Is it difficult to drive? Tips to make driving easier
Most people who take their driving test for the first time do not pass. However, most people eventually pass their driving tests in three tries. Is it difficult to drive?
It seems that most people find driving difficult. However, it gets easier as they practice their driving skills and drive more often. If they continue to drive, it will become second nature to most people.
Many things make driving difficult for new drivers. For example, it’s hard to master changing gears, judging the right time to shift into lanes, and guessing whether the other driver will let you into the lane.
Read on to find out if driving is hard, why, and how to make it easier.
Is it difficult to drive?
It seems that most people find it difficult to drive. However, it gets easier as you do it more often and practice your newly learned driving skills. Like most things, driving is hard until you know how to do it right. Over time, as you drive more frequently, driving will become second nature.
What makes driving difficult for those just learning is estimating the time and distance needed to change and merge lanes, guessing if the other driver will let you into their lane, turning on your turn signals, and slowing the vehicle down.
However, once you can log a good number of miles, it will become easier for you to drive. Even as a beginner, some shapes will make driving easier and increase your chances of passing the road test.
Don’t compare yourself to someone who can quickly learn to drive at a faster pace. You will only be frustrated with yourself. Just focus on your driving lessons and you’ll be at the same skill level as that faster student at some point.
You may also feel anxious while driving if you have been in a car accident. It’s good to keep in mind that almost all drivers have their share of car accidents, whether big or small.
So don’t let that unfortunate experience define your driving career. Just find out where you are weak and work on it, and you can overcome it.
Why is it hard to drive?
Even some drivers who have been driving for some time find it difficult to drive at times, which is more for a beginner driver. Therefore, it is useful to know why.
Here are some reasons why driving can be difficult for some people:
1. Distractions on the road
Driving is very easy if the road is clean and there are no distractions. Unfortunately, is there any road or street in town or on the highway that doesn’t have other moving vehicles or things that aren’t supposed to be there?
It would be better if you focus your mind on your driving. However, with so many distractions, how can you? So, no matter how you want it to be, you will always encounter road distractions while driving, especially on a busy city street.
You must accept this fact and be prepared for them if you want to be a competent driver.
2. The driver lacks basic knowledge
Driving your own vehicle takes time to master. It would be best if you had enough time to learn the basics of how a car works and then spend time learning how to drive it. You need to remember a lot of things when you drive a car on a busy street or highway.
You must have an excellent working knowledge of the basics of a motor vehicle, how to drive it efficiently, and how to interact with other drivers on the road. Internalizing all this knowledge and information is essential before being able to drive safely. And that is not easy.
3. Busy streets
Driving is easy if you are just driving down the street. Unfortunately, that can’t happen unless you’re driving alone on a very remote road that other drivers don’t use often. The streets are busy because many drivers use the road simultaneously.
Again, you have to accept that to become a good and safe driver; you must learn to share the road with other drivers. Streets, highways, and highways are not expanding as fast as the number of vehicles and drivers sharing them.
So, inevitably, road sharing is here to stay. That means it will get harder to drive as time goes on. This will continue to be the case even with the advent of autonomous vehicles. The best way to handle this is to improve your driving skills no matter what situation you encounter on the road.
4. Difficulty using the clutch
Most of today’s cars have automatic transmissions. That makes driving easier because you no longer need to use the clutch to change gears faster or slower. However, driving becomes more difficult if you are still using a vehicle with a manual transmission.
5. Environment
How can the environment affect drivability? Just look at this situation. If you drive facing the sun at its brightest, will it be easy or difficult to drive? I bet it will be difficult because his vision is impaired.
Similarly, driving at night while it’s pouring with rain is not easy. It will not be easy to see a few meters ahead of you. So, that makes driving difficult. You have to be prepared and know what to do in these situations, or else you will be hitting something hard or someone else.
Again, is it hard to drive? Most people find driving difficult, but with lessons, practice, and time, you will find that driving is manageable.
What does confidence play when it comes to facilitating driving?
