Safe Driving Tips for New Drivers

When you first begin driving, there are many traffic laws to be learned and driving skills to be practiced. Because of this, auto accidents are ranked as the leading cause of teenage fatalities. In view of these statistics, it is very important that new drivers learn some techniques to improve their driving skills. Fortunately, there are many things new drivers can do to reduce their risks and increase their safety on the road.

 

Here are some simple safety tips to help you improve your driving skills to stay safe on the road:

1 – Use Common Sense

Unfortunately, many accidents involving teenage drivers are caused by a simple lack of judgment. In many instances, your common sense is all you need to stay safe while driving.

Although they may seem obvious to you, here are some frequently neglected common sense driving suggestions:

• Check to make sure your vehicle is in good working order before driving.
• Keep up with regular oil changes and other necessary vehicle maintenance.
•  Pay attention to other drivers on the road, and be courteous.
•  Look both ways before proceeding through an intersection or backing out of a parking stall.

By following these simple driving tips, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting in an accident while driving.

2 – Buckle Your Seat belt

Buckling up your seat belt may seem like another common sense issue, but it is unfortunately something that is very often neglected. Too many drivers forget to use – or simply choose not to use – this simple yet lifesaving safety feature. Seat belts were designed to keep drivers and passengers protected, but they won’t do anything for you if you don’t use them properly.

Always wear your seat belt, even if you are only driving a short distance. This is not only a safety concern, but it is also the law in almost every state. Also, whenever you are in a vehicle with others, make sure that each passenger is wearing a seat belt. This simple step could help to save many lives.

3 – Never Drink or Take Drugs And Drive

Alcohol is one of the major causes of driving accidents. Drug use falls closely behind. To stay on the safe side, never drink any amount of alcohol or take drugs before you attempt to drive. This is not only for your own personal safety, but it is also to ensure the safety of the others on the road and in your vehicle.

The facts show that when a person drinks even a small amount of alcohol, or takes certain prescription or illegal drugs, their judgment can be severely impaired. When you consider that driving requires your full attention, it makes sense that this minor shift in judgment could put you in such grave danger.

To put it bluntly, do not attempt to drink or take drugs that affect your judgment before driving. You have been warned enough that you don’t need to try it in order to believe that it’s a bad idea.

4 – Learn and Obey The Rules Of The Road

When you get behind the wheel of a thousand pound vehicle, you are putting yourself and others at risk. One of the best things you can do to stay safe on the road is to follow the rules. However, in order for you to follow the rules, you need to be willing to learn what they are. Take the steps necessary for you to learn the local traffic laws so that you can be a safe and responsible driver. This will not only save you a lot of money in traffic citations, but it will also help to reduce your risks while driving.

5 – Minimize Distractions and Focus On Driving

One of the major problems facing new drivers is overconfidence. Don’t fall into this trap. Although you might be able to text and do your homework at the same time, you shouldn’t be attempting to multitask while you are driving. Looking away from the road for a single second could cause you to get into a major car wreck.

To help prevent dangerous accidents, try to keep distractions at a minimum and focus your entire attention on the task of driving.

7 – Never Text and Drive

Texting and other data use while driving is very dangerous.  This activity is roughly 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving while intoxicated.  According to the US Department of Transportation, sending or receiving a text takes the driver’s eyes away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds which, at 55 mph, is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blind.   To help prevent dangerous accidents, try to keep distractions at a minimum and focus your entire attention on the task of driving.

Whether you are a brand new driver or very experienced, by following these simple safety tips you can help to prevent a variety of driving accidents and stay safe on the road.

Practice Safe Driving By Keeping Your Speed Under Control

Speeding In Order To Compensate For Hectic Schedules

There can be no question that people nowadays seem to be regularly pressed for time.  Whether they’re on their way to work, a family gathering, home, school, or any other destination, people appear to be going faster and faster.  There have been many arguments against speeding, but what’s the harm if you’re comfortable with your driving skills?

The fact of the matter is simple.  Most people are actually over-confident with their abilities to control a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds traveling at high speeds.

Risks Of Driving Faster

Speed limits are usually determined by taking a number of factors into account.  The most obvious of these would probably be the amount of vigilance that is necessary to navigate an area safely.  In a canyon, for example, there are likely to be many tight twists and turns that call for a lower speed limit to ensure that drivers will be able to maneuver their vehicles through the canyon.  While on a stretch of straight highway, you are more likely to see a higher speed limit due to a lack of potential risks and rough spots.

It is often considered to be common knowledge that the faster you are going, the longer it will take for you to come to a complete stop.  Unfortunately, however, this just is not the case.  People who drive at a rate of travel that is higher than specified, often, unknowingly, pose a very real risk to others for a number of reasons.

Some of those include:

• An increase in the amount of time that is required to come to a full and complete stop
• Less time to react to surprise obstacles and dangers
• A potential to cause severe injury should an accident occur
• A decrease in ultimate control of their vehicle while trying to avoid an accident

Any of the risks mentioned above could be a recipe for disaster under the wrong circumstances.  It is harder to compensate for small mistakes, and easier for you to lose control potentially harming yourself or others.  While many drivers may feel comfortable driving at higher speeds, most will fail to account for the increased risks that they bring to the table.

Simple Solutions To Help You Avoid Speeding

With all of the risks that are associated with driving faster, why do so many drivers still speed?  Maybe you’re running late for an important meeting, or are distracted with thinking about the stressful day ahead of you.  Whatever the case may be, speeding is dangerous, but is also 100% preventable.

There are simple things you can do to help you avoid speeding.  Setting your clocks ahead, or making sure that you leave earlier than you need to can compensate for red lights and construction areas that may take a bite out of your time.  Not driving, if it can be avoided, or taking a break while driving when you are overly stressed are both good ways to help you remember to watch your speed.

Regardless of what your speeding triggers are, there are ways that you can avoid pushing the pedal to the metal and increasing your risk of being involved in an accident.  Educating yourself with information that is available online is a great way to find the commitment to stop speeding, and to form other safe driving habits that can make you a better driver.