Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Got Enough Practice?

The information I am about to share right now is vital to your progress and success as a new driver.  Driving You Into Your Destiny means you have been equipped with the knowledge to pass the road test easily and confidently.   Knowledge is power, and when you walk in power, there’s a certain way you carry yourself and you don’t need to brag, but you demonstrate your knowledge by the way you enter the car and how you handled the steering wheel when you drive.  Trust me, even the examiner will know you have been informed.  He/she may even tell you that you have been well prepared.  I was not privy to this information until after I passed the road test.  Knowing you had enough consistent practice ahead of time will lessen your frustration, and the anxiety or nervousness that all new driving students have when they are preparing to take the road test.  Even though I learned after the fact, I want you to be informed in advance.  Once you know that you too have the revealed knowledge, this knowledge allows you to walk in confidence and will help you pass the road test easily.

The driver’s manual plainly states that the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles recommends at least 30 hours of driving practice, with at least 10 hours in moderately heavy traffic. If you are under 18 years old, and have not completed driver education training and received a Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285), you are required by law to have 20 hours of properly supervised practice driving: To take your road test, you must give the license examiner a completed "Certificate of 20 Hours of Driving Experience" (MV- 262), available from the DMV Internet Office, by request from a DMV Call Center, and at any motor vehicle office.

Very important:
It is illegal to practice driving in a designated Road Test Area. 


Have you been consistently practicing driving, and desire to Drive into Your Destiny? Visit www.PaulinaAParker.com for more information.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Aggressive Drivers and Road Rage

Have you in encountered Aggressive Drivers and Road Rage?

Aggressive driving includes speeding, which often leads to following too closely, frequent or abrupt lane changes without signaling, passing on the shoulder or unpaved portions of the roadway, or harassing motorists who just happen to not get out of the way.  Aggressive drivers also may run stop signs and red lights, pass stopped school buses, fail to keep right, drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and drive recklessly.  A few threaten, or attempt to cause, physical damage to another driver.  And that is how aggressive driving becomes road rage.

To prevent aggressive driving from developing into road rage, it is sometimes better to not make eye contact with another driver, especially where conflict can occur - the other driver may interpret eye contact as a "challenge."

Tip:
That is the reason why I highly recommend the 6-hour defensive driving course.

When confronted by an aggressive driver:
  • Avoid eye contact.
  • Stay calm and relaxed.
  • Make every attempt to get out of the way safely.  Do not escalate the situation.
  • Put your pride in the back seat.  Do not challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to hold your position in your travel lane.
  • Wear a seat belt and encourage your passengers to do the same.
  • Ignore harassing gestures and name calling, and do not return them.
  • Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate law enforcement authorities by providing a vehicle description, location, license plate number, and direction of travel.
  • If you are being followed by an aggressive or threatening driver, do not stop or get out of your vehicle.  Drive directly to the nearest police station.
  • If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash, stop a safe distance from the crash scene.  When the police arrive, report the driving behavior you witnessed.

How to avoid becoming an aggressive driver:
  • Allow enough travel time to reach your destination on schedule.
  • Alter your schedule to avoid driving during peak highway congestion periods.
  • If you're running late, call ahead so you can relax.
  • Do not drive when you are angry, upset or overly tired.
  • Make your vehicle comfortable.  Listen to relaxing music and avoid situations that raise your anxiety.
  • When driving, relax and remain aware of your posture.  Sit back in your seat, loosen your grip on the steering wheel and do not clench your teeth.
  • Give others the benefit of the doubt; be polite, courteous and forgiving.
  • You can control your own reactions to other drivers.  If someone else drives aggressively, do not retaliate.
If you have the right-of-way, do not think of it as an absolute right.  Be prepared to give up the right-of-way to avoid a crash or prevent confusion.  Waiting a few seconds for another driver is far better than risking a crash.
Did you know that after you pass the road test and receive your license, there is a 6-hour defensive driving course?  Visit www.PaulinaAParker.com for more information.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Parking Like a Parker - Pt.3 Reserved Parking for the Disabled

Parking reserved for people with disabilities is not merely a convenience, it is a legal requirement. These special parking spaces for motorists with disabilities ensure safe and equal access to goods and services (access which is taken for granted by most of us). You can help by parking in reserved spaces only if you have a permit or plates for people with disabilities, and only when the person who received the permit or plates is in the vehicle.

It is illegal for any vehicle to park, stop, or stand in a space reserved for the disabled unless it has license plates for the disabled issued by the DMV, a New York State Parking Permit for the Disabled (MV-664) issued by a locality, or a similar plate or permit issued by another state. In addition, the vehicle must actually be in use to transport the disabled person named in the registration or permit. This law applies to spaces reserved and posted by local ordinance on streets and highways, and those set aside by state law in shopping centers that have five or more stores and 20 or more off-street parking spaces available to the public.

It is a misdemeanor to make a false statement or give false information on an application for license plates. Making a false statement or providing misinformation to obtain a parking permit for a person with a disability is punishable by a fine from $250 to $1,000, plus a mandatory surcharge of $30, and potential civil penalties from $250 to $1,000. These penalties apply both to the applicant and to a doctor providing certification.

For more information about reserved parking for the disabled, and how to qualify and apply for a license plate or parking permit, see Parking for People With Disabilities (C-34). This publication is available from the DMV Internet Office, by request from a DMV Call Center, and at any motor vehicle office.

Reserved spaces should be marked with signs such as the one shown, and also may be designated with pavement markings. Also, do not park in the diagonally-striped spaces next to reserved parking areas. These spaces are needed to enable access by those with wheelchairs and specially-equipped vehicles.

The fines for on-street parking violations are set by localities. Unless a locality sets higher penalties, the fine for a shopping center violation is $50 to $75 for a first offense and $75 to $150 for a second offense within two years in the same locality. A mandatory surcharge of $30 will be added to each penalty.

Make sure you can answer these questions before you proceed:
  • After you have parallel parked, how close to the curb must your vehicle be?
  • May you open a door on the road side of your vehicle if no traffic is coming?
  • Before pulling out of a parking space, what should you do?
  • What does a NO STOPPING sign mean?
  • Can you stop to load or unload passengers at a NO STANDING or NO PARKING sign?
  • May you park on a crosswalk in the middle of a block?
Is learning to parallel Park still a challenge? Visit www.PaulinaAParker.com for more information.
*Above mentioned fines are subject to change by the DMV at any time*