Do’s and Don’t To Keep In Mind Before Learning To Drive A Car : Learning to drive is a long and tedious process, and even if you have several years of experience on the road, it can still get confusing from time to time. Driving gives you a sense of freedom, allowing you to commute to work or go for a long road trip whenever you want.
However, there are some tips to consider regardless of which car you drive, a sleek Toyota Corolla or a large Cadillac Escalade alike. While modern technologies have certainly amped up safety, the driver still remains the most important part of a car.
So, to keep you safe while driving, let’s go through some do’s and don’ts to consider.
Do’s:
Adjusting the driving seat – Before you start driving a car, you should make sure that the seat and steering wheel is adjusted to your preference. A good way to determine this is to keep the steering wheel within easy reach while remaining comfortably in the seat. With a comfortable position, you’ll be able to travel a lot longer with minimal fatigue, leading to a safer journey.
Wearing seat belts – Although it’ll be second nature soon after you start driving, make sure you fasten your seatbelts every time you get in the car. Not only will they keep you in place in challenging situations, but they will also secure you in place when braking or cornering suddenly. Modern cars come with seat belt reminders to make sure the passengers are safe.
Indicator usage – As one of the main signals to let fellow drivers know your intentions, you must make use of indicators properly. Whenever making a turn or switching lanes, make sure you use the indicators appropriately. Learning to use indicators when reversing also lets other road users know where the car is going.
Maintaining distance from other vehicles – No matter how experienced a driver you are, it’s always advised to maintain a certain distance from other vehicles on the road, especially from the car in front. Depending on the speed, this distance should increase. Also take note of the distance between the car and other obstacles, especially to the sides. On highways and high-speed roads, increase the distance to give yourself more reaction time in case of an emergency.
Shifting to reverse after stopping – Whenever you’re planning on reversing the car, make sure you come to a complete stop before shifting to reverse. This applies to both automatic and manual transmission alike. Shifting before stopping can damage the transmission components and even cause them to fail prematurely in the long run.
Follow proper shifting procedures – Regardless of transmission choice, make sure you learn how a transmission works and how to use it properly. There are different gearboxes on offer, and although most of them seem simple to operate, it’s a good idea to consult the owner’s manual just in case. If you’re in Georgia, be sure to also check out Georgia Joshua’s law info, which provides essential guidelines for new drivers on safe vehicle operations. When considering manual transmission vehicles, always shift gears according to vehicle speed and avoid shifting to lower gears unless required. Sudden shifts can cause the car to jerk and even lose control because of the wheels locking up.
Learn in the right car – When learning to drive, it’s a good idea to do it in the type of car you’re planning to drive. Depending on the body style, most cars drive differently and offer different visibility levels. On manual cars, the clutch control can be different. Braking will also be different on heavier cars.
Preparing for theory tests – Before getting behind the wheel, make sure you have a thorough knowledge of all the road rules and the highway code. To help you boost your knowledge, several practice tests are available online.
Getting learner’s insurance – If you’re planning on learning to drive without your instructor often, it’s a good idea to get learners’ insurance. This is applicable if you’re with someone who has been a licensed driver for more than three years. As a bonus, getting your learner’s insurance will help you get cheaper insurance rates in the future if there are no claims on the profile.
Getting the right driving instructor – Finally, we get to one of the most crucial points on the list. Your driving instructor matters a lot when you learn to drive, so pick someone relaxed and confident, and who can tackle tough situations. If you feel like the instructor is not giving you their full attention, it’s time for a switch.
Don’ts:
Driving while drunk – Always avoid driving whenever you’re going out for a drink. Taking a cab is usually the only recommended option in this case. Drinking can impair vision and affect your instincts, increasing the possibility of a collision.
Avoid distractions while driving – Some of the most common distractions include using the phone and fiddling around with the infotainment system. When you’re a beginner driver, avoid loud music and similar distractions, as it can lower your senses, affecting the way you drive.
Overspeeding and overtaking – Always keep a cool and composed head when driving in public. Plan before proceeding with an overtake to judge the distance between vehicles. High speeds will also affect the dynamics of the car and give you less control in case of a sudden movement.
Stay in the right lane – Depending on how fast you’re going, stay in the middle lane or slower lanes whenever possible. Also, avoid switching lanes as often and always check for traffic before making the switch.
Rush – Never rush the learning process. Always take your time to go through all the rules and cover all the basics. Some drivers will need multiple attempts before they pass their tests, so you must understand all there is to know before jumping into the driving test. All drivers make mistakes, and you should learn from them to understand thoroughly and avoid them in the future.
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Do’s and Don’t To Keep In Mind Before Learning To Drive A Car
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