TTSAO Training Tip of the Week – Lane Discipline

Let’s continue with some basic tips on how to improve a driver/student’s Defensive Driving.

This week we’ll talk about Lane Discipline!

Why is Lane Discipline important? First, let’s identify what lane discipline actually is. As a driver it is important to know where you are expected to be, as well as knowing where all the other drivers are supposed to be.

To stay safe, and not be in contact with any other vehicle or item, our students and drivers need to stay within the confines of their lane, and not wander.

If a truck hugs the lane next to the dotted line, other drivers will think that that driver is looking to change lanes towards them. This will cause confusion, and confusion causes unsafe conditions.

The opposite is true when a truck hugs the curb, or line next to the shoulder. This can be interpreted as the driver is looking to exit the roadway soon, or is getting ready to move to the shoulder. More confusion.

One other problem that the driver themselves will notice when they are not using lane discipline is that the lanes can often contain ruts in the area that is most travelled. When not properly located in the lane, this will result in “running high”, or on the pavement that is not rutted and will be harder to steer. This will create more fatigue over time, and is a trigger to stress.

So the solution is this: Down the middle of the lane is an area of untravelled pavement that is lighter, or not rutted, and if you have your student line up their right hand shoulder on this strip of pavement, they will achieve good lane positioning. Maintaining this position will result in good Lane Discipline!

Safe driving is a result of good Lane Discipline and proper defensive driving practices.