New drivers do not scan their environment enough for hazards.
“Driving a car physically is not that difficult. Driving it safely is all brain work,” said Steve Frank, co-owner of Pinellas Driving School in Florida and a driving instructor for almost seven years. “It’s all thinking, planning, anticipating.”
Thomas gave the example of an inattentive driver that just drives forward through a green light while looking straight ahead, which would result in a point deduction on a driving exam.
Instead, “right before you enter the intersection, you are supposed to glance in all directions. So I would look to my left quickly, look at my right, check for pedestrians as well,” Thomas said.
This lack of focus is one of the most hazardous mistakes all drivers need to unlearn. Even seasoned drivers can make the mistake of zoning out or looking down at their phones. Distracted driving is dangerous, having led to the deaths of 3,308 people in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Some people get behind the wheel, and they do not understand the magnitude of focus” driving requires, said Ken Pupo, a driving instructor with 21 years of experience at Philadelphia Professional Driving School. “Their mind is in Hawaii, and you can’t do that when you drive. There’s no downtime.”
2. They don’t look over their shoulder before changing lanes.
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