Driving is part of life—it gets us where we need to go and helps us complete tasks in our everyday lives. But often we take for granted how dangerous this seemingly routine activity can be. Hazards lurk around every corner, and being able to anticipate, avoid and react to potential dangers are skills everyone should have.
Enroll in a Defensive Driving Program
Defensive driving tips go beyond what you learned in drivers ed or traffic school courses. They teach you practices that can significantly reduce your risk of having an accident—saving you time, money, and potentially your life. Many defensive driving schools are online, making it easier to keep yourself, and those around you, safer on the road. Some basic concepts you’ll learn in online defensive driving are: scanning, maneuvering, and distance judgment. Increasing your awareness of potential problems and learning how to deal with them should they occur is the basis of defensive driving.
Remember the 3 Second Rule
One of the easiest ways to have an accident is by following too closely. A good rule of thumb is to pick a stationary spot on the road (like a traffic sign, telephone pole or landmark). When the car in front of you passes that spot, start counting. If it takes less than 3 seconds for your car to pass the same location, you’re following too closely and putting yourself at risk. You can also tell if someone is following you too closely by checking your rearview mirror. If you can’t see the license plate of the car behind you, then you are being tailgated and should allow that person to pass in order to avoid them hitting you.
Follow All Traffic Laws
Over 90% of traffic accidents could have been prevented simply by following the basic rules of the road. Common bad habits such as speeding, not giving the right-of-way or rolling through intersections can lead to seriously dangerous situations. Whether you’re a teen just learning to drive, or an experienced mature adult—laws are in place to keep you, and those around you, safe, so it’s important to follow them closely.
Adapt to Conditions
Weather, time of day and road repair all contribute to your ability to safely maneuver your vehicle. Always adapt your driving skills to current conditions, taking care to properly use your turn signals, headlights, hazard indicators and horn to alert others on the road of your presence while driving in unsafe conditions. Communicating your intentions to other motorists will cut down on confusion and reduce your risk of a collision.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Last but not least, make sure your vehicle is in proper condition before you drive. It’s good practice to take a quick survey of your car before leaving the driveway to make sure everything is fully operational. Check for any warning lights or irregular noises or smells, inspect the tread and inflation of your tires, and be sure your mirrors are clean and correctly positioned.
You can find out more about defensive driving online, or by taking an online driver improvement course.
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