If you’re heading onto the road for the first time, then you might be feeling slightly bewildered. There are dozens of small rules and conventions to memorise, and taking it all on board at once can sometimes be overwhelming.
Let’s try to focus on five of the most important considerations. By getting these right, you’ll give yourself an excellent chance of enjoying the drive.
The Importance of Vehicle Maintenance
When you’re on the road, you’re reliant on the vehicle you’re driving – which is, after all, a complex piece of machinery that’s prone to wearing out and breaking down over time. By treating your vehicle to regular maintenance, then you’ll limit the likelihood and extent of the problems you suffer.
So, what does maintenance look like? You’ll want to form a few habits. Check the pressure in your tyres every now and then, especially if you’re about to embark on a long journey. Check and top up your oil, screenwash and other fluid levels, too. Finally, make sure that you’re booked in for a service regularly.
Weather Conditions and Their Impact
If you’re used to driving in ideal conditions, then you might be surprised at what a difference can be made by wet weather. When it’s been raining, your grip on the road will be reduced. Your stopping distance and general handling will be compromised – which means that you’ll need to exercise a bit of extra caution.
The Dangers of Driving When Tired
The impact of fatigue on your driving performance is difficult to overstate. According to most experts, it can make a significant difference to your performance behind the wheel, and, ultimately, your chance of being involved in a collision. It’s important to recognise the signs of fatigue, to rest properly before getting behind the wheel, and to take regular breaks from the road.
A recent study by the Leeds-based car dealership, Big Motoring World, found that around 55% of drivers have driven after having less than five hours of sleep. Despite this, 58% of drivers report that they want to see tired drivers punished in the same way as drink-drivers are. The problem also appears to be greater among young people. Just over a quarter of drivers older than sixty-five have driven while sleep-deprived. This figure rises to more than three quarters, however, in drivers aged between 25 and 34.
The authors of the study relied on testimony from sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee, who drew a direct comparison with drink driving. According to her, twenty hours of awake time equates to a blood alcohol level of 0.08%, which is the legal limit for drink drivers in the UK.
She noted that “being drunk and being tired have been shown in research studies to have similar effects in slowing reaction times, lack of alertness and slowness at decision-making. However, drowsy drivers tend to have visual perception issues and cannot properly judge speed.”
Distractions and Their Consequences
The modern world is filled with distractions, and some of them can reach us while we’re behind the wheel. The most notorious of these is the mobile phone. Don’t be tempted to check your WhatsApp notifications while you’re driving. If you have to use a satnav, make sure that you’re not looking at the screen.
Other sources of distraction might be just as problematic. If you’re eating behind the wheel, for example, you might find it a challenge to focus on the road.
The Costs of Driving
As a new driver, you might not yet have an idea of the overall cost that motoring will impose. You’ll need to fuel your vehicle, take it for an annual MOT, insure it, and tax it. Then there’s the cost of other consumables, and preventative maintenance, and depreciation. It’s a good idea to compose a budget, and determine how much you’d like to spend before you start.
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