The road safety petition is focused on speed; it cites this as “one of the most influential factors in road safety generally and particularly for young drivers.” It can be tempting for new drivers to want to test their actual limits when it comes to how fast they can go, but learning how speed should be controlled is important both in terms of safety and being confident behind the wheel. The team at Learn and Drive UK understand that teaching learner drivers about speed is more than just limiting their top speed susses and irresponsible driving habits which will last a lifetime.
Here, we take a look at some essential to-dos when it comes to teaching teenage drivers about speed control and responsible driving. Whether you are a parent of a learner or a young driver looking to enhance your skills, this guide will cover speed management and why it is important on the road.
Why Speed Awareness is Crucial for Young Drivers
They may also not have the necessary background to decide on the right speeds for different conditions of a road. They are more likely to have accidents of all kinds, not just serious ones in which speed is a causal factor — such as bad weather or heavy traffic.
Speed management is about more than just obeying the law; it is about being able to anticipate other road users’ movements and respond accordingly to the inherent safety of your surroundings and the effect speed has on stopping distance, handling and fuel efficiency.
That’s exactly why we at Learn and Drive UK endeavour to teach them about the necessity of these from the beginning.
Teaching Speed to Teenagers
- What Do Speed Limits Help?
Part one: Explaining speed limits and why they exist in the first place. This is the first step you can take to teach young drivers of any age about appropriate speeds. Speed limits exist for a reason, usually to protect other drivers, pedestrians and include things like sharp turns or school zones.
Drivers are taught to follow the posted speed limits and to use their judgment when they need to slow down due to traffic, weather conditions or poor visibility.
- Understanding Stopping Distances
Stopping distances are probably among the most crucial information to a safe speed driver. Speed: The faster you are driving, the more time it takes to bring your car to a full stop. This can come as quite a surprise to younger, less experienced drivers. We teach young people how factors such as road surface, weather conditions and vehicle weight can affect stopping distances so they understand why it is important to keep enough space between them and the car in front.
Learn and Drive UK shows young drivers real-world stopping distances about speeds, to help demonstrate how the time for safe stops is affected by the speed of the car.
- Adapting Speed to Road Conditions
Most young drivers learn to drive in optimal weather conditions, but the road can change quickly. Speed can be curbed by rain, snow, fog and ice. This is why we need to be aware of the speed of young drivers based on traffic conditions.
During wet weather, the streets can get slick and hydroplaning risks rise as well. Slow down – young drivers can control their vehicle better if they adjust speed to the conditions and respond more quickly and with greater precision when the unexpected happens.
- Passing Traffic, Following Closely vs. Safely
Riding in heavy traffic makes it simple to follow everyone, which can lead to driving fast; however, this is risky. We teach young drivers of the importance of maintaining a safe following distance to avoid rear-end collisions. Just as important, however, your teen needs to understand that while other drivers are breaking the law by speeding, it does NOT make it okay for them to drive in this way.
Ahmed says once you have become a congested driver, it is time to learn patience and calm, which are the final pieces of wisdom you must acquire. At Learn and Drive UK, while doing the practical exercise, you are taught the advantages of driving at an equivalent speed to that at which traffic is moving.
- Using Technology to Your Advantage
New cars have technology built into them that can keep drivers at a safe speed. These days a lot of cars come with cruise control, while more and more are being fitted with speed limiters or extremely advanced speed monitoring systems that sense when the car is going faster than the posted limits.
And it is resisting that application in general, as is my point #2: the ins and outs of these technologies are what we’re working to teach teen drivers how they can be used responsibly to keep speed there or thereabouts over longer drives or on highways. They must also know how to turn off these capabilities when they are not needed in order for viability.
- The Consequences of Speeding
Not only is it important to educate young drivers on speed, but also on the consequences of speeding. These repercussions go beyond just fines or getting in trouble with the law, but also more accidents, injuries and ultimately more deaths. This raises awareness of the risks for young drivers and helps them develop safe driving habits from the get-go.
We also talk about how speeding affects other drivers and pedestrians. Empathising with the wrecked lives left in its wake, and understanding the meagre advantage speed provides, can persuade novice drivers to slow down when slow was never more necessary.
LEARN AND DRIVE UK — Young Driver Skill Speed Control
We go above and beyond teaching basic rules of the road at Learn and Drive UK. Our goal is for young drivers to cultivate safe driving habits that will last a lifetime. At our driving school, you will get an experienced driving instructor who has worked with countless novice drivers and is well aware of the problems they face in terms of speed.
Our lessons, practice, and tips help young drivers learn to be more confident managing speeds, tailoring and adapting their driving for different conditions, and making wiser choices behind the wheel.
Ready to Learn More?
If you are a new driver and want to improve your speed management, or a parent who teaches their teenager to become a better driver, then Learn and Drive UK will help you through it at each & every step. Our advanced driving lessons and trainers at Canada Star Driving School will assist your learning experience to obtain the skills needed for optimal, safe & confident driving.
Go to Learn and Drive UK now for more advice or book a lesson. Let’s all teach our young adults how to drive safely for life!