What New Drivers Can Do To Overcome Their Fears

Driving in Singapore can be a daunting experience especially if you’re new. Singaporean drivers are known to be some of the harshest and most unforgiving. Changing lanes on a whim, failing to indicate, not giving way and blocking other cars from changing lanes are just a few of the common complaints you hear about local drivers. 

While it might be scary at first, seeing how unforgiving our roads can be, the best way for a new driver to improve is to drive more often. Passing your driving test doesn’t mean you’d be able to go on a 1,000km road trip the next day. Getting your licence simply means you’re ready to step out of the driving school and venture onto public roads to do more learning on your own. 

And below are a few more tips on how you can improve further.

1. Drive with a friend

If you’re not too sure about venturing on the roads alone just yet, why not ask a friend or relative who is more experienced to tag along in the passenger seat? This will help curb any anxiety you might have being on the road knowing you have an extra pair of eyes looking out for you.  

Don’t be afraid to ask your companion questions when you encounter challenging road situations as this will help you build up confidence if you encounter similar situations in future. 

When you’re just starting out, practise during daylight hours and it helps to practise on roads you’re familiar with. Perhaps on small roads with minimal traffic near your home or even an industrial area on weekends where there’s less traffic and wider roads. 

The most important thing is to take it slow and remember that you’re building a life skill so it’s important to get it right. And as you gain more confidence, you can start driving alone and move on to roads around Singapore with heavier traffic later.

2. Sign up for Extra Courses

Not everyone starts driving immediately after receiving their license. Some have to wait a few years before getting their car. Perhaps you just want more practice to build up your confidence. Whatever your reason might be, driving schools in Singapore offer both refresher courses and extra lessons for you to build up your driving confidence. 

There are even advanced courses on improving your driving further like defensive driving courses that help hone your driving skills to get you prepared for emergency situations. This is great for those who don’t have access to a vehicle or a chance to practice on their own.

3. Adopting A Structured Approach To Practice Driving

Passing your driving test and getting a licence is just the beginning of your driving journey. The key to becoming a confident and skilled driver after that is consistent and structured practice. Think of it like learning a new instrument or sport—the more you practise, the better you get.

• Create a Weekly Driving Schedule: Dedicate specific days and times each week for driving practice. This consistency helps solidify your learning and makes driving a regular part of your routine.
• Start with Less Busy Times: Initially, opt for off-peak hours or quieter roads where you can focus on the basics without the added pressure of heavy traffic. As you gain confidence, gradually introduce yourself to busier roads and varying traffic conditions.
• Gradually Increase Driving Hours & Complexity: Begin with shorter drives and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable. Similarly, start with familiar routes and progressively explore Singapore to find new areas and more complex road layouts.
• Focus on Specific Skills: Each practice session can have a specific focus. One day, you might concentrate on lane changing, another on navigating roundabouts. This targeted approach helps you master individual skills before combining them in real-world driving scenarios.
• Track Your Progress: Keep a journal or use a driving app to record your practice sessions. Note down any challenges you faced, areas where you improved, and new skills you acquired. Tracking your progress helps you stay motivated and provides a visual representation of your growth as a driver.

4. Where to Practise Driving?

Choosing the right locations to practise driving can significantly impact your learning experience. Singapore offers a variety of roads and areas suitable for new drivers to hone their skills. Here are some recommendations:

• For Building Basic Skills:
  • East Coast Park Service Road: This road is less busy, especially during off-peak hours, offering a calm environment to practise basic manoeuvres like starting, stopping, turning, and lane keeping.
  • Kallang Industrial Area (Weekends): The wider roads and reduced weekend traffic make it ideal for practising U-turns, three-point turns, and lane changes.
  • West Coast Park or Marina Barrage Car Park: These large, open car parks are perfect for mastering parking techniques like parallel parking, reverse parking, and angle parking.
• For Gaining Confidence on Quieter Roads:
  • Jurong Lake Gardens: The roads around this area are generally quieter, allowing you to focus on handling roundabouts, giving way, and driving in varying weather conditions.
  • Mandai Road: This scenic route with lower traffic is perfect for practising maintaining consistent speeds, smooth acceleration and deceleration.
• For Handling Different Road Types & Conditions:
  • Tanah Merah Coastal Road: This long stretch is great for practising lane discipline, overtaking, and driving at consistent speeds for longer durations. Be mindful of cyclists!
  • Buona Vista One-North: This area offers a diverse mix of road types, intersections, and roundabouts, making it a versatile practice ground, especially on weekends.
• For Practising in Low-Traffic Environments
  • Jurong Industrial Business Park (Weekends): The wide roads and minimal weekend traffic provide ample space to practise various manoeuvres, including parking and lane changes.
  • Changi Business Park (Non-Business Hours): This area offers a quiet setting with wide roads, ideal for perfecting turns, lane changes, and parking in different car park layouts.
  • Industrial Areas (Weekends): Industrial areas like Tuas or Woodlands tend to be quiet on weekends, offering a spacious and low-traffic environment to practise.
  • School Zones (After Hours & Weekends): The roads around schools are generally less busy after school hours and on weekends, providing a good opportunity to practise driving through school zones and adhering to speed limits.

Enrolling in refresher courses or advanced driving lessons offered by driving schools in Singapore can also help you fine-tune your skills, gain confidence in challenging situations, and stay updated on the latest traffic rules and regulations. The three driving schools in Singapore are:

• Bukit Batok Driving Centre
• ComfortDelGro Driving Centre
• Singapore Safety Driving Centre

5. Knowing your Fears and Weaknesses

Before getting into the car, it’s important to figure out what aspect of your driving is giving you the greatest amount of anxiety. Below are some examples:

• Merging into traffic (e.g. joining an expressway)
• Busy cross junctions
• Parallel parking
• Changing lanes
• Driving next to larger vehicles (eg. lorries, buses, etc.)

