While learning how to drive there are things all driving students get wrong during their training. Let’s find out!
Learning to drive is one of the most significant milestones in a person’s life. Just as a parent cherishes those “firsts” with a kid, as a driving student, you will adore the first time you exit a parking lot into the streets.
Driving is a responsibility of ensuring safety on the roads. However, it’s not uncommon to find people knowingly or unknowingly overlooking some of the driving measures.
There are many areas for a driving student to learn, understand and practice. It takes time to gain confidence on the road.
Why struggle alone when Pierre Paul Driving School can help? Call us today at 718-576-6277 to help you start mastering the art of driving and prepare you to pass that road test with confidence.
Below are three things that you’re likely getting wrong as a driving student.
1. Driving too Slowly
While you may think that by driving slowly, you’re a safe driver, you may be creating unsafe road conditions for other road users. Being too hesitant behind the wheel is a driving mistake and can reflect a lack of confidence. You shouldn’t stray too far from the speed limit, not unless in situations, such as bad weather, that requires otherwise.
Driving too slowly or braking for no good cause is considered an offense. Slow driving imposes danger concerning the flow of traffic or even road rage. Angered drivers might opt to react to your inconveniencing slow driving by honking, putting you under undue pressure.
Additionally, when you’re slowly driving on the left lane, drivers who want to overtake lawfully, are forced to use the right-hand lane, which could rampantly increase their chances of getting into a lethal accident.
As a result, you end up making anxious and ill-advised decisions behind the wheel hence risking your life and that of other road users. The remedy for being too hesitant on the road is not speeding; instead, consider being courteous and engage your best judgement to avoid catastrophic auto accidents.
2. Not Minding Other Road Users
As a driving student, you’ll need to understand that your actions while on the wheel affect other motorists around you. In a situation where you engage in erratic behavior, you make it difficult for other drivers to gauge what to do.
Situational awareness isn’t about other drivers but yourself. Knowing the road, understanding and being cautious about other motorists and potential obstacles while on the move are essential skills in safe driving. Therefore, ensure you master them rather than expecting other drivers to act on your behalf.
Communication with other motorists is a vital factor in safe driving. You’ll need to use signals to alert others on what you’re about to do. You must master when and how to use both signals.
Give way to other drivers even when you’re changing course or direction, stopping or moving off. Also, if you’re not sure whether you need to signal, it’s best to give it just in case, rather than blindly expecting other motorists to understand your intentions.
Roads, especially in towns and cities, can be bustling. It’s, therefore, crucial to cooperate with other motorists to help keep traffic flowing and safe from accidents. Ensure to scan the road to gather information on your route, and spot potential hazards in a good time.
For instance, a massive commercial vehicle turning left might first swing out to the road’s right-hand side. Allow such users plenty of space. Thus, look out for other motorists, and try to predict what they’re likely to do. It’s crucial to vulnerable motorists,
Such as
- Motorists and cyclists, who, when about to make a move or a turn, will look over their shoulders.
- Children who may unknowingly run into the road
- The elderly, who due to poor eyesight or hearing, may be unaware of approaching traffic
- Other overtaking drivers
- People with disabilities and those using powered vehicles
- Other student drivers and newly qualified drivers
Driving without consideration or attention of other road users may land you into penalties since it’s an offense. You may end up failing your permit or learner’s tests, or in future losing your driving license.
Try as much as possible to give way for an emergency vehicle. Consider any reasonable action you can take to help it get through, but within the law,independent of whether you arrived there first.
Avoid unnecessary overtaking of other vehicles, especially on the left, not unless the traffic is slowly moving in queues on your right.
3. Getting Distracted
Distractions can keep you from noticing an oncoming vehicle, and correcting dangerous situations on the road. Nothing, it seems, will stop most student drivers from diverting their attention away from the primary role of driving. Distracted driving is such a horrifying practice in that, 2,841 lives were lost in 2018 alone, according to NHTSA.
Among the distractions, you may experience while behind the wheel, is the use of mobile phones. Texting, reading emails, or making calls takes your attention off the road for about five seconds. At a speed of 55 mph, it’s like driving at the length of an entire football field while closing your eyes.
It’s no longer considered safe driving if you give it divided attention. It exposes you to the risk of being involved in a crash. Upon a distraction, it takes only three seconds for a car crash to occur. You’ll not only be risking your life but that of other motorists as well as other motorists.
Independent of your reason for distraction, ensure you are at a stop. It’s safer to switch off any source of interruption, before driving. It’s an act that may seem harmless, to even reach for something in your car, while driving, but its impact can land you in a grisly crash. It’s enough to serve as a reason to park or wait until you reach your destination.
Wrapping Up
As a driving student, it’s essential to enforce full responsibility when behind the wheel. For you to qualify for a learner’s permit or a driving license, you’ll need to exhibit paramount awareness of all the seemingly ‘minute’ things that are huge contributors to road accidents. Ensure that you do not drive scared, no interruptions and you mind other drivers, rather drive smart and follow the tips given above.
Let’s Help You Get It Right
At Pierre Paul Driving School, we’ve experienced and patient driving instructors who can turn your driving faults to perfection. Call one of our associates now at 718-576-6277 to get started.