4th practical lesson 12 Oct 07

Instructor: Phang
Time: Friday, 4pm
Weather: Gloomy
Subjects Passed: 1.07, 1.08

As today I am on half day, I grasped the opportunity to learn the off peak lesson at a rate of abt $60! It is $10 cheaper than my usual peak hour charge! Yeay!!

However, as the time draws near, the sky got darker too. Soon, it started to pour.. I was afraid.... Do i really need to drive in such weather? It was dark. It was pouring. And lightning and thunders. I can't handle it! This is only my 2nd lesson on the outside road... god bless me. I kept praying for the rain to stop.

Well, heaven answered my prayers. It really stop raining as my lesson start. Phew.

As I was few minutes early, I updated my PDL status at the information counter. It was a quick and hassle-free process. All I had to do was to show her my PDL, and sign on a form.

Then I proceed to my car for my cheaper-than-usual lesson. $10 of savings... yahooO!

My instructor came. Just as we were getting into the car, we heard some honking... then i heard the other instructors saying " confirm bang... "

My god! There was an accident, just outside BBDC! I was praying in my heart (again) that there will be no casualties. I don't think i can drive past the accident scene peacefully if blood is sighted.. Geez! I never wanna be involved in any accidents.. and anyone..

As expected, there was a jam as the road was kena blocked by the accident vehicles. My instructor being a smartie took the alternative route and drove out. Lucky. Imagine how much time (and $$$) I would waste if I'm stuck in the traffic jam.

We passed the scene and saw the accident. It was between a taxi and a BBDC car. The taxi had kissed the butt of the BBDC car. And guess what! The BBDC car was a test car. My god! What can beat it? Being involved in an accident when you are doing your TP? What can be worse? But luckily, there wasn't any injuries. BUt the poor student. I wonder if he has passed or fail his test.
If he has passed, will he be so shakened that he has lose confidence in driving?
If he hadnt passed, will he dare to retake his TP?
Sigh.. it just wasn't his day.

Anyway, instructor was telling me the accident happened because the taxi is following too close to the car, hence when the car halt, the taxi couldn't stop in time. And hence, it is very important to learn the correct technique of braking. To give adequant warning to the cars behind that you are stopping. And also never to tailgate another car. When the car in front stop, you may not have enough time to react.

He said that when we are approaching traffic junction, there are 3 arrows. They are there not for fun. There is a reason. The guideline is... 1st arrow, speed to be about 40, 2nd arrow 30, last arrow 20 or almost 0. It is really a good technique and i kept reminding myself about this. Soon, I got quite good with my braking, always able to brake smoothly. Not bad!

I drove along the road with a speed limit of 70. Yes, i drove at 70! It felt so fast. But the road was not very busy, hence quite ok to be driving at this speed.

At 1 point of the road, there was road works going on. I had to change lane. I could do it ok, of course with the guidance of the instructor.

I also learn to drive to the filter lane. The key is to drive into the lane as soon as it appear so that we can have the right of road.

The bends were something I had to handle this lesson too. There are some bends along bt batok, and we have to negotiate the bend. He was telling me, we have to learn from the F1 drivers - Look near, look far. Look near, look far. Like that, then can we negotiate the bend without mountkerbing or going to the next lane.

As it approached 5pm, there were numerous cabs driving at a breakneck speed, and quite recklessly. Instructor was saying they are rushing to change shift at 5pm. We have to be extra alert.

Comments: Instructor said my driving was not bad. But I had to take note to do more checking, like blind spots and the rear mirror. Check rear mirror more often. When I am doing blind spot check, have to do it faster. Dont check too long. And also, try to read the practical book before going to the lesson! Haha