6 Most Common Mistakes Made By Beginner Car Driver

6 Most Common Mistakes Made by Beginner Car Driver

Driving is one of the basic skills of modern times. Although it is accepted that independence doesn’t mean owning a house, car, and other luxuries, owning a vehicle and driving demonstrate that one knows how to handle the workload of everyday life. Like sports, driving is a skill that is mastered only through practice. Therefore, one must drive in all situations to become an expert behind the wheel. Let’s take a look at the 6 most common mistakes made by beginner car drivers.

But nobody is born skilled. Everybody makes mistakes in their early days. Although license authorities make sure that the person knows how to drive, several errors can significantly impact someone’s experience if they correct them. Another foolproof method to eradicate these mistakes is to learn from a QLD practice test. These are some of the most common mistakes that a beginner may make while driving in their early days.

1. Speeding

Speeding is the leading cause of injuries and death due to road traffic accidents. The adrenaline rush of driving a car for the first time is unimaginable. Being able to control such a machine can give anyone goosebumps of a lifetime. But one shouldn’t risk their lives for the sake of excitement.

Many drivers think that going a little over the speed limit won’t cause them harm during the learning stages. But these are when learning to control a car can give a driver all the experience they will need for the future.

Many teenagers receive speeding tickets during their early days because of their thirst for excitement. Many others suffer severe injuries due to carelessness and lack of skills. Hence, one shouldn’t try to cross the speed limits when they’re still learning.

2.  Poor Judgement

While learning how to handle the steering wheel, one must also learn to judge other drivers’ activities. Although it is another skill that comes with practice, many beginners seem to forget that it is critical to driving on an open road. Not judging the consequent action might be a problem for some novice and even skilled drivers.

This skill is beneficial when other cars are turning or changing lanes. One should expect the other driver’s thought before they act on it. Processing and anticipating other drivers’ next move is a calculation of seconds for an experienced driver. Those who are still taking their time to become professional drivers should pay attention to other cars on the road.

3. Unpredictability

Another common mistake of amateur drivers is impulsive reactions. Many people accelerate and brake very disproportionately during the learning phase, making the car move and stop in jerks. If such a case happens on a busy road, it can cause various problems. The vehicle might die down, or some other car may collide.

It usually happens when the learner doesn’t know how much to accelerate or brake in an instant. After they become comfortable with driving the vehicle, things become smoother. Nevertheless, one should know how much power their car requires on each pedal. Too much or too little of one might cause a lot of trouble for everyone.

4. Making Adjustments Before Driving

Before starting to drive, one must always make themselves comfortable in the vehicle. A driver should properly position his seat and check their mirrors if they’re appropriately aligned. Without these significant adjustments, a driver might face some difficulty. The distance from the pedals might cause the driver to stretch their feet too much, resulting in decreased control over the car’s driving.

Mirrors are also essential to judge the car’s position. When a driver doesn’t align the mirrors properly, they face trouble with the cars behind them. This slight carelessness can be a big problem for drivers scared of the cars in the fast lanes. So one should always check their seat and the mirrors before driving off.

5. Ignoring Traffic Rules

Everyone is somewhat guilty of this crime. Even some actions like texting, or driving with one hand are dangerous for a beginner. There are many instances where people think that such gestures won’t make much of a difference, but there can be several reasons for these precautions.

Taking one hand off the wheel might be a show of confidence that the driver knows what they’re doing and has the vehicle in control. Putting both hands on the wheel ensures a firm grip, and the person drives more attentively. Therefore, one shouldn’t risk the safety of themselves and other people for a little comfort.

Another essential precaution is the use of seatbelts. The awareness about seat belts has become common in many regions of the world, but it is an extreme sport to drive without any safety for some people. In an accident, the driver and the passenger can conjure serious injuries without a seatbelt. So, one shouldn’t forget the importance of the primary tool in a car and persuade others to follow suit.

6. Misconception About Pedal Positioning

A slight but dangerous misconception among novice drivers is that the right foot is for accelerating only.  Therefore, they brake with their left foot. Such drivers often find themselves pushing the gas and brake simultaneously, causing the car to jolt. It is a common belief among new drivers, which experienced drivers should correct before it’s too late.

Practice makes perfect, and that’s the most crucial aspect of driving. Learning from these fundamental yet straightforward errors can improve someone’s driving experience and make them skilled enough to train other people around them.