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During this circuit-breaker period, we are not supposed to leave our homes. There are but a few exceptions, such as when we need to buy groceries and other essentials.
Yesterday, we talked about simple car maintenance you can perform yourself during this time.
Today, it’s about becoming a better driver. Yes, we can do this, even if we’re mostly stuck at home!
1) FIX YOUR DRIVING POSITION
The weekly grocery run during the circuit-breaker period is the best time to do this.
Even if you’re the most skilled and focussed driver, you won’t be able to control the car properly with a poor driving position. It can also cause unnecessary muscle strain and pain.
Ensure the distance from your feet to the pedals leaves your knees bent. In an emergency, this will allow you to stomp on the brakes with as much force as you can muster.
Bucket seats are cool, but they won’t guarantee the correct driving position.
Your seat height must enable you to comfortably look straight ahead. Too low, and you’ll crane your head upwards to see. If it’s too high, you’ll be looking down at the end of the bonnet.
Hold the steering wheel at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions and adjust its reach and rake. Your arms should be bent, not outstretched. As for the backrest angle, try to be as upright as possible.
Finally, adjust your wing mirrors so that you see less of the body and more of the road. This minimises blind spots.
The circuit-breaker period gives you time to learn new routes. (Photo: Edric Pan)
2) LEARN NEW ROUTES
Before going anywhere new, I like to plot my route on Google Maps. Poring over the roads leading to the destination lets me visualise how I’ll get there.
It also lets me think of new routes to travel.
The circuit-breaker period gives us all more time to do this. Think of new ways of getting to and from work. Or to and from your relatives’ houses.
During the weekly grocery run, you could try out a new way of getting to the office. Just don’t get out of your car!
Who knows, you might find a route that’s more fun because it has a few more corners!
3) EDIT YOUR SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
Before the circuit-breaker started, I hardly had time to edit my driving playlist.
Now, I have time to remove songs that I feel have been overplayed, and add tunes that I’ve forgotten about.
When we finally have the chance to drive more often again, it’ll be nice to have the soundtracks ready!
4) WORK OUT
The fitter you are, the better you’ll be behind the wheel. Trouble is, a lot of us are going to become sedentary during the circuit-breaker period!
Now, we don’t have to become an elite athlete by working out like a Formula 1 driver. That routine takes five to six hours a day. It’s unrealistic.
That said, start with a 20-minute cardio workout several times a week. There are plenty of YouTube videos that you can follow.
Personally, I doing squats made me more limber. It makes getting in and out of cars easier as well.
5) GET YOUR EYES CHECKED
Being a safe driver depends so much on the driver’s vision. If you haven’t had your eyes checked in a while, you can do so. Optical shops remain open during the circuit-breaker period.
This way, you’ll be even more prepared for when we’re allowed to get out more.
6) CLEAN YOUR GLASSES
This last step is often overlooked by many of us.
We often don’t notice it, but our spectacles and sunglasses do get smudged and dirty. Perhaps you were caught in the rain, which led to dried spots forming.
The trouble with these smudges is that they make it hard for our eyes to focus. We may not feel it. But it’s definitely not good to make our eyes struggle to focus!
5 ways to become a smoother driver
Correct driving posture will eliminate your aches and pains
