Common Mistakes For New Drivers

First time drivers are imbued with a new sense of freedom. They no longer have to rely on parents or friends to drive them from point A to point B but are now able to drive themselves from A to B and beyond. Being newly accustomed to this freedom, new drivers ignore there inexperience in many aspects of driving. No matter how well they pass the driving test, the real test is getting on the road for the first time alone with other drivers.New drivers, especially teenagers, are notorious for making mistakes while driving. While some can and should be avoided, others result from naivety and a lack of awareness. The most common mistakes are easily corrected, but can also be the deadliest and should be addressed as soon as the driver or anyone notices that they are being made.Common mistakes include such things as being distracted while at the wheel. This is extremely dangerous and can result in serious, and even fatal, accidents. Distractions come from many areas: sights on the side of the road, changing the radio dial, and in this modern day, cell phones and text messaging. New drivers need to understand how crucial it is to keep their attention on driving and not such frivolous activities as talking on the phone or changing the radio. If you do need to use the cell phone, pull to the side of the road, make the call, and rejoin traffic once the call is finished.An important step in preventing accidents, the practice of maintaining proper distance between cars, is often ignored by new drivers. They often follow too closely, not realizing just how dangerous this can be. Keeping distance between the car and others allows for braking and other procedures in case of an accident up ahead or an emergency stop. Not only this, but the practice is just common courtesy. No one likes a tailgater and it is quite intimidating to have someone following too closely. Make sure to maintain a distance of at least 3 seconds behind the car in front. This distance will allow for a full and complete stop at any speed. Other vehicles such as large trucks and SUVs will need additional distance.Maintaining the car is very important. A well maintained vehicle performs far better than one that is neglected. Keeping the brake pads fresh, the oil clean and new, and making sure the tires are in excellent condition are just some of what new drivers need to be mindful of. It is important to keep the car in a condition that is safe to drive, and more often than not it will allow for a more enjoyable driving experience.Certainly there are other common mistakes that new drivers make. It is important to understand that driving can be dangerous if not taken seriously. Experience will clean up most of the rough edges, but other mistakes made out of ignorance and even stupidity can result in injury, or worse, so correcting them is a top priority.