Driving

Driving involves controlling a vehicle, usually a motor vehicle such as a truck, bus, motorcycle, or car (for bicycles and mounted animals and, at least in the U. K. and U. S., motorcycles, the corresponding activity is called riding).

In rail transport steering is done by controlling the switch points; this can be done:

• by other personnel than the driver, often remotely from a traffic control point
• by the driver from his or her position
• by the driver getting out and operating the switch manually.

Driving consists of knowing how to operate the mechanisms which control the speed and direction (which in technical terminology are both components of the velocity), and the braking of the vehicle, but especially how to do so safely.

The skill of safe driving is necessary to avoid collisions, which kill many thousands of people annually. Safe driving is much more than following the rules of the road. It goes beyond that into the cultivation of good habits, maintaining attention, and a thoughtful, cooperative attitude that avoids and prevents accidents: defensive driving.

See also Chauffeur, Driver's license, Drunk driving, Highway Code (official UK driving manual), Pedal, Performance driving techniques, Steering.