A safety guide for responsible young drivers

Learning to drive is an exciting time in the life of any young person. The freedom and independence which comes from getting behind the wheel is hard to match. New possibilities are suddenly available to you, with reliance on public transport and the help of mum and dad a thing of the past.

Just as with any new responsibilities though, there are also other factors which should be taken into account. Arguably the most important of all is the need to remain safe on the road. One of the biggest challenges comes in the form of distractions.

In this guide, we’ll look to highlight and provide guidance on how to identify and tackle driving distractions, as well as taking a detailed look at the impact they can have.

While distractions are definitely not something to be taken lightly, the good news is that they can be combated. No matter what type of distraction you find yourself experiencing, there are steps to take to ensure they have less of an impact on your drive. These include:

Don’t drive when tired. When we’re tired, all of our senses are dulled. That means reaction speeds decrease and cognitive thinking is impaired. As many as 10-20% of worldwide crashes are thought to be as a result of fatigue. Don’t set out if you find yourself feeling drowsy and be sure to pull over and rest for a bit if you begin to feel that way once you’ve already started your journey. 

Don’t eat and drive. Try to eat before you leave, park up in the middle of your journey, or plan to have food when you arrive at your final destination. While it’s a timesaver to eat on the go, it’s not worth the risk of removing one, or both of your hands from the wheel.   

Mobile phones in emergencies only. Make a point of only using a mobile phone in the case of an absolute emergency. Tell yourself before you head out that you won’t be checking the phone until you get to your destination – or are at least parked safely somewhere with the engine off. Remember, using your phone when you drive is illegal, and is never advised. 

Click here to read the original article on Comparethemarket.

Now that you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android), and don’t forget to use your location settings to find local service information close to home.