Safety Tips for New Drivers

New drivers have a lot on their minds. Not only do they have to worry about where they’re going, they have to worry about the rules of the road, the other drivers, and the many distractions that now face them. It can be pretty daunting. In this post, we’ll look at some tips to keep new drivers and their passengers safe.

1. Humility, Humility, Humility.  Probably the most important thing for a new driver to remember is that driving takes years to master – and that no one is immune from an accident. That’s why it’s important to practice humility on the road. This includes minding speed limits, driving defensively, and being kind to the other drivers.
2. Wear your safety belt. According to the CDC, auto accidents are the leading cause of death among Americans age 5-34. Safety belts drastically increase your likelihood of surviving a car accident. So, wear your safety belt every time you get in the car.
3. Patience pays. Patience can mean the difference between getting to your destination safely and getting in a wreck. How do you practice patience while driving? Just remember that you can’t control everything, but you can control your reaction.
4. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive. The more time you have to get to your destination, the more relaxed and patient you’ll be when driving.
5. Never ever, ever drive under the influence. In California alone, more than 1000 people die every year due to alcohol and drug-related car crashes. Avoid being one of them. Never get behind the wheel while under the influence.

Distraction plagues all drivers today – especially new drivers. How can new drivers avoid distraction and stay safe on the road?

1. Turn off your phone when you get into the car. A phone that’s off is a phone that cannot distract you with text messages or phone calls. Rest assured you can turn it back on once you get to your destination.
2. Use turn-by-turn GPS. Making use of a good GPS system will help you keep your eyes on the road, instead of looking down at directions or having to use navigation tool on your smart phone.
3. Limit passengers – at least at first. There’s nothing more potentially distracting than a car full of passengers. That’s why new drivers should limit their passenger loads to one. By limiting your passenger load, you can focus on the task at hand – getting to your destination safely.  Some states including California have provisional license laws that prohibit or limit new drivers from carrying passengers.

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