Tips for the New Driver : How to Stay Safe

The day you pass your driving test will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable days of your life. It may have taken just one attempt or several to pass your driving test, but now you are finally roadworthy! You are entitled to drive independently without supervision from a driving instructor, friend or relative.

Passing your driving test

Passing your driving test is really just the beginning and should not be viewed as the end. No doubt, you studied for the written as well as practical on the road test because you were keen to let the driving instructor see you at your best and to pass the test. That enthusiasm is something that should spur you on to continue to improve in your driving skills. Remember that just because you have passed your driving test, it does not mean you are instantly an expert in driving. You are still a learner driver in some respects. So before you toss away your driving manuals and written notes, think about what you will still need to learn.

Learn your road signs and other road laws after the test

Think back to when you took your written and/ or road sign test. You were not examined on every single sign that you would come across on the road. A selection was made for you and you were expected to correctly identify the signs put before you. During your revision at home, you may have only studied a small portion of signs, rather than the whole book of signs. Now would be a good time to look back over the book and become more familiar with all the road signs. I know it may sound boring and unnecessary, but sooner or later, you will need to know what all the road signs mean, so that you can prepare and act according to the instructions given. If you ignore a road sign due to ignorance and you later find yourself up in court due to an ensuing error on your part, ignorance will not be an acceptable plea in your defense. So think carefully about what could happen and try to arm yourself with as much road knowledge as possible. That also includes correct ways of merging into traffic, overtaking other vehicles and letting other motorists know your intentions in good time. A good rule of thumb is to pretend your driving instructor is sitting beside you with a clipboard in their hand examining everything you do. That is what I started doing after I passed my driving test and I found that it worked out well for me.

Additional support

Even though you have passed your driving test, you may still require some additional coaching and support. So do not hastily conclude that because you are entitled to drive alone, you should always do so. You still need time to build up your confidence. Over-confidence is as dangerous as too little confidence. Do not allow yourself to become complacent about your driving and think that you are far too skillful to be involved in a car crash. Many drivers who crash their vehicles are skillful drivers. It only takes a second or two to be distracted or to perform an inappropriate move that could result in a crash or fatality. Unfortunately, if you are a teenager, the statistics are against you. According to S.A.N.E. (Safer drivers, safer cars, saving lives!) "Automobile crashes are the top cause of death for teens in America. They account for nearly 6,000 lives and injure another 300,000 teens every year". If your parents offer to accompany you for the first few weeks after you pass your driving test, do not be offended. They are only looking out for your welfare. They want to make sure you are capable of driving in a safe manner. Your parents may even restrict your car privileges to begin with, just until they feel you are ready to take on the responsibility of driving. Driving is not something that should be treated lightly. It is a privilege, not a right and your parents may want you to prove you will drive safely.

Seat belts

Having a powerful car to control can be quite an exciting prospect, but you need to make sure you maintain a safe driving attitude and practice at all times. Do not forget to buckle up as soon as you get into the car. Wearing a seat belt can considerably reduce your risk of serious injury and death, if you are involved in a car crash. Depending on where you live, you could be given a ticket and face a hefty fine if a police officer catches you without your seat belt on. So do not treat it lightly. Wear your seat belt at all times while you are driving. Then you will know for sure that you are abiding by the law and protecting yourself too.

Speeding

Another tendency for new drivers is to test their car by speeding. Not only are you placing yourself and other road users at risk, but you are also breaking the law. That is the case regardless of where you live in the country. Did you pass your test by speeding down the road at 50mph in a 35mph speed limit? Speeding would quickly have disqualified you from passing your driving test. Think about the reasons for this when you feel tempted to speed and keep within the legal limits. If you are driving through a residential area, or a shopping area, be particularly cautious and keep your car running much slower than usual. Children sometimes run into the road without looking. It is up to you to be on the lookout for children and any other people who may quickly dart out into the road ahead of you. Screeching your brakes up to a full stop is not the best way to avoid hitting someone. If your speed is low to begin with, an emergency stop will only require a light tap on the brakes. Remember that the higher your speed, the more likely a person is to die if you do hit them. So adjust your speed accordingly.

Be aware of road conditions

Before you start out on your journey, be aware of any road construction being carried out on your route and plan accordingly. Watch the weather forecast and be aware of adverse conditions and alter your speed. If it is raining, know that the braking distance will be much longer. As far as snow and ice is concerned, ensure your tires have enough tread, and you have the proper equipment to "chain up" if needed. Make sure that your radiator level is set for the temperature that you will be traveling through. Note that if you travel through construction zones, that your windshield could incur a chip. You are responsible for chips and cracks. So be aware of this.

Avoid non-prescription drugs and alcohol

Do not attempt to drive under the influence of non-prescription drugs or alcohol. It is illegal to do so and the law will have no qualms whatsoever in throwing the book at you if you are caught. Not only will you face criminal prosecution but you will also lose your driving privileges. All your hard work will be wasted if you find yourself in this situation. However, if you must take prescription drugs, check with your doctor or pharmacist before you drive because some prescription drugs can impair your ability to drive by making you drowsy. In some parts of the country, a police officer can still arrest you if they have reason to suspect that your driving was affected by a prescription drug.

Be a safe long term driver

Driving truly is a privilege, but one that we all do well not to take for granted. So be mindful of the road conditions around you, including other drivers, who may not be patient or skillful. Always abide by the road laws and accept assistance when you first pass your test. Driving is an ongoing learning process. As you gain in experience, your reactions will become sharper and quicker and you will notice dangers more easily. Be alert at all times and you will hopefully remain safe on the roads.

Source:

http://www.saferautos.org/teenagedrivers.html