For any individual who is still learning to drive by taking driving lessons, it’s a very exciting yet daunting exercise for them. Gaining your drivers license after attending driving school is a very important step in ones life.

Having completed your affordable driving school curriculum, you’re ready to drive but what obstacles could there be out there on the road ready to confront you with trouble? Read on to find out what the top 10 mistakes that drivers are making every day and how to avoid them.

#1 – Intoxicated while driving, otherwise known as drink driving. The numbers of car accidents that have occured due to alcohol or drink driving tell a sad tale. Alcohol contributes to 40% of all deaths which are related to driving. People of the age bracket 16-24 make up 60% of this which shows a lack of judgement. Did you know the solution to this major problem is the simplest, do not drink and then get behind the wheel.

#2 – Texting while driving. Mobile phone related car accidents are on the rise so new laws have been introduced which ban mobile phone usage while driving. It’s important not to answer the phone while driving, so pull your car over to the curb if it’s an important or urgent call, otherwise call the person back at another time. Just makes for common sense.

#3 – Road rage. Road rage is such a big issue that every year people are assaulted or worse yet killed because of silly disputes that occur while driving. Studies indicated that drivers who experience road rage from other drivers are inclined to respond to that aggression in a similar fashion. Put simply, this puts more than just yourself at risk of causing a car accident. Be an adult and ignore the situation. Try to let it go as nothing and realise the other person has the problem, nothing is worth losing your own life or another persons life over on the roads.

#4 – No car seat. Did you know what the leading cause of death is for people aged 2 to 14 years? Driving related accidents. It’s also the lead cause of death that results from injury for children between 0 and 2 years. Be sure to purchase a car seat if you plan to have a child occupy a seat in your vehicle.

#5 – Excess speed. This one should not be a surprise as most people know it’s important to slow down. Were you aware that speeding is involved in 15% of car accidents and 35% of that results in an accident that is fatal. In order to give yourself more time to react, slow down because by speeding up you have less time to react to any hazards on the road or other drivers. The statistics reflect that driving in conditions that are bad are also bad for driving. Slow down and slow down just a little bit more in conditions that are less than perfection for driving in.

6 – Bad weather. While understandable that you cannot always avoid driving in bad weather, it’s important to realise doing so contributes to 20% of fatal highway accidents. This heads back to the #5, if you have to drive in these conditions then please slow down.

#7 – Bad eyesight. There is a good explanation why people are required to take an eye test when they go to renew their drivers license. Being unable to spot obstacles on the road reduces your ability to drive in a safe manner. Have your eyes tested if you need to wear glasses.

#8 – Not wanting to wear a seat belt. Seat belts are the most effective way to prevent your death if you are involved in a serious or minor car accident. If people would simply wear a seat belt, up to 5,000 deaths could be avoided every year on our roads. Maybe it’s time you started to wear yours again.

#9 – Oversteering your car. A driving school that teaches defensive driving can assist you with this one and they will be able to show you how to brake and maneuver in situations where skidding or oversteering would be a bad thing.

#10 – Fatigue or lack of sleep. Driving while fatigued or tired is one of the major reasons car accidents occur. Practice your driver revival techniques by ensuring you swap drivers every 2 hours or take breaks when you are feeling tired or fatigued.