7 Safety tips for beginners driving Used Cars

Just got your driver’s license? Congratulations! You’ve come a long way from learning how to balance the clutch and maneuvering the car for reverse parking. Now, you’re finally ready to ride in the big leagues.

While driving a car might come as an easy ordeal for some people, most amateur drivers struggle for a few months. This fact is even more accurate if you’re driving a used car. You see, driving is all about calculations, and making the wrong calculation can land you in a world of pain. Just one wrong turn or one late brake, and you’ll be speeding uncontrollably into a fatal accident.

That’s why following safety tips when driving a used car is an absolute necessity. After all, we aren’t talking about brand new cars in prime conditions here. We’re talking about used cars that are old, unreliable, and downright dangerous. So if you want to be safe on the road, follow our 7 safety tips for beginners driving used cars.

1. Take it slow

You’re not an expert driver; as a matter of fact, you’re barely a novice. So whatever you do, don’t speed up like you’re playing GTA. As a beginner driver, your main priority is to safely reach from point A to point B. And by safely, we mean without any incidents. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to attain high speeds later in life, so take it slow for the first few months.

If you’re still learning how to drive, we wouldn’t recommend crossing 40 mph. Stick to the third gear at max, and don’t drive faster than 40 mph to ensure safety.

2. Learn how to drive straight (Overcome the zig-zag syndrome)

Most driving learners find it challenging to maintain a straight line while on the road. Sooner or later, they always end up zig-zagging like a fish. Of course, this habit will go away after lots of practice, but it’s bound to be there during the first few attempts.

If you’re still in the habit of zig-zagging, going above the speed of 40 will be a dangerous ordeal. You’ll notice that you’re losing control of the steering wheel as the speed increases. The car might seem to be going in a straight line, but that’s only from your perspective.

Trust us; if you have a passenger who is an experienced driver sitting in the car, he’ll probably be freaking out. So remember, learn to master driving on a straight line before you attempt to get comfortable with a higher speed.

3. Go easy on the turn

Driving a car means encountering many twists and turns on the road. Since you’re a beginner, it would be advisable for you to go slow on the turnings. Remember to balance the clutch as you slow down on the turn. Always ensure your signal lights are on for the person behind you. Finally, smoothen your way across the bend and make the crossing. 

4. NO OVERTAKING

Inexperienced drivers with happy feet always attempt to overtake others even when they aren’t prepared to do so. That’s what idiots behind the wheel do; you’re not an idiot, are you? Avoid this urge at all costs.

As an amateur driver, you should switch on your emergency lights whenever a car approaches you from behind. Once you have their attention, simply signal them to pass you. It might sound like a move for kindergarteners, but trust us, you aren’t ready to overtake anyone on a busy highway. Not yet, at least.

If you want to try out your overtaking skills, make sure you aren’t doing it on the busiest street you can find. Choose a road that is spacious and has very light traffic. At least this way, you won’t be risking others with your reckless moves.

5. Honk at every corner

There’s always a narrow corner from where a car could pop up in an instant. If you don’t honk your car while crossing these corners, the approaching car won’t be expecting you to whizz by. What’s worst, if the other vehicle is coming in at high speed, it might slam right into you.

Always honk around every corner like a paranoid child. This will announce your arrival and alert any oncoming car hidden from sight. It might sound silly, but it’s one of the most important rules of safe driving. So don’t forget to honk away!

6. Keep your distance

There might often be times when the traffic is high, and you’re wedged in between two cars. Maintain a safe distance between the car in front and the one behind you. As a beginner driver, you won’t have an understanding or any control of your breaks. Braking instantly in these tight spaces will mostly be a hit and miss. So, avoid other cars like the plague until you’re comfortable with the brakes.

7. Don’t get distracted

As we mentioned earlier, driving takes a lot of calculations, and some of these have to be made in the blink of an eye. You might have to instantly step on the brakes or hit the accelerator and move ahead at any point in time. The ‘when’ of it all is beyond your control.

That’s why you should never get distracted or relax while driving. Avoid playing music or texting on the phone. Keep a steady eye on what’s ahead, behind, and around the corner. There’s no time to take a break!

Where can I buy Used cars that are safe for Beginners?

Most beginner drivers don’t have the experience or know-how to deal with a used car. As it is, most used cars come with a ton of problems that might need frequent manual fixing on the spot.

If you’re an amateur driver looking for a safe and reliable used car, we recommend visiting the Autozin website. It is a cool platform offering affordable, high-quality used cars from trusted sellers across North America. All you have to do is visit their site and choose the car you want. Autozin will connect you with anyone wanting to sell that particular make and model at your nearest location.