Looking over my shoulder

alstar5 · 26-10-2006, 09:55 PM

Hey Guys,

After well over 150 hours on my L's I am really confident except for one thing. I have a bad habit that whenever I look over my shoulder to change lanes I occassionally get distracted and have a mini day dream or something forgetting I'm moving at 60km's/h in the other direction. So far I've been lucky and have woken myself up in time to look in front but I'm just wondering if this is something common?

Cheers,

Alex

MO · 26-10-2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alstar5

Hey Guys,

After well over 150 hours on my L's I am really confident except for one thing. I have a bad habit that whenever I look over my shoulder to change lanes I occassionally get distracted and have a mini day dream or something forgetting I'm moving at 60km's/h in the other direction. So far I've been lucky and have woken myself up in time to look in front but I'm just wondering if this is something common?

Cheers,

Alex

NO and I think you need help!!!

MITCHAY · 26-10-2006, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO

NO and I think you need help!!!

Agreed! It would be an understatement to say I'd be unimpressed if someone who did exactly this had smashed up my car.

16wantsI6 · 26-10-2006, 09:56 PM

ummm i dont know if it is common lol, but ull just have to break the habbit

Dezza · 26-10-2006, 09:58 PM

You just need to take a quick glance to make sure there aren't any cars there. You have to be careful, because if you look for too long, someone in front could brake and you'll go straight into the back of them. I've heard of that happening to people. Hasn't happened to me though

wodahs · 26-10-2006, 09:59 PM

yer it is , if your in la la land or any where but behind the wheel

OLDFORDNUT · 26-10-2006, 10:03 PM

very strange but could be from some trigger you set off in your muscles when doing that, there is hundreds of spots on our bodies that a finger jab can cause you to sleep or even die, (mate who studied martial arts here and in Japan can put any of us to sleep for as long as he likes),i would go see a chiropractor and tell them what happens to you.

TwistedEL · 26-10-2006, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alstar5

Hey Guys,

After well over 150 hours on my L's I am really confident except for one thing. I have a bad habit that whenever I look over my shoulder to change lanes I occassionally get distracted and have a mini day dream or something forgetting I'm moving at 60km's/h in the other direction. So far I've been lucky and have woken myself up in time to look in front but I'm just wondering if this is something common?

Cheers,

Alex

There's your problem...

You can't be really confident after 150 hours experience
I know it seems like a lot but if you get confident then you get complacent. You need to stay focussed on the task at hand - getting from A to B without killing yourself.

EBII Fairmont · 26-10-2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwistedEL

There's your problem...

You can't be really confident after 150 hours experience
I know it seems like a lot but if you get confident then you get complacent. You need to stay focussed on the task at hand - getting from A to B without killing yourself.

Totally agree twisted. I have only been caught out twice, when i have taken a glance in my mirror, n look back ahead with the person infront of me slamming their brakes. Just a matter of having quick reflexes and knowing what you are doing.

But you will really learn how to drive when get behind the wheel, without someone next to you telling you what to do. Just make sure you are patient and you will be fine.

alstar5 · 26-10-2006, 10:16 PM

I just read my original post and laughed, not really what I meant to say at all and I can imagine the impression I gave out. No probs, will take the advice and make sure I make a quick glance. Safe driving!

uranium_death · 27-10-2006, 09:38 AM

You shouldn't become distracted or daydream from a 1/2 second glance.

150 hours fails compared to 40 years of driving. So in that aspect, after 150 hours you should have developed the MINIMUM skills required to safely operate a movie vehicle on Australian roads (in your case, a motor vehicle).

Don't ever develop the mindset that you've got your Ps, therefore learning time stops. It never stops. It only slows down as you become more experienced, which is why you need to be switched on as much as possible when you become a probationary driver as this is the period where as a solo driver, you will learn the most and also rely on your own skills rather than the instructor setting next to you.

Orbit · 27-10-2006, 09:53 AM

oh c'mon doesn't "P" stand for professional?

:

photn · 27-10-2006, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orbit

oh c'mon doesn't "P" stand for professional?

:

in my case it stands for *****......or perfection which ever i feel like lol.

27-10-2006, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

in my case it stands for *****......or perfection which ever i feel like lol.

First suggestion pretty spot on. ;)

photn · 27-10-2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

First suggestion pretty spot on. ;)

giggity lol. your so hilarious Chris....soooo hilarious

well no not really lol.

EA2BA · 27-10-2006, 10:01 AM

i suggest you sit in the car with the engine off and practice looking over your shoulder and get used to your hands not following your head, its very dangerous and you will have an accident before you know it.

TwistedEL · 27-10-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EA2BA

i suggest you sit in the car with the engine off and practice looking over your shoulder and get used to your hands not following your head, its very dangerous and you will have an accident before you know it.

You would have heard about the P plater only had his license one day and his mate was hanging his head out the passenger window

Well the driver was watching his mate and his hands followed his head, he veered up onto the kerb and his mate lost his head against a bus stop

The driver just got put away for a while IIRC

27-10-2006, 10:02 AM

Are you actually staring over your shoulder or just a quick glance. You should only look over for 1/10 of a second to get a "snapshot" of the blindspot.

Loosen your grip on the steering wheel so you are only slightly touching it, to look over your shoulder. You'll fell your hand brushing over the wheel when you know its not meant to. It'll help break the habit.

Also this may also have to do with your seating. Try to sit more upright and higher up.

XR8-260 · 27-10-2006, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alstar5

Hey Guys,

After well over 150 hours on my L's I am really confident except for one thing. I have a bad habit that whenever I look over my shoulder to change lanes I occassionally get distracted and have a mini day dream or something forgetting I'm moving at 60km's/h in the other direction. So far I've been lucky and have woken myself up in time to look in front but I'm just wondering if this is something common?

Cheers,

Alex

150 hours lol. In WA we only need 25

uranium_death · 27-10-2006, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30487256

150 hours lol. In WA we only need 25

Would that explain why your premier needs people to drive him around?