6 Tips To Help You Become A Better Driver

How to become a better driver? It's a question that many people in Oregon ask themselves when they take their first driving lesson.

The answer to this is not as simple as you might assume. There are many factors that play into becoming a great driver, such as how you react in dangerous situations and what kind of car you drive. But, this article focuses on the six things you can do to become a better driver.

1. Prepare Well for your Learner's Test

In Oregon, you must be over 16 years old to get a learner's permit and start driving. The Oregon DMV website has many resources to help you prepare for your test, including a practice permit test.

Be sure to read the Oregon Driver Manual, which covers everything from road rules to how to handle different driving situations. If you find it hard to go through the DMV handbook while preparing for the learners permit test, you can find many cheat sheets and study guides online. The study guides should help simplify the material so you can better focus on what's important when taking the test.

2. Practice with an Adult

While getting a driving license is a rite of passage for teenagers, it's important to get some practice in before hitting the open road. Ask an adult to let you borrow their car for a weekend and take turns driving around different areas. This will help boost your confidence when behind the wheel and make you better prepared for real-world scenarios.

3. Avoid Distractions

In Oregon, distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic fatalities. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, in 2020, there were 68 fatalities resulting from distracted driving.

Many things can distract a driver, but cellphone use, eating or drinking, and grooming are the three most common. To avoid distractions while driving:

• Put your cellphone in the glove compartment or somewhere out of reach
• Eat before you drive or bring along snacks that can be eaten with one hand
• Keep your car clean, so you don't have to worry about grooming yourself while driving.

4. Practice Defensive Driving

Your driving instructor will often tell you that you're the only sane driver on the road, and they're right. There is never a better time to practice defensive driving than when learning how to drive. Defensive driving means being in the know of your surroundings and taking steps to avoid potential accidents. This includes knowing when to use your signals, keeping a safe distance from other cars, and watching for pedestrians and cyclists.

The best way to practice defensive driving is to drive in different environments, such as in busy city streets or highways. Try to think about what other drivers may do and be prepared to take evasive action if necessary. Remember that it's better to be safe than sorry!

5. Keep your Car in Good Condition 

If you want to become a better driver, keeping your car in good condition is one of the most crucial things you can do. Not only does it indicate to other drivers on the road that you care about using a safe and reliable vehicle, but having a well-maintained car will also improve your driving experience by making sure everything works as expected. It doesn't matter how little a problem may appear to be, addressing it as soon as possible can help avoid bigger and more costly issues down the road.

6. Know your Car's Blind Spots

The car you use for your driving classes may be different from the car you drive every day. Say, for instance, the school may be using a large SUV while you drive an economy car. One thing that may trip up new drivers is the blind spots of your vehicle, which can be dangerous when it's difficult to check before changing lanes or merging into traffic. Fortunately, knowing how to inspect your blind spots properly!

Look over at the spot next to you while slowly driving forward in first gear to do this correctly. Note any other cars coming near these areas so you know what they might look like while moving. If no obstructions are present while looking out for oncoming vehicles or parked cars, then congratulations. You've mastered one of the essential elements of safe driving!

Driving can be an enjoyable and liberating experience, but only if you’re doing it safely. The tips you need to know to become a better driver are mentioned above. Practice makes perfect, so make sure to get out there on the roads and start practicing!