1911—Electric Ignition

Prior to 1911, you could not just get in your car, turn the key in the ignition and expect your car to start. In fact, before the electric ignition was invented, starting a car was actually quite dangerous, as there were different methods that would achieve the same end result. Some of the first cars required a hand crank to start the engine, others used gunpowder cylinders to get the engine running. Thankfully, in 1911, the first electric ignition was installed in a Cadillac and the rest is history.

1930—Car Radio

For some it might be hard to image the days when you did not have a radio in your car to keep you entertained while driving. This all changed in 1930 when the Galvin brothers invented the first car radio. At the time though, their new invention wasn’t a cheap option, so most cars still went without a radio. In 1930, a car radio cost $130 which was roughly a quarter of the price of the car!

1956—Power Steering

If you’ve ever driven a car where the power steering has gone out, you know how much upper body strength is required to turn the steering wheel. In 1956, thanks to hydraulics, the need for upper body muscles was no longer required to safely navigate your car around turns and curves. By 1960, roughly a quarter of all cars were equipped with the new power steering technology.

1959—Seat Belts

The most important thing that you can do when you first get into your car is to put your seat belt on, and ensure that any passengers with you also put their seat belts on. Because there has been a big emphasis placed on the importance of wearing a seat belt, it is challenging to think that there ever was a time where they were not standard in cars. In 1959, Nils Bohlin invented the seat belt which first appeared in a Volvo. It wasn’t until 1984, 25 years later, that different states in the U.S. started passing laws that required both drivers and passengers to wear seat belts when in a vehicle.

1971—Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)

The purpose of ABS brakes is to help a vehicle stop more quickly in slippery road conditions. Prior to becoming common in newer vehicles, ABS brakes were first introduced on aircraft. In 1971, Chrysler and Bendix were the first developers of what was considered to be the first true four-wheel version of ABS for cars. Many other manufacturers followed suite soon after, with ABS being a standard safety feature today.

1984—Airbags

Airbags had been experimented with long before 1984, but it wasn’t until this year that they became a common feature in new vehicles. In 1984, Ford offered airbags as an additional add on option to vehicles, and in 1988, Chrysler was including them as a standard feature. The airbag is a lifesaving feature in vehicles, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nearly 2,000 lives are saved every year due to airbags.

2000—GPS Navigation Systems

Prior to 2000, paper maps were what you would use to find your way around. Nowadays, we simply input our destination into a GPS system, and listen to the instruction as they are told to us while driving. GPS navigation systems have been around prior to 2000, but it wasn’t until then President Clinton signed a bill that ordered the military to stop scrambling satellite signals that GPS navigation systems in cars were born!

While it may be fun to look back and see how cars have evolved and changed over the years, it is important to remember that cars will continue to change with new technology that is developed and new safety features that are invented. Drive Rite Academy, a Bronx driving school, will remain consistent in teaching safe driving skills for all drivers. Contact Drive Rite Academy today to sign up for quality driver’s education.

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Some of the most common fears that new drivers experience the first couple of times they are driving include:

• Other cars driving too close to them
• Driving at higher speeds
• Making the wrong maneuvers and causing an accident
• Passing other cars in traffic
• Driving at night
• Driving with strangers (i.e., driving instructor)

While these are all valid fears, it is important to remember that every driver on the road probably felt this way at one time or another. It is completely normal to experience anxiety when first learning how to drive, what is more important is learning how to overcome your fears and become a better driver.

Step 1: Stay Calm

Remember that every driver has started out where you are. Chances are, your brain is overthinking everything due to information overload and as a result, you are starting to feel fear and anxiety. Try to take a few deep breaths and remain calm, when first learning to drive you will be accompanied by a licensed driving instructor or a legal parent or guardian who has a valid drivers license. They will be able to help you feel safe and confident behind the wheel. When you are in the driver’s seat, remember to take a deep breath. You’re going to be okay and you’re going to do great!

