Advice For Young Or New Drivers
by Sourav Ganguly Automotive 16 October 2021
Passing your driving test and hitting the road alone for the first time is one of the most exciting experiences and one you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Having a driver’s license is an important step towards adulthood and true independence and will open up a world of travel opportunities, socializing, and seeing friends.
However, driving also carries an inherent responsibility as well as risk. Indeed, young and new drivers account for more road traffic accidents than any other group. So before driving alone for the first time, you should ensure you take some sensible steps to minimize the risks while you’re on the road.
If you’re just finding your feet with driving, read on for some top tips that will help make you a better, safer driver and allow you to enjoy your time on the road more.
Driving Rules
Traffic rules exist for the safety of you and all other road users, and you should obey them at all times to avoid accidents, injury, fines, or even imprisonment.
Most traffic rules are simple to understand – things like keeping adequate space between you and the car in front, following traffic signals, avoiding speeding, wearing a seatbelt, etc. – but that doesn’t mean everyone follows them. So, stick to the rules of the road to increase the safety of you and those around you.
Keep Your Car Well-Maintained
Owning and running a car is a responsibility, and the onus lies with you to ensure your car stays in good running order. First, you should perform regular simple checks on your car – everything from topping up the oil to checking tire grip depth.
Have The Right Contacts Onside In Case You Need Them
On the subject of car maintenance, it’s always a good idea to ask around friends to find a respected local mechanic in case something goes wrong with your car. Having this fallback will give you peace of mind when your car fails – and could also save you considerable money by avoiding fly-by-night operators.
It’s also wise to establish a rapport with a trusted legal firm that could provide you with a car accident attorney in case you have a crash. While you might not think you need them now, if you’re involved in an accident, you’ll be very thankful for having someone with experience to call for support.
Keep Your Concentration And Avoid Getting Distracted
Accidents caused by drivers getting distracted have increased exponentially in recent years. There is any number of ways you could become distracted while driving – everything from turning your head to speak to passengers to answering your cellphone or skipping music tracks on your player. As a rule, you should minimize the chances of getting distracted by taking simple preparations before you head off, e.g., putting your phone on silent, choosing a playlist in advance, etc.
Make Your Ride Safer And More Comfortable
You should take sensible comfort measures like always having sunglasses in your car, having spare wiper washer fluid, and women should take off heels before driving. Also, before setting out, you should adjust the mirrors, so they give you the maximum visibility of your car’s blind spots. For example, if your mirrors are set right, an overtaking car should fall out of view in your rear-view mirror before instantly reappearing in your side mirrors just after.
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