Although it is a modern convenience, driving mistakes can be a dangerous thing to do. There are about 6 million accidents a year on the highways and there are about 90 deaths a day that are caused by car accidents.
Although it is something that the vast majority of people do every day, driving should be taken seriously. New drivers are more likely to make mistakes than experienced drivers. According to 1-800-Injured, there are a few common mistakes that new drivers make that can be deadly.
Steering Problems
Steering a car looks easy until you try it yourself. A wheel with power steering can seem to turn if you breathe on it. A wheel without power steering can be hard to turn. You should have a firm grip on your steering wheel and position your hands at 10 and 2 or 9 and 3, whatever you are more comfortable with. If you keep your hands on the wheel and in their proper positions, you will be able to make turns in a hurry if you need to. If your airbag deploys, you are less likely to get injured because of the strategic placement of your hands.
Not Using Your Headlights and Beams Properly
A car can be a complex piece of equipment. It is important to pay attention to the controls and understand how each of them works. When you have been driving for a while, all the steps you need to take when you are traveling after dark become second nature to you.
A new driver may forget to turn off their beams after they have been on a dark road at night. They may forget to turn their lights on before they pull out into traffic, or they may not know to turn their lights on during a rainstorm.
Not Using Turn Signals
When you are a new driver, it can be easy to become flustered when you have to multitask. As you are approaching a crosswalk, you might be thinking about slowing down and minding the car in front of you, and you may forget to put on your turn signal.
A turn signal lets drivers and pedestrians know what you are planning to do next. If you turn in front of someone who is not expecting it, they may cause an accident.
Reacting Slowly
You have to think fast when you drive a car. If the driver in front of you stops quickly, you are going to have to stop quickly as well. If you do not, you might crash into them or cause somebody to crash into you.
You may also have to swerve to avoid hitting a child, animal, or pothole.
Distracted Driving
Nowadays, people own a cell phone long before they own a car. They feel they are so familiar with all the apps on their phone that they can use them while they are driving. Distracted driving causes many deaths per year, and it is on the rise ever since the advent of the cell phone.
Although it is illegal to text and drive in most states, people do it every day. It is a deadly practice, leading to fines, license revocation, and even jail time.
Most accidents and injuries can be avoided if you just take a few precautions each time you drive. Getting injured in an accident is time-consuming, costly, and painful. If you pay attention to what you are doing, the road ahead of you can be a smooth one.
