6 driving mistakes that make you look like a newbie on the road
If you’ve been driving for six weeks, you’re bound to make mistakes behind the wheel. Experience does a lot for motorists, and there’s no excuse for more experienced drivers to make these silly, rookie mistakes. From safety to common courtesy and beyond, there’s no shortage of reasons to drive like you know what you’re doing.
Driving is a contract between you and other drivers; don’t ruin it with these rookie mistakes
- Distracted driving
Distracted driving. It started as something of a young motorist issue. Now, however, it’s a problem across every age and demographic of road-goer. Even if you’ve spent 40 years behind the wheel, you look like a bit of a vapid, inexperienced driver when you swerve or sit motionless at a green light because you’re watching TikTok videos.
Years ago, my fire crew pulled alongside a motorist at a red light. As if to illustrate some future wreck we’d be handling, he was watching a movie on his smartphone behind the wheel. You can’t make this stuff up. We shouted down to him from the engine, and in his embarrassment, he quickly stowed his phone. The power to access endless entertainment from your device is incredible. But it doesn’t belong on the road.
- Not checking your mirrors
Your mirrors aren’t there for you to check yourself out at a stoplight. When you position them properly, your mirrors can help you spot cars, SUVs, trucks, and of course, motorcycles. Never change lanes or reverse without looking at your mirrors. Don’t just rely on modern safety features like blind spot monitoring.
- Braking too hard and following too closely
Every vehicle is different, and some cars will have touchier brakes than others. But braking too hard can force motorists behind you to stop abruptly, too. As a result, cars that are following too closely or are distracted could fail to stop in time and crash.
It’s important to brake smoothly and pay attention to other motorists. Also, remember to use the three-second rule for following other vehicles at faster speeds. Pick a reference point on the side of the road closest to the car ahead. Start counting as they pass the point. It should take at least three seconds for you to pass that same point. Increase the rule to around eight or more seconds during dangerous, inclement weather.
- Forgetting to use your signals
It’s illegal to turn or change lanes without using a turn signal. Failing to use your signals can land you a ticket from the police. But even if you don’t attract the attention of the police, your signal lets other motorists know your next move and prevents avoidable crashes. Incidentally, neglecting your signals is also a rookie move.
- Not merging quickly enough
Are you getting on the highway? It’s your responsibility to find a gap, speed up to an appropriate rate, and merge safely. All too many motorists get hit by other vehicles or semi-trucks in the right-most lane by not speeding up (or slowing up sufficiently) to merge safely.
- Driving outside of your (or your vehicle’s) capabilities
The NHTSA reports that nearly one-third of all road fatalities are speed-related. Frankly, it’s a newb move to drive too quickly for your own capabilities. Beyond what your level of training, proficiency, or the law allows, failing to understand the limitations of your vehicle is dangerous.
Driving a large pickup truck? Maybe don’t speed or corner too sharply. After all, your truck is large, heavy, unbalanced, and riding on brakes that don’t do much to stop it at high speeds. Rookie move.
