“ I think it’s hard for you to fall in love because you like control, and you can’t control what another person does or feels, so you keep all your cards. ”
“ Stories are truth. Through writing, you can say so much more than in speaking. Writing is not fantasizing, writing is telling the world who you are as a human being, telling us what your fears are, your greatest hopes and dreams, and most of all, your love for humanity. ”
Finally! After months of countless loops round the driving
circuit at the top speed of 40km/h, you’ve finally obtained your driving
licence and are ready to hit the Singapore highway! But not so fast young Padawan
– you’re still very much inexperienced in the ways of the road.
Before you take off on your maiden cruise, remember these six
common mistakes new drivers often make in hopes you won’t follow suit.
1. Failing to follow parking rules
Getting slapped with a hefty fine for a parking violation is like
a rite of passage for new drivers. The parking rules in Singapore are very
clear, with multiple signs and road markings indicating where you can and can’t
station your vehicle.
Though you could try your luck in the hopes that no one catches
you, it’s best to be well-informed about the dos and don’ts. Besides, parking
attendants are everywhere these days. If you’re willing to risk a $50 fine to
save on a $1.20 coupon, knock yourself out (literally).
2.
Deciding to test your skills
Dangerous
and illegal manoeuvres put
everyone at risk. Speeding, drifting, doing doughnuts, or any of the crazy
moves from the Fast and Furious
movies (all of which you obviously can’t pull off) could easily land you with a
heavy fine or worse, a spot behind bars.
Leave
the crazy stunts to the professionals, go easy on the accelerator and drive
safe!
3.
Not wearing a seat belt
For
new drivers, the habit of wearing a seat belt can take some getting used to. Of
course, the alternative would be to reduce your chances of survival by half… But
hey! At least you won’t have to deal with that annoying strap throughout your
journey! Right? This goes for the passengers on board as well so make sure
everyone’s buckled up before heading off.
4.
Skimping out on maintenance
Road
accidents occurring as a result of poor vehicle maintenance is a perennial
problem. Remember, if you’re waiting till your brakes have worn and the engine
starts making strange rattling noises, it may be too late.
Make
a conscious effort to keep your car in tip-top condition. Schedule regular
maintenance visits to an auto mechanic to ensure there aren’t any serious
issues with your car that could leave you stranded.
Opting
for cleaner fuel like Caltex with Techron® with
its Clean & Glide Technology™ also helps to improve your car’s
overall performance, cleans
and protects the inside of your engine and prevents costly
breakdowns from happening.
5.
Being distracted
In
our technologically-intense world, we’re so distracted by endless notifications
on social media apps, Whatsapp alerts, and Tinder matches that we barely pay
any attention to what’s in front of us – let alone when we get behind the
wheel!
The
next time you’re tempted send a text or Snapchat your own lip-sync routine mid-drive,
don’t. Not only is it an offence to
use your mobile device while your vehicle is in motion, these actions
ultimately compromise your level of awareness and concentration, endangering
both yourself and others around you.
6.
Too many passengers
You’re
not the only one excited about being able to drive. Young drivers who’ve just
gotten their licenses are more than eager to be the ‘chauffeur’ for the day,
and often overload their vehicle with more passengers than available seatbelts.
But not only is this a considerable strain on your vehicle, it’s also dangerous
and illegal.
Either
keep to the legal passenger limit or start ditching some of your mates!
This content was produced in partnership with Caltex.
