If you just got your license: congratulations! Driving is an exciting privilege that can make getting around much easier. But it’s not always easy. Despite how much time we spend on it, the road can be a dangerous place. If you’re not paying attention, obeying the laws, or have not maintained your vehicle properly, things can go wrong quick. If you’re new to the road—or know someone who is—check out these five tips for new drivers.
Understand How Your Car WorksOne of the most important things you can do as a new driver is to understand how your car works. You don’t need to know all the complexities of the internal combustion engine, but you’ll be much safer and less distracted if you know how everything inside your car works and have a basic understanding of its mechanical function. Spend some time learning how the turn signals, windshield wipers, transmission shifter, and other items in your work before getting on the road.Be AlertThings can happen fast on the road. Stay alert and pay attention to what’s going on around you when driving. Observe what others are doing and how they’re driving—it could mean the difference between life and death. It might not be the best idea to blast your radio if you are not completely comfortable behind the wheel yet. This may keep you from hearing emergency vehicles that may be trying to get past you or are about to cross your intersection.Watch Your SpeedEverybody speeds, right? Just because most people are doing it, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Speeding and disregarding other laws like signaling before turning or changing lanes too quickly can have serious consequences. The faster you move, the less time you have to react to problems. As a newer driver your reaction times are already a bit slower since you lack experience, so be careful with your speeds.Avoid Bad Weather if PossibleDriving in bad weather conditions can greatly increase the chances of an accident or another mishap, even in something as seemingly harmless as a rainstorm. Even for experienced drivers, bad weather always poses a threat. Check the weather before driving and avoid bad conditions if you can.Know What Needs to be Checked—And WhenCars are complex machines made up of hundreds of different parts. While you can probably do without a few of those parts, many are essential to the car’s function and your safety. Skipping routine maintenance like oil changes or tire rotations can lead to serious problems that could leave you stranded or worse. Look at the owner’s manual for your car so you know when important items like battery, engine oil or coolant should be checked. Once you know when to check some of the important parts of your car, make sure you keep track of the maintenance dates so you get into a routine. Neglecting maintenance can lead to problems both on and off the road. Brakes that have not been taken care of and fluids that have gone unchanged for too long can lead to some seriously disastrous results. Be sure to take care of your car—for your safety and the life of your vehicle. |
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