Step 2: Don’t Be Afraid to Try New Things

It is scary to go out and try new things, often times it is easier to stay in our comfort zones and only do the things that we know how to do or that we are comfortable doing. When learning how to drive, it is important to try new things even though it might be scary. The best way to learn and grow is to do those things which we are afraid to do. If you are afraid to drive on the freeway, or scared to parallel park, the best thing to do is to try; you’ll have someone with you to guide you through the experience. You’ll gradually work up to being able to do more technical maneuvers, and when you are ready, your driving instructor will be there to push you to try driving on the freeway, increasing your speed over 25 mph, or parallel parking! Trust that you know the basics and you’ll be prepared to try new things!

Step 3: Believe in Yourself

The first few times that you drive, it will be scary, intimidating, and nerve-racking. The only way to overcome your fears is by actually driving! Be prepared for times when cars will drive too close for comfort, you’ll have to drive in traffic, at higher speeds, change lanes, and eventually you’ll have to drive in inclement weather conditions. When these events happen, trust your training and know that you are prepared to handle whatever situations arise when driving. Being a good driver takes skills, and the only way to develop skills is through patience and practice. The more experience you have with driving, the more confident you will begin to feel. Trust yourself, believe in yourself, you got this!

Over time, and with practice, patience and persistence, you will be able overcome your fear of driving and will become a confident driver! Once you feel confident in your driving abilities, you can confidently schedule you Staten Island road test!

Drive Rite Academy can help you learn the valuable skills you need to be a safe and confident driver. Schedule your driver’s education with Drive Rite and learn all of the basic skills of driving, and be on your way to further developing your skills and confidence in your driving abilities.  

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Most of the time, aggressive drivers are those who think that they need to go faster than everyone else on the road, either because they are impatient, running late, or just have an innate need to go fast all the time. These people will generally react negatively if they believe that there is another driver or obstacle in their way that is preventing them from going their desired speed.

Other times these drivers might be young, new drivers, fresh from a driving school Brooklyn NY, who think they have something to prove. Perhaps they are trying to show off to all of their friends now that they have their own license and their parents are not along for the ride.

Whatever the reason, aggressive drivers are a reality of driving, and can be found everywhere and pose a danger to not only themselves, but to everyone else around them. Having a stranger “push” you down the road, or lay on their horn to encourage you to drive faster than you feel safe, or move over can be distracting and intimidating, especially for young, inexperienced drivers. As a result, these actions could cause someone to be uncomfortable, or even do something that is unsafe. So, how do you handle aggressive drivers and keep yourself safe while driving? Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you encounter an aggressive driver.

Don’t Be One

Probably the most important piece of advice, is to not be an aggressive driver. You will encounter plenty on the road, don’t add to it by being one yourself. Be sure to leave on time so that you have plenty of time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. Remember that driving is not the time or place to be showing off your driving skills by going fast. Put others and your own safety first, focus on your driving and be smart behind the wheel.

Remain Calm

When you encounter an aggressive driver, do your best to remain calm. Breath, stay focused on driving and don’t react in an unsafe manner. Chances are that they will pass you the first chance they get. Reacting to their aggression could potentially put yourself and others in danger.

Even worse is reacting with your own aggression, such as slamming on your brakes to startle someone who is following too closely, or speeding up to prevent someone from passing you safely. The risk is too great to make it worth engaging in. Resist the urge to acknowledge and react to aggressive behavior from other drivers to keep yourself and those around you safe.

Let Them Go

In most instances it is going to be in your best interest to move aside and let the aggressive driver be on their way. Either move over, or find a safe place to pull off if necessary to allow for them to pass you safely. Maintain your speed, don’t speed up or slow down, as this will only aggravate them more. If they attempt to pass you in an unsafe spot, such as on a windy road with little to no visibility of oncoming traffic, slowly ease off the gas and slow down. This will allow you to be out of the way incase they need to swerve back into your lane.

Learning how to be a safe driver is a beneficial skill to learn early on. At Drive Rite Academy driving school Brooklyn NY our students are taught the necessary skills to be safe, and how to handle aggressive drivers on the road. If you are looking for the best driving school in Brooklyn, contact us today and learn more about the services we offer and how we can help your teen driver be prepared to drive NYC!   

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The more experience you have driving, the better prepared you will be to handle various situations that arise. As a new driver, your Queens driving school will touch on the various situations that you might encounter while driving, but the most important thing to remember is to stay calm, think rationally, and find the safest method to handle the situation. Here are four of the most common situations that you might encounter when driving, and the safest ways to handle the situation.

