4 must-have features for NEW DRIVERS

IF YOU’RE BUYING A CAR FOR THE LEARNER DRIVER IN YOUR LIFE, READ ON...

Picking a first car is an exciting prospect for young drivers, but it’s important to not get too carried away and temper expectations by first thinking about what you need in a vehicle, rather than what you want. Consider some of these car features for the inexperienced driver in your life.

AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Often abbreviated to AEB, this automatic braking technology is a fantastic safety feature which is becoming commonplace in new cars, even at lower price points. Manufacturers will usually have their own lingo for the technology, but each system ostensibly performs the same function.

AEB is not a replacement for good driving behaviour, but it can help minimise the chances of a collision by detecting a possible incident, and applying the brakes to slow and stop the vehicle if a driver hasn’t reacted.

REVERSING CAMERA/ REAR CROSS-TRAFFIC ALERT

Reversing cameras were once the preserve of luxury car makers, but are now available in just about every car on sale in Australia. The next advancement is 360-degree cameras, which provide an unparalleled view of the vehicles surrounds, making parking in tight and tricky situations a breeze.

New drivers should also be on the lookout for rear cross-traffic alert, a system which can provide a warning of unseen traffic when reversing out of driveways and parking spots. In some circumstances, the technology will even apply the brakes for you to prevent a collision.

SATELLITE NAVIGATION

With stringent phone restrictions for P-plate drivers in many states preventing mobiles from being used to provide navigation directions, sat nav can be a handy feature.

Driving solo for the first time can be a stressful and anxious experience. Having an in-built sat nav system in the car will help your new driver navigate the roads with greater confidence, and spend less time lost and panicking in backstreets.

HEAD-UP DISPLAY

Another useful safety feature which is trickling into more affordable models is a headup display. This bit of tech will allow a new driver to spend less time with their eyes off the road, looking at a speedometer.

By displaying the most relevant information on the windscreen in front of the driver, a head-up display is a small feature which can make a big difference, reducing the amount of processing power required by inexperienced drivers overwhelmed with information.

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