Driving as a new driver can be an intimidating task and there are many risks that new drivers will face. In this article we will cover some of the more common risks that new drivers will face when venturing out of the road.
- One of the biggest risks is simply inexperience. New drivers are just that, new drivers and their driving experience is very limited. Inexperience is the largest reason for new driver accidents and collisions. New drivers have simply not had enough time behind the wheel to develop all the skills and defensive driving techniques needed to handle all roadway situations.
- Distractions are also a very common risk that new drivers face. Most new drivers are young and in their teens and this means that they are easily distracted. Whether it be talking with friends in the vehicle, playing with the radio or messing with a cell phone, these are all activities that can take a driver’s attention off of the road. Even the slightest distraction can result in an accident.
- New drivers typically have issues controlling their speed as well. They often misjudge how long it takes to stop their vehicle also. When you combine speed and the inability to judge how long it takes to stop a vehicle, this can lead to serious collisions.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol is a big risk new drivers face. Many new drivers may believe that they are ok to drive after having a few alcoholic drinks. Being new to driving, they truly don’t understand how difficult and dangerous it is to operate a motor vehicle under the influence. Even the smallest amount of alcohol can impair a driver.
- With many new drivers being in their teens, they no doubt will have teenage passengers riding in the vehicle with them. Studies have shown that accidents are more frequent when teenage passengers are in a vehicle. This is likely because teenage passengers can be a distraction and they may encourage a new driver to engage in risky driving behaviors.
- Some new drivers may drive with too much confidence. Being overconfident can be a dangerous thing when it comes to driving. When a new driver believes that they know it all or can handle any driving situation, they are too comfortable and they won’t pay attention to the road and their surroundings as closely as they should.
There are many ways that new drivers can avoid the risks mentioned above. Things like practicing driving in an array of different driving environments such as highway, city and rural roadways. Avoiding distractions inside the vehicle while driving and obeying the speed limit. Don’t ever get behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Limiting the number of teenagers inside the vehicle is also a great way to reduce risk.
