So, you’ve got your license, and you are finally taking your car out for a spin out in the streets. Having a car has many perks and can make life a lot easier, but it can also be a dangerous thing if you’re not smart about how you drive. While you’ve probably got all the proper knowledge down pat if you legally got your license, it can help you feel more at ease on the road if you pack some of these tips along with you. Heeding them can save you a trip to an auto accident lawyer.
This is a contributed post and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.
Don’t drive hungry.
Seriously, make sure you have at least a snack and enough hydration before you go on the road, especially if your drive is going to be a long one. Sure, everyone may have already warned you about the dangers of driving while intoxicated or sleepy, but thirst and hunger can also do a lot to hamper your drive.
First, lacking nourishment can make you feel less focused, and it’s important to be concentrated and alert when you’re navigating roads and other vehicles. Not only will hunger make your performance deteriorate, but it can also cause you to be irritable, which can lead to a ton of problems when dealing with other drivers out there. If you’re rushing, then make sure you bring a bottle of water and a quick snack for the road as long as you don’t get your hands off the wheel while driving. Also, keep in mind that the type of food you eat is essential, as you don’t want to overload on snacks that make you feel groggy.
Different music affects how you drive.
If you’re still new, it may be wise to keep the radio off so you can get used to things first. If you still want some driving music to relax, though, make sure you pick a good genre. Studies show that some easy listening, chill instrumentals, and songs that don’t have a tempo that’s too fast can help your mood and make you drive better. On the flip side, music that’s too loud, energetic, and frenetic can make you more prone to make miscalculations, get distracted, and make careless moves. Until you get some more experience under your belt, stick to safer tunes and don’t hit the pop playlist just yet.
Stick to easy drives and maneuvers.
While nerves should not get the best of you, overconfidence can also be your bane. Most experts recommend sticking to more comfortable drives and avoiding hitting busy highways and major streets if possible, at least until you get some more practice hours in. In terms of parking spots, don’t feel the need to challenge yourself with a parallel park right off the bat. That may just get your car banged up unnecessarily, especially if other parking options are more forgiving for new drivers.
Make sure you take note of these little things when you go for a drive, so you can enjoy cruising around instead of being a danger to yourself and others.
