New driver… what would you tell them?

New driver… what would you tell them?

Author
Discussion

Robertb

Original Poster:

2,092 posts

245 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
My daughter has just passed her test. She is keen to learn. I am keen for her to stay accident-free!

What thing do you wish someone had told you when you started driving?

I’ve started with
- always be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear
- only a fool breaks the two second rule
- do not escalate situations by blowing your horn or driving aggressively
- look left toward the kerb when vehicles with bright lights are approaching

Any other pearls of wisdom?

markiii

3,843 posts

201 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
make sure you put your lights on, especially when its foggy/grey/.miserable

so many people forget these days when the dash is permanently lit

E63eeeeee...

4,553 posts

56 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
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Don't accelerate towards brake lights

h0b0

8,178 posts

203 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
A town in Wales is reeling after four teen boys were discovered dead in an overturned and partly submerged car after they had set out on a camping trip.


Probably darker than you wanted but it’s important to know that the worst possible thing can happen at any time and not just when you are driving like a dick. We had 2 boys die after driving into the back of a farm trailer that had been left on the road while the farmer open a gate.


My own advice is don’t think you are smarter than auto lights.

LimmerickLad

2,127 posts

22 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
Think of every other driver on the road as an idiot wink

Mr Squarekins

1,182 posts

69 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
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Italian driving rules. - What's behind you is of no importance smile

Bonefish Blues

29,410 posts

230 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
Don't just look at the car in front, look through that one to the cars ahead.

RSTurboPaul

11,268 posts

265 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
Get her booked onto IAM / RoSPA / HPC / A.N.Other advanced driving course before bad habits set in.

Collectingbrass

2,393 posts

202 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
LimmerickLad said:
Think of every other driver on the road as an idiot wink
Think of every other driver as an assassin out to kill you.

Pica-Pica

14,468 posts

91 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
Robertb said:
My daughter has just passed her test. She is keen to learn. I am keen for her to stay accident-free!

What thing do you wish someone had told you when you started driving?

I’ve started with
- always be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear
- only a fool breaks the two second rule
- do not escalate situations by blowing your horn or driving aggressively
- look left toward the kerb when vehicles with bright lights are approaching

Any other pearls of wisdom?
Always be able to stop in HALF the distance you can see to be clear.
Observe and anticipate reduces horn use to zero.
Three seconds gives a much smoother journey, lets the person in front do all the braking - you just have to lift off now and again.

Road signs are not there for fun, crossroads and junction signs on a main road are important information, on fast A roads, that is probably where most deaths occur.

To be honest, after passing a test, anything else is too much to take in straight away. I would say a year or two before an advanced course.


M11rph

707 posts

28 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
1. Avoid overlapping other vehicles.

Dramatically reduces the chances of getting side swiped on a roundabout, Dual Carriageway etc.

2. Distraction management.

Phones, music, overly talkative/ drunk passengers etc. If passengers are distracting you tell them to shut up. You're responsible for their safety whilst in your car, part of being a young adult is learning to be in control of the car and its occupants.

RSTurboPaul

11,268 posts

265 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
M11rph said:
1. Avoid overlapping other vehicles.

Dramatically reduces the chances of getting side swiped on a roundabout, Dual Carriageway etc.

2. Distraction management.

Phones, music, overly talkative/ drunk passengers etc. If passengers are distracting you tell them to shut up. You're responsible for their safety whilst in your car, part of being a young adult is learning to be in control of the car and its occupants.
Definitely this. It is crazy the number of people I see drifting along next to a 40-ton artic with no idea of whether the driver is half asleep or drunk or on their phone or able to see them etc.

thebraketester

14,705 posts

145 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
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Only 1 passenger.

Vasco

17,364 posts

112 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
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No acohol or drugs.

Pica-Pica

14,468 posts

91 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
thebraketester said:
Only 1 passenger.
If that.

_Hoppers

1,380 posts

72 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
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Handbrake turns work so much better when you dab the brakes before applying handbrake.

lost in espace

6,296 posts

214 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
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At roundabouts and junctions concentrate on the car in front, as it will likely stall or stop for no reason. Then look right, unless there is plenty of time to look to your right whilst stationary.

loskie

5,667 posts

127 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
_Hoppers said:
Handbrake turns work so much better when you dab the brakes before applying handbrake.
With auto cars and auto handbrakes becoming more common.

Today's yoof are missing out on so much fun doing handbrake turns.

Error_404_Username_not_found

2,748 posts

58 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
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Do the advanced course ASAP.
Then do it again in a couple of years.
Seriously, it's a life saver.

AndrewCrown

2,322 posts

121 months

Sunday 26th November 2023
quotequote all
All good tips...

I will add

  • Basic maintenance: Tyres, Oil, Washer fluid, wipers
  • Never let it go below a qtr of a tank
  • Keep a blanket and some water in the car.
  • Teach her how to use all the various controls esp demisting & hazard flashers
  • Extra keys cut