Top Driver wants to keep all our new, young drivers safe on the roads. These are our top ten tips to keep you safe as you hit the roads for the first time.
- Obey the speed limit.
Though speed limits may seem arbitrary to you sometimes, they are developed by infrastructure experts. Speed limits are designed to give you enough time to react to any circumstances that you might come into contact with in a certain area.
- Always wear your seat belt.
Seat belts may seem obtrusive, but they can save your life. Whenever you don’t feel like putting your seat belt on, think of how your loved ones would feel if you were in an accident and were injured or killed just because you didn’t feel like buckling up.
- Adjust your headrest.
Your headrest isn’t just for your comfort. Make sure that it’s adjusted behind your head rather than your neck to minimize the impact of whiplash in the case of an accident.
- Clean your windshield.
If your windshield is dirty you can have your vision obstructed when light glares off dust or specks on your windshield.
- It’s not about 10:00 and 2:00 anymore.
While keeping your hands at 10:00 and 2:00 used to be the rule of thumb, experts now say you should hold your hands lower – at 3:00 and 9:00 or even at 4:00 and 8:00. If you’re in an accident, this will keep the impact of the airbag from hurting your wrists.
- Don’t own the road.
Don’t behave like you own the road; behave like you own your car. Take good care of yourself and your vehicle and be cautious.
- Don’t make assumptions about other drivers.
Just because you follow the rules of the road, don’t assume that others will as well. Be very cautious around other drivers because you never know how they will react.
- Watch out for aggressive drivers.
Aggressive drivers are responsible for the majority of accidents. Keep away from them if at all possible.
- Watch for animals.
Keep your eyes on the sides of the road as well as in front of you. If a deer or other animal is going to jump out, gently depress your brake while sounding your horn to scare them off.
- Clear the intersection.
When the light turns green, make sure that all other drivers have cleared the intersection before proceeding.
Top Driver is one of the leaders in driver’s education, with simulation courses and intelligent teaching strategies. Visit us online at topdriver.com or call (888) 471-5418 today!