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Top 5 New License Holder Driving Mistakes to Avoid

A smiling young woman with her head out the window of a moving car.

 

Getting a driver’s license is a coveted achievement for most 16-year-olds but with this hasty excitement, there are some driving mistakes to learn and avoid during your first couple months as new drivers. It is arguably the most exciting step for a teenager to take. But, there are reasons why it makes other drivers on the road a little uneasy. If you know a new driver or are one, make sure to check out these five mistakes to avoid.

Too Many Distractions Present

Young woman speaking on the phone and putting on makeup while driving a car.

Distractions can inhibit the driver from making correct decisions and may delay reaction time. A friend in the backseat may have a really captivating story to tell, but will leave the driver distracted. A phone call or text message can leave one hand on the steering wheel. A quick snack before work could mean less eye contact on the road and more focus on peeling away the wrapper.

Experienced drivers deal with these types of distractions better but they can inhibit drivers of any ability and/or experience level. Whether the car is packed with friends, you get a call on your cell phone, or you reach for a snack, a new driver often has many distractions that could lead to harmful consequences.

 

Not Keeping a Comfortable Distance Between Cars

Bumper to bumper traffic

Knowing how much distance to keep between the driver’s vehicle and the car in front can take time and experience to master. Leaving extra room lowers the risk of accidents but most new drivers are unable to tell really how close they are. Err on the side of caution. It is recommended to increase the distance as speed increases. For example, keeping two entire car lengths on the freeway will allow the driver time to slam on their breaks, if needed. This will lower the chances of a car accident. If a driver is sitting in traffic moving 5mph, the distance between vehicles can be shortened because it is easier to come to a complete stop at 5mph than it is at 70mph.

 

Developing Habits from Parents

A man driving with one hand on the wheel

A false sense of confidence can be created if the new driver feels they are as skilled as their parents. Less caution will be taken by the driver when confidence levels are higher than ability.

Picking up their dad’s signature one-hand-on-the-wheel driving habit can reduce steering control. Other examples include, talking on the phone, applying makeup, eating, flipping through radio stations, texting, reaching for items that have fallen, rolling through stop signs, speeding, etc. All of these habits can result in a false sense that these habits are okay.

It is suggested for the new driver to take driving courses led by someone else outside of the immediate family. This can help to correct these habits and implement safer habits.

 

Not Maintaining the Vehicle

Close up of a vehicle after a accident with burn marks and a blown out tire.

Not regularly maintaining a vehicle can lead to accidents. We’re not talking about getting a wash and wax every few months or even cleaning the windshield every gas stop. (Although keeping the windshield free of debris is recommended). Forgetting to service a car’s key safety performance areas like brakes, tires (pressure and tread), or oil can leave the driver in dangerous situations. Most new drivers don’t know how or when they should service a vehicle and aren’t taught how to maintain a car. Every mile you put on the car, without maintaining it, is a mile closer to a possible accident.

Here in Northern Arizona, checking tire tread is important especially when the roads begin to ice over in the winter. Even if the car is equipped to drive in the ice and snow, it won’t matter if the tread is low. Low tire tread can also result in a blow-out any time of the year, putting the driver in danger. Regular brake check-ups can reduce possible brake failure which is dangerous in any situation.

 

Lack of Caution

Close up of the front of a white sedan with recent front end damage from a car accident.

Most new drivers stick to driving in familiar locations for a little while before venturing off onto unknown streets and neighborhoods. If the driver is used to driving around their neighborhood, chances are that they have learned what time of day they “really have to stop at a stop sign”. This lack of caution grows into a habit once the new driver continues their routine. This can result in a very dangerous situation when driving in a new area or to a new destination. Distractions coming from the navigation and new intersections with the combination of the comfort they had in their neighborhood is often a recipe for disaster.

 

Ask a Car Accident Attorney in Flagstaff, Arizona

Dealing with your first car accident can be frightening. At Antol & Sherman, PC, we have more than 60 years of combined legal experience and a strong track record of providing successful legal counsel.

We have been practicing criminal, family and divorce, drug and DUI, and accident law in Flagstaff, Arizona and surrounding Northern Arizona cities including Camp Verde, Sedona, Williams, Holbrook, Winslow, Cottonwood, Mayer, Seligman, Kingman, Page, St. Johns and more for over 30 years.

Please call us at 928-241-6339, stop in today at Antol & Sherman, PC, 150 N Verde St Suite 102, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 or visit us at flagazlaw.com.

See also: 10 Best ADOT Signs of the Decade (In Case You Missed Them)

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