For new drivers, driving can be totally liberating. For the first time, new and young drivers have the ability to travel long distances on their own, completely undisturbed. It is important at this stage to avoid picking up bad driving habits, and ensure safe driving practices.

As driving experts, we’ve seen it all. Here are some common bad habits you should avoid while driving:

1.Distracted Driving
Every time you get behind the wheel, you should be completely focused on the road. Eating, texting , reading, or checking yourself out in the mirror while driving are all examples of distracted driving that commonly contribute to accidents.

2.Speeding
Speeding is a dangerous habit that starts early and is difficult to shed. Speeding drivers are not only putting themselves at risk—they are endangering the lives of everybody else on the road.

3.Drafting Semi-Trucks
Following too close to a semi-truck is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. When turning, allow semi-trucks extra room and never put yourself in their blind spot for an extended period of time.

4.Not Wearing a Seatbelt
Seatbelts save over 13,000 lives per year. Why risk it? Clipping in your seatbelt as soon as you get behind the wheel is an important habit to start practicing early on.

5.Not Shoulder Checking
A brief glance in the mirror is not sufficient enough when it comes to changing lanes or passing vehicle on the road. In order to tell if a car is in your blind spot, you must turn your head and glance over your shoulder.

6.Driving Drunk
In Canada, approximately four people are killed in crashes each day because of an alcohol or drug-related accident. Signs of an impaired driver include unnecessary speeding, slow response to traffic signals and signs, tailgating, and dangerous drifting or changing of lanes.

7.Not Using Blinkers
Turning or changing lanes without signalling to other cars is extremely dangerous and can lead to unnecessary accidents. If a car is in your blind spot, or pulling out of a driveway up ahead, how are they supposed to know you are turning?

8.Speeding Through Yellow Lights
Most of the time, driving through a yellow light is relatively safe. Speeding through a late yellow, however, is very dangerous and can lead to serious collisions—and a ticket. In some provinces, there are ticketing systems installed at intersections, and the fines are hefty.

To ensure a safe driving experience throughout your life, it’s important to avoid bad habits early.

If you have any questions about safe driving, or are looking to sign up for driving courses, the professionals at Ambitious Drivers are here to help. Contact us today for more information.

With winter on its way, young drivers can expect an onslaught of unpredictable weather during the next few months. In other words: rain.
It’s too warm to snow, but too cold to be sunny, resulting in a dreary, rainy few months before winter hits. For new drivers, wet roads can be challenging. To help you stay safe this fall, here are a few tips for driving on wet roads:

Adjust Your Settings
There are some precautions you can take to stay safe on wet roads, even before you start driving. Rain causes your window to fog up almost immediately. Visibility is important when driving on wet roads. To avoid a foggy windshield, turn your defrost setting on high.

Check Your Wipers
There is nothing more dangerous than broken windshield wipers in the middle of a heavy storm. If you notice one or both windshield wipers are ineffective, replace them immediately.

Wipe Your Feet
To keep your foot on the pedals while driving, it’s important to dry off your feet beforehand. Wet boots or shoes can cause your feet to slide off the pedals unexpectedly, putting you and others at risk on the road.

Be Cautious Around Corners
Water can be just as dangerous as black ice. Aquaplaning, which occurs when a thin layer of water on the road’s surface causes you to lose control, is a serious concern for new drivers. To avoid aquaplaning, slow down around corners and going down hills.
If you do find yourself aquaplaning, it’s important not to slam on the brakes. Similar to how you would react when hitting an ice patch, keep your hands firmly on the wheel and brake gently if you need to. Try to stay calm.

Drive Under the Speed Limit
In adverse weather conditions, you should always drive under the speed limit. Rain makes it difficult to stop, accelerate, or turn quickly.

Leave Space Behind Cars
In heavy traffic especially, it’s important to leave space between your vehicle and other cars. Rain can increase your chances of rear-ending another vehicle by sliding.

Turn Your Lights On
Even in broad daylight, rain can significantly decrease visibility. To ensure you can see, and that other cars can see you, it’s important to drive with your lights on in the rain.
Driving in the rain is something all drivers must face. As long as you know which precautions to take, and how to stay calm in challenging situations, you will adjust to driving on wet roads in no time.

If you are interested in taking your driver’s test, or want to learn more about safety tips for driving on wet roads, the professionals at Ambitious Drivers can help. Get in touch with us today!

One of the most significant moments for many young teens today is the passing of the infamous driving test. For some, it’s a cake walk, for others, more nerve-racking than a final exam.
If you’re thinking of taking the test, here is a list of dos and don’ts to help you get ready:

Do

Remember Your Seatbelt. You might find this silly, but it’s easy to forget doing up your seatbelt when you’re nervous.

Take Your Time. This point is crucial, especially during the parallel parking portion of the test. Nerves cause many young drivers to rush, often resulting in panic and or failure. Not only will staying calm and taking your time increase your chances of doing it right—it’ll show the instructor how cool and unfazed you are in the face of a challenge.

Leave Your Phone at Home. Your phone should be left at home during the test. Beeps from a text message or an incoming phone call are unprofessional and can distract you.

Be Confident. You have been practicing for months. Don’t let an examiner with a clipboard and a pen scare you. Trust yourself and your confidence will shine through.

Be Smart Booking Your Test. Try not to book your test during rush hour, or during a massive local sporting event. If you operate best at a certain time of day, take this into account when booking a time for your test.

Don’t

Talk Too Much. It is important to build a friendly rapport with your examiner, but don’t go overboard. Talking throughout the test will distract you and make it difficult for the examiner to give you proper directions.

Turn on the Radio. This is a big no-no. Music is distracting, and the examiner may take it as a sign that you are not taking the test seriously.

Get Emotional. The way other people behave behind the wheel is out of your control. If someone cuts you off or yells at you during the test, keep your cool and try not to get agitated.

Show Off. At home, your parents might let you drive the family car all the time. The examiner doesn’t need to know this. Don’t try to impress them by any quick or funky maneuvers on the road—you risk losing the test and putting yourself in danger.

Don’t Stay up Late the Night Before. You should be in prime mental state for your driving test. This means no parties or tomfoolery the night before. Be sure to eat and eat well the morning of the test. To keep the jitters at bay, switch out coffee for tea.

The most important thing to remember: stay safe and have fun. Your driving test examiner is human too, and understands how stressful the first test can be.
If you are interested in taking driving courses, sign up today with Ambitious Drivers.