Just Starting To Drive? Here Are Some Useful Tips
By Space Coast Daily // July 8, 2021
Getting your driving license and a new car is an uplifting feeling as you are finally independent and able to reach places without waiting for someone to give you a ride.
While you may feel excited and impatient to officially take your car on the road, note that your new adventure comes with a huge responsibility. If you have just passed your driving exam and received your license, you must keep certain tips in mind to keep yourself safe behind the wheel.
This is particularly important if you are carrying other passengers in your car or driving on a busy road. Here are some useful tips for drivers who are just starting out.
1. Stay Within The Speeding Limit
Needless to say, you must stay within the speeding limit when you are beginning to drive as sudden braking can lead to accidents. Speeding above the limit is not only dangerous for you but also puts the other drivers at risk. When you are just starting out, your reflexes may not cooperate and you may fail to apply the brakes at the right moment.
Look out for the speeding limits in the zones and regions you are driving. If you fail to stay within the limit, you may also receive tickets and pay heavy fines. Over time, it can turn into a heinous felony.
2. Maintain Your Car
A well-maintained car ups the safety factor by a greater margin. You should always keep a check on your car and get it serviced from time to time.
At times, careful driving and staying within the speed limit may not help if your car is wrecked. Failed brakes and unchecked tires can still lead to fatal crashes that could have been avoided with regular maintenance and checkup.
Even though time-to-time maintenance can add up to your monthly expenses, the assurance of safe driving makes the investment worthwhile. That being said, get car insurance to up the safety factor and stay financially protected.
3. Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Wearing a seatbelt is the first safety rule that new drivers are taught. While most drivers make it a point to wear their seat belts before hitting the road, a lot of teenagers with a driving license tend to ignore this rule.
According to the information provided by seasoned lawyers, the dangers to teen drivers need to be brought to their attention from a legal standpoint given the number of fatalities that keep rising with each passing day. While wearing your own seat belt is mandatory, you must ensure that the passengers in your car have put on their belts too.
4. Check the Car Settings Before Driving
Before you turn your car on, check the settings and ensure that everything is in place. This includes adjusting the front and rear mirror, checking the wipers, adjusting your seat, and checking the brakes.
A tiny error in the car settings can make you uncomfortable when driving, which is the last thing you want in terms of safety. Other adjustments and safety measures include wiping your car shield and window mirrors to get a clear view, checking the bottom and surroundings of your car to keep children and pets away, and checking the fuel level.
5. Keep Distractions Away
Another important rule to ensure safety when driving a car is to keep distractions away. Do not talk on your cell phone when driving, especially on a busy road.
Keep the music low or turn it off. Do not get food inside your car when you are hungry. Instead, park at a safe spot and finish eating before you start the car. Avoid turning around to talk to passengers seated at the back. All these aspects ensure that you are paying attention to the road, which can reduce the chances of getting into an accident to a greater extent.
6. Learn Some Automotive Basics
Learning some basic tips and lessons related to automotive mechanics can pull you out of unfavorable circumstances. If you are in a remote area and your car breaks down, you can easily change the tires or open the hood to check the internal parts without external help.
While it takes some time and practice to learn the skills, you can become entirely independent if you take these basic lessons seriously. Know how to jump an old battery, add coolant to your car, and decipher warning lights on the dashboard.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced driver, these tips are important for all individuals behind the wheel as it keeps you and others around you safe. Even if you get into an accident or a minor crash, you must stay prepared in all circumstances. Carry your car documents and driving license to avoid complicating the situation.
