Joining the roads as a new motorist can be both thrilling and daunting. Of course, safety must always be paramount when getting behind the wheel, especially for new drivers. This post will offer a few practical tips for preventing crashes, building safe habits early on, and becoming a confident and competent motorist.
Understanding Your Risks as a New Driver
Young and novice drivers are more likely to be involved in serious or fatal collisions, especially in the evenings or on rural roads. According to Brake, 1 in 5 drivers crashes within a year of passing their test, and over 1,500 young drivers are killed or seriously injured on the roads each year. Contributory factors include speed, inexperience, failing to look properly, and peer pressure.
Key Skills & Behaviours to Master Early On
There are a few key skills that you need to master early on to become a safe and confident driver. These include mirror use, hazard anticipation, speed control, and lane positioning. Nothing helps more than practice, so you should be spending as much time behind the wheel as possible in between lessons to develop your skills and confidence. Behaviour elements like observation, planning ahead, hazard perception, avoiding distractions, and obeying speed limits are vital. New motorists should spend time familiarising themselves with the Highway Code and taking regular mock tests to keep their theory knowledge sharp.
How Environment & Conditions Affect Safety
Different roads (urban and rural), time of day, weather, darkness, and traffic density are all factors that affect safety. Many young drivers are involved in crashes on rural roads and at night, so it is wise to build your skills and confidence in safe conditions first. You can then learn how to adapt your driving to the conditions, such as slowing down and allowing more stopping distance in wet conditions and using your lights safely at night.
Legal Responsibilities, Penalties, & After a Collision
You must also be aware of your legal duties, including driving a roadworthy vehicle, wearing your seatbelt, and obeying laws on mobile phone use and alcohol consumption. Proposed law changes, such as lower drink-drive limitsand stricter eyesight checks, can also affect new drivers. If you are ever involved in an accident, these are the steps to follow:
- Check for injuries
- Move to safety
- Exchange insurance information
- Notify police
- Notify the insurance company
- Document the scene
Additionally, if you suffer damage or injury in a crash that was not your fault, you may have grounds for a car accident claim under UK law.
The information in this post should be useful for new drivers and help you join the road as a safe, competent, and confident motorist.