All those who have received basic training in driving know the skills needed to operate the clutch, the use of the gears, and how much steering lock needs to be applied. The instructor will have suggested that drivers should 'get moving' or even 'maintain a degree of progress'. However, some people view this as a 'pushy' style of driving. The novice is taught the art of selecting an appropriate gear to suit circumstances and maximise car control, and given the confidence to build up speed, but may find great difficulty in joining fast-moving traffic on a motorway. Modern cars can accelerate so fast that many drivers do not know the right amount of acceleration or deceleration in a given situation. Reducing power, as well as applying it, requires skill. Drivers should observe a hazard ahead early enough, then cut back power, but be aware of the close proximity of a following vehicle. Speed lost through normal deceleration allows the situation ahead to sort itself out, creates a larger safety margin and a healthy amount of space, reduces brake wear, saves fuel, and reduces driver stress. One of the hardest examples of learning acceleration sense is anticipating traffic light sequences, but the most contentious area involving acceleration sense is the skill required to overtake slower vehicles.
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