Down The Road: 7 Essential Tips For Rookie Drivers

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Driving is a skill and necessity, and everyone must at least know how to drive. For one, driving is essential in case of emergencies, especially when the only people living in your home are your old parents or children who do not drive anymore or know nothing about it.

Another reason is that, with the spread of the virus all over the world today, it is no longer safe to go out and use public transportation for fear of catching the virus. Thus, it is advisable to learn and understand the basics of driving for you and your loved ones’ safety. Therefore, listed below are the seven essential tips for rookie drivers or those who wish to renew their knowledge about driving.

1. Get Acquainted With Your Car

Getting acquainted with your car means familiarizing the entirety of your vehicle from its internal combustion engine down to its steering system or timing belt. This is because you cannot merely know how to drive and maneuver its steering wheel without knowing your car thoroughly and how it works. You can begin by knowing whether your vehicle is automatic or manual since they involve a different and distinct set of rules and mechanics.

Further, you can also read your vehicle’s manual and understand all the details involved therein or have someone knowledgeable enough to explain it to you. Being familiar with your car not only guides your driving but also provides you with knowledge on maintaining and taking care of your vehicle.

2. Memorize The Rules Of The Road

It is not enough to know the road rules because there will be a massive chance of forgetting them. That is why you need to memorize the road laws to avoid taking the risks of danger and harm to yourself and others.

But how do you memorize them? Of course, you don’t only pick up a manual or a book for driving and remember the road rules written therein.

You need to enroll at an excellent best driving schools in Fort Worth Texas and gain sufficient knowledge from a master driving instructor whose expertise is to teach you all the things you need to learn about the roads. Indeed, you need someone professional to become professional as well in driving. 

3. Drive Safely

When driving, a driving rookie must bear in mind all the time that safety must always be his priority to lessen the risk of car accidents. To drive safely means to observe all the road rules and traffic regulations. This includes the appropriate usage of car signals while changing the lanes to notify others of your specific action. More importantly, you must also follow the speed limit or adjust it according to different weather conditions to avoid mishaps. 

4. Drive Sober And Fully Awake

Statistics have shown that the mortality rate of people involved in car accidents increased tremendously over time because of drunk-driving or the driver’s sleepiness. Time and again, drivers are reminded to drive sober and be fully awake because they’ll never know, it will be the last day of their lives. Of course, it is unavoidable to attend parties or gatherings, but avoidable are the misfortunes that will likely arise from not driving sober.

The best solution to this is straightforward. When you’re drunk and very sleepy, just take a power nap or sleep for an hour or so—no need to rush to drive. You also need to hydrate your body to lessen your intoxication. Besides, you should have already weighed the consequences to you before attending the party. 

5. Do Not Tailgate

Tailgating means being so near next to the car. This is an explicit prohibition because you won’t have ample time to avert a clash of collision when the car ahead of you has to make an emergency swerve or maneuver, and you’re right there next to it. You must observe at all times a safe distance from the car in front of you for at least two vehicles. This way, you can avert any crash and protect yourself.

6. Study The Basic Automotive Mechanics

You need not be a mechanical expert before you become a highly-experienced driver. This only means that you must have sufficient knowledge about basic automotive mechanics because you’ll never know when and where your car will experience damage. Worse, you may not receive any road assistance. Thus, you must know how to change oil, remove a tire, or jump a battery.

7. Keep A Cool Head

As a rookie driver, you must make it a habit to keep a cool head. Other than unnecessary accidents, there are car collisions because of the drivers’ temper. When someone tailgates you, just ignore it. When another vehicle cuts you, stay calm and focus on yourself. What’s important is that you’re safe and you had a good time driving. 

Takeaway

There may be so many things to bear in mind when driving. However, as mentioned above, these tips are the most basic and essential things to remember to guide a rookie driver like you. And once you practice these, you’ll never go wrong.