Your first driving experience can be nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. But while on the road, one of the most crucial things you can do to enhance your safety is to pay attention to your surroundings and take precautions to avoid accidents.
Proper driving can also save you a ton of money on car insurance premiums. Considering the benefits of safe driving, here are some essential safety tips if you recently acquired your driver’s license.
Follow Traffic Rules
Obeying all traffic signs and signals is among the top ways to stay safe on the road. It helps you avoid getting expensive tickets that could cause your insurance rates to go up.
Therefore, always stop completely at stop signs and red lights, and don’t speed at intersections. It would help if you also looked both ways before crossing streets or turning onto a new road.
Moreover, make good use of your turn signals when changing lanes, making turns, or overtaking. Remember that you share roads with pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists, and you need to alert them of your next moves to ensure everyone’s safety.
Maintain Your Car
Inspecting your vehicle regularly to ensure it is in good condition before hitting the road is another way to ensure your safety. Often, inspecting means checking your tires for wear and tear and ensuring they have sufficient pressure.
You should also have a qualified mechanic inspect your car’s transmission, brakes, lights, wiper blades, and brake fluid and coolant levels every once in a while. The keener you are with your vehicle, the longer it will last and guarantee safety on the road.
Drive at a Safe Speed
As a new driver, you must always check the speed limit and slow down if necessary based on the road conditions and weather. Driving too fast increases the likelihood of an accident and could lead to expensive fines.
Sometimes, safe speed does not always translate to sticking to the speed limit. Other factors, such as weather conditions and traffic on the road, can also come into play.
Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving causes more traffic accidents than you can imagine on American roads. So, put your phone away and avoid any other source of distraction, such as tuning your radio or eating while driving.
It is also a good idea to program your destination into your GPS device before you start your journey. Additionally, make any important calls before you head out on your trip to avoid worrying about them while driving.
Wear Your Seatbelt
Wearing a seatbelt is essential while driving, as it helps prevent you from being thrown outside the car or knocked against the inside vehicle parts in the event of an accident. Therefore, make wearing a seatbelt a requirement for any other person riding alongside you in your car. If need be, do not mind leaving those unwilling to follow the rule behind.
Prepare for the Unexpected
No matter how careful you are behind the wheel, you can not completely rule out the possibility of an accident as you share the road with many other people.
If you have been involved in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, you may be eligible to recover compensation.
However, contact an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss your case. A car accident lawyer can greatly assist when filing a personal injury claim or pursuing a lawsuit to recover damages from your accident.
