developing your smart driving skills Controlling the wheel  warning! Keeping good road position  Space margins You in the driver’s seat driving tip Stopping  When you stop behind  another vehicle at an  intersection, leave about  one car length between  your vehicle and the  vehicle ahead. This way,  you will have room to  move if you need it. Allow  more space when stopped  directly behind a large  vehicle. Tailgating (following too closely behind the vehicle in front) is a  major cause of crashes. If you tailgate, the vehicle in front can  block your view of hazards ahead. Worse, if the vehicle stops  suddenly, you have no time to slow down and stop safely. If you rear‑end the other driver, you will be held responsible for  the crash. Stopping your vehicle is more than just pressing on the brake pedal.  You’re driving behind someone who is travelling at 30 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. You wouldn’t mind so much,  but you’re already late for an appointment. There’s no  chance to pass on this residential street. You think it might  be a good idea to pull up closer behind the driver to get  him to hurry up. Steer the vehicle in a smooth line so there is little side‑to‑side  movement when you’re driving. The best way to do this is to  look well ahead in the direction you want to go. Your peripheral  vision will help you centre your vehicle and keep you moving in  a straight line. When you turn, look well ahead in the direction  you are turning. This will help you turn in a smooth arc. Where should you put your hands? Imagine that your steering  wheel is a clock. Put your hands at an equal height at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock position, or the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock  position, whichever is most comfortable. If there is an airbag in  the steering wheel, the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock or even an 8 o’clock and 4 o’clock position may be better than 10 o’clock  and 2 o’clock. This is because your hands could hit your face if the airbag goes off when they are in the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock position. Keep both hands on the outside of the wheel. If you drive with  your hands inside the wheel, your hands could be injured in a  crash. You may sometimes have to steer with only one hand  when you are changing gears or using a dashboard control,  but try to use both hands when possible. This gives you better  control, and also shortens your response time when you see a hazard.  Loading up your vehicle  with extra weight can  cause it to steer very  differently, especially on  curves. Don’t overload  your vehicle. Check your  owner’s manual for weight  limit information.  72