We assume by now you have had several solo drives. The absence of a parent or trainer watching along with you puts the burden entirely on you to do it right. Every time you drive, your knowledge of driving grows, along with your driving style.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, you need to remember that you have minimal experience compared to people who have been driving for many years. At GAAP, we think this can be a good thing because you haven’t had time to develop many bad habits. Instead, you have the opportunity to develop excellent habits that will last. We will invite you to create two essential habits in the following two New Driver Challenge articles. Then, in future articles, we'll explain other habits. Our overall approach will be to spend more time on how to develop good habits than we will spend describing bad ones, but you need to be aware of both.

In short, bad habits develop out of complacency. A complacent driver is easily distracted and does not consider the importance of the task of driving. In other words, complacency happens when you aren’t being intentional. Unfortunately, not being intentional doesn’t mean you aren’t developing habits. They just aren’t the good habits that need to be formed intentionally through practice.

Good habits form when you intentionally discipline yourself to do things right. By having an objective set of rules that you evaluate your driving against, you habitually train yourself to follow those rules. For example, the Full Stop Habit described earlier comprises an objective set of steps. Once you teach yourself always to follow each step, it becomes automated. When it has become automated, it has become a habit.

Good habits probably seem a bit nerdy at times because at first, they look, well, intentional, perhaps even exaggerated. But if you develop your own style of exercising good driving habits, the nerdy appearance will be overcome by the appearance of being confident and in control. However you look at it, good habits take effort, which is a significant key to risk neutralization.

Good driving habits are easier to develop if you adopt a GENTLENESS mindset in your driving. So, our first habit recommendation is built on a gentleness mindset and guides the first minute or so of a driving event.

The First Ninety Seconds Habit

The First Ninety Seconds Habit refers to everything that happens between when you approach your car and when you grab the shift lever. In truth, sometimes ninety seconds may not be quite enough. Here are the essential steps in this habit. We break this time down to illustrate how little time it takes to be completely safe.

1. 30 seconds to ensure you simply are not in a hurry. As you approach your car, look around the area and consider people, vehicles, and stationary objects that you need to consider before moving. More about this later in our Don’t Drive Blind article. This time is also when you must set aside emotions and things that may be upsetting or distracting you.

Before putting the key in the ignition, remind yourself that you cannot significantly change how long it takes to get somewhere by hurrying. It just doesn’t work. Remind yourself that your life and the lives of everyone you encounter on the road are at risk if you don’t get it right. Hurrying always increases risk taking.

2. 10 - 20 seconds to fasten your seatbelt, ensure your passengers are belted and adjust your seat and mirrors. This is also when you confirm your phone is turned off and personal items are stowed where they won’t move and distract you. Secure phone and other items in the back seat, out of sight and reach. Secure large items that may shift on turns so they won’t be distracting. Refuse to start the car until everyone has their seat belt on. You may need to assert your adult self here. Do not allow anyone to bully you into not demanding they wear a seat belt.

3. 8 - 10 seconds to start the car, observe dashboard signals, make any needed adjustments to your seat, steering wheel, etc.

4. 20 - 30 seconds for a final look at whatever direction the car will be moving first (forward, back, out of parking space, etc.) Up to a full minute has elapsed since you approached your car, and a lot can change in that time. If you are parked where children and pets may be playing, you may need to exit the vehicle to recheck the area.

Most drivers don’t do this, but this teaching is based on the research of what goes wrong and results in collisions. It may seem nerdy in the extreme, but consider this, it’s only 90 seconds. The first 30 seconds alone will set the mood for your entire trip by helping you remember your responsibility to the public around you.

Each step is essential, so don’t rush them. Build a habit of doing each one in the same order every time. If this approach makes you late, the problem is your planning, not the practice.

Applying the “Habit Loop”:

• your Cue is when you approach the car

• your Craving is to do everything to make sure you and everyone else is safe

• your Response is to slow down and focus for 90 seconds on your emotional state, your surroundings, and safe conditions inside your car

• and your Reward is returning home safely, without incident, every time while enjoying the utmost in transportation convenience.

Consider taking the bus if you’re not willing to take responsibility for these and other important habit steps,

This habit, like all good ones, requires concentration and intentionality. However, once the habit becomes ingrained, you will do it automatically every time without effort. If you fail to complete the habit steps, you will feel uncomfortable. Exercising the habit steps will appear natural and inspire self-confidence and the faith of others who travel with you.

Instead of turning off your cell phone, you might consider using a product like the CellSlip phone signal shield. You can order it from Kids And Cars.

That’s today’s Challenge. A quick postscript though. Being a driver who consistently and successfully neutralizes risk requires a plan, practice, and persistence. Include the habits we teach in your plan. Be intentional about practicing them. And persist in developing them until they are automatic. As a new driver, this is the very best time to focus on developing excellent habits.

Copyright 2021 GAAP Safety Inc