It is also essential to understand how confidence is necessary to make driving easy or difficult.
Suppose you are not confident in your driving skills, maneuvering, knowledge of the road, and how to share the road with other drivers. In that case, you will certainly lack confidence in your driving ability.
One point in driving tests is that the person who approves your application can see if you are confident enough to drive correctly and safely on the road. Therefore, before applying for a test, please practice driving many times so that you can build up enough confidence.
The best way to build your confidence is to put driving theory to your heart and mind and practice it as often as possible before taking a driving test. As you begin to learn, everything will seem very difficult.
But stick with it; pretty soon, you’ll master it, as they say. Just think that every good driver has to start without knowing anything about driving. It’s not just you.
What can I do to make driving easier?
There are some steps you can take to make it easier for you to drive. If you follow these tips, you will undoubtedly feel safer behind the wheel to drive:
1. Take defensive driving lessons
One of the best ways to build your driving confidence is to take a defensive driving course. The lessons you will learn there will increase your awareness and ability to act accordingly in difficult situations on the road that you cannot learn independently.
You can even get a discount on your car insurance if the insurance company knows that you have a defensive driving course.
2. Plan your route
If you plan the route to your destination, your driving will be much easier. You’ll be able to anticipate the twists and turns along the way to where you want to go. There are no surprises like one-way streets, road blocks, or unexpected traffic to make driving difficult.
Knowing the route you will take, it will not bother you so much to check with your phone if the path you are taking is the correct one. That would reduce your mistakes and your stress.
3. Avoid distractions
One of the common distractions you may encounter on the road is not road debris. Is your cellphone. It’s very tempting to answer your phone if someone texts you. You will need to send a text if the message is essential.
Some have suggested not bringing your phone while driving or at least putting it off when you’re busy behind the wheel. Even if you’re using the car speaker, it’s still very distracting. You should always focus solely on the way forward.
4. Don’t drive at rush hour if you can
Driving at rush hour is very stressful. It will be a challenge even if you have been driving for years. The streets and highways are more congested. Your fellow drivers will use your driving tricks to navigate the traffic and get home early.
Driving is more difficult during rush hour. Since you are in the middle of this traffic, you will drive the same way. Try not to join them and drive home just after or shortly before rush hour traffic.
5. Wear sunglasses
Keep a pair of sunglasses in your glove compartment. They are useful on bright, sunny days. If your car is tinted, they are not very necessary. However, it would be better if you had something to protect your eyes once you get out of your car and are exposed to sunlight.
6. Find the best driving position
Your driving will be much easier and less tiring if you sit in the correct position and at a distance from the steering wheel and pedals. If you feel uncomfortable in your position, that can be considered a distraction. Make sure you feel comfortable while driving.
7. Stay hydrated and pack some snacks
Bring water, sodas, and some snacks if you are on an extended trip. Your driving will be easier and less boring if you have something to drink when you’re thirsty and chew when you’re hungry.
Or you can stop at a restaurant along the road. This could also give you a breather from the long journey you are taking. This is a must do on an extended trip.
8. Get enough rest
Do not go on a long trip if you are not fully rested. Having an adequate rest the night before a long trip is essential. Your attention will be sharp and your focus will be more concentrated with a good rest.
Will the weather make driving easier?
Don’t get frustrated if you can’t get used to driving early in the game. With enough time and extensive experience, driving will become easier. Being behind the wheel for a long time will expose you to all driving situations.
If you put more mileage into your driving, it will be harder for you to stay a newbie. Insurance companies know this because they lower the cost of car insurance for older drivers. They know that drivers become more confident as they get older.
In conclusion
It seems that for most people, driving is difficult. However, as they continue to drive and do so more frequently, it becomes easier. Over time, driving becomes second nature to those who initially find it difficult to do so.
It is for new drivers that driving is difficult. This is due to several factors, such as changing gear, judging the time and distance it takes to change and merge into lanes, and guessing what other drivers will do when you try to enter a lane. But with constant practice, these things become easier.
