Driving is not just about putting the foot on the accelerator and move away, there is a lot of things which have to be carried out before driving and while driving. Our today’s article is not only limited to the car driving tips for novices, besides, it is also about how one can boost one’s comfort while driving, and much more.

One has to be very careful behind the steering wheel no matter he/she is a mature driver or just got the licence. There are a lot of things which are needed to be kept in mind while driving. This article is mainly aimed towards those who are learning to drive, but along with, it is also a knock for all the experienced drivers who do not follow the basic rules and cause something unexpected.

According to a survey on the new drivers, the first two years of their driving are more prone to the accident than any other time. So, keeping all the things in mind we prepare a compact list of all the essential driving tips along with the useful information.

Read Them all here:

• First Know Your Car, Then Go:

I know you must be wondering about this, as everybody knows his/her car well enough, but here I am talking about getting familiar with all the controls in your car. Especially, if you have not started practically driving yet, then before seating behind the steering wheel you must get aware with all the driving controls and the warning lights in the car such as gear shifting pattern, pressing the clutch before shifting to other gear, when to shift to the next or the previous gear etc. The warning lights turn ON automatically in the instrument cluster, if anything goes wrong with the car system. 

To explore your car from ting to tong, and ding to dong (means everything), read the Owner’s Manual book that comes with every car.

• Correct Your Seat and Steering Position:

Most of the people do not adjust their seat before driving, but for a comfortable drive with better visual on the road, one should adjust the seat with respect to the steering wheel in such way that he or she can sit comfortably and also has the entire view of the path. The lack of comfort and control are more prone to the accident.

All the controls to adjust the seat are located by the sides or under the driver seat, while you can adjust the steering in a way that gives you the best access to it. The steering adjustment lever is located on the either sides below it, push the lever up and adjust the wheel, once it is done, pull the lever back to lock the steering wheel at the desired position.

• Seat Adjustment in Regards to The Pedals: 

When you adjust the driver seat, make sure your feet can easily access all three pedals i.e. Clutch, Brake, and Accelerator pedal. Sometime misjudgment of pedals can lead to the over acceleration or sudden brake that can cause of something worse. So before driving check you have easy reach to all these major controls of the car.

• First Put The Safety Belt ON, Then Drive:

Seat belts are designed to oppose the forward motion during a sudden impact, brake or move. According to a survey, the user with the seat belt has a 60% lower fatal injury rate as compared to the unfastened seatbelt occupants. Do not think that the seatbelts are the burden, they are the live saviour during a drive. Even the modern cars have a warning tone which sounds if one started driving without fastened the seat belt and continuously sound until you do not put it on. 

The correct way of fastening the seat belts are different for the different age groups or the occupants like, for a child below 8 year, for a pregnant woman, for the rear-mid occupant. Check the Owner’s Manual for knowing the proper way of fastening the seat belts.

• Keep Your Hands Over The Steering, Not Over The Phone:

Once you are on the driver seat, keep focus on the driving, avoid destructions. In the age of growing automobile market, there is too much traffic on the roads, therefore you need to be well focused on the path for every single second. If there is some urgent phone call that you need to attend, first slow down your car and stop it by the side-end of the road, then pick up it.

• Remember to Use Turn Signals Along With The Exterior Mirrors:

Do not forget the use the outside mirrors and turn indicators while taking a side or a turn. It is very important for the learners that before taking a turn, ON the side indicator which one you are heading to, after that check in the respective outside mirror for the vehicles coming from the behind. Once you are cleared, go for it. As most of the people just turn their vehicle by turning the side indicator ON. They do not check for the speedy vehicles coming from right behind them and as the result, they might be caused of the side impact by those.

• Do Not Over Accelerate Your Car: 

Unnecessary acceleration not only decrease the fuel efficiency of the car, but also cause the wear and tear in the engine room. As a result of this the engine will heat up and sudden breakdown may occur. Nowadays almost all the cars have a tachometer just nearby the speedometer. Gear shifting or accelerating the vehicle is directly proportional to the readings in the tachometer.

• Maintain a Decent Distance From Other Vehicles:

No matter how quick and powerful braking system your vehicle has or how rules-regulated drive you do, you need be careful while seating behind the steering wheel, especially in city drive. You can only rely on yourself for by the book driving, not on the other drivers too. So defensive-drive is the only way to keep you and your beloved ones sitting in the car safe. Always maintain a far-enough distance from the other vehicle running ahead of you, so that you can stop your car at a certain distance in case of emergency braking.  

• Engage The Parking Brake Before You Leave:

No matter whether you parking on a plan ground or an up/down-hill, always engage the parking or hand brake before you leave the car in order to avoid the unwanted movement of your car in your absence. It is strictly recommended not to use handbrake when your car is moving, until it is not necessary to do so.

• Keep Calm While Driving:

It is very important to keep patience and try not to distract with the other things while driving. Sometimes, driving in anger or in too happy mood can force you to over accelerate the vehicle which can lead to a vital accident. So do not let mess up your emotions with the driving.

Conclusion:

Driving is never about reading, it a practical experience which can only be gained by driving and more driving. This is kind of, ‘more you explore more you find’ concept. The intention behind writing this article is about to give a basic idea to the one who is about to start driving and to aware the one for what are the do’s and don’ts’ of driving. These all above-mentioned car driving tips aware the beginner for safe driving and not to make the silly mistakes, which even a mature driver unfortunately makes while driving. More on, we also mention how one can make his or her driving experience smooth, comfortable, jolt-free and safe.

If you have any suggestion or guide other than these for a learner driver, the comment box is all yours, do write us.