Important Things You Should Know Before Driving For The First Time

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Important Things You Should Know Before Driving For The First Time

Ah, yes! That feeling of sitting behind the wheel for the first time, preparing your mind and body for a new experience. Your hands are getting a feel of the steering wheel for the first time, your eyes trying to get used to all the buttons on the dashboard, and your body shifting gingerly in the driver’s seat to get comfortable. The first-time driving experience can be an exciting one. But it can also be quite a frightening experience for many people, even those who have already studied the rules and techniques of driving before sitting behind the wheels. So, are you readying yourself for your first driving experience? Here are some important things you need to know. 

You have to sit comfortably

The more comfortable you are in the driver’s seat, the less stressful your driving experience. So, once you settle in for the first time, take the time to adjust the vehicle seat so that you’re sitting comfortably. Next, make sure that you can see out of all the mirrors, so you’re aware of everything going on around you.  

Online and offline experiences are not the same

Thanks to the internet and technological advancements, many people can take quick online driving tips or even try their hands on various virtual driving platforms and software. Regardless of how excellent your driving skills may be in the virtual world, the last thing you want to do is get overconfident in a real car. You can fix many mistakes in the virtual world, but the real world does not come with pause, restart, or exit buttons, so keep this in mind. 

You need to stay calm 

While some people embrace their first driving experience with excitement, others consider it a nightmare experience. This makes them anxious before they start the car engine. Panicking behind the wheel will not only turn your driving lessons into a bad experience, but it will also put your instructor (or any other person sitting next to you) and other motorists in danger. You’ll also be risking the lives of everyone else on the road. And the last thing you want is to crash into another building, or worse, knock someone down. 

Stay alert

Staying alert is crucial to avoid potential dangers on the road. Other motorists also use the road, from motorcyclists and bicycle riders to heavy truck drivers and even pedestrians. The road is also home to many distractions, and it’s easy to lose your focus. Even when you start feeling comfortable and confident, it is always possible to lose your sense of alertness. It is easier to avoid approaching danger when you’re alert, and it also gives you a quicker reaction time. 

Avoid rage

Road rage is one of the most common causes of injuries and deaths, and the numbers are scary. A total of 218 deaths and 12,610 injuries have been attributed to road rage in the US over the past seven years. So, do your best to avoid any form of confrontation while on the road, especially when you’re not at fault. Do not try to take matters into your own hands, even when you’re caught up in an accident, as that could make matters worse. Instead, let the law do its work. For example, if you’re involved in an accident with a motorcyclist, seek legal assistance from top motorcycle accident attorneys to avoid taking matters into your own hands. 

You need to muster the confidence

Sometimes, the quickest way to be very good at driving is to be confident behind the wheel. Even with your lack of experience, you need to be confident in your abilities and make no room for nervousness. Learning to drive for the first time can be frightening sometimes, but you can look at things differently to encourage yourself. Consider it this way: millions of young and older people have already become excellent drivers worldwide. If driving or learning to drive was that frightening, there wouldn’t be this many drivers on the streets. 

Be careful with the gas pedal

If you’re excited about your first driving experience, it makes sense that you’ll want to push the gas pedal just to go a little faster. A car’s gas pedal does not respond like a button on your video game controller. And without the muscle memory, you get from years of driving, you can easily apply more power than necessary on the gas pedal and end up in trouble.