You may feel like once you have passed your driving test, most of the hard work is already done. But when you are in your first year of sitting behind the wheel of a car, this is when you are significantly more likely to get involved in a crash.
Roughly one in five new drivers get into an accident in their first year of driving, so this is the time that you need to be at your most careful. That’s why we have compiled a helpful selection of tips and hints to help you stay safe on the road.
Take Care of the Basics
If you are in the process of buying a new car, you need to look at which vehicles have strong safety records so that you have this extra layer of protection and peace of mind. Make sure you sort out the details like tax and cheap car insurance. Get to know your car well before taking it out. All makes and models have their individual quirks, and you need to know exactly what the different functions and features are.
Be Wary of Your Blind Spot
The blind spot is something which has caused issues for new motorists for years and years. It is a good habit to get into to make sure that this is clear every single time you are changing lanes. Also, remember that just because you check your blindspot on a regular basis, it doesn’t mean that your fellow road users will always do the same. So, if you notice that you are likely to be travelling in another vehicle’s blind spot, either drop back or speed up to get out of it.
Make Use of the Left Lane
There are already too many middle lane drivers in the world, so you don’t need to become another one. If the road ahead is clear, always return to the left-hand side of the road, even if you are driving at the maximum speed limit. This helps to prevent other road users from engaging in dangerous overtaking moves to get past you.
Practice Bad Weather Driving
The type of weather really makes a big difference to driving conditions, so you need to practice dealing with all kinds of elements. Try to feel how they impact your car and overall driving experience. How much is the braking distance increased? How does the grip feel? How are you going to alter your driving to deal with the changing conditions? These are all questions that are worth asking yourself.
Put the Phone Away
The number of accidents caused by people messing about with the smartphones while they are driving is on the increase. To reduce temptation, put your phone on silent and then put it well out of reach. Texting your friends back can always wait.
These are just a few of the best ways that you can stay safe on the roads, particularly if you are a driver who has passed their test within the past year.
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