Advice for a New (Adult) Driver?

Relax and realize that (save for some tertiary streets) Main roads across the nation are generally the same. They have to be. If they started radically changing road signage and rules from county to county or state to state, nobody would ever know what they're doing and accidents would skyrocket. If you ever feel your in a jam, pull over  in a parking lot, or on the side of the road (put your hazards on here) and take a minute to figure things out. 

Honestly, pulling over and figuring it out is good if you can safely get into a parking lot or somewhere appropriate, but do not put your hazards on and just pull over on the side of the road. That’s really dangerous (unless you’re having a full out panic attack or something that keeps you from keeping the car straight.), even if it is so you can regroup. Remember, if you pull over on the side of a busy road, then you will have to also pull back out on that busy road. If you are a cautious or timid driver then that can be really dangerous for everyone.

Best advice I got when learning to drive was that "I should stay focused on my own car, let the other drivers around me worry about their own vehicles." They probably have more practice then you and will be able to safely and appropriately adjust themselves so that everyone in the situation is safe. No one wants to get in an accident, so they can worry about themselves and everyone will be covered. When I'm driving in congested areas, I still have to sometimes remind myself that the people around me are just as capable as observing what is going on around their vehicles and keeping themself safe. It’s not my job to make sure they are okay. So, just take care of yourself and your car. Otherwise, you will lose focus on your driving and could get into trouble.

Second best advice I got was drive straight and keep a little closer to the withe line on right side. And when you correct don’t jerk your wheel (inappropriately). I see a lot of new drivers that will let a cars wheel go too far on the right side of the road and then jerk the steering wheel too hard to get back between the lines. Most of the time it’s on the interstate with those little bumpy things on the sides or it’s on a side road with gravel on the edges (the sound and feeling catches them by surprise) (And as long as it is just a wheel and you’re not dramatically veering off the road). If there is nothing that is going to hit your car (like a mailbox, or something worth panicking over) then just ride it out, straighten out your wheel and ease your wheel back over. It’s not a big deal, everyone does this sometimes. Its only when people panic that they have an accident. But don’t do the opposite and hug the middle line in the road. That’s when you start creeping in on the incoming traffic on accident. It is always safer to risk going off the right side then going to far to the left.

Aside from that, always check your blind spots! Even if you have those convex blind spot mirrors!

You will be fine, we wouldn’t let teens drive if it was something that was really hard. Just takes practice!

Good luck, and relax, driving is really fun after you get the hang of it!

Practice, practice, practice...and not in the same area all the time...go places you haven't been...especially with someone along who has a LOT of driving experience. It's good to be cautious but timid drivers cause accidents. 

Drive more and you will become more experienced and confident. Remember to drive defensively. pretend like everyone is out there to hit you. 

Just be responsible and when you're in a scary situation, take deep breathes and tell yourself you can do it.