There are over 225 million licensed drivers in America and that's a lot of people with whom to share the road. All the better to sharpen your own driving skills. It's important to be a good driver because you want to feel comfortable behind the wheel in all kinds of situations. Eventually, when something happens, like a sudden traffic backup, good drivers size up the situation quickly and take whatever they feel the appropriate action might be with confidence. 

Becoming a good driver involves a merging of theory and practice, which is why many states insist that new drivers matriculate through some kind of driver's education course before attempting their road test. If you are new to driving, there are lots of things you can do to better prepare yourself for life behind the wheel. In truth, there are many things that new drivers can learn to help them adjust.

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Vehicle

Most people don't read their vehicle's owner's manual cover-to-cover, but there is all sorts of information in there to help you maximize its performance while also providing clarity regarding any issues that come up. All of your warning lights, for instance, are explained in the manual, as is proper tire pressure, what kind of gasoline and oil to use and how to set the clock. 

Beyond the manual, practicing on quiet roads or empty parking lots can do a lot for knowledge and confidence. The trick is to do so with patience. You're going to spend many hours in the vehicle, so spending your first moments becoming intimate with its brakes and shifter, learning how it handles in different weather, is tantamount to sending you into traffic with a vehicle you can trust because you know it so well.

2. Obey All Traffic Rules

Accidents happen most often when somebody fails to abide by the rules of the road. Initially, you need to be in good standing with your license, insurance and any other elements that need to be completed, such as an MCS 150 biennial update.

Knowing the rules means studying the books. Aside from a typical driver's education manual, which has everything that you need to know, there are loads of books where you can get pick up data. Being indecisive when approaching a roundabout, for instance, could get you rear-ended as quickly as bursting into the traffic pattern can cause a different kind of accident. 

As far as the speed limit goes, in a thickly settled district, you shouldn't go more than five miles per hour over and on the highway, you should go 10 miles per hour over the legal limit. This will help keep you ticket-free and more importantly, help you maintain control.

3. Wear Your Seatbelt

The suddenness of car accidents is something that nobody is prepared for. Though it's cliche at this point, seatbelts can save lives. Part of driving is understanding the risk of surrounding yourself with fast, heavy machines all around you and wearing your seatbelt is your reminder. Some folks unbuckle when they get close to home, but they shouldn't because according to statistics that's where most car accidents occur.

4. Avoid Distractions

Distracted driving causes accidents. Looking down at texts, the radio or even your mail for just a second can alter your vehicle's trajectory and put you in a ditch, scraping off a guardrail or another car in short order. Even talking on the phone creates a distracted mind and shouldn't be done while driving.

5. Don't Tailgate

Tailgating isn't just obnoxious; it's also extremely dangerous. Some drivers don't understand that their rush shouldn't affect other drivers. It must take a backseat to safety. Staying several car lengths behind the car in front of you is safe. If somebody is tailgating you, find a place to pull over and wave them past.

When you get behind the wheel, it oughta be with poise and confidence and those things come with knowledge and experience. Going through rough situations is part of every driver's experience. Keeping your focus while being relaxed is a beneficial attitude for all drivers to adopt and your safety might someday depend on it.