What I wish I knew as a learner driver

There are times when eye contact can make all the difference to improving traffic flow and minimising frustration; and I don’t mean the eye-contact you make with the hottie at the bar. This is far more practical.

A key example is merging into another lane in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Along with obeying the road rules and using your indicators, you can attempt to make eye contact with another stationary driver to ensure they can see your indicator and will let you in once traffic moves again. A little nod or wave typically follows, indicating you’re good to slot in.

It might not be quite the same as achieving eye-contact at the bar, but it does provide a warm fuzzy feeling of comradery on the road.

New wheels, new storage space? Resist the urge! Beyond packing for road trips or holidays, your car is not a place to store your possessions on an ongoing basis. It’s a no-go for a few reasons:
 

• Heat can be a hazard. Car temperatures can rise quickly, especially in summer. Extreme heat can cause some items — like aerosol cans or lithium-ion batteries — to explode or malfunction.
  
• Opportunistic thieves. Leaving valuable items in your car, like a phone, tablet or laptop, particularly where people can easily see them, may increase your vulnerability to theft.
  
• Extra weight, extra petrol. The more weight you have in your car, the more fuel it takes to keep the car moving. In fact, research suggests every 10% reduction in vehicle weight can result in 5 to 8% greater fuel efficiency¹.

When it comes to car insurance, everyone’s needs are different. The policy someone else has may not be the same policy you choose, and that’s totally fine. What’s important is understanding what kinds of cover options are available, and what it means for you.
 

1. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS): The PDS is your insurance roadmap. It describes what’s included in your insurance policy, what’s not, and when. It’s all well and good to have ChatGPT explain a cover type to you, but it can miss key details specific to your insurer. To really know what you’re covered for, you should do the reading yourself.
2. Understanding what personal injury insurance is: There’s one type of insurance in Australia that’s a non-negotiable for all registered vehicles, and that’s compulsory Third Party Insurance (also known as Green Slip or MAI). In some states, it’s automatically included in your rego; in others, it’s not. For more on this, see: How CTP works in Australia.
3. Knowing which policies cover your car and which don’t: Generally, Third Party Property Damage and Third Party Fire and Theft policies, won’t cover collision damage caused to your vehicle if you’re at fault. It’s only in specific circumstances — you guessed it, when it is stipulated in the PDS — that your car’s damage might be covered. Comprehensive car insurance policies, on the other hand, can cover damage caused to your car, as well as other people’s property, in the event of an accident. Every policy has its limits and exclusions, so always check the relevant PDS to know for sure what is and isn’t covered.

This is true not just for your learning days, but for your Ps and beyond. Unfortunately, there will always be people who are impatient and aggressive on the road. They need to chill and leave earlier next time; but that’s beyond your control. If someone is being aggressive, here’s what you can do:

1. Don’t engage. Avoid aggressive hand gestures, brake-checking (slamming on the brakes), or cussing them from your window. It achieves nothing positive and can only escalate the danger of the situation.
2. If possible, let them pass. Move to another lane if it’s safe to do so to get out of their immediate vicinity.
3. Stay in your car. Lock your doors and keep your windows up if someone gets out of the car to intimidate or confront you.

Remember, if you’re feeling threatened or unsafe, call 000 for an emergency.