1. Low visibility due to sun, oncoming headlights, or fog.

Low visibility occurs in various situations, making it difficult to see what is in front of you, or around you. While you might be tempted to slam on your brakes if you can’t see a safer solution. Break moderately until you have slowed down to a safer speed, try to point your eyes down and focus on the solid white line on the side of the road. When driving in foggy weather, turn your high beams off, as the bright light from your high beams will reflect off the fog, further reducing your visibility.

      2. Rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Driving in inclement weather is inevitable. Road conditions that are covered in snow, water or ice reduces traction, and increases the chances of sliding, skidding, or spinning out. During these conditions it is advised to slow down and drive at the safest speed for the conditions, even if other drivers around you aren’t slowing down.

During the first half hour of a rain storm, the roads are the slickest due to the dirt and oil on the road mixing with the water, creating an extremely slick surface. Sleet and hail are characteristically icy therefore, it is advised to slow down or avoid driving in these conditions all together, if possible. Snowy roads can be dangerous. Follow the tire tracks ahead of you and keep your tires in the tire treads to increase traction. Avoid changing lanes, as snow can build up between the lanes, creating a slick spot where you could potentially loose traction.

In bad weather conditions that have poor visibility, slow down, turn your music off, and roll down your window. This will allow you to hear dangers that you might not necessarily see. Such dangers may include, honking, skidding vehicles, or accidents. This will also reduce the amount of condensation that accumulates inside your windshield, which is a result of the outside temperature being significantly cooler than the temperature inside your vehicle.

     3. Skidding or hydroplaning on black ice or standing water.

If you see standing water in the road up ahead, slow down to a safer speed until you have passed the water. When you attempt to cross standing water, or black ice at too high of speed, you will lose traction, and ultimately slide across the surface with no control over your vehicle.

In the event that you do find yourself hydroplaning, ease your foot off the gas, and try not to move the steering wheel. Do not apply the brake, as this will encourage your vehicle to continue sliding instead of stopping. Don’t attempt to accelerate again until you have regained traction.

    4. Wildlife crossing. 

Large animals can cause a lot of damage to a vehicle and the driver if hit at high speeds. The easiest way to protect yourself is to turn on your high beams, if there are no other cars around. The high beam will give you a wider view of the road, and will reflect off an animal’s eyes, making them easier to spot. Be alert in areas where there are wildlife crossing signs, as these are generally placed in spots where animals are known to congregate. Remember that deer tend to travel in herds, so if you see one, be careful and look for others nearby.

If you happen upon animals in the road, the perfect scenario would allow for you to slow down and navigate safely around them. If you only have time for one option, slow down! Trying to veer around animals at a high speed could result in your actually hitting them instead of avoiding them, or hitting other objects around. Also, hitting a large animal at high speeds could potentially cause the animal to crash through your windshield. The best rule of thumb is to slow down at night, especially if you are driving in rural areas where large animals are more prevalent.

Slow down, be alert, and know how to safely handle various road conditions and you’ll be able to arrive to your destination safely. Your local Queens driving school, Drive Rite Academy can give you the knowledge to handle various driving situations so that you are prepared for what might happen. When driving, always keep general safety in the forefront of your mind, watch your speed, wear your seat belt, and eliminate distractions. By following these general guidelines, you’ll be safe and better prepared to handle unexpected surprises when you are out driving on the road.

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As winter road conditions develop, it is important to be prepared even if you are going on a short drive. Even though you might not expect it, you could end up being stranded for hours at a time, due to your location or the severity of the storm preventing help from getting to you. There are some things that you can do before you head out this winter to ensure that you are prepared in case the worst happens.

