• Health
  • Insurance
  • Travel
  • Automotive
  • Home and Garden
  • Shopping
Home / auto / 12 common mistakes new drivers should avoid

12 common mistakes new drivers should avoid

Learning how to drive is exciting and nerve-wracking. As you equip yourself with the skills to make traveling easier, you also learn to pay attention to others on the road. Mistakes are bound to occur when learning to navigate a car in new circumstances. However, knowing these mistakes can help you avoid them and become a safer driver. Here are 12 mistakes new drivers make and how to avoid them:

  • Ignoring speed limits
    Some new drivers feel overconfident once they receive their license and are more likely to overspeed. This can be extremely dangerous for them and others around them. Similarly, some drivers may feel underconfident and drive too slowly. This may also make them prone to more accidents, especially at intersections.

    To avoid these mistakes, follow the speed limit regulations specified for each area. These limits are decided upon by the state legislature, keeping in mind factors such as pedestrian movement, traffic flow, and roadway design. New drivers must regularly check for speed limit signs and follow them actively and routinely.

  • Using the phone while driving
    According to the American Automobile Association, distracted driving kills about nine people and injures over 1,000 people every day across the country. Using the phone while driving, whether to text, call, or navigate, is one of the leading causes of accidents worldwide. Here are some tips to prevent phone use while driving:

    • Keep the mobile device out of sight to prevent any temptation.
    • Program the navigation system before starting your journey.
    • Pull over to the side of the road and stop at a safe spot if a call or text is crucial.
    • When riding with someone, ask them to help navigate, call, or send a message.
    • Switch on the driving focus feature on the phone while driving.
  • Refusing to wear a seat belt
    Fastening the seat belt is essential to ensuring safety during a crash. Its primary purpose is to prevent violent jerks and protect passengers in cases of accidents or sudden braking. The seat belt also helps distribute the force more evenly to the stronger parts of the body, which are the shoulders and the hips. All passengers in the car must secure their seatbelts during a drive. Babies and younger children must be safely buckled in proper car seats.
  • Failing to look at the surroundings
    You might initially stick to empty roads and parking lots when learning to drive, as getting used to driving on the road with distractions can take some time. To drive safely, you must remain aware of your surroundings and be prepared to navigate the car around jaywalking pedestrians, other drivers, potholes, and debris. Remain alert and focused when driving, and practice defensive driving techniques.
  • Failing to use the turn signals
    Cars are equipped with turn signals so drivers can communicate their intentions with other drivers. This gives others a chance to anticipate others’ moves and drive accordingly. Failing to use turn signals can be dangerous and lead to accidents. Make sure to turn on the turn signal before turning, merging into another lane, reversing, parking, or driving out of a parking spot. Put on the turn signal at least 200 feet before turning or changing lanes.
  • Accelerating or braking too fast
    Getting used to the car’s accelerator and brake pedals takes some practice. It is important to gain a fair estimate of their sensitivity to estimate how your car will react. This will help build confidence and make driving a smoother experience.
  • Forgetting to readjust the mirrors
    It is essential to adjust the mirrors when driving to reduce blind spots. The rearview mirror should be adjusted so you can see everything directly out of the middle of the back windshield without lifting your head. The side mirror should be adjusted so you can see a sliver of the car when sitting straight.
  • Following too closely
    Not leaving a safe space or tailgating a car is unsafe and impolite. An emergency brake in such a situation is likely to cause an accident. While driving, maintain a comfortable distance from the car in front. This will give the driver more time to react to any unforeseen circumstances.
  • Failing to give way to emergency vehicles
    Emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances have the right of way as they deal with life-and-death situations in the community. Whenever you hear sirens in the background, you must prepare to pull over or come to a complete stop to let these vehicles pass.
  • Speeding through yellow lights
    While the red and green lights at a traffic stop have clear meanings, the yellow light may seem unspecified. Many drivers take it as a sign to speed up and drive through, which can be dangerous. The yellow signal is only an indicator that the red light is coming. You must slow down and prepare to stop at a yellow light.
  • Driving off too fast after the light turns green
    While a green light is an indication to go, you must never be in a rush to drive off. Make sure to look both ways before crossing the intersection to ensure no cars are coming. This can help prevent serious accidents and save lives.
  • Failing to adjust the seat properly
    The position of the seat also determines the control you will have over the car. When the seat is too far from the wheel, you may have to hyperextend your arms and legs, leading to a lack of control. The seat must be adjusted so that the wrists touch the wheel; this position is ideal to control the wheel and reach the pedals comfortably.

Avoid these twelve mistakes to become a better, safer driver!

Popular Posts
  • Top 10 Black Friday 2023 TV Deals to Expect

    Black Friday television offers are a great way to save while treating oneself to the best products. Expect doorbuster discounts on TVs from all the top manufacturers, including LG, Sony, and Samsung, on Black Friday 2023. It has become common to see some great deals on TVs, with some models going fo...

  • Top 10 Black Friday Laptop Deals to Expect in 2023

    The Black Friday sale is an excellent opportunity to upgrade one's laptop as the shopping season deals can help one find a suitable laptop within their budget. A wide range of laptops are heavily discounted during the Black Friday sale, including premium ultra-books, gaming laptops, and much more. B...

  • Top 10 Mattress Deals to Explore on Black Friday 2023

    With Black Friday right around the corner, getting bedroom essentials like furniture, bedding, and mattresses can get easier. Top mattress brands typically offer discounts during the shopping season, helping shoppers save money on otherwise expensive mattresses. Planning ahead here can help one choo...

  • Top 10 2023 Black Friday Toy Deals to Expect

    While this year’s Black Friday is on November 24, the holiday deals, as in the previous years, are likely to start as early as October. One can find Black Friday deals on most shopping sites, but sorting through innumerable offers to find the best one is a hassle. So, to help one out, here is a li...

  • 10 Best Camera Deals to Expect on Black Friday 2023

    Black Friday is just around the corner, and it's the best time to grab amazing deals on home improvement items, electronics, and jewelry. Apart from these categories, one can also expect great offers on digital cameras. Major brands and retailers provide deals and discounts on a range of cameras tha...

must reads
  • Top 10 Black Friday 2023 Deals to Expect on Smartwatches

    Choosing a smartwatch or fitness tracker can be a daunting task. There are several factors to consider, such as the design, durability, connectivity options, battery life, and the type of data being tracked. However, these devices don't come cheap, so it's always wise to take advantage of major sale...

    Read More

  • Black Friday 2023 – Top 10 Deals on Sunglasses to Look Forward To

    Black Friday 2023 is just a few weeks away, and brands are gearing up for the year's biggest sale. Black Friday deals are ideal for people looking to start their holiday shopping early in order to avoid shipping delays or out-of-stock Wishlist items. Some of the world's top designer labels, includin...

    Read More

  • Top 10 Tablet Deals to Expect on Black Friday 2023

    Tablets are among the most adaptable and practical electronic devices, popular among people of all ages. However, these handy portable gadgets can be expensive, depending on the brand, storage, and other features they offer. So, if one is considering buying a tablet, waiting for the sale season migh...

    Read More

  • 10 Best Cat Food Deals to Expect for Black Friday 2023

    What better time to spoil one's furry friends than the greatest sales event of the year? Cat food can be purchased at heavy discounts during Black Friday. Pet parents can purchase foods for felines of all ages, try out meal combos, and get bulk packs of wet and dry cat food. While the deals on cat f...

    Read More

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2023 SearchWagon.net. All Rights Reserved.