In today’s world of large trucks, four-wheel drives, luxury sedans, sports cars and increasing traffic congestion, driving is a significant responsibility. It can be daunting for young inexperienced drivers to get out on the roads. Making good decisions 

on the road and off it (in relation to car maintenance and insurance) can mean the difference between life, death, or a huge financial loss.

It’s important to develop good driving skills. This means all drivers must be especially aware of their surroundings in order to avoid accidents and injury to self or others. When you are first experiencing the joy of freeedom that driving can give you, it is easy to lose sight of responsibility that comes with that freedom: you are now in control of a large, powerful machine that can cause injury and damage if it is not used properly.

There are many ways to play it safe while on the roads. Learner drivers and inexperienced drivers need to be especially aware of what’s going on around them. Reducing distractions and staying focussed on the task at hand will help. This means turning off your mobile phone, not having headphones on or music up too loud in case you can’t hear a horn or beep in an emergency situation, not trying to eat and drive - no multi-tasking! - and putting off emotional conversations till you are parked, and so forth. Even if you are a good new driver you need to take into account other people on the roads who may not be as competent and who may behave unpredictably.

Some other considerations include: road quality, weather conditions, school zones, parked cars, tiredness and sudden changes in traffic speed. Sometimes the traffic will be ultra-fast and some times it will be stop-and-go. In residential areas drivers need to slow down and be aware of pedestrians, especially children and older people. The speed limits are often lower here too - don’t get caught speeding! In the city, there will be more traffic, with traffic lights and pedestrians on every corner, and drivers who are possibly more aggressive and confident - they know where they are going and go there everyday; they will be less patient with drivers who are uncertain of the roads.

All of these different traffic conditions will require the driver to make fast and different decisions at times. Practice and experience are the best ways to become accustomed to different driving conditions. However, a young driver should avoid unfamiliar and challenging road conditions at first, while they build confidence controlling and manouveuring the vehicle. Rainy days are not ideal learning-to-drive days. Often, the best way to handle unfamiliar traffic conditions is to play it safe by driving slowly, signalling well in advance, and keeping your eyes on the road in front of you. Pay attention, plan ahead. Reading a map and planning your trip before you leave home so you understand where you need to go will also make driving less stressful. It is much better to be prepared and cautious when driving than to risk causing an accident or injuring someone.

The choice of car you drive is also significant - avoid situations where a new driver is required to drive a vehicle with a large engine that they have not driven before. If, for some reason, an inexperienced driver will be taking charge of a vehicle they are not familiar with they should practice driving the car or truck in a car park or on a quiet street so they can become familiar with the engine’s power and turning circle first. Losing control of a vehicle is very scary - and losing control of a large, powerful car can be devastating - one of the worst things that can happen to a any driver. The smart thing to do is be sure to practice driving an unfamiliar vehicle before entering a public roadway.

But accidents can happen. It’s is extremely important for all drivers - but particularly inexperienced drivers - to have adequate car insurance because if you hit another car, you will be completely responsible for the damage you cause - to property and people who may be involved, including yourself. It may cost you thousands of dollars. (Imagine smashing into a Porsche in your first few years on the roads! How big would that bill be?). Not to mention, it is a crime to drive a car without insurance. Make sure you are adequately covered - in Australia, the base insurance, compulsory third party (CTP), may not be enough, and third party insurance or comprehensive car insurance may be a better choice. CTP covers other people in the event of an accident but not property and not you if you get hurt and are at fault.

Another great way for beginners to play it safe is make sure your car is regularly checked for problems and is well-maintained. Are the tyres safe? Does it have oil? Do all the lights work? Does your horn work? Is your steering column in good working order? Are your brake pads thick enough? It is also a good idea to check road conditions and weather conditions before travelling. Changing weather conditions can surprise a new driver, inexperienced at driving through storms and fog. Roads can get slippery and sometimes visibility can be cut to zero, making it extremely hard to drive. The best way for a new driver to avoid hazardous road conditions is to plan ahead and take the time to check the weather report - especially on long trips interstate. Try to avoid bad weather and construction zones.