Why Does a New Driver's Car Drift on the Highway?
3 Answers
Most cases of a new driver's car drifting are caused by the driver themselves. Excessive Nervousness: Being overly nervous leads to excessive steering wheel movements. Limited Field of Vision: A narrow field of vision can cause the car to drift unconsciously. Steering Wheel Issues: Incorrect steering wheel calibration or misalignment. Reference Points: Disorganized reference points or failure to find suitable ones. Methods to Drive Straight: Look far ahead on the road, keep the steering wheel straight, and find reliable reference points. The most important thing is to practice frequently to develop a feel for the car. As a car owner, the real way to prevent drifting is to practice more. New drivers may not have a strong sense of the road or the car, which cannot be taught in driving school. It's best to find an empty road to practice on, as more practice will lead to improvement. During this time, you can ask a friend to help remind you or drive a car equipped with a lane departure warning system.
When I was a newbie just starting to drive on the highway, my car always veered to one side, mainly because I was too nervous, gripping the steering wheel too tightly. When the wind got stronger, I would overcorrect the steering, which made the loss of control even worse. Also, when the speed increased, the changes in road surface smoothness were more pronounced, and as a beginner, my reactions couldn't keep up. I recommend practicing steering control on empty suburban roads first—hold the wheel lightly, don't stare at the road surface, and look further ahead to prevent anxiety. The car also needs regular checks; for example, uneven tire pressure on both sides or uneven wear can make the car veer more severely on the highway due to wind resistance. I learned this the hard way and later became wiser, checking tire pressure balance every month.
Vehicle deviation is common on highways, especially for beginners. From a mechanical perspective, it could be due to uneven tire pressure - lower pressure on one side pulls the steering. Or improper wheel alignment causing the car to drive crooked naturally. Combined with strong highway winds amplifying small issues, and wear in the steering system increasing deviation risks. Neglecting regular maintenance worsens uneven tire tread wear - always check tire pressure and alignment before highway driving. Keep arms relaxed while driving, maintain steady steering without sudden movements, make gentle corrections against wind, and reduce speed to pull over when eliminating hazards.
