As a young driver, you’re at a statistically higher risk of being involved in an accident. But this isn’t the only problem that might be caused by a lack of experience on the road. In many cases, it’s possible to improve your chances of a successful journey by adopting a few choice habits, and dropping a few bad ones.
Let’s consider a few common mistakes made by inexperienced drivers, and how they might be avoided.
Inexperience with Handling Adverse Conditions
Even if you’re qualified to drive, you might not yet have the experience necessary to cope with sleet, snow, ice and fog. After all, your lessons, practice sessions, and tests might have been conducted in good conditions.
Driving in bad weather typically means driving cautiously. Bring your speed down, and maintain a safe distance from the car in front. Avoid sudden braking and sharp turns, and make sure that you keep the vehicle itself in good condition.
Speeding and Misjudging Safe Stopping Distances
Even when the weather is good, excessive speed is a major risk factor for new drivers. The faster you’re travelling, the more difficult you’ll find it to avoid a collision, and the more severe the consequences of that collision will be. Make sure that you understand the speed limit, and that you’re always on the lookout for new hazards that might require you to react quickly.
It is essential to choose the right type of young driver insurance. Car insurance is a legal necessity, and young driver insurance will often allow young drivers to cut their costs. This is typically done through a telematic device, which will broadcast data on your driving behaviour back to your insurer. This can help you to drive down the cost of your premium, and also provide you with an incentive to drive in a responsible way. It’s easy to stick to the speed limit when you know that your speed is being tracked by your insurer!
Distracted Driving and Multitasking
When your attention is divided, you might find it more difficult to focus on the road ahead. Limit your use of mobile phones, and never turn away from the road in order to check what’s on the screen. If you’re using a satnav, make sure that you have your phone in a stand somewhere at eye level, and that you have your destination set before your journey commences.Finally, if you’re transporting passengers, you might also impress upon them the need to keep quiet when you’re approaching busy junctions and other high-risk areas. This is especially important if you’re vulnerable to peer pressure, which can often drive new motorists toward risk kinds of driving behaviour.