The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that there were over 33,000 vehicular accidents resulting in death in 2019. New drivers are naturally more at risk of being involved in a wreck due to lack of experience, especially teens who have just received their permits. In fact, motor vehicle crashes are actually the number one cause of fatality and disability in American teens. If you are a young adult about to embark on your first driving session, you need to be cautious. Failing to do so may lead to a potentially deadly or harmful incident and the need for a personal injury law firm Hillsborough County. Here are three driving tips for staying safe on your first time on the road behind the wheel.
1. Learn About Your Vehicle
Before you ever crank the car, you should get to know it. Learn about all of the buttons and controls (blinkers, windshield wipers, emergency lights, etc), where they are, how to use them and when to use them. Make sure you know where to put your feet, what is the most comfortable position to adjust your seat to, where to put your hands on the steering wheel and which angles you need to put your mirrors at to minimize blind spots.
2. Eliminate Distractions
You probably already know that it is not a good idea (and illegal in many places) to have your phone in your hand while you’re driving regardless of if you’re texting, talking to someone or just glancing at a message. However, there are many other factors that more experienced drivers may be able to drive with that you as a new driver should not. For instance, listening to the radio may divert your attention, causing you to not focus as intently as you need to. Even looking down for a second to change the station might result in an accident. Eating, drinking, fiddling with the air conditioner or heater controls and checking your appearance are also distractions.
3. Pay Very Close Attention to Signs
It is imperative that you actively keep an eye out for road signs. It is very easy to miss one because you are busy watching the road ahead or not paying attention to the sides as well as the front. Some areas contain speed traps (sudden changes in the speed limit) which are meant to catch the inattentive unawares. There may also be signs warning about temporary obstructions and construction work ahead that signal you need to slow down.
Practicing safety measures can help you avoid becoming involved in a wreck. The most important things for new drivers to do are obey the traffic laws, pay attention and stay informed.