New drivers are among your Mazda dealer’s favorite customers! Enjoy the excitement of finally getting behind the wheel minus the hassle with these top tips.
1. Pay Attention
It’s a simple adage, but it will be number one on your list. Ideally, you should be fully aware of your surroundings and scan as far up the road as possible. By staying alert, you can avoid many of the common causes of traffic accidents, such as following too closely, failing to make sure lanes are clear when you turn or merge, or being unaware when another motorist is driving erratically.
Your best chance of keeping vigilant is to avoid any distractions while driving, including texting, eating, and talking on the phone.
2. Be Courteous
Becoming a road monster increases your chances of getting a ticket, getting into an accident, or finding yourself in the middle of an escalating and dangerous road rage incident. Do not try to intimidate other drivers with aggressive actions like tailgating, excessive horn-honking and light-flashing, or weaving in and out of traffic to maintain a high speed.
At the same time, don’t be intimidated when you do encounter an aggressive driver. Just continue obeying the rules of the road and maintaining a level head, keeping in mind that this person will be out of your space and out of your life within a few moments. If you let yourself be goaded into an accident or a confrontation, though, the chances of a costly and life-altering mistake rise exponentially.
3. Internalize Your Education
When you take a test, you’ll naturally be more confident and prepared when you know the material. The same philosophy applies to driving. Unlike a lot of the things you may learn, all of that information you had to memorize for the driving test will be useful for the rest of your driving life. Recognizing road signs will enable you to make quick decisions when you’re on the road.
Likewise, you’ll know exactly how to react when you encounter a different kind of vehicle, such as a bicycle or a school bus. Familiarity in these cases breeds confidence, and a confident driver is a more capable driver.
4. Know Thy Car and Thy Roads
Familiarity should extend to both your routes and your vehicle itself. Become well-acquainted with the roads and highways you will be traveling most frequently. Ask more seasoned drivers for potential shortcuts. And if you are driving to an unfamiliar destination, study up on the path you will take. Don’t just rely on the GPS, though. Learning to read a road map is an incredibly useful skill that can save you time and stress.
You should know your auto like the back of your hand, too. For one, you can better recognize when problems arise or when warning lights illuminate. Further, when you are comfortable in your vehicle you will likely drive with more assurance. With its compact size, nimble handling, sweet styling, and i-Activesense safety suite, the Mazda 3 sedan offers the ultimate in comfort and confidence for beginning drivers.
Begin your driving journey with the perfect auto ally. Visit Flood Mazda and we’ll connect you with the ride of your dreams.
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