Heading out on the road for the first time is an exciting thing, but new drivers might also be feeling a little intimidated. But just like any other skill, driving is all about knowing the right skills and when to use them. Here are some tips that anyone new to the road in College Park, MD, can use to stay safe as they’re gaining experience as a driver.
Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Ready
Being an attentive driver starts before you even head out onto the road. You’ll want to go through your pre-trip checklist to ensure you’re ready to go before starting your engine. Adjusting your mirrors to have a clear view behind the vehicle and buckling your seat belt are some of the initial steps you’ll need to take.
Maintain a Safe Speed
A majority of accidents are caused by vehicles traveling too fast. Your vehicle is harder to keep in control when it starts moving at high speeds. That makes obeying posted speed limits and keeping your vehicle at a reasonable speed even more important when you’re still a beginner behind the wheel.
Minimize Distractions
Distracted driving is another cause of mishaps on the road. To eliminate one of the biggest distractions, stow your phone away when you’re in the driver’s seat, and pull over if you need to use it for an emergency. You should also minimize distractions from loud music or conversation in your cabin.
Leave Space for Other Vehicles
Following other vehicles too closely reduces the time that you have to react if they turn or stop short ahead of you. Leave a minimum of two full car lengths between yourself and the vehicle ahead of you to ensure you have time to react to changing situations.
Make Use of Your Indicators
Signaling your intent to turn to drivers behind you gives them time to adjust accordingly to minimize the risk of an accident. Get familiar with how to signal for a left or right turn and then use those signals a few seconds before turning so that other drivers have ample time to see what you’re doing.
Ride with an Experienced Driver
There’s always more to learn as a driver, so if you know someone who’s been driving for a while, ask them to come for a ride with you. They’ll be able to give you advice they’ve learned through their experience that can benefit you as well.
Keep Up on Your Vehicle’s Maintenance
You need your vehicle to be as ready for the road ahead as you are, so make sure you’re keeping up with your service schedule so that every component of your vehicle is working correctly. Take your vehicle to an experienced mechanic regularly to ensure that any issues that need to be addressed are taken care of.
Our service department’s expertise and knowledge will help you keep your vehicle in great shape throughout your journey as a driver. Come see us at DARCARS Nissan of College Park for an inspection, and we’ll make sure that you’re ready for the road! If you are a new driver, we also suggest checking out our other automotive tips & tricks. The better informed you are about your car, the safer you will be in a time of need.
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