Are you a new driver? Congratulations on achieving your driver’s license! While you may have learned a lot about driving in your driver's ed classes, it never hurts to brush up on a few safety tips. After all, by practicing safe driving habits, you’ll keep yourself and your fellow drivers safe. Fortunately, at Pacific Driver Education, we’re here to help new and experienced drivers in Oregon stay as safe as possible. Keep reading to learn our top safety tips for new drivers, and contact us to register for our driver’s ed classes online.
Safety Tips for New Drivers
Safety Tips for New Drivers
Obey Posted Speed Limits
Whether you’re in the moment or simply not paying attention, it can be easy to ignore posted speed limits. However, this is a dangerous move because the faster you’re going, the harder it is to react to a risky situation in time. Not to mention, speeding is an illegal offense that could leave you with an expensive ticket. Speed limits exist for a reason, and by ignoring them, you’re only putting yourself and others in danger. Instead, be sure to take note of every speed limit sign you pass and match your speed appropriately.
Limit Your Distractions
Did you know distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents nowadays? As a driver, it’s critical that you remain focused on driving whenever you’re behind the wheel. Texts and social media notifications can wait, and they’re certainly not worth getting into an accident over. Other forms of distracted driving include chatting with passengers, eating, changing the radio station, or checking on children, so be sure to limit these distractions as much as possible, too.
Keep Up With Vehicle Maintenance
There’s more to driver’s safety than practicing safe driving habits. You must also keep your vehicle in good condition by keeping up with regular maintenance. This includes oil changes, brake checks, and installing new tires when your old ones become worn down. If something feels off while driving, it’s best to take your car in for an inspection. Poorly maintained vehicles are more likely to get into or cause accidents, but by taking care of your vehicle, you can ensure it’s functioning safely.
Watch Your Surroundings
When you’re behind the wheel, you must stay focused on driving. However, at the same time, you can’t forget to keep an eye on your surroundings. When you always know what’s happening around you and your vehicle, it’ll be easier to react faster in the event of a sudden accident. Pay attention to the road conditions, weather, and other cars on the road. You should also watch for pedestrians and cyclists. If the road has an abrupt, sharp turn or you come across a sudden crosswalk with pedestrians, you’ll be able to react appropriately as long as you're paying attention.
Avoid Driving While Impaired
This last tip may seem like a no-brainer, but it never hurts to read over it as a reminder. Don’t start driving when you’re impaired! Whether you’re intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, you can’t drive. Even if you feel like you can safely get to your destination, driving while impaired is extremely dangerous and puts everyone’s lives at risk because you’ll have limited judgment and a slow reaction time. Instead, give yourself time to sober up completely or call a friend to drive you.
As a new driver, you must follow these safety tips to ensure you keep yourself and your fellow drivers safe. If you find that you could use some additional training on safe driving, consider taking driver’s ed classes online with Pacific Driver Education. We’re here to make Oregon a safe place for all drivers, so contact us today to learn how to register.