A large number of road accidents are caused by or involve new drivers who are in their first year of driving alone. Most new drivers are young, and statistics show that the majority of people killed in road accidents are under the age of 25 and that most of these accidents are caused by young drivers speeding. If you are a newly qualified driver, here are 6 safety tips you should adhere to.

Get to Know Your Way Around Your Car

When you pass your driving test and buy a new car, get to know every inch of your vehicle. Sit in the car and learn how everything works before you set off on a journey. Familiarise yourself with how the lights work, how to switch the indicators on and off, which side of the car your gas tank is on, how to fill up the windscreen wash vessel, how to check the oil levels, and check if your airbags are activated. You need to know how everything works before you go on a journey, as it can be dangerous not to know how to switch headlamps on when you are driving in the middle of the night.

Keep a Safe Distance

Don’t drive too close to cars in front of you as this is a significant cause of accidents. For example, if you are tailgating the car in front of you and they slam on their brakes, there is a high chance your car will crash into the back of theirs. Rear-ending crashes can cause drivers to suffer injuries such as whiplash, internal organ injuries, spinal injuries, and concussion.

Practice

New drivers should go to a quiet area such as an empty car park or empty country road to practice their driving technique. They should improve techniques such as parallel parking, hill starts, and 3 point turns. Driving in all weather conditions is something else that new drivers should experience. New drivers should try maneuvering in rainy, foggy, and snowy conditions and in darkness as soon as possible.

Know the Signs

It is vital that you know what every road sign means and adhere to them. In addition, motorways usually have computerized overhead signs. It is essential that all drivers follow their directions as they may warn of serious accidents or roadworks in the near vicinity.

Make Your Car Safe

Before every journey, you should ensure your car is up to the task. Especially before a long trip, you should check that your oil levels are sufficient, you have plenty of windscreen wash, the windshield wipers are working, as are the lights. Sit in the driving seat and adjust the mirrors and chair so that you are comfortable and have an excellent visual range of traffic around you. Inflate the tires to the required pressure and check the depth of the treads on them.

Travel Smart

If you are young, chances are you will have a few friends who can’t drive and want you to chauffeur them all over the place. Try to refrain from carrying lots of passengers, especially rowdy ones, as they can be distracting when you are driving, and you may be tempted to take your eyes off the road to chat with them.