In an earlier post, I wrote about rules every driver must follow. On that theme, I want to create a new series of posts in which I share advice about different aspects of driving. This post is directed towards learners and offers tips on one of the most crucial elements of good driving: steering control. From my personal experience, this advice has benefited many learners and I would like to extend it to a broader audience.

• Hold the steering gently (using just the weight of your arms) to keep the car straight. The car always goes straight when you leave the steering wheel. Sometimes, because of road curvature, some cars go left or right depending on the road surface. This slight pulling to the left or right keeps the driver awake!
• Always keep in mind which side of the steering wheel you are applying more pressure. You need to keep the car straight by applying more pressure with one hand. For example, if the car is pulling left, you have to apply more pressure with the right hand to keep the car straight and vice versa.
• If you know that the car is pulling to the left side, and you want to turn towards the left side, you just have to release pressure on the right hand, and the car turns left automatically. If the turn is sharp, apply a little pressure on the left hand to turn the steering and vice versa.
• If you know that the car is pulling to the left side and you want to turn right, you need to put a little extra pressure on the steering wheel with your right hand, because you are already applying some pressure to keep the car straight. Consequently, you have to apply a little extra pressure on the right side and vice versa.
• If you understand this point, you can control the steering with one finger – that much pressure is enough.
• You just have to hold the steering with your grip. In an emergency if you hit a pothole, speed breaker, wet patch or slush, the steering goes haywire. At that time you have to hold the steering firmly in a straight position.
• If the road surface is perfectly smooth like a runway, and if the car is in excellent condition, and if the wind direction is also perfect, then the car will go straight even without holding the steering.

All learners must internalize these points. To some, it may come intuitively, and to others, with practice. For all, learning these points can make driving significantly easier, and I hope these tips prove useful the next time you are on the road.

In the future, I will share tips about other aspects of driving as well.