Novice Driver
After completing the period of learning from a driving school, a new driver receives his or her driver’s license, which is the baptism to the road driving. However, most crashes and accidents involve new drivers, who lack experience in terms of driven mileage and situation response. In fact, it takes five to seven years for a novice driver to gain proper experience that helps him or her to survive the risky road.
The driving school course includes a good practical driving training under the supervision of a professional driving instructor. But the period of learning is not enough for one to really adapt and learn every aspect of driving. One can only perfect his or her knowledge of the road driving when he or she is already in there. Depending on factors of the environment – and the absorption of the knowledge from the driving school – it takes time for a novice driver to get a full picture of the concern.
At the top of the priority of the novice driver is the capability and the skill to process information of the road – and respond to it. Yes, the slow reaction of new drivers is due to the lack of experience. They are hesitant to act on a situation due to the fear of crashing or colliding on other cars. The lack of experience results to the poor observation and scanning of the environment for the recognition of the potential hazards of the road. They may not be able to maintain good response and reaction to life-threatening situation, which leads to accidents.
Another factor that is constantly improved through a driving school course is confidence. There are novice drivers who are overconfident on the skills and knowledge they have about the road. Overconfidence results to being weary of the road – and reduced attention. On the other hand, low confidence results to over focus on some aspects of the road driving, while leaving other things behind. The refocus of the person’s attention is an important part of driving. Driving is an integral activity which necessitates the mind and the body to work harmoniously.
In the same manner, the attitude of most novice or teen drivers is another major concern of road safety. Risky calculations of the road clearance during turns, stimulation seeking, over speeding, and tailgating are common reactions and attitudes of new teen drivers. In the driving school, these misdemeanors are discussed with the concern of eliminating them off the road for the safety of everyone. In the same manner, teen drivers, especially those who are holding the learner’s permit, are discouraged to drive under the impairment of drugs, alcohol or other elements.
The driving school courses, for beginners and other improvement driving courses are great tools to improve the level of knowledge of a novice driver. With the aim of reducing the risk of accident, the DMV requires new drivers to attend the driving school course, either for the driver’s license or for the enhancement of knowledge and skills for safety.
