Although only a small percentage of drivers are aged 17 to 24, they are involved in 9% of fatal or serious accidents. At this age, driving is a great opportunity to be free and live life but it comes with a lot of risk if you don’t drive sensibly. We have put together our top 5 tips for young or new drivers to stay safe on the road.
Don’t give into peer pressure
New and young drivers often drive with their friends in the passenger seat, this means there are more distractions and is a greater chance of an accident occurring. Sometimes drivers can be influenced by those around them which can lead to them being reckless and irresponsible, this not only puts themselves at danger but it puts the passengers and other road users at risk.
Get more training
You may have just passed your test but this doesn’t all of a sudden mean you’re invincible. As a new driver you are still very inexperienced and getting more training will enable you to become more confident behind the wheel and will make you more accurate and decisive when making decisions.
Avoid drinking alcohol
Alcohol slows down your reaction time, reduces your coordination and can affect your judgement of both speed and distance. Although there are strict alcohol laws in place for drivers, we would recommend that as a new driver, you don’t drink any alcohol at all before driving.
Plan your route
If going on a long drive, we advise that you plan your route and stop every 2 hours. This will allow you to focus on the road more and there will be no distractions. Ensuring you have regular stops is important, it gives you chance to relax, ease your mind and take a break.
Start with short journeys
Ensure you start with short car journeys, this allows you to get used to the car and the roads without an instructor next to you. Driving long distances can be very straining on the mind and body and you won’t be ready for it straight away, even if you feel comfortable driving and feel like you could sustain a long journey we’d recommend you build your distance up.
If you have recently passed your test then it is vital you follow these steps in order to stay safe on the road. If you are currently learning to drive then you might want to check out the new driving test changes to ensure you have the best chance of passing.