Congratulations on passing your driving test! You’re going to love the freedom and independence that comes with owning and driving your own vehicle. Your driving instructor taught you how to drive safely, how to navigate the roads carefully and how to manage those awkward parking lot scenarios. But your learning shouldn’t stop there. Just because you’ve passed your test, it doesn’t mean you’re less likely to have an accident or make a fatal mistake.
Here we’ll explore some driving tips for newly qualified drivers and things your instructor probably didn’t teach you.
Most crashes occur within a few miles of home
No one wants to be in a car accident. You could end up writing your car off, becoming seriously injured or permanently disabled. If you were to have a life-changing, debilitating injury you may not be able to drive ever again. Wondering how much does disability pay? Click the link to find out more. Interestingly, most car accidents occur when drivers are within a few miles of home. This is because on the roads we’re most familiar with, we’re more likely to take risks and we become dangerously overconfident.
So, whether you’re pulling out of the driveway and onto the main road or traveling along the freeway, you should be applying the same focus and caution every time you get behind the wheel.
Take time to get to know your car
Whether you’ve been gifted a brand new car, or you’ve got yourself a second hand one, before you hit the road and start driving everywhere you need to take some time to get to know your vehicle. Imagine driving and it suddenly starts to rain, do you know where your windshield wipers are? Or how to put on your lights?
Not knowing how to control your vehicle is incredibly dangerous. So, before you choose your favorite playlist and set off, take some time to go over the basics and get to know your car.
Know what to do if there is an accident
Sometimes, accidents happen. And whether you’re at fault or not, you need to know what to do in the event of a road accident. The basics include:
- Staying calm and turning off your engine
- Calling the police
- Seeking medical attention as soon as possible
- Taking photographic evidence of the scene and getting witness details
- Swapping details with the other party
- Speaking with a PI lawyer
Remember to follow the guidance from your instructor
You weren’t just checking your blind spot and adjusting your mirrors to pass your test. You should be doing these things every time you get behind the wheel. Just because your mom and dad don’t do these little checks or fail to use their signals correctly, doesn’t mean you have to fall into the same bad habits. Stay safe by remembering the guidance of your instructor.
And finally, how to change a flat
If you don’t know how to change a flat tire then you could be facing an expensive roadside assistance bill. Learning how to change a flat tire yourself is incredibly rewarding and much better for your wallet!