5 Most Common Mistakes New Drivers Make
Few things are as exciting as passing your driving test. After months (or even years) or lessons and those nerve wracking theory and practical tests, with your driving licence in hand the road is now your oyster!
But as you take to the streets for the first time on your own, it’s essential that you drive as safely as possible. After all, young, inexperienced drivers are the most likely to crash, underlining the importance of sticking to the rules and remembering what your tutor taught you.
So to help you stay safe, here are the most common mistakes new drivers make and how to avoid them.
Speeding
So you’ve just passed your test, and with no instructor there to tell you to watch your speed, you’re keen to see what your vehicle can do. But while this can seem like a bit of harmless fun, excessive speed is one of the most common causes of accidents on the roads.
Moreover, if you are involved in an accident then the severity of the crash is largely dependent on the speed you’re going.
So to minimise risk, keep your speed to a minimum. This will also help you stay out of trouble and ensure you don’t get any points.
Avoiding Motorways
Many new drivers avoid motorways due to the fear that they’re more dangerous than regular roads. However, these fears are irrational as despite carrying around a fifth of traffic, motorways only account for around 5 per cent of deaths on the road which shows they’re actually far safer.
To help you gain confidence on the motorway, start by driving in calm conditions, avoiding busy periods. Familiarise yourself with motorway rules and you’ll soon get used to driving on them.
Forgetting Lessons Taught By Your Instructor
If you’ve just passed your test, chances are the lessons from your driving instructor will still be fresh in your mind. However, as time passes, some of those valuable lessons can start to slip from our minds and bad habits can start to set in.
Common mistakes include poor lane discipline, not keeping a safe following distance from vehicles in front or forgetting how to perform crucial manoeuvres properly.
Regularly reviewing the basics and analysing the way you’re driving can help you spot poor technique and bad practices before they become second nature.
Failing To Indicate
If you’ve just passed your test then you should be well drilled when it comes to using your signals. But without their instructor by their side watching their every move, some new drivers can start to become lazy or complacent with their signalling.
This is dangerous as proper use of your indicators is critical for safe driving. Failing to signal your intentions to other drivers can lead to confusion and accidents.
Common mistakes people make include not signalling when changing lanes, making turns without indicating or leaving the indicators on after completing a turn or lane change. Try not to fall into these habits as poor use of signals can dramatically increase your chances of getting into an accident.
Using Your Phone Behind The Wheel
These days we’re all guilty of becoming too preoccupied by our mobiles phones. But while this isn‘t too big of a big deal in most cases, while you’re behind the wheel it can have disastrous consequences for not only you but others on and around the roads.
Whether it's texting, making calls or using your favourite apps, using your phone while driving diverts your attention from the road and makes you four times more likely to end up in an accident.
Anyone caught using their phone while driving also faces six points and a £200 fine. And with new drivers losing their licence and needing to do a retest if they receive six points or more in their first two years of driving, you may be forced to start from scratch.
So keep your phone out of your hands if you don‘t want to lose your licence and have to go through the whole rigmarole of passing your test again!
Windscreen Cover
So now we’ve covered some of the most common mistakes made by new drivers, let’s switch our attention to another area that often gets neglected – windscreen cover! When they first start driving, many people don’t pay much attention to their windscreen coverage, but this can prove a costly mistake further down the line.
Your windscreen is one of your vehicle’s most important safety features. However, as it’s made from glass, it’s also one of the most vulnerable, and it’s susceptible to cracks, chips and complete breakage.
If something unexpected happens to your screen and you’re not covered, you’ll be out of pocket, so it’s always a good idea to protect yourself with this kind of insurance. Knowing you aren't going to be hit with a hefty bill provides peace of mind, whether you’re a new driver or not!