Top 5 Mistakes A New Driver Makes

There comes a time in your child’s life when your graying hair seems to happen faster. The costs of raising a child are increased, and you lose sleep once again. Your son or daughter passed their written test for a learner’s permit. Consider them a new driver.

You’ll be there to guide them through the journey. A full-fledged driver’s license isn’t that far in the future anymore. Without a doubt, though, there will be trying times between now and then. Here are the top 5 mistakes a new driver makes when they’ve just started out.

Focusing too close to the car. The biggest technical problem new drivers consistently engage in is operating in a tiny bubble. They are concerned with the vehicles immediately beside them and their nearness to the cars ahead. Driving is much more smooth and controlled when a new driver learns to focus on the road several car lengths ahead instead of just in front of the bumper.

Panicking in traffic. There are going to be close calls and near misses when driving, and even experienced drivers can get rattled. A panicked new driver, however, may not have the skills to gather their nerves and continue on without your assistance.

Being unaware of the vehicle’s abilities. Whether it’s braking too hard or oversteering on a slippery road, a driver unfamiliar with the car they are piloting can lose control. It’s exaggerated further when a new driver doesn’t have the knowledge to recover control.

Getting cocky behind the wheel. It’s a problem especially for boys who want to show off to their buddies. In a bid to impress their peers, they perform a maneuver like a slide that can endanger themselves, their passenger (you), bystanders, and your car.

Not signaling their intentions. The lights on your vehicle are meant to tell others around you what you intend to do and where you want to go. Forgetting to signal isn’t just ticketable, it’s potentially dangerous and can cause an accident.

Luckily, you’re in the car with your new driver to help avoid these mistakes and to correct the ones that occur. And if you get into a jam and your car is damaged, trust Jay Wolfe Toyota to get it back on the road once again.