Getting your driver’s license is one of the most amazing and adventurous things you can ever do in your life. You’re finally free to go wherever you want, no more waiting for public transportation or relatives to drive you around. But with this freedom, there’s a huge responsibility: to be safe while driving.
As a novice driver, you are in the process of acquiring knowledge and capabilities. You might be aware of the rules, but real driving sometimes puts you in situations that books don’t talk about. Good little habits and top-notch judgment make a significant difference in the matter of keeping you and others safe. If you’re just starting your manual driving lessons in Bransley, these habits will become the foundation of your journey towards becoming a confident and responsible driver.
Let’s talk about the safest ways to protect yourself, your passengers, and all the others on the road.
Keep Your Focus on the Road
Distraction is the main enemy for today’s drivers. Mobile phones, loud music, and talking to friends can easily redirect your focus from driving. One second of distraction could result in an accident. In the case of driving, only the road ahead should be the one to claim your eyes, hands, and mind. During your driving lessons in Doncaster, you’ll quickly learn that maintaining full attention behind the wheel is the first step to becoming a safe and confident driver.
Here are some pointers to maintain your concentration:
- Switch your phone to silent mode or enable the “Do Not Disturb” option.
- Pick your music or program the GPS before you start the car.
- Make messages short and light while you drive.
- Do not eat or drink while driving.
- A driver who is edgy but awake is always a safe driver.
Follow the Speed Limits
Speed limits are not just simple numbers placed on a board; they are actually based on different areas’ safest traveling speeds. Driving over the speed limit delays your response time and makes accidents more fatal.
It is not very difficult for a non-experienced driver to be in a situation where he feels the necessity to “keep up” with other cars, but it is always the best choice to drive a little bit slower and safer.
Keep in mind:
- Always 30 mph in congested areas. One-lane roads up to 60 mph, two-lane roads, and highways are 70 mph unless posted otherwise. During bad weather —such as rain, fog, or ice —driving well below the limit is advisable. Speed reduction is a sign of your maturity and awareness.
Learn to Read the Road
A driver who follows the rules of safety is not just responding but also foreseeing the situation. Try to identify danger signs even before they occur. Look very far and make sure to see cyclists, pedestrians, stationary vehicles, and intersections. If you imagine what other drivers and pedestrians will do, you will not get stressed; instead, you will be calm and clear-thinking. One case in point:
- When you spot a ball rolling into the road, think that a child will be following it.
- A car that has its front wheels turned at a bend may be able to go onto the road very quickly.
- If you notice brake lights ahead of you, ease off your accelerator sooner.
- Your careful observation will make you more confident and ready.
Avoid Driving When Tired or Emotional
Driving is a highly demanding task, and it is necessary to be completely focused and mentally clear. Likewise, tiredness and strong emotions can badly affect one’s decision-making, like alcohol. Therefore, if at any time you experience fatigue, anger, or stress, it would be wise to either postpone your trip or take a very short break. It is not worth risking your life or others’. The symptoms indicating that you require a rest are:
- Yawning or blinking very often.
- Noticed heavy eyelids or having very slow reactions.
- Having trouble recalling the last few miles that you have driven.
- Even a 5-minute nap or a walk in fresh air can be very effective. Always pay attention to the signs provided by your body before driving.
Respect the Weather Conditions
The weather in the UK can change very quickly — one minute, sunny, and the next, heavy rain. New drivers frequently overrate the extent to which weather affects driving safety.
Here are some points to keep in mind:
- Rain: Increase your following distance by two times and do not brake harshly.
- Fog: Switch on your dipped headlights or fog lights — never use full beam.
- Ice or Snow: Maintain a slow and gentle drive and use the higher gears.
- Strong Winds: Grip the steering tightly, particularly on bridges or open roads.
- Being ready for the changing weather conditions is the mark of a responsible driver.
Don’t Give In to Peer Pressure
It’s really hard not to demonstrate to your friends after passing the test — perhaps by playing music loudly or “just a little” speeding. Nevertheless, this is the time when your friends can have such an effect on you that you lose your ability to reason. Always remember that you are the driver, not the passengers with you.
If there is a person who distracts you or urges you to take risks while driving, you should definitely speak up. A good friend will understand your focus and your grown-up behavior and will, hence, not disturb you. A lot of new drivers commit errors.
You might be influenced by your friends to a point where you cannot think straight. Keep in mind that you are the one in charge of the car, not the people in it with you.
If someone is distracting you or pushing you to drive dangerously, then you should say something. A real friend will appreciate your concentration and your mature attitude and will not bother you.
Maintain Your Vehicle Properly
To be assured of car safety, with the help of excellent car care, nothing will go wrong automotive-wise, as even minor issues could lead to considerable troubles, for instance, worn-out tires or malfunctioning lights.
- Try to integrate the following checks into your daily routine:
- Tyres: Make sure that the tread depth is over 1.6mm and the tyre pressure is right.
- Lights: Do a weekly change or check of the bulbs.
- Brakes: Be alert for any strange sounds.
- Fluids: Ensure that the oil, brake fluid, and washer fluid are at the prescribed levels.
- If anything is unclear, let your mechanic show you how to perform the basic checks. Regular maintenance is your safety net that also leads to financial savings in the future.
Stay Calm Under Pressure
Traffic jams, drivers with no patience, or a wrong turn — all these situations can be very annoying. Yet, being composed is the essential factor for safe driving.
In case of someone honking or overtaking aggressively, do not respond. Concentrate on your lane and your speed only. Getting upset increases the risk of accidents.
Getting control over the stress of the wheel turns an anxious novice into a self-assured driver.
Drive Safe, Drive Smart
To acquire road confidence, one needs time and experience. Being observant, practicing self-control, and acknowledging that safety is the priority even when it concerns speed are some good practices.
If your aim is to be a driver who has confidence and is responsible, then attending the MA Driving School would be the best choice for you. With instructors who emphasize the development of safe habits and situational awareness, you can progress at your own pace.
The driver’s calmness, alertness, and wise thinking are the requirements for each driving situation to be safe—actually, it’s the driver who makes every trip safe.