Submitted by __CarCat__ t3_zjhtuw in RhodeIsland

Probably not tonight because there isn't much, but the next good storm we get I want to go practice in a parking lot to get used to handling on ice/snow, I have my permit so I'm a new driver. Can't really think of any good big, open, unplowed, not busy parking lots that'd be good to practice in. In NK but willing to go wherever really. Kinda odd question but I think it's something more people should do!

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AFTERMIDNIGHTRI t1_izv0ooo wrote

Go behind the warehouses near Lang's bowling. That's were I learned how to drive when I first started.

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derpbeluga t1_izv22io wrote

Home Depot in Warwick near Bald Hill Rd?

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Arctic_Ranger t1_izv5kbk wrote

Find the most secluded lot you can with no houses nearby, go there at night, and don't stick around too long. You can get a reckless driving ticket for this.

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techsavior t1_izv63ol wrote

Ann & Hope plaza on Post Rd in Warwick, near the airport (the one that has Rocky Point Clam Shack in it).

15

Big-Jackfruit-625 t1_izv6kni wrote

Ninigret Park in Charlestown, it's where I learned to drive

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Responsible-Rate-202 t1_izv7agq wrote

URI Plains Road lot will be empty over break and campus will be empty as well, so it’ll be a good area to practice driving.

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LibraryGoddess t1_izv8mu2 wrote

My dad had me practice in the Matunuck Elementary School parking lot. We almost never had enough snow that close to the water.

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Rhody1964 t1_izv9nlh wrote

Toll Gate HS complex or CCRI. People practising there all the time.

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HighPlainsDrifting t1_izvb9ff wrote

Try not to drive in a snowstorm before plows get a chance to come through but if you must, a really good trick to know around here is let some air out of your tires. Take it nice and slow and leave more than enough braking distance in front of you. I'd go practice in a neighborhood somewhere instead of a parking lot.

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Snurgalicious t1_izvcd5r wrote

I learned in Quonset Point. Lots of road, not too much traffic.

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Mother-Pen t1_izvhys6 wrote

RIC- there’s a large parking lot near mount pleasant Ave with rarely any cars. There’s a nice size loop you can take around campus that goes on a back road, main road, stop sign, one way, and rotary. Very few cars and a bit of everything you’d need. This is where my teenager practiced driving before feeling comfortable on main roads.

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Anonymike7 t1_izvm5pj wrote

If you want to come north, there's a huge lot at Emerald Square Mall that's always completely empty, except when the carnival or the discount meat guy are in town.

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Davecasa t1_izvn1ic wrote

Quonset is a great place to practice driving, snow or otherwise. Especially on the weekends. It's mostly empty, with lots of roads and parking lots to play around in.

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bob11p t1_izvsb6b wrote

Rhodes on the pawtuxet parking lot is where I learned

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FawmahRhoDyelindah t1_izw0bum wrote

Depending on the amount of snow, just be careful to note any hidden curbs, posts, etc.

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she31462 t1_izw2a13 wrote

Crown Plaza on Rt. 5 Warwick has a huge nearly empty lot on the right hand side when you enter the property. I see driver training school cars practicing with orange cones there often.

1

jimb575 t1_izwm8td wrote

This right here. Quonset on a Sunday is the best for driver training. I brought my son there when he was learning to drive. Quonset has all the signs and traffic patterns but with no other cars to stress you out. Plus, you can get on 403 to get a sense of driving on the highway. You can even loop right back down to Quonset.

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Beautiful-Page3135 t1_izwpxkj wrote

When I was learning to drive my dad took me to the Silver City Galleria in the loaner car he got through work (traveling sales). It was an 87 Town Car, a rear wheel drive behemoth that weighed about as much as the core of the earth and was so large one of the factory options was a roof rack that could double as a helicopter landing pad. The V8 in this thing could have powered a small armored vehicle.

We went to the back lot by the theater, in that area with no light posts, and he told me to gun it. Mind you, there's a foot of snow on the ground.

When I hit 20mph he tells me to cut the wheel left and slam the brakes. Puts me into the first uncontrolled spin of my life. I've been driving for about 3 weeks at this point, and I'm now actively ruining my pants. He calmly talked me through recovering, and had me do it over and over for about an hour.

I got so good at it by the end that I was sliding into parking spaces almost within the lines. Best driving lesson I ever got, also the most terrifying class I've ever had and that includes the stuff we learned in the military. Thought for sure I was going to wreck a company car. Also learned that a massive V8 and RWD is not a great option when driving in the winter.

Now that I'm older and nostalgic, I'll find a snowy Cul de sac in an industrial park and do donuts in my truck every once in a while. Makes me feel like a kid again for a few seconds, before I remember I've gotta get home and clear the snow from the roofline.

3

Rhode1 t1_izx2eeq wrote

A bit of a ride, but I taught both of my kids how to drive a stick, and how to drive in the snow at the Ann & Hope parking lot in Warwick. They are closed now so it is even better, but back in the day, it was empty early in the morning. Dunkin right across the street.

When they were learning how to use a clutch, the rule was the lesson was over if I spilled my coffee. Both of my kids can handle a clutch like butter. It is a huge flat area with some light poles. Try not to hit those. lol

I guess U-haul has bought it, but there is nothing going on there at all now.

Enjoy

1

andylion t1_izx2fgb wrote

This was the very first place that came to mind when I saw the question. I have no clue why the parking lot is so big, even on a busy day it's only ever half full (if that). I swear I've seen stadiums with smaller lots.

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andylion t1_izx2o6i wrote

Not at all. The lot is massive and you could easily practice without coming within 100 yards of another vehicle. Not to mention CCRI security is mostly retired Warwick cops who would rather not trudge out into the snow just to tell someone to move along.

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CranstonReader t1_izx8jcp wrote

The now closed Ann & Hope parking lot on Post Road in Warwick

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HairyEyeballz t1_izxog7x wrote

Is this code language for "I'm looking for a place I can go do donuts and handbrake turns with impunity"? (Because that's what I would have asked.)

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b_______e t1_izybqvi wrote

Quonset, specifically where Lowe's used to be by the rotary, and NEIT's EG campus are the ones that come to mind first, East Greenwich High School has a big campus too with a lot of roads and parking lots that aren't super crowded when school isn't in session, especially during the winter. I know people would go to the Veteran's Cemetery in Exeter and St Joseph's Cemetery in WG too but if you do that try to go to the areas that are less developed to be respectful to families visiting.

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bardown87 t1_izympnm wrote

The old Lowes at Quonset point. I believe it is called good IQ now. Huge lot. I used to take soldiers their for drivers training. Even the roads back there (think Jon lot warehouse) wouldn’t be terrible. The roads are wide and not overly challenging.

2