You can be a better or best driver if you drive by using the reference points driving method. Here’s how you can use them. What are they?
WHAT IS A REFERENCE POINT?
“A reference point is a point on the road with a problem on your vehicle, so you can measure that point of the street with the problem on your car, which gives you an accurate picture of your vehicle’s position on the road.”
IMPORTANCE: A driver can’t actually see all sides of the car with respect to the road. Generally, It is because the dashboard and hood of the car block driver’s view. Good reference points actually help you to overcome this problem. To know the position of your car, a driver can use reference points.
Particularly, they help you a lot while parking or driving your car, e.g., reference points behind the steering wheel help you to locate your wheels, front, and back bumper, and also the side of your car when driving.
Here Is The List Of Reference Points:
- Points of reference for the sides of a car (LEFT HEADLIGHT, CENTER OF THE HOOD)
- For the “STOP” line
- The REAR END of the CAR
NOTE: Remember that your reference points are only approximations when learning about them. All vehicles of different sizes and shapes will have slightly different optimal reference points. Adjust your reference points as necessary when practicing driving maneuvers. Your car will only be slightly off the mark, due to the different shapes of every car.
SIDE POSITION POINTS:
THESE reference points are used to locate a vehicle in relation to road markings, and obstacles, like the curb or another parked car. These points of reference will help in parking or positioning your car in the lane.
- LEFT HEADLIGHT:
Image a line through the point where the left fender meets the hood. These reference points while driving will help you to line up with adjacent lane markings or curbs. While performing this, you should aim for six inches away when parking or assuming lane position two.
This reference point can be used whenever you are trying to perform: PARKING next to the curb on the left side of the roadway, POSITION your vehicle for left a left turn, DRIVE in lane position two.
- CENTER OF THE HOOD:
You can use the center of your hood as a reference point when positioning yourself to the right curb. You should be able to maneuver very close to the right curb without hitting it. Hence, from the driver’s seat, your vehicle is in the ideal position when the curb intersects in the middle of the hood.
The center of the hood can be used to:
- Make sure the vehicle is parked on the right side of the road
- Turn the vehicle to the right in preparation for the turn
- Drive in lane position three
Also, check out: Communication while driving
For the “STOP” LINE
To determine how close the front of your car is to a stop line. You must be able to stop your vehicle as near as possible to the line. The best reference point for the stop line is your side-view mirror. To stop your vehicle near the stop line, you will line up your vehicle with the bottom left side of your left side-view mirror. Now, the stop line will not be visible from the right side window.
The REAR END of the CAR:
To be the best driver for parking your car. A driver must know the rear limit of their vehicle. You might have noticed looking from your side-view mirrors is not enough. You can look over your left and right shoulder through the side windows to position your vehicle for the best parking.
Learn: How do you estimate the front of your car
Reference Points Measurement
FRONT:
The bulb (left headlight) is placed 6” from the center line, and LP#2 is located on the left tire track.
A centerline (hood/wiper blade) should be 6” from the curb/edge of the road /white line; the right tire path should be LP#3
The front tires are designed to help with right-turn movement and backup (parallel and 45 parking)
SIDES/ BACK
The mirror (passenger) Right, stopping/sharp turns with the little room, “Clearance when pulling out.
Door Post/Seat Back……………. Parallel Parking-45 degree angle and Perpendicular Parking-alignment with the center of space.
Junction (rear door window)….. Rear Bumper Alignment: (Back-in-Turnaround)and (Parallel Parking)
Light (3 Brake/Trunk):………….. Aiming Point to Back Straight: (Back-in-Turnaround)and (Parallel Parking)
The mirror (driver):. …………………. Left Turn-moving and *Clearance when pulling out.
Steering Wheel:……………………. Left Turn-moving and Alignment for Parallel Parking/Match Steering Wheels with another car.
Learn about: Reckless driving on your records stays for how long
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, you should be acknowledged by all reference points. You can be a better driver if you knew about all reference points. It is challenging for a driver to park or drive their car on the right side of the road. A driver who knows about reference points is a better driver than one who does not have any knowledge of reference points.
FAQs|Reference Points Driving
Apex is excited.
The apex of entry.
The slowest part of the corner.
The turn-in point.
Spot for initial brake application.
When parking or turning, reference points serve as visual guides. When parking or turning the car, reference points can assist you in seeing the exact location of the wheels, both front and rear bumpers, and the side of the car.
Reversing requires looking out the rear window in the direction of travel, so it’s an ideal reference point. Make a note of where the curb enters the car (or some people place stickers) and memorize it.
When determining if something is moving, a reference point is used. When an object changes position relative to a reference point, it is in motion. An object that is fixed to the ground, such as a building, a tree, or a sign, is a good reference point.
The three main types of reference points in fisheries management are limit reference points (LRPs, or Slim and Film), target reference points (TRPs, or TARGET and TARGET), and trigger reference points.