PRESENTED BY OK TIRE

The combination of September welcoming the GTA to the cooler months ahead and the fluctuating COVID-19 numbers has Ontarians looking to avoid public transit at all cost, meaning new and inexperienced drivers will be hitting the roads for the first time this season.

The auto experts at OK Tire want to help in making the cooler seasons ahead safe for all Canadians. They have offered their top tips on how new and inexperienced drivers can keep themselves, their passengers and neighbours safe as they hit the road this September.

1.       Know your vehicle – Often with new drivers comes the excitement of a new vehicle, but that excitement can quickly translate to hitting the road without getting to know the car. Familiarising yourself with all of the buttons, including your AC, heating and wipers means you will know where they are when you need them quickly and will prevent you from taking your eyes off the road. Before you set out to cruise in your new whip, it's important to take time to explore your vehicle by getting to know where everything is and how it works, learning the basics of what your vehicle can do inside and out will help to avoid panic if something goes wrong.

2.       Plan your route – Before you embark on your first drive plan your trip! As a new driver you may feel you’re familiar with your neighbourhood, city etc., but once you hit the road you may realize being the one in the driver’s seat presents an entirely new perspective. While you may know where you want to go and how to get there planning your route ahead of time means you won’t run into one-way streets or turning restrictions. Using driving aids, such as GPS or Google Maps, to review your route before you set out helps in avoiding traffic and construction zones that can add extra stress but remember to keep your eyes on the road and not your device!

3.       Talk to a professional – Being new to driving usually means you may not be entirely familiar with the performance of a vehicle and may miss important things that could be detrimental to your vehicle’s performance or overall safety. Something easily overlooked is poor ride control which could also mean a reduced braking distance, potentially putting you and others on the road in danger. New drivers may also not realize the importance in proper fluid levels, fortunately, newer vehicles can notify you when its time for a top-up, but it's important for new drivers to look out for this to avoid expensive leaks and damage to the engine.  If you want to have peace of mind that your car is in tip-top condition having a routine maintenance check will ensure your vehicle is performing at its best giving you confidence before you head out.

4.       Avoid distractions – For many new drivers growing up in the era of technology it’s seemingly impossible to refrain from touching your phone or hitting notifications as they pop up, but it can be the difference between life and death. We all know distracted driving has been the cause of many accidents so make sure you avoid getting into bad habits now. Keep your phone tucked away, pull over if you need to eat or drink, keep the music to a level where you can still easily hear surrounding sounds and only offer rides to people you trust will respect your position as a new driver and won’t make you nervous. A quick tip when driving is to turn on your phone’s sleep mode, that way you can still enjoy your music, podcasts or calls without the added distraction of notifications or text messages pulling your attention away from the road.

5.       Be prepared for anything – As a new driver, it's important to understand what’s needed to be prepared for anything while on the road. No one expects issues to arise, but its always a possibility and preparing yourself will allow you to rest easy knowing you have what’s needed in the event of a problem. The best way to prepare yourself is always to have an emergency kit in your vehicle ready when you need it. Your kit should include some non-perishable food and bottled water, extra washer fluid, a spare tire, jumper cables, jack and tool kit, first aid supplies, flares, candles and matches or a lighter, flashlight, batteries, and your cell phone charger. Keeping this small yet crucial kit with you could make all the difference in the event of an emergency.

Need extra peace of mind? When your vehicle is serviced at any OK Tire store the quality work is guaranteed with their 12 months/20,000 km North American warranty program meaning help is only a phone call away when you’re on the road.