cross-posted from: https://reddthat.com/post/43565899
Context: I’m 19 and have had my driver’s license since last summer. I was never interested in driving, but my family pressured me into signing up for driving school (they said it’s a basic skill), so I did it and got my license - somehow - despite never feeling safe or in control behind the wheel during the learning process. I haven’t driven much since then, but on the few occasions I did, I still felt out of control. Two weeks ago, I had a pretty bad car accident due to failing to yield the right of way (I struggle with multitasking). I got hit by two cars. Thankfully, my boyfriend was with me. He’s a bit older and much more confident, extroverted, brave, and uninhibited - he managed to handle the situation with the other drivers and deal with all the protocols for me because I was completely overwhelmed and just crying. Thankfully, no one was hurt, so I only got my license suspended for 60 days, a fine, and I have to pay for the damages. My dad settled all of that already. Now I don’t want to ever drive again. But my dad says it’s fine and that every driver gets into an accident at some point.
I do want to add in that driving slowly isn’t safer, but driving predictably is. If it is easier for you, driving slowly is fine, but be sure to use directionals and other signals to indicate intent to other drivers, make sure to follow the signs and rules of the road consistently, and be aware of the other cars around you who may drive eradically if they are getting frustrated.
Being able to multitask well is fundamental with driving safely, and keeping your speed low is one way you can reduce that mental load. But driving slowly on its own will not do anything to keep you safer. (Rather, low speed collisions are safer, but driving slow won’t necessarily prevent collisions or accidents on its own.)