Canada Road Safety Week: New Driver? Read This!

Written by Cassie Licari & Dominique Houle on 19/05/10

Photo by Chris Campbell on Flickr

In continuing with Canada Road Safety Week, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind while on the road, especially if you are new to the driving world.

Tourists and people on vacation add to the volume of pedestrians and vehicles on the streets and sidewalks. To cope with the heavier traffic, stay calm while driving and obey the speed limit. Be aware of other cars and pedestrians around you and be a courteous and respectful driver. Also, be extra watchful for children: now that school is out, more kids are outside playing.
Always make sure that you are wearing your seatbelt, and that everyone else in your car is too. If you are driving your little brother or sister, or any small child, make sure they are secured in their car seats. This is extremely important for the safety of children. In a collision, about 75% of people die if they are ejected from their vehicle (because they were not wearing a seatbelt) (TIRF).
Make sure you can see out all of the mirrors in your car at all times. Do not pack too many people in the back seats, or too big a load in your car. Items that obstruct your vision can lead to a collision. Also, any loose objects (i.e. a laptop, textbooks or other heavy objects) in your car can do a great amount of damage if you get into a collision, so make sure everything is safely packed away.

(Ontario Ministry of Transportation)

Do not use your cell phone while driving, whether that be to call, text, email, or play a game, etc. Wait until you have reached your destination, or pull over to the side of the road. “Be responsible towards yourself and your family,” says S/Sgt. Chris Fraser from the RCMP’s Traffic Services, “No use of cell phones or text messaging while driving is a step towards road safety. ” In addition, wait until you are stopped to do things such as change a CD, use your GPS, fix your hair/makeup, clean up a mess, etc (MTO).
Even though we all love to listen to music in the car, if it is turned up too loud it can be very distracting. You may not be able to hear the siren or horn of an emergency vehicle (MTO).
Learn how to drive in severe weather, either from a parent, guardian or trusted adult. If you are prepared in any situation, it will be less stressful and you will be able to handle it with ease. In addition, if you are driving somewhere you have never been before, get directions first (Kansas Highway Patrol).
Do not drive while you are tired, upset or emotional. These emotions can distract you from paying attention to the rules of the road (MTO).

Do not race with other cars or perform tricks on the road. Car stunts you see on TV are extremely dangerous, and are performed by professionals on closed roads who have had years of training (Kansas Highway Patrol)

If you are a new driver, click here for a list of safety tips given from the perspective of other young drivers who were once in the same situation as you.

Ultimately, the more knowledge you have of road safety, the better. If you are a new driver, feeling comfortable on the road will come with time and practice. Remember that it is always important to pay attention, stay focused and to concentrate on driving. And if your body is free of drugs and alcohol every time you get behind the wheel of a car, you are well on your way to becoming a responsible driver.

Links

Motorola
Traffic Injury Research Foundation
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Kansas Highway Patrol
Saferoads: Traffic Safety in Alberta