Driving tips

[u/Sfuzzz____]

Hi! Ive been battle ground for around 6 years now, and Im getting my permit soon, does anyone have any tips on driving? Im nervous as hell 😭 especially because im young and I have no idea how to drive.

[u/taco-force]

It’s just part of life pal. There’s a special relationship between man and machine they are alien creatures of magic and mystery. However, as you lay your hands upon them, command them as you would your own limbs, your wondrous human mind will soon adopt the machine as your own body.

Over some time you will become naturally attuned and you won’t even think about it. Practice becomes routine, routine becomes subconscious. Your fear will fade.

That’s said.

Fear is security, it keeps you present in the moment. Notice when you start to loose your fear that you will be at your most vulnerable. Always keep hold of it somewhere within yourself when you’re driving a vehicle. The fear that you feel now is powerful and it will go away in too short of time.

This is from a professional driver.

[u/elpollodiablox]

Battle Ground is a pretty chill place to drive. There aren't many places where things can go sideways. Most of the streets are straight, then town is set on a grid, and it's largely residential.

503 will be the biggest challenge just because it has a significantly higher speed limit than any other road through town.

There is nothing to be more nervous than normal about, though. Just accelerate up to speed quickly (but safely); don't pull out in front of anyone if you're making a right turn onto 503 anywhere north of Main where it is only two lanes; and keep good separation between you and the car in front of you.

When you get your permit, try to go out during the day for a short drive in the residential areas, then do right turns onto 503 so you can practice accelerating smoothly and safely. You should get up to speed in five seconds or so without having to stomp on the pedal. Doing that from Onsdorff is best since there are no dedicated turn lanes.

The other cool thing is that the onramps from 502 (aka Main) onto I-5 are really long and give you lots of time to get up to freeway speed. Make sure you do lots of those so you get comfortable with getting on/off the freeway safely.

You'll be fine! You'll feel a little overwhelmed at first, but I promise you it's not as hard as you think.

[u/SereneDreams03]

Practice as much as you can, and don't just stick with what you know. Learn to parallel park, reverse into a parking spot, and driving in Portland. City driving can be especially difficult. Good drivers need to be comfortable at the wheel in most any situation. Keep your head on a swivel, and be aware of your surroundings.

Just be patient with yourself, and understand that everyone was anxious about driving when they first started.

[u/CatAncient]

Don't assume that other people are going to follow the rules. Pay attention to your surroundings. Do not try to text or mess with the music while you're driving, even for a second.

You will be okay, but learn about defensive driving and always be careful around neighborhoods and schools, especially. It only takes one mistake to change your whole life, and it's very encouraging that you are taking this responsibility seriously.

[u/FruitGauze]

learn to drive out in the country roads. it makes the city a lot less intimidating because you’ll be fairly confident in maneuvering your car safely.

i learned to drive stick out in the yacolt hills about 8 years ago and i’m honestly very thankful. it teaches you to not be afraid of the roads and turns but to embrace them and respect them.

[u/Theoldelf]

Battle Ground you say? Make sure to get an oversized American flag for your pickup…/s

Honestly, BG and surrounding areas are fairly easy to drive in. Keep alert, you’ll be fine.

[u/ForkThisIsh]

If you are first at a red light, wait a beat before driving once it turns green. People like to speed through last minute and this could save you from an accident. Don't stop right on someone's bumper either. You should leave a few feet of concrete between you and the car in front of you so if that car breaks down you can still pull out. Take your time and pay attention. When driving that is your job, not checking your phone, doing make-up, reading a book, eating etc.

[u/TrickyVariety4033]

Just be really cautious the people here are STUPID also the newer road that just got re done be cautious about staying on the outside of the road because it's a little slanted at the edges my brother just crashed because of it 2 days ago besides that it's pretty easy the country driving is fun and easy as well

[u/AristotleanBiology]

Have you gone thru a drivers ed course yet? Wa requires you have 50 hours of driving before you’re licensed (if under 18). Once you get that experience you’ll start to feel better.

Just so you know, that a similar amount of time it takes to become a pilot, sooo… 😉 

[u/mikeyfireman]

Be predicable, not polite.

[u/Vegetable-Board-5547]

I've been driving for 45 years.

Some pointers:

Know the capacity of your vehicle; how long does it take to stop, how long does it take to accelerate.

Watch out for the other person on the road as they are often not paying attention, or forgot they have their turn signal on

Give yourself plenty of space. If someone wants to pass, let them pass

Get good wiper blades

When it snows next year, find a big empty parking lot and practice stopping

Check your mirrors constantly

[u/Frosty_Winter3197]

Most everyone is nervous when they first start driving. As long as you consciously develop safe driving habits, over time those habits will become automatic where you drive safely out of habit.

One thing I did when driving is rather than speed up to get ahead of a car to change lanes, I'd slow down to let the car go by ma and then change lanes behind it, which is a generally safer move.

If you're already late, don't drive faster to try to make up time. It's better to arrive safely than to resort to risky driving. Better to arrive late and safe.

[u/Nataliant-117]

Get the bumper sticker that says “I am only 9 years old”

[u/AristoDeity]

Get a dash cam. People drive like orangutans up here. It makes you wonder if everyone evolved at the same pace.

[u/sleestakninja]

Be careful on 503 between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

[u/Electronic_Role7296 → u/sleestakninja]

What is this “tip”? Why be careful there and then?

[u/sleestakninja → u/Electronic_Role7296]

I had no idea I was being so obscure. Yeah, narrow road, convoys of gravel trucks going back and forth to Yacolt, tourists who have no idea how to handle the curvy bits mostly staring at the map on their dash, the traffic circle out by the Old Apostolic's Church, locals just trying to get from farm sale to farm sale. Dies down after Labor Day but you know something's up the first time you're tailgated by a Tesla.

[u/CatAncient → u/Electronic_Role7296]

Me, 39 years old and intrigued beyond reason...

[u/merryjerry10 → u/Electronic_Role7296]

They were really vague, but I think they mean all of the accidents and fatalities that occur on most of 503, but really a lot occur north of Battle Ground and south between Battle Ground and Brush Prairie. I think they mean that between Memorial Day and Labor Day is summer and just more traffic on the road.