Learning how to drive is usually a super milestone for every new driver and can be the most precious experience. Driving a car involves all your senses, and you integrate them with the skills you learned in your driving lessons.
Even if you’ve never been pulled over by the cops or crashed into another vehicle, it is advisable to upgrade your driving skills. Even with the current distractions, it’s common even for well-experienced drivers to have focus-related issues. Even though no one is perfect, here are ways to assist you in becoming a better driver.
1. Avoid Tailgating Other Motorists
Tailgating is when a driver follows the driver in front too close without leaving adequate space. It’s hazardous due to the following reasons:
- It heightens the chances of running into the vehicle in front since you don’t have time to react abruptly to an incident and brake.
- Tailgating involves braking and constantly accelerating to maintain the short distance between you, which is equally costly in fuel.
- You cannot see further ahead as the front vehicle blocks your eyesight.
- Your brake lights blinking on and off makes those behind you unwillingly brake, and they might even get annoyed.
2. Look Further Ahead
When you focus on the vehicles in front of you, you cannot acknowledge what’s happening at the far end of the road. Viewing up to 100 meters ahead offers enough time to prepare and respond to dangers. Looking further ahead also helps prevent nose-to-tail accidents where you run right into the vehicle in front. You can start adjusting the speed as you proceed with the journey. This technique saves you fuel by lowering wear and tear on your brakes.
3. Drive Within the Recommended Speed Limit
Driving within the required speed limits will make you avoid unnecessary collisions or accidents. You can also internalize the road signs to choose the right speed for your surroundings. Of course, exceeding the recommended speed limit will have you arrested and pay fines or even risk your life and other road users.
4. Adjust Your Mirror in the Optimal Position
Most drivers neglect the mirrors forgetting that they cannot get a glimpse of what is happening around them with their bare eyes. Having these mirrors in an optimal position will highly assist you in expanding your field of vision. You can adjust these mirrors well while seated in the driver’s seat.
Additionally, adjust your rearview mirror to align it to the rear window to see everything behind you. Check all the mirrors at least every ten seconds. You can re-adjust the mirror as often as possible according to the amount of traffic and other related factors.
5. Upgrade Your Driving Skills and Knowledge
You can agree that some months after receiving our driving licenses, we forget the essential rules and adopt the bad habits of other drivers. As guilty as we are, this habit is dangerous to all road users.
Keep revising your Road Code Knowledge to ensure you know the latest road rules. You can also undertake advanced driving lessons and practice through driving tutors and organizations. Advanced driving training comes with many benefits compared to standard training.
6. Manage Your Distractions
Good driving is achieved with fewer distractions while on site. While we might be tempted to peep our phones now and then, we should have them on flight mode to prevent distractions. If it’s the kids, teaching them the importance of calmness during driving is a good idea. Even better, why not have an adult watching over them? These young ones are somehow uncontrollable.
7. Hold the Steering Wheel Firmly
To be a better driver, ensure you follow the guidelines of holding a steering wheel described by your driving trainer. Holding the steering wheel firmly also relates to distractions; don’t have your mind taken away by minor distractions that could cost your life or car damage.
8. Installation of Automotive Lights
The different types of automotive lights come with their benefits, whereby by having them installed on your vehicle, you can manoeuvre long distances and under extreme weather conditions. They include L.E.D.headlights, tail lamps, indicators, and foglights.
Automotive lighting is essential in increasing your vision while travelling at night, while tail lamps show other road users’ existing presence. Fog lights are fitted at the lower positions of the car, and they assist in reducing glare while driving in fog weather conditions. Indicator lights communicate with other motorists that you are making a turn or changing lanes. Furthermore, ensure your automotive lights are in good working condition before starting your journey.
9. Avoid Sleep Driving
Maybe you are tired from a long trip, under medication, and feeling unwell; avoid all circumstances that should make you sleep-drive. Pull over for a 15-minute power nap or break when you feel tired or sleepy. Falling asleep at the steering wheel can cause a fatal crash.
10. The Parting Shot
Becoming a better driver involves gradual steps and doesn’t happen on the first attempt. It requires patience, determination, and practice. By implementing these tips, you will improve your driving skills and become a better driver on the road.