A wide range of emotions can accompany you into the driver’s seat the first time you grab the wheel. We understand that learning to drive may be both exciting and terrifying. Although this new experience might seem intimidating, we are here to guide you through it.
Even though you learned the laws of the road and developed safe driving habits, there are still many factors you need to take into account. It’s ideal that you understand how to begin your driving journey, whether it’s passing the exams or obtaining your first insurance coverage.
Table of Contents
Insurance for drivers
There are numerous variables that affect your vehicle insurance when you’re a young driver, and that is why it’s a wise decision to look for a brokerage that will give you the best car insurance quotes Alberta has to offer. There are several factors that insurance companies take into account when calculating young drivers’ rates.
Any person under the age of 25 is considered a young driver for the purposes of vehicle insurance. The possibility of the motorist being in an accident is one of the risk factors that insurance companies use to determine prices.
It’s tragic that young drivers account for nearly one-quarter of all incidents that cause significant injury or death, despite making up only about one-tenth of all drivers in Canada. You are therefore viewed as a higher-risk driver if you are anywhere between the ages of 16 and 24.
Graduated driver licensing
No matter their age, all new drivers are members of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. This program makes certain that new drivers receive the assistance, training, and experience they require to manage the challenging task of driving.
GDL increases traffic safety by providing all new drivers with a secure and monitored environment. Each state’s characteristics and prerequisites differ depending on the province. Contact a government website to learn detailed details about your particular location.
Ensure passenger safety
It’s crucial that drivers abide by the rules regarding passengers. Some considerations are listed. A kid safety seat must be securely fastened to a vehicle when the child is younger than six years old and weighs no more than 18 kilograms.
According to the manufacturer’s recommendations, all children must travel from birth in either a rear-facing infant carrier or a rear-facing adaptable seat until they reach the minimum weight for switching to a forward-facing safety seat. Before using just the seat belt in the car without a booster seat, kids who weigh more than 18 kilos should be restrained in an authorized booster seat.
Proactive driving
Drive with the intention to foresee potential dangers and take action to lessen, minimize, or eliminate danger before it may materialize. This aids in preventing potential auto accidents. Never take for granted that other drivers will always drive defensively or behave irresponsibly. Being prepared for the unexpected could prevent incidents brought on by other drivers’ mistakes.
Proactive driving can mean a lot of things, and here are some of them. Look all around your car and don’t drive too closely to the person in front of you; leave yourself some room, you never know when you will need to step on the brake immediately. Always think ahead and keep an eye on the road ahead while being vigilant. Never use a phone or other electronic gadgets while operating a vehicle. And most importantly don’t drive while you’re under the influence of alcohol or any psychoactive substance.
Being a good driver
It’s critical that all drivers are aware of the consequences of using drugs or alcohol while driving. With this decision, there are dangers, legal requirements, and life-threatening consequences. Your judgment and ability to operate a car responsibly and safely can be affected by things like alcoholic beverages and drugs, some prescriptions, stress, weariness, and lack of sleep. By ignoring the driving law, you may face really heavy fines and/or time in jail, loss of your driver’s license privileges, injury or even death, and increased costs for car insurance.
Final thoughts
The ability to drive is a ticket to independence, but it also carries a great deal of responsibility. Driving may make your life much simpler, whether you have big trip plans or just want to be at work on time. The wide road may be calling, but until you have the right insurance, you shouldn’t go behind the wheel.
