Why do we Need to Teach our New Drivers to be Safe on the Road?

This year’s National Road Safety Week theme was “Drive So Others Survive” #DriveSOS. This statement critically enforces the concept of driving selflessly, which a lot of new drivers often struggle with. A simple and selfish mistake of speeding or undertaking someone to get to your destination quicker can become a multi-car accident; this is very common in Queensland, especially on the M1 and Bruce Highway. As a personal injury law firm, we specialise in car accident claims, although there are ways to prevent having to make a claim. Preventing unsafe driving is crucial to make Queensland Roads safer. TPIL Lawyers have produced eight tips for parents and new drivers, including L platers and P platers, on the road to remain as safe as possible.

Eight Tips for Safer Driving

     1. Be upfront about your driving needs.

This can include needing limited talking, no music, or only one friend giving directions. Friends often get excited hopping into someone’s car for the first time and can be extremely distracting. Be firm and upfront about what noise level you’re comfortable with, who is going to give directions and making sure no one is distracting you.

     2. Check if your car is rain safe.

The rain can cause many hazards such as aquaplaning, limited visibility and, physical hazards including fallen powerlines and trees. In the case of a rainy day, leave a larger gap than normal and slow down to a speed you are comfortable and able to react at. Always check your tyres before driving in the rain, making sure they have adequate tread depth and suitable tyre pressure.

     3. Practice all possible scenarios.

Do not be scared to take your L plater into traffic, on the highway or driving for extended periods of time, it is better to learn how to do this with help and under supervision rather than for the first time by themselves. Practice scenarios such as hill starts, U-turns, merging, parallel parking, and unusual roads ready for when they are on their P plates, doing it alone.

     4. Know your area. Before driving, understand where you are going.

Looking at maps on your phone or car screen can be distracting and stressful, especially in a new area. Make sure the map’s audio is on so you do not have to look at the screen as frequently and limit noise when trying to understand where you are going. A tip for parents is to make sure your L plater is familiar with your local area including driving to school, work, the shops, and friends’ houses. Although these places may only be 10 minutes away, that is still 10 minutes for an accident to happen. Practicing in your local area makes your L plater more confident when they begin to do this themselves.

     5. Participate in a defensive driving course.

These courses give out all the facts when it comes to road safety, hazard prevention and practice in dangerous situations. These courses give you more confidence when coming across these circumstances. Click here to find out more.

     6. Assess your situation before getting behind the wheel.

Your checklist before driving will always include:

• Do you have your license?
• Is your car manual accessible?
• Do you have a phone charger or is your phone charged enough to use in case of emergency?
• Do you have the relevant phone numbers saved? (RACQ, 000, family, friends)
• Is your tyre pressure suitable to drive with?
• Are your mirrors placed correctly for you?
• Are there any distractions or hazards in your car and how can you minimize this?
• What will the weather be like while you are driving?
• How tired are you?
• Do your seatbelts work for all passengers getting in?
• Are you feeling unwell and/or do you need to take any medications with you?

     7. Know your Blood alcohol level.

For all types of P plates and L plates, the blood alcohol level when driving must be at 0.00%. We all know the rules of not drinking and driving, but what if we had a big night? Depending on your ethnicity, weight, age, and gender, we all process alcohol differently, but if you have had a big night, understand, your blood alcohol level may still be above 0.00% the next morning. Although everyone is different, click here for a rough guide, to know when you can drive again.

Note: Items such as alcoholic mouth wash, perfume, air fresheners, drinking lemon-lime bitters and having drunk friends in your car can cause your blood alcohol level to be over 0.00% when being tested.

     8. Be kind to your driver.

For parents it can be easy to freak out or yell at your learner driver, but this simply creates more distractions as they are trying to focus on what you are saying as well as the road. Try and give as many instructions as possible before getting behind the wheel and maintain a clam voice. Rather than yelling or gripping on to the handles, ask your learner driver to pull over and rationally explain to them what you are trying to say.

We are here to help.

At TPIL Lawyers, our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers specialise in personal injury claims and have a deep understanding of the legal framework and regulations. We are well-versed in advocating for our clients’ rights and fighting for the compensation they deserve. Please contact us on 1800 958 498 or help@tpil.com.au for an obligation free and confidential discussion.