Once you’ve identified what gives you the most anxiety, you can start working on each of them slowly. And perhaps share it with your friend or driving instructor that’s helping you to improve. The key thing to know is that it’s better to take it slow and get it right through practice.

Though drivers in Singapore are very impatient, don’t let drivers behind you pressure you—a new driver lacking in road experience—into making rash decisions (or movements) that might cause an accident like at a cross junction with oncoming traffic. Remember that your life is on the line if you make a mistake not the impatient driver behind you.

6. Coping with Your Driving Anxiety

If just the thought of getting into the driving seat again scares you, there are ways to help you cope with that anxiety. Perhaps you can’t get past an accident where you were involved and you’re afraid it might happen again. Here are some tips to help you cope:

• Reconnect with Positive Driving Memories: If anxiety is holding you back, try revisiting a place or road where you had a positive driving experience. Recreating that scenario can help re-establish a positive association with driving, reminding you of the enjoyment and sense of accomplishment it can bring.
• Confront Past Fears: If a previous accident is fueling your anxiety, don't let it paralyse you. Acknowledge that dwelling on the past is counterproductive. Getting back behind the wheel, even in small steps, is the most effective way to overcome those fears and regain a new sense of confidence.
• Cultivate a Calm Driving Environment: Relaxation techniques like deep breathing can help manage anxiety before and during your drive. Additionally, minimise distractions inside the car by asking passengers to keep noise levels down, allowing you to focus on the road and feel more in control.

The most important tip to coping with your anxiety, especially getting back in the car after a previous accident is to start slow. Exposing yourself to your fear is the only way you will get over them. But do it in small steps each time and raise the level after each successful attempt and you will overcome your fears in no time. 

7. Fear of Getting into an Accident

Sometimes accidents happen even when you’re careful. And when it happens for the first time, it’s common to not know what to do. But the most important thing is not to panic and follow the steps below:

1. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call for the emergency services if anyone is seriously injured. Take note of all the injuries suffered by all parties and take photos if possible. 
2. DO NOT move either vehicle (if the accident involved another party) until photos have been taken of the accident. Take as many as you can and try to capture both close-up photos of the vehicles as well as the whole scene. Include road markings if they help to prove your case. Make sure to include the number plates of all vehicles involved in the accident.
3. Call your insurance company for assistance. For drivers insured with Income’s Drivo^TM Car Insurance, the hotline number is 6789 5000 and operating hours are from 7am – 10.30pm daily.

It helps to have someone there to hold your hand through everything when you’re in an accident. Knowing this, Income Insurance created Orange Force, a roadside assistance team for their car insurance policyholders. 

Income’s Orange Force riders help protect policyholders’ interests and assist in any post-accident settlement matters. This is especially useful if you’ve never been in an accident before. 

One Income policyholder, Mr Hadi, shared that OF rider Ignatius Lim “helped broker a private settlement that was fair for both parties”.

Elaborating further on the OF Rider’s zeal in ensuring the accident was successfully concluded, “I will never forget his drive to go above and beyond the call of duty for the private settlement by meeting up with me at my workplace just to get my signature.”

Another policyholder, Mr AK found his OF Rider, Muhammad Ridzwan Roazlan’s advice a big help, saying, “He advised me on what to do and the action that I needed to take clearly. His follow up assistance (twice) was invaluable. I would be at a loss if not for his guidance and advice.” 

8. Take Note of Signs and Rules

Our roads are well-regulated and the rules of the road are icon-clad. However, between the array of signs, rules, and unique features like ERP gantries, navigating them all can be overwhelming for new drivers. Familiarise yourself with common road signs, speed limits, and ERP operating hours to avoid any unexpected fines or stressful situations. Pay special attention to:

• ERP Gantries: These electronic gantries charge tolls during peak hours. Make sure you have a valid in-vehicle unit and sufficient balance to avoid penalties.
• Speed Limits: Observe speed limits diligently, especially in school zones and residential areas. Speed cameras are prevalent, and exceeding limits can result in hefty fines.
• Road Signs & Markings: Understand common road signs and markings, such as stop signs, give way signs, lane markings, and traffic lights. Misinterpreting these can lead to dangerous situations.
• Unique Road Features: Be aware of unique road features like filter lanes, bus lanes, and bicycle crossings. Pay attention to specific rules governing these areas.

9. Practise Driving Under Different Conditions

While it's natural to start your new driving journey during daylight and on dry roads, venturing into different conditions is essential for building confidence and proficiency as a driver.

• Night Driving: Driving at night presents unique challenges, such as reduced visibility, altered depth perception, and increased glare from headlights. Practise driving at night in well-lit areas initially, gradually progressing to darker roads as you become more comfortable. Remember to adjust your speed, use your headlights effectively, and be extra cautious at intersections and when encountering pedestrians.
• Driving in the Rain: Rainy conditions demand extra caution due to reduced traction, increased stopping distances, and potential hydroplaning. Start practising in light rain on familiar roads, focusing on maintaining a safe following distance, using headlights effectively, and avoiding sudden braking or lane changes. Becoming comfortable driving in the rain equips you to handle unpredictable weather and ensures your safety on wet roads.

Tips aside, remember that safety is paramount. If you're uncomfortable driving in certain conditions, don't hesitate to postpone your practice until you feel more prepared. Gradually expose yourself to different situations and build your skills at a comfortable pace.

Driving Doesn't Need to be Scary

It’s a fact that driving can be a scary experience given all the different skill levels and individual personalities we encounter on the roads. But with the right training and support from your insurer, it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience and it won’t be long before you’re ready to take on your first road trip. 

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