It seems logical that the more time you spend doing something, the better you'll become at it. Well, that's true to a certain extent, but you can only get so good at something by repeating it mindlessly.

To truly improve your driving skills, you need to consciously work towards it, be it by sharpening your skills on controlling a car, or by picking up defensive driving theories and techniques. Here are some tips that can help you become a better driver.

Yes, you've passed your driving test, but don't forget everything you've learnt over the months!

Practice what was taught in driving school

Whether you've just obtained your driving licence, or you are someone who has been driving for decades, you should never forget what was taught in the driving school.

Many tips and techniques taught in driving school are applicable to your daily driving, keeping you safe

While you might be tempted t to forget everything you learned after passing your driving test, many practices, while seemingly unimportant, are actually crucial to safe driving.

Stopping at stop lines and checking your blind spots might seem inconsequential, but these are all good habits worth maintaining

Stopping at stop lines, checking your blind spots and ensuring the path is clear before reversing are all habits worth maintaining. Of course, you don't have to exaggerate the actions like you probably had to when taking your driving test, you just have to remember why you are doing these things - it is to ensure that the road is clear, and safe for you to proceed.

If you treat driving as just another chore, you'll limit yourself from improving

Don't treat driving as just another chore

The moment you adopt the mentality that something is just another chore, there's no longer the potential for growth. In fact, you might even get complacent over time, becoming worse than before.

Even with the significant time that taxi and private-hire drivers spend on the road, there are still many who aren't particularly good drivers

At the risk of getting chided for this, I'll still bring up what I feel is the best example: Have you ever sat in a taxi or Private-Hire Vehicle that is so poorly driven that you either fear for your life, or felt so carsick that you want to throw up? Taxi and Private-Hire Vehicle drivers are professionals who spend significantly more time on the road than the average driver. While many could be skilled, high mileage alone does not automatically translate into better habits.

It takes conscious effort to practice and improve your driving skill - learn to drive more smoothly and safely!

In order to improve in driving, you will have to make a conscious effort to learn, practice and improve. For example, you could make the effort to improve your throttle control, brake pedal control so you can accelerate, slow down, and stop the car smoothly. The same goes for steering inputs, and all other aspects of driving. Not only would your car be more comfortable to sit in, but you could also save on wear and tear, and be safer on the road once your driving skills improve. It is all about the mindset.

Defensive driving is a good practice to stick to - always drive in a way that doesn't put you in harm's way (even if you have the right of way!)

Understand the theory of defensive driving and put it to practice

The general principles of defensive driving place the importance on not just your own actions as a driver, but also the anticipation of the likely actions of other road users.

Even if the path seems clear, there's no harm in taking a little second glance to ensure safety

For example, you are intending to drive out onto the main road from a side road, an approaching car has indicated its intention to make a turn, thus you should be able to drive out, but it doesn't seem to be slowing down much. If you were to drive defensively, you would take a moment to see if the car is truly intending to make a turn, or if it was just a situation where the driver has forgotten to turn off their indicators.

When it comes to driving, it doesn't really matter who's in the right or wrong, or who's the one flouting traffic regulations - if you live by the principles of defensive driving, you will anticipate other road users' potentially erroneous behaviours and keep yourself out of harm's way.

Don't be lazy! Simple habits such as using the indicators, go a long way in keeping everybody safe on the roads

Don't be lazy and always be patient

Laziness and complacency are common reasons why we become worse at things we were once good at. When you get lazy while driving, you would start to skip things that you should do, you'll stop checking blind spots, you'll stop using your turn indicators, and you'll start picking up all the unsavoury habits that could put you in danger.

Impatience is one of the biggest reasons that accidents happen

Being impatient often results in sudden, unpredictable actions. Unpredictable actions on the roads are never favourable, as it is difficult for other road users to react. Hence, being impatient could very well lead to an accident. Instead of changing lanes in a hurry just because the car in front is taking a second to move off, you could just be a little more patient and stay safer on the road.

So, there you have it. Keep all these tips in mind when you are out driving, and you'll not only be safer, but will also improve over time, becoming a better driver!