushed through | | | | shortly in that turn, he'll need to correct for |
| the floorboard to begin the stop. She allows space | | | | possible over steer. He anticipates it, and when it |
| to make a distinct and obvious, firm stop. | | | | happens, his passengers probably won't even |
| If she has to make a more sudden stop, she | | | | break conversation! |
| doesn't jam on the brakes and then ease off, | | | | Road Racers who jerk quickly in and out of |
| unless she absolutely has to. She calmly gauges | | | | traffic, tailgate, brake suddenly, and then race off |
| the distance she has, then applies enough | | | | to the next encounter may not be as skilled as |
| pressure on the stop pedal to make a firm, | | | | they think they are. Ask any real race car driver |
| obviously calculated stop, ending precisely where | | | | or trained pursuit driver. |
| she wants to be - of course watching the | | | | Smoother is usually faster. If a race driver has to |
| rearview, as she does so. Her passengers know | | | | make a quick, jerky action with his steering input, |
| they don't have to brace for impact. They're | | | | he probably already knows he's in trouble. |
| already feeling the "in control" stop. | | | | The smooth driver can be a slower driver or a |
| Smooth driving traits are not usually conscious | | | | very quick one but she's a good driver. I've been |
| traits. They're instilled skills. They may have been | | | | with many a fast driver doing eighty or better |
| initially honed by conscious thought, but over time | | | | and hardly even realized it! |
| they have become second nature. Nope. The | | | | Smooth driving is very cool! Anticipation, |
| smooth driver doesn't usually even have to think | | | | awareness, and basic driving skills - are how we |
| about driving smoothly - but she is constantly | | | | end up getting there. |
| analyzing her driving. | | | | |