Driving on the road can be an exciting experience for new drivers, but inexperienced drivers can also be the source of accidents on the road. Inexperience mixed with spontaneous teenage decision making can lead to dangerous road accidents. For new drivers it is very important to follow traffic laws and practice extreme caution on the road.
Remembering these safety tips can protect you as well as other drivers as you share the road.
1. Always adjust
A common mistake new drivers make is failure to adjust mirrors, seats, and head rests. Driving comfortably with mirrors that align with your vision and seats adjusted to your height is always advisable. Adjusting your seat positions and mirrors prior to embarking on the road keeps you from adjusting while on the road and causing distractions. Driving comfortably leads to driving safely. Additionally, adjusting your headrest can inhibit whiplash if you were to be involved in an accident.
2. Assume the worst
As a new driver, always assume that everyone is a new driver like yourself. Drive with caution and never assume that you can anticipate what other drivers will do. Just because a driver has a turn signal does not mean that they will actually turn. Sometimes drivers forget to turn off their signals or accidentally swipe them on. Even well seasoned drivers make mistakes that can cause serious injury or fatality. Remember, you are never quite certain how reckless a driver is until they do something reckless.
3. Stay aware
Cars require constant maintenance and sometimes malfunction without any notice. Without warning you could blow a tire, your battery could die, or your engine could give out. Often warning lights indicate when your tire pressure is low or when your engine needs to be checked. However, things can go wrong without a clear cause. For this reason it is always smart to listen for odd noises, check your gas gauge, and other signal lights occupying your dashboard. Good driving is not just about obeying traffic laws and sharing the road, it is also about being aware of the state of your vehicle. Your car is constantly communicating with you, be sure to listen.
4. Reduce distractions
Texting, eating, drinking, applying make-up, or adjusting the radio are all forms of distracted driving. As new driver you should always limit the number of distractions. You will always encounter distractions on the road, so it is best to not create distractions in your car. In the time it takes you to look away from the road to hit send the driver in front of you could have braked suddenly. As a new driver your reflexes on the road may be slower than those of an experienced driver, always overcompensate for this.
As a new driver on the road you become more prone to incidents on the road. Protect yourself and others on the road by driving carefully and safely.
If you have been involved in an automobile accident and sustained any injuries feel free to contact us at Colley and Colley.
15511 W Highway 71
Suite 110-142
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 477-2001
512-477-3335
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