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The rules of driving are complex, but not all “rules” really apply. Seven folk myths are debunked below.

Which 7 “rules” do not apply at all?

1. Riding with flip-flops is prohibited
Driving with flip flops is not prohibited. Bussgeldkatalog.org writes that the legislature does not stipulate which shoes must be worn to drive a car. There is no penalty for a traffic stop.

2. You are not allowed to put on make-up while driving
Many will certainly have refreshed some powder at the wheel or put on their lipstick. You don’t have to feel guilty about this either, because a quick touch-up of make-up is fine when driving, as long as there is no danger to other road users.

3. Overtaking on the right is prohibited
The myth that overtaking is not allowed on the right persists, but it is not true. In heavy traffic on the autobahn, you can overtake on the right. Overtaking on the right-hand side is also permitted in built-up areas if there are several lanes for each direction and the lanes are not marked differently.

4. Winter tires must be fitted from October to Easter
Many people believe it is a duty to drive with winter tires from top to bottom. But this regulation only applies to certain situations, not to the season itself. On a dry and sunny day in December you can also drive with summer tires. It is still questionable whether this makes sense – in the event of an accident, this can lead to considerable problems for you.

5. Whoever rears up is to blame
This myth is not true either, because those driving ahead can also be fully or at least partly to blame. This applies in particular if the rear-end collision was provoked by the vehicle ahead, for example by unnecessarily sharp braking.

6. Flashing your headlights on the highway is illegal
The headlight flasher may be used on the Autobahn if someone is driving too slowly in the left lane. If this does not happen continuously, it can be used to signal that you want to overtake.

7. The police must be called after an accident
In the case of minor accidents, it is often not necessary to call the police. It is important to send an accident report to the insurance company, including photos of the accident site and damage. Then you have to clear the street.

dealing with the rules

All seven points are myths that are not true. However, you should always drive with foresight and restraint, which is why the statements should be qualified. In the event of an accident, partial guilt can be proven if wearing flip-flops led to the accident. The same applies to overtaking on the right-hand side: it is possible, but only if the speed is similar on both lanes.

Even if not all rules are legally written, you should still not take it to extremes, because many of them make sense.

Driving in a storm requires maximum attention, especially when driving. What dangers can you encounter?

Tips for drivers

If you are out and about in a storm, you should be particularly careful. It is important that you have both hands on the steering wheel so that you can react quickly and safely. However, you should avoid strong steering movements against the wind, because if the airflow stops quickly, you could end up in the oncoming lane, for example. Pay attention to where the wind is coming from. You can see this, for example, in the sloping trees or in the air sacs on bridges.

Drive slower than usual during a storm; the faster you go, the more you can lose control of your vehicle in strong winds. You can also increase safety by increasing the distance between vehicles, for example in the event of unexpected sudden braking due to an obstacle.

Also, be aware of where you are riding and whether your surroundings are about to change; for example on bridges or when you drive out of a tunnel, the wind will (again) push harder against your car. The following applies: Additional items such as roof boxes, bicycles or trailers offer the wind more surface to attack. For this reason you should not necessarily overtake buses and trucks; as soon as you drive out of their slipstream, you can be hit by strong gusts.

You should not underestimate unexpected obstacles and the reactions of other drivers that come with them: Sudden (heavy) rain and debris can appear suddenly. Falling bricks and branches or falling trees pose a great risk of property damage and personal injury. You should therefore avoid routes with many trees, bridges and underpasses if possible.

Tip: If the danger on the road becomes too great, you can visit a rest area. Here, too, you should pay attention to safety and choose a parking space where you are not endangered by falling branches, for example.

Insurance – What to do if something happens?

It is important to avoid unnecessary trips during a storm and not to allow damage to occur in the first place. If this is unavoidable or if the parked car is damaged, a look at the insurance documents will help. In general, insurance companies take over damage from a wind force of 8. Which insurance pays in the event of damage depends on the circumstances of the damage: Residential building, natural hazards, liability, comprehensive or household contents insurance. Then it depends on whether you have partial or fully comprehensive insurance. If possible, you should record the damage, for example via a (mobile) photo. It is also important to prevent further damage, for example by masking a broken window.

Because of social prejudice, trauma, or personal events, many women develop a fear or dislike of driving. This article provides useful advice on how to overcome panic driving and debunks the erroneous myth that men are better drivers.

Women driving cars

Prejudices between the sexes are not only to be found in the world of work – but road traffic can also be based on social prejudices against women. These mostly result from the false belief that women are worse drivers than men, as well as from the historical association of the automotive scene with the male gender.

But there are female drivers who have made history. And recently the macho tendency in the automotive world is becoming less and less. However, the social burden is so strong that many women view driving with fear and reservations. That’s why we’re going to offer some advice to give encouragement to those who still feel scared when starting the engine.

6 pieces of advice to get braver behind the wheel

If you could, why shouldn’t you? Here are some recommendations to finally get rid of your fear of driving. Also, note useful tips for saving when buying a car.

1) Practice in free and safe places

In the beginning, it could be helpful if you take a driver you trust in the passenger seat so that he or she can help you find your way and give you security. The further away from the city, you lay your exercise route, the safer you will feel. Gradually you will then be able to face heavier traffic.

2) Take driving lessons

In order to learn to drive or to improve your driving skills, both the experience of the trained driving instructors and their theoretical support is essential. Also, it is mandatory to pass the driving test. You can also find out more about the best way to prepare for the exam on DEKRA.

3) Make friends with GPS

If you know the route and its obstacles from the start, you will be more relaxed. Today, thanks to satellite navigation, it is possible to see the direction of travel, and possible shortcuts, quickly recalculate the route if there is a problem or if you miss the exit, etc.

4) Learn basic mechanics and customize your car by yourself

With every problem that arises, you will feel more confident if you have previously informed yourself about the characteristics of each car part if you know the spare parts, and have bought the tires yourself on the Internet beforehand. At www.reifenleader.de there is an extensive catalog of tires including their technical details. You can also consult your car model’s tire manual and your car’s equipment there. In addition, this knowledge can also be an effective help when selling your car.

5) If you need professional help, don’t hesitate to ask for it

When your fear becomes irrational and limits you in the actions of your everyday life, we speak of a phobia. Driving a car has this and it’s called amaxophobia. This psychological state can be due to many reasons, such as remembering an accident. To overcome them, you need professional help. Sometimes, in a few hours of therapy, you can overcome something that many hours of driving couldn’t achieve. Also, note how to avoid annoying winter blues and reduce stress and anxiety.

6) Gradually increase the distance

Without any pressure, you will be able to conquer new streets and districts. Start with those in your neighborhood and gradually expand your radius.

Women are excellent drivers

Both the number of complaints and penalties, as well as the latest studies from institutions such as the US Department of Transportation, INEGI in Mexico, the Polytechnic Institute of Madrid, and the Center for Experimentation and Traffic Safety (Cesvi) in Argentina, lead us to the same conclusion: Not only can women drive as well or even better than men, they are even more careful.

There are other indicators that give indications of this as well. In the UK, for example, car insurance is cheaper for women. And we already know that insurance companies never lose. It is also important to understand that the circumstances in which women live in different countries around the world are very different. The lifestyle that a German woman leads, for example, determines her social behavior to a greater or lesser extent.

Even though some studies show that men have developed some motor skills by up to 20%, when driving a car it is not just these that are important, but a combination of factors such as concentration and obeying the traffic rules. Factors that are more pronounced in women. Stereotypes and gender differences aside, it’s about overcoming irrational fears, learning and practicing, knowing our own limits, and trusting our abilities.