As a learner driver, you will quickly realise how many drivers out there will do whatever it takes to NOT be behind you. Long gone are the days where they will allow you more time to deal with a situation, and give you the time and space to correct your inaccuracies when controlling the car. Don’t get me wrong, there are some very nice drivers out there, who will wait as long as it takes for you to attempt what you are trying to do. They will hold back and wait while you are carry out a manoeuvre, give you time and space if you stall the car, and are often very understanding if you get it wrong as they, like you, had to start somewhere with learning to drive. Unfortunately the majority have very little patience when it comes to learner drivers, or even other road users in general…as it’s a “me first!” world out there. Everyone is always in such a tearing hurry these days… The “L” plates are a legal requirement when you, the learner driver, are using a car for the purpose of learning to drive. Whether they are attached to a private car (be it your own or your family/friends), or even on a fully sign written driving school car, they attract attention. More often than not, it’s very much unwanted attention. This is where the importance of the use of mirrors comes into play…making you aware of what is going on around you. Now what has the use of mirrors got to do with “L” plates? Quite simply, these “Me first!” drivers are at some point during each and every lesson, going to be there behind you looking for any opportunity to get past you. You need to be prepared for the actions that they may take, as they will not always be safe decisions that they make.
Many drivers follow far too closely and can often be very threatening due to their general body language as well as verbally. Seeing this in your rear view mirror can cause you to panic which in turn, could cause you to make mistakes as you feel pressured. It’s also not good for your confidence. It is important that you continue to scan the road ahead for hazards, as well as regular checks in the mirrors so that they don’t catch you by surprise.
Now imagine that you are approaching a roundabout to go straight ahead, dealing with it in the way that you have been taught. You’ve got the car down to an appropriate speed, in the correct gear and positioned in the correct lane, someone over takes you and cuts in right in front of you, or even as you are about to exit. What if you hadn’t seen them and had started to accelerate at that very moment?
Here’s another one for you. Imagine you are approaching a blind bend. You’ve reduced your speed and dropped down a gear or two, ready to deal with anything that may be round that corner (e.g. parked car). That car that was behind you suddenly isn’t there anymore…it’s overtaking you! What would happen if someone was coming the other way?
These are things that can and do happen to learner drivers when on the move, but you’d also be surprised to hear of what can happen when you are stationary or very slow moving. Let me give you a couple of examples.
You’re waiting at a junction looking for that suitable gap for you to join the main road but you are a bit slow at getting the car ready to move off, so the driver behind decides to drive out and round you driving across your path!
How about this…You’re carrying out a turn in the road manoeuvre and see a car approaching. You carry on to the end of the phase, and come to a stop. You wait so that you can see what the other driver is going to do. The road isn’t wide enough for another car to get past. So what does the other driver do? Drives up onto the grass verge to get past! Bet you weren’t expecting that were you?!
So, as you are looking in your mirrors at that impatient driver behind you, just think about all the unsafe manoeuvres that they could carry out, and then just wait for it to happen! You are a learner, they don’t want you there!
Many drivers follow far too closely and can often be very threatening due to their general body language as well as verbally. Seeing this in your rear view mirror can cause you to panic which in turn, could cause you to make mistakes as you feel pressured. It’s also not good for your confidence. It is important that you continue to scan the road ahead for hazards, as well as regular checks in the mirrors so that they don’t catch you by surprise.
Now imagine that you are approaching a roundabout to go straight ahead, dealing with it in the way that you have been taught. You’ve got the car down to an appropriate speed, in the correct gear and positioned in the correct lane, someone over takes you and cuts in right in front of you, or even as you are about to exit. What if you hadn’t seen them and had started to accelerate at that very moment?
Here’s another one for you. Imagine you are approaching a blind bend. You’ve reduced your speed and dropped down a gear or two, ready to deal with anything that may be round that corner (e.g. parked car). That car that was behind you suddenly isn’t there anymore…it’s overtaking you! What would happen if someone was coming the other way?
These are things that can and do happen to learner drivers when on the move, but you’d also be surprised to hear of what can happen when you are stationary or very slow moving. Let me give you a couple of examples.
You’re waiting at a junction looking for that suitable gap for you to join the main road but you are a bit slow at getting the car ready to move off, so the driver behind decides to drive out and round you driving across your path!
How about this…You’re carrying out a turn in the road manoeuvre and see a car approaching. You carry on to the end of the phase, and come to a stop. You wait so that you can see what the other driver is going to do. The road isn’t wide enough for another car to get past. So what does the other driver do? Drives up onto the grass verge to get past! Bet you weren’t expecting that were you?!
So, as you are looking in your mirrors at that impatient driver behind you, just think about all the unsafe manoeuvres that they could carry out, and then just wait for it to happen! You are a learner, they don’t want you there!