Factors of Safe Driving Every Teen Should Know

Learning how to be a Defensive Driver enables any individual to lower the risk of them crashing or losing control of the wheel. The first step to adopting a defensive mindset is knowing that not every driver is good at driving but they all like to think that they do. Enrolling in Driving lessons for teenagers in the Gold Coast can help combat unethical driving habits from earlier on.

In fact, irresponsible drivers are notorious for being a serious traffic hazard. Wandering into another's lane, driving aggressively, or following too closely behind are some of the traits that expose the typically aggressive driver. On the other hand, irresponsible driving habits like driving while on the phone, eating, or answering texts can lead to severe consequences and must be curtailed through defensive driver training.

 

These traits are most prevalent in teens and newbie drivers hence why taking driving lessons is an ideal course for increasing the odds of safety. It teaches new as well as long-time drivers defensive driving skills which can prove to be quite effective in ensuring one's safety on the road.

 

Three Essential Skills every Defensive Driver aspires to master :

➣Focus on the Road :

Driving is more about thinking than driving. It requires a driver to focus on factors like speed and positioning, traffic rules and regulations, road condition, signs and signalling, road markings, indications from other drivers, checking the rearview mirror and so much more. In conclusion, safe driving involves a lot of focus on only driving and leaves out very little room for anything else.

Getting distracted while driving can divert the attention off of significant problems preventing them from reacting to them on time. This not only applies to teens but people who have grown over-confident in their driving capabilities. A good driver knows always to stay focused on the road.

➣Alertness while Driving :

Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of most car crashes around the globe. If a driver is inebriated while driving, they will not be able to react to emergencies on the road, for example, another driver hitting the brakes all of a sudden. Substances like alcohol and drugs can numb down a driver's reaction time while also clouding their judgment. It leads to exhaustion and drowsiness in a person, taking their eyes off the road. Hence why, staying alert is not only a skill, it is a responsibility.

➣Watch out for Other Drivers :

The number one policy of Defensive Driving is keeping aware of your surroundings. This means keeping an eye on the drivers surrounding one's lane to stay in control of the outcome. For example, if a car is driving beside a slow-paced truck and has no space left to overtake, the driver is most likely to shift lanes. 

Staying alert to the other car's movements will allow the driver to adjust course accordingly and avoid any precarious circumstances. Anticipating the movements of fellow drivers sharing the same road is a skill that professional defensive drivers are trained to do well.

Follow these Tips to Master Defensive Driving Faster :

➣Always Prioritize Safety First : 

Consistent adherence to safe and rational driving techniques by one own self reduces the risks of driving exponentially. This includes habits like maintaining safe proximity to other cars, double checking locked doors and always wearing seatbelts.

➣Dedicate Frequent Attention: 

Busy traffic can be quite unpredictable at times, which is why it is important to always remain attentive to one's surroundings at all times. For instance, if another car is showing signs of aggressive or irresponsible driving, the practical course of action would be to slow down or pull over. At the same, you need to be responsible for yourself and be mindful of pedestrians, children or pets on the road.

➣Do Not Rely On Other Drivers:

Assuming the worst while moving forward is not a bad idea in defensive driving. It is ethical to be considerate of other drivers but depending on others to allow you to merge or overtake is rather impractical. Instead, looking out for yourself should be prioritized first.

➣Follow the 3 to 4 Second Rule: 

Under normal conditions, if a driver estimates a high risk of collision in front of them following the 3 to 4-second rule can come in handy. This involves maintaining a safe following distance between you and the car ahead. Keeping this distance will allow the driver enough time to brake if the car ahead suddenly comes to a halt. Under harsher weather conditions like rain, hail or fog, simply increase the following distance by another second.

➣Adhere to the Speed Limit:

 Driving a car at higher speeds will not only make it more difficult to control under unpredictable circumstances. As long as the speed of the car is under the limit, the driver will be able to adjust course in time before any mishaps take place.

➣Ready an Escape Route: 

This is probably the most vital tip taught in defensive driving lessons for teenagers on the Gold Coast. It involves positioning the vehicle in such a way that the driver can resort to an escape route if their primary course is suddenly blocked.

➣Block Out Distractions:

 Driving requires the full attention of the driver at all times. The least distracted a driver can be, the lesser the risk of them meeting with an incident.

 

Closing Thoughts :

Keep in mind that driving in public is not as easy as it looks. Even seasoned drivers are often susceptible to lathery and distractions that usually end up being the cause of an accident. Taking on defensive driving classes earlier on can help a teenager to train their instincts so that they can move on to becoming an efficient driver in the future.