3 Tips Every New Driver Should Follow

Regardless of if you’re a teenager that just passed driving school, or are an adult that got their license after moving to a car-dependent area, getting your driver’s license is an exciting time. You’re probably ready to look for the best lease deals in NJ and buy the car of your dreams, but getting your license doesn’t mean that you know everything there is to know about driving.  Passing your driver’s license test is one thing, but being an informed driver is a completely different matter. Below are a few tips new drivers should follow before they get out on the road.

Get to know your car
Every car handles differently, and you should do your best to get know everything you can about your car.  Drive in familiar places to learn a bit about how well your car brakes and accelerates, and be sure to keep an eye on gas – remember, gas gauges aren’t an exact science when it comes to cars.  Know your vehicles make and model, and make sure you know how to put air in your tires, replace windshield washer fluid, and how to change your oil.  All of these things make it easier to know when something is wrong with your car, and can help take away some of your initial new driver anxiety.

Avoid distracted driving
For a while, many states (including New Jersey) rallied behind stricter laws for people that chose to text while driving.  However, people are beginning to understand that any type of distracted driving is dangerous and can include a variety of actions: using your phone, adjusting your radio, eating or drinking, or even just talking to friend that’s in the car.  In 2012, the US Government Website for Distracted Driving estimated that a whopping 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving.  When you’re behind the wheel, make sure that your primary focus is driving and nothing else.

Be prepared for an emergency
You never know what will happen when you’re behind the wheel.  Accidents and car problems are a part of life when you’re a licensed driver and you need to be prepared for them.  Your cell phone can be a valuable tool when something goes wrong, so make sure that it’s fully charged when you head out (and if possible, you should have some kind of car charger for your phone).  Carry a few emergency supplies in your car, like a flashlight, road flares, and a spare tire for an emergency.  You may also want to look into getting a AAA membership, which can also come in handy in the case of an emergency.