Cold temperatures are hard on vehicles, which is why it is important to check your vehicle over to ensure that it is prepared and well maintained prior to winter’s arrival. Some items to check before the first snow include:

• Battery strength
• Tire pressure and tread left
• Spare tire and jack
• Antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid levels

In the event that you get stranded it is important to be prepared. You should have emergency supplies in your vehicle at all times. Such items include jumper cables, necessary tools to change a tire, first-aid kit, and a flashlight. In addition, it is a good idea to carry the suggested winter essentials:

• Basic tool kit
• Warning flares
• Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
• Tow and tire chains
• Bag or road salt
• Small folding shovel

It is also recommended to be prepared in case you ended up stranded in your vehicle. When this happens, you’ll want to be prepared by having a personalized survival kit with you. Items to include in your survival kit should include:

• Ice scraper and brush
• Drinking water
• Wooden matches
• Cell phone charger
• Blankets and warm clothing
• High-energy, non-perishable food

Not only is it recommended to have your vehicle well-stocked and prepared in the event that you get stranded, but it is also important to know what to do yourself! Below are a few tips to keep in mind to protect yourself and help you to remain calm until help arrives.

• Pull off to the side of the road if possible, turn on hazards, or signal for help
• If you have a phone with reception, call for help and describe your exact location as precisely as possible
• Remain in your vehicle
• Drink fluids to remain hydrated
• Conserve your vehicle’s battery by using lights, radio, and heat sparingly
• Turn your car on for 10 minutes every hour to keep warm. When doing this crack a downwind window for ventilation, and make sure that snow is cleared away from exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
• If possible, exercise a little in your vehicle to maintain your body heat

If you are prepared, and heed the advice of veteran drivers, driving classes NYC, and emergency professionals, you’ll be better prepared to drive in winter driving conditions. If you are looking for driving classes in NYC that can help to prepare you for the winter driving months ahead, contact Drive Rite Academy and schedule a class today!

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Start a conversation

Before your teen gets ready to take on the road, talk to them about it. Give them a couple of tips that you used when you were in their shoes. Help them with any difficulties and keep them calm by reassuring them that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at first. Explain to them how to drive safely and consult with them about any misconceptions they might have.

Be a role model

Since you, the adult, have more experience driving then your teen does, they will follow whatever you do or say. This is how they learn better and develop different driving methods or habits. Set good examples for them, because you are the representation of a good driver in their eyes.

Picking a driving school

How well one does on the road all depends on the skills they pick up while learning about driving. This is why it is crucial to pick the best driving school for your minor, so they get the best education possible to acquire maximum knowledge of driving.

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Do Proper Maintenance

Making sure your vehicle is properly maintained is one of the most important ways to keep yourself safe during the winter months in Brooklyn. It is very important to make sure that your brakes, tires, and windshield wiper are working properly.  By keeping your vehicle properly maintained, you are taking an big step in safe winter driving.

Slow It Down

When driving on snow and ice, remember to slow down. Once the snow begins to fall or the water begins to freeze, you will be shocked at how many more collisions occur. This is mainly because drivers do not slow down. By slowing down your vehicle, you help maintain control in wet or slippery conditions. In order to have the best control of your car in the winter, you should always drive as slowly and steadily as possible. A slower speed of travel will also provide you with a better ability to stop. Do not be embarrassed to slow down! Also, do not rush to get somewhere- your safety is more important. Plus, if you get into an accident, you will lose much more time!

Don’t Cruise

It is best to avoid using cruise control in the winter months. When you use cruise control, your engine maintains a constant speed. However, if you hit a slippery or icy patch on the road, cruise control can cause your car to skid out of control. This is why is it recommended to avoid cruise control in the winter and to control the speed yourself.

At Drive Rite Academy, our highly knowledgeable instructors will provide you or your teen with the knowledge and skills needed to drive under any road conditions. For more information about the class schedule at our highly rated driving school, call us at (718)928-7048.

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Call Drive Rite Academy at (718) 928-7048 for more information about rush road test appointments. We can answer all of your questions!

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Are you still stuck on what to get your loved ones for the holidays? Driving school gift certificates are a great option for those that want to get a drivers license. Drive Rite Academy gift certificates are a perfect way to help someone make their new years resolution come true. Give your loved one’s a boost in the right direction. Drive Rite Academy offers many gift certificate options, including a special holiday gift certificate package  which includes 2 driving lessons (45 min.), the 5-hour pre-licensing course, a road test appointment, and a car for the road test. This holiday gift certificate package is the perfect starter pack and will surely give your loved ones the best first step in the right direction. Also, all of our packages make the perfect gift! Our money saving packages can also available be purchased as gift certificates here.

All of the staff at Drive Rite Academy would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday!

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