Safe driving tips for new drivers are essential when navigating public roads, which can be a major challenge. If you’re just embarking on your driving career, your lack of experience might put you at a slightly greater statistical risk of being involved in a collision. That’s why it’s important to think consciously about how you drive. You can adjust your approach for maximum safety.
Familiarize Yourself with the Highway Code
For a thorough understanding of best practice on roads, the Highway Code is an indispensable document. The code is regularly updated, and thus it’s important to keep an eye out for new revisions. For example, in 2022, the Code was changed so that traffic should give way to pedestrians crossing at junctions.
Practice Safe Defensive Driving
Safe driving tips for new drivers include practicing defensive driving, which means thinking ahead and anticipating potential risks on the road. Your reaction times are crucial, even if you have driver-assistive technologies like automatic braking and lane control. It’s also essential to avoid driving when your ability is compromised—whether due to alcohol, drugs, or illness—as these factors can significantly increase your risk on the road.
Finding The Correct Insurance Policy for New Drivers
In many countries, it’s a legal requirement that drivers on public roads be insured. For young people, this can be expensive. Since new drivers present a statistically greater risk, they tend to be charged more by insurance providers. In many cases, however, it’s possible to save by choosing young driver insurance policies. These tend to work via telematics: a black-box device will record your driving behavior, and report it back to the insurer. This not only provides the insurer with the information they need to bring your premium down, but it also provides you, the driver, with an incentive to lower your speed, avoid risky behaviors, and generally drive responsibly.
Manage Speed and Maintain Safe Distances
Driving responsibly tends to mean driving slowly, so that you’ll have more time to react to an unexpected development. This is particularly important during winter, when the road surface might be more slippery. You might also avoid tailgating, since this will allow you the time to react when the driver in front of you unexpectedly applies the brakes.
Avoid Distractions While Driving
Distraction is a major driver of risk. You’ll want to avoid using your mobile phone while you’re behind the wheel. If you need to use a sat-nav app, make sure that you interact with it only when the vehicle has come to a stop. Keep your attention on the road ahead – you’ll stand a better chance of reacting when your focus is total.
