Driving well is about driving safely. The loud noise and speed of people going fast on the road may have seemed impressive before you got your license. But now you know that all they are doing is endangering themselves and everyone else on the road.
Keep in mind that even if you are as safe as safe can be, unfortunate incidents will happen. Other people may not be paying as much attention to the road as you, and you may be swept up in their zone of destruction.
If you find yourself in a tight situation, such as an accusation of being under the influence, do not let them bully you into anything. Give your insurance information and a concise description of events to the police and immediately call a lawyer for DUI. That situation is not for you to figure out; it is for your lawyer to handle.
Prevention is better than cure and a lot cheaper. Thus, know how you can improve your safety and raise your confidence as you become used to driving.
Focus on Your Safety
It can be easy to get swept away in your own newness and worry that other drivers are judging your driving ability. But no one on the road is thinking about your car or driving skills. Studies show that even bad drivers believe that other drivers are worse than themselves.
Your only focus should be getting from point A to point B as safely and efficiently as possible. Sometimes that will mean giving way to someone driving recklessly, but that’s okay. It’s safer to keep bad drivers within sight than behind you or try to match them. Your life matters more than some reckless drivers need to be unsafe on the roads.
Manage Your Confidence
Sometimes when we reach a specific level of driving, we get overconfident on the road. Unfortunately, this is a sign that you are unsafe. Getting away with driving a little too fast here and there is no proof that you’re a better driver than others. It is simply reckless behavior that could result in devastating circumstances. When it comes to auto accidents, it is better not to find out how bad they can be.
Stand Up for Yourself
Adding on to the previous point, you could generally be a safe driver but then be influenced to do dangerous things by your friends. If you find yourself in situations where your friends tell you to break driving laws and go against accepted traffic rules, you need to assess yourself.
The fear of losing your friend must not overcome the genuine possibility that if you succumb to peer pressure and drive unsafely, their life could end in your car. Even if they have not developed the risk aversion required to put well-being ahead of perceived fun, then you must be the one to demonstrate what that looks like to them.
Never Risk It
If you feel like you are too safe for a driver to worry about driving while drunk or high, then you should not be on the road. The lives lost if you drive drunk are worth more than one person’s arrogant assumptions about their ability to control a vehicle. In the hands of a drunk driver, a car is a weapon. It is not worth ruining your and your potential victim’s life and future to the driver while impaired.
Pay Attention
You can use sight, hearing, and smell to be a better driver as well. This is why it is such a bad idea to have music on too loud in your car because it might prevent you from hearing noises that can indicate potential trouble. You could miss the sound of cars honking, of a rattle in the engine, police and ambulance sirens, and many more.
Remind yourself that you should watch the road ahead and not just the immediate road in front of you. Check from side to side and into the mirrors regularly as well. This will ensure that you are aware of your surroundings and can react accordingly.
Burning rubber from tires or smoke from the engines can easily drift into the cabin of the vehicle. If you pay attention, you can catch a whiff and immediately know to pull over and get to a safe distance to determine if your car is okay.
Avoiding distractions when you’re on the road is essential for your and everyone’s safety. Consider getting a GPS device, a hands-free device, and other items that can help you drive defensively. This way, you can ensure that you won’t cause and meet any accident along the way. target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer nofollow”