Safety precautions for first-time drivers

There is no denying that almost everyone is eager to drive their first car. But there’s much to consider before handing over the keys to an anxious teenager. Here are some important safety precautions for first-time drivers.

Choosing an insurance company

No matter how good your insurance company is, you should always browse your options to make sure that you’re getting the proper coverage at the right place. Do your research thoroughly when it comes to picking a policy that can provide you with the support you need. Insurance companies tend to lower their premiums if you set up your car with extra safety accessories.

Behind the wheel: Steady acceleration

No matter how many action movies you watch, slamming the acceleration pedal is always a bad idea. The engine of your car was designed to step up into higher gears slowly and steadily, providing you with the best and safest performance. Slowly practice pressing the pedal as gently as possible to get a feel for the pressure required to get the car into a higher gear.

Watch the speed limit

Speed limits aren’t arbitrary numbers that the Department of Transportation settles with a few dice rolls. The roads are investigated as thoroughly as possible by engineers who factor in the road type, accident rates, traffic throughout the day, and even the sight distance. Maintaining speed limits shouldn’t be done because you’re afraid of a ticket but rather to avoid fatal accidents.

Car bonding

If this is your first time to get in the driver’s seat, you’ll want to take your time when familiarizing yourself with all the controls and levers. It’s still not as complex as an airplane console, but things can get quite confusing if you keep forgetting what each lever does. The best way to jump into the action is to practice braking, turning, and even signaling in big and empty spaces. It shouldn’t take you more than a few hours of practice to nail down the basic switches, levers, and blinkers.

Safer Cars

Fact is, some cars are safer than others. Even though a muscle car from the 80s that looks like it’s right out of a movie can be the coolest thing you’ll ever get to drive, it can be a coffin on wheels, especially for beginners. Choose the latest car makes that are known for their safety features like multiple airbags, GPS, stability control, ABS brakes, and other important ones.

Don’t drive distracted

While technology has its advantages, it can totally backfire when it becomes a distraction during driving. You don’t really want to see the destructive power of a 1-ton and 65 MPH machine going out of control because you want to look at a text. If you have to check the maps, answer a call, text someone, or anything else that requires removing your eyes from the road, find the nearest place to park and do whatever you need there.

Car maintenance

A lot of new drivers fall into the common pitfall of thinking that their car will keep going as long as they haven’t crashed. You need to always keep in consideration the true value of caring for your vehicle’s maintenance. Routine oil checks, tire pressurizing, and fluid level checks can not only save your life from random accidents, but will also save you thousands of dollars in the cost of repairs.

Seat belts

It’s hard to stress the importance of seat belts. Wearing the seat belts at all times, whether you’re a driver or a passenger should be one of your priorities. Even if you’re the best driver in the world, there is no way for you to protect yourself from a drunk driver coming out of nowhere, so always keep the seat belt on. Plus, not wearing one is an expensive ticket waiting to happen. 

There are tons of different safety tips that you can pick up from friends, instructors, and online resources. When you come to grips with the fact that you’re driving over a ton of steel with a few pedals, you’ll realize how important it is for you and others to stay on the safe side