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There is more to getting behind the wheel of a car and driving than most people think. You may believe that because you have passed your test, you might need some time to become experienced, but other than that, what else should you know? New, and particularly new, young drivers, tend to be more accident prone than people who have spent a long time behind the wheel. Below are some of the things that you should, but may not yet, know about driving.
1. Your Driving Position
Research into road accidents and driver behaviour shows that drivers who have a high sitting position tend to drive faster, more often than those who don’t.
2. What Happens When You Hit Someone?
You may not realise it but if you hit someone while you are driving at 38 miles per hour, it will have the same effect on the victim as falling from a building’s fifth floor.
3. There Are Fewer Petrol Stations in the UK
The UK now has fewer petrol stations than it did some years ago. In the seventies there were more than 30,000 petrol stations across the UK, whereas today there are only 8,000.
4. Stopping Distance
If you are driving at seventy miles an hour, then it will take the length of twenty-four cars for you to come to a stop.
5. Tyre Pressure
You should check your tyre pressure regularly. If you get stopped and caught with the wrong tyre pressure, then you could face a fine of up to £2,500.
6. Waiting in Traffic
If you are waiting in traffic for a long time and fail to turn the engine off if a policeman asks you to do so, you could face an on the spot fine of £80.
7. Eating and Drinking while Driving
You are twice as likely to be involved in a traffic accident if you eat or drink while you are at the wheel as someone who doesn’t.
8. Parking Tickets
If you get a parking fine, usually because of a claim that you have stayed too long, it is worth appealing against it. Many people appeal against parking tickets that they feel are unfair and a large number of appeals are successful.
9. Whiplash Claims
In the UK, there are more claims for whiplash injury from a car accident than there are in the rest of the EU, which is why the payouts are now lower for this particular injury.
10. One in Five
Out of every five new drivers, one will have been involved in a road accident within six months of passing their driving test.
11. Poor Eyesight
Drivers should have regular eye checks, as poor eyesight is often cited as a cause of road traffic accidents, and causes more than £30 million of damage annually.
12. Loud Music
Playing loud music in your car after 11.00 at night could result in a big fine. While nobody is going to complain while you are driving on the motorway, doing so along residential streets could get you reported and fined.
