What are the things you should know before driving a car

By: Careen L. Malahay, for Automart.ph`

Are you a teenager planning to get your student-driver’s permit from the Land Transportation Office (LTO)? Great! Getting a license is required before hitting the road.

However, before you get too excited and drive your car (or your parents’ cars), there are certain things to keep in mind.

Get as much supervision as possible.

For newbie teen drivers, avoid getting behind the wheel without proper supervision. Experienced drivers should be involved in your driving practices before allowing you to take the car out by yourself.  

To begin this process, set a firm timetable with them and practice as much as possible. Do not rush things as well. Instead, try to develop your driving skills until you are ready to use the vehicle on your own.  

Wear a seatbelt at all times.

Another essential safety driving tip you should remember is to wear your seatbelt whenever you are in a car, whether you are the driver or a passenger – no exceptions.

This might seem like a nuisance to some, but this can save your life if something happens on the road. In fact, according to the CDC in the US, seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45%, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%.

Develop a positive attitude on the road.

Do you know that one of the most common causes of road accidents is driver error? This includes getting behind the wheel with the wrong state of mind, being distracted by your cell phone, or driving above the speed limit.

According to the Metro Manila Accidents Reporting and Analysis System, 394 fatalities of children and adults related to road accidents were recorded in the metro. The data is somewhat lower compared to the statistics they recorded in 2017. Yet, the records showed 40 average cases daily.

Keep it cool, be nice to everyone, and avoid road rage. Follow traffic rules at all times. They are here to ensure peace, order, and safety. Besides, you have over 3,000 pounds of fast-moving metal under your control, plus the lives of your passengers and other people on the streets.

Limit the number of passengers.

With each additional passenger, the risk of a road accident rises.

When you're a new driver, it's best to keep your passengers to a minimum. Let experienced drivers drive if you have children riding the vehicle, particularly during a long ride.

Don’t worry! Your friends and other loved ones can get in the car once you have mastered the art of safe driving. For now, everyone’s safety should be the top priority.    

Limit your nighttime driving.

For every mile (about 1.609 kilometers) driven at night, the risk of a fatal crash increases threefold. Because of this, it's best to avoid driving at night until you're comfortable using the car at this time.  

However, if the need arises and you have to go out, take precautions and increase your visibility to other drivers by ensuring that your lights are working properly. Furthermore, avoid driving in the darker areas of your town. Remember, places without street lights are more vulnerable to road accidents. So, choose areas where you can see things clearly and be seen by other vehicles.

While maneuvering a car is not a walk in the park, we hope these safety tips for student drivers will help you avoid road accident

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Content Editor Kyle Liong contributed to this story.