## in this chapter 

• Be a thinking driver 

• Be fit to drive 

• Make good decisions 

– keep learning 

– plan your driving 

– predict the scene 

– think for yourself 

• Take responsibility – you, the driver – your passengers – other road users 

## you in the driver’s seat 1 

Driving gives you the freedom to get around — but it also involves certain risks. When you’re in the driver’s seat, you need to focus on the task of driving, make good driving decisions and look out for the safety of others. This chapter will help you think about the choices you can make as a driver to help keep yourself and others safe. 

## Be a thinking driver 

## You in the driver’s seat – part 1 

You’ve had your driver’s licence for eight months now, and you’ve become a pretty good driver. This morning you need to take the car in by 9 a.m. for an oil change, and then pick up a friend who lives in the country. You both need to be back in town by noon. You’re not sure if you have enough time. 

As you were leaving the house, you had an argument with your roommate. Now you’re feeling angry and pressed for time. 

You have to make many choices as a driver. You have to choose the best route to get to your destination, and decide how much time you need to get there. You have to make decisions about the safety of your passengers, especially if you’re caught in a dangerous situation. You have to decide how much risk to take. And you need to make sure you can focus on driving before you get behind the wheel. 

A thinking driver puts safety first. Smart driving is about making choices that help keep you and others safe. The choices you make determine what kind of driver you will be. 

A thinking driver chooses to: 

• be fit to drive 

• make good decisions 

• take responsibility. 

