7 Things You Should Avoid As A New Driver
Sitting behind the wheel for the first time with your new license feels like you’re about to go on an adventure. You’ve been dreaming of this day for so long. The open road, the wind in your hair, and the freedom to go wherever you want to. However, before you start the ignition, it’s important to keep the following things in mind to ensure your safety and that of other drivers.
Distractions
Did you know that in 2018, more than 2,800 people were killed and around 400,000 people were injured in traffic accidents due to a distracted driver?1 In 2019, the number of lives claimed by crashes due to distracted driving was 3,142.2
What is considered a distraction? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), any activity that takes away your attention from driving is considered a distraction. This can be as simple as changing the radio station, fiddling with your navigation system, or even talking to your passengers. If you want to drive safely, you need to put your full attention on the task of driving. Anything you do while driving increases your chances of getting into an accident and puts you and others at risk.
Speeding
Speed limits are not suggestions. Drivers are required to follow them by all. But many drivers, old and new, are guilty of this type of aggressive driving behavior. It may be because they’re stuck in traffic and running late. Or, in the case of teen drivers, it’s due to inexperience and a lack of driving skills. Plus, some drivers think that driving a little over the speed limit isn’t so bad. But going 10mph over the speed limit is not a small thing. In fact, it translates to an increase in collision energy by 78%.3
A new driver may not yet be well-versed in managing their speed in various traffic and road conditions. They’re also not experienced enough to know how much distance they need to keep between the front of their vehicle to the one in front. In addition, new drivers are more likely to panic and be unable to safely stop their vehicle while speeding. So, instead of putting the pedal to the metal, keep to the speed limit. If you need to be somewhere at a specific time, leave early and account for traffic.
Overcrowding
When you first get your license, it’s perfectly normal to want to pick up your friends and go on an adventure. Whether it’s to your favorite diner or to the mall. However, the more passengers you have in your car, the higher the risk of an accident. Moreover, this also increases the risk of the passengers being killed in the crash. In fact, according to the AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety, the risk of a teen driver being killed in a crash increases by 44% when he or she has one passenger. That number doubles if he or she has two passengers and quadruples when the teen driver has 3 or more passengers younger than 21.4
Why is that? New drivers are inexperienced in operating a vehicle safely while engaging with their passengers. And passengers can be a distraction, even more so if the passengers are also teens. If you plan on driving around with your friends, make sure that they understand the additional risk and that you keep your focus on the road.
Not wearing a seatbelt
Seat belts save lives. That being said, there are still a number of drivers who still forego wearing one. There are numerous reasons why this happens. Some drivers don’t wear seat belts because they believe they’re careful. Others feel that wearing one is uncomfortable or inconvenient. Some forget while others believe that airbags are enough to ensure their safety.
But new drivers need to understand that there is never a good reason NOT to wear a seat belt. Buckling up is a habit that they need to learn before anything else. Not just because it is the law, but because it could save your life.
Proper car maintenance
A new driver, or any driver for that matter, should make sure that he never ignores proper car maintenance because it can help prevent accidents. It is the driver’s responsibility to keep his or her car in tip-top shape. If you’re not knowledgeable about what to do to keep your vehicle safe, we recommend that you bring it to an auto body shop near you.
Driving drowsy and/or while intoxicated
Driving is an activity that requires you to be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. You need to check your mirrors frequently, keeping your eye on other vehicles on the road. You also need to be aware of pedestrians, cyclists, pets, road debris, traffic lights, bad weather, etc.
If you’re drowsy or intoxicated, your level of awareness is compromised. The same thing can be said about your reflexes. According to the NHTSA, around 91,000 police-reported crashes in 2017 involved drowsy drivers.5 Keep in mind that drinking coffee or an energy drink is not a solution to drowsy driving, especially if you are seriously sleep-deprived. Even if the caffeine seems to be working, studies show that the increased alertness only lasts for a short period of time. The only way to really avoid drowsy driving is to get adequate sleep.
Tailgating
One of the most common causes of car accidents is tailgating. Tailgating is when the driver does not leave enough distance between his vehicle and the one in front of him that will enable him to stop without causing a collision if the vehicle in front suddenly stops. Even the best drivers can get into an accident if they follow too closely. In fact, there are 2000 deaths each year due to tailgating.
The rule of thumb is to leave a minimum of 3 seconds between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Add one second if you’re driving in inclement weather conditions. Add one second as well for every 10mph over 50mph.
