There is always a first time for everyone, and driving is far from being an exception. For thousands of applicants who consider enrolling or having obtained the ‘L’, starting to circulate daily can be a challenge. Distractions, nerves, anxiety and finally, fear can turn this adventure into a nightmare. In the following lines, we will discuss how to drive a car for the first time, through a series of tips that will help you increase your experience quickly and safely.
How to drive a car for the first time
Numerous studies have highlighted the strong psychological impact of getting behind the wheel during the first weeks. Hence, the ‘L’ that is given to the novice driver is a useful mechanism for the rest of the drivers, who must exercise extreme caution before this type of user, liable to make mistakes due to distractions or nerves.
But how to learn to drive a car for the first time? The contents of the driving code and practical lessons of driving school, responsible for laying the foundations of road safety education, may be insufficient during the first months ‘life’ of the driver, who must face great pressure.
To get behind the wheel for the first time is necessary to have a series of useful recommendations, which we proceed to detail below:
Calm your nerves
In all safety, this is the number one “enemy” of the novice drivers, which affects the male population more than the female population, as demonstrated by a well-known study of Attitudes and the UAB. However, all users should avoid exposing themselves to situations that encourage nervousness. If traveling with a family member or friend in the passenger seat helps reduce this problem, then the first trips should be made in your company. Additionally, we recommend reading these incredible tricks to overcome nerves in the driving test.
Avoid distractions
Driving with distractions is never a good idea because there are many events that take place while we are driving: give the intermittent, change lanes to take an exit, keep the distance with that motorist … And if the usual distractions of driving add the radio, the announcements of the ‘smartphone’ or a lively conversation with the rest of the occupants, the result can be fatal. All the above must be eliminated or reduced to a minimum, to encourage concentration at the wheel.
Circulate through familiar places
Although it may seem like a truism, initially limiting the displacements to known geographical areas is a recommendation to be followed for the novice. GPS and other allies are not necessary. Just drive on roads where you have experienced until you feel more comfortable.
Stay away from highways and main roads
In parallel with the previous advice, it is also advisable to avoid roads as busy and congested as the motorways at first. Although you will have to learn to drive on these types of roads at some point, it is preferable to postpone them until you have successfully made the first incursions at the wheel.
Driving at night is not an option
Even experienced drivers avoid driving at night, so if you are driving for the first time, it is very unadvisable to do it at night, mainly due to the reduced visibility.
However, these recommendations may be ineffective for those who have developed a principle of amaxophobia or fear of driving, a problem more frequent than you can imagine. If you need to fight and overcome it, the following lines will be useful.
Say goodbye to anxiety
One of the main symptoms of amaxophobia is anxiety, which can block the driver, making it a danger for other users. Infusions and medications help combat this condition, but it is best to mentalize correctly. If the anxiety becomes chronic, going to a specialist can be a good option.
Increase your knowledge of the vehicle
Fear is closely related to ignorance, and to combat it there is no better ‘medicine’ that knowledge. Increasing your knowledge about the vehicle and driving will help you feel that you are in control and feel more secure at the wheel. Even an activity as elementary as sitting in the cabin and memorizing the position of all the controls will help you to circulate with greater confidence.
Feel more comfortable at the wheel
Adjusting the seat, mirrors and other elements of the vehicle to achieve the greatest possible comfort is a simple practice, but one that offers great benefits. Driving should be a pleasure, and making the cabin as comfortable as possible is a great help. In this way, spending several hours driving will not take any effort.
In view of the above, driving for the first time after passing does not have to be an ordeal. Accumulate kilometers and experience at the wheel can be an enriching adventure if you follow these recommendations. Now is your turn! What do you think of these tips? Have you ever been afraid or nervous driving? How did you overcome it? Share it with us!