Lifestyle

Top Tips for Young Drivers

So you have just got your driver’s license – your instructor showed you the basics, you have managed to impress the examiner and now you should be allowed to drive on your own. Basically, you are all set.

Well, that’s not necessarily true, and the statistics are there to back up our claim.

Over the years, numerous studies have shown that younger drivers are far more likely to underestimate dangerous situations. Furthermore, young people, especially teens are more likely than adult drivers to make critical decision errors that lead to serious crashes.

Get Some More Training

While you may have passed your driver’s test, only after sit behind the wheel alone for the first time do you really start learning to drive. In fact, a recent R.C. Peck & Associates study has shown that standard. Year-long diving courses reduce first-year crash rate by only 5%. The fact is, in most cases, instructors show you the ropes in the easiest possible circumstances.

Most teenagers do their driving lessons in perfect weather on quiet back streets. However, once you set off on your own, you’ll surely encounter a number of less than favorable situations and environments. So it would be a good idea to follow up some of your standard training with some additional driving lessons and simply ask the instructor to teach you how to drive in busy towns, different conditions, etc.

Try to Put Your Phone Down

Of course, you already know that using a handheld mobile device is illegal, so you should not even think about it. Even if your try to put your smartphone on speakerphone and hold it just in front of your mouth, you are still breaking the law and hands-free sets are not as nearly safe as you might think. But, the problem is, these days, a majority of teenagers takes this law for granted.

Statistics from the University of North Texas Health Science Center show that today, more than 55% of teens regularly use talk on their phones behind the wheel. Furthermore, the same study also revealed that at least 13% regularly text while driving. But keep this in mind – the mental workload you need to have a conversation will slow your reaction time and cause you to miss things right in front of you.

Don’t Try to Fix Everything by Yourself

While it is quite appealing to try to fix your car problems on your own in an order to save a few bucks, there are some issues better left to the mechanic. Trying to fix some of the issues on your own can and let’s face it, probably will only cause grater issues down the line. And consequently – these issues will lead to bigger expenses.

For instance, if your vehicle stalls out while driving it could indicate a much bigger problem. And if the check engine light comes on and will not shut off, your car definitely needs immediate attention from a mechanic. Fortunately, companies like RoadsideVIP are on call 24/7 and can help you with any technical problem.

Final Thoughts

Teens quickly pick up the physical skill of driving, but as a result, they often feel like they have mastered it only after a few months. And that is why, in most cases, they are too confident about their driving abilities. However, most new drivers need a little additional help.

In reality, while some practical driving skills can be mastered in just a few weeks, some less obvious driving skills, like for instance hazard perception require a lot more experience. So you may think that you are in complete control, but keep in mind that you simply don’t have enough experience to properly assess every situation you might find yourself in.

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