How to Drive Defensively
What is defensive driving? It is a set of driving skills that allows you to defend yourself against possible collisions caused by bad drivers, drunk drivers, and poor weather. If you look ahead and keep your eyes moving, you will spot potential hazards more easily. Once you have identified a potential hazard and decided what to do, act immediately.
Defensive drivers are able to avoid dangers on the road by using their safe driving practices.
Steps
Stay focused, keeping your hands on the wheel. Defensive drivers concentrate on the road. They don't do other tasks while driving
Keep your eyes moving. Continuously look in your mirrors and scan the road ahead, checking for hazards and slowing traffic so you can Expect Any Accident Before It Happened
Steps
Stay focused, keeping your hands on the wheel. Defensive drivers concentrate on the road. They don't do other tasks while driving
Keep your eyes moving. Continuously look in your mirrors and scan the road ahead, checking for hazards and slowing traffic so you can Expect Any Accident Before It Happened
Also Keep your eyes on the road There are many things that can distract you along your route—beautiful scenery, an animal, or an accident can divert your eyes from the road. Remember that you are operating a machine; remaining focused can help you avoid putting yourself or anyone else in danger.
The road can be a dangerous place, so be sure that you do all you can to protect yourself and your family from any potential harm by staying focused on the road.
Stay alert. Being alert (not sleepy or under the influence) allows you to react quickly to potential problems — like when the driver in the car ahead slams on the brakes at the last minute. Obviously, alcohol or drugs affect a driver's reaction time and judgment. Driving while drowsy has the same effect and is one of the leading causes of crashes. So rest up before your road trip.
Go with the flow. Most drivers know that speeding is a major cause of accidents, but driving too slow can be dangerous, too. Drive at speeds that most other vehicles are going.
Make yourself visible. Many accidents occur because drivers didn't see the other car. There are a few simple ways to make your presence known, making the road safer for everyone. They include:
Turn signals: Use your turn signals to let other drivers know where you're going
Headlights: Turn on your headlights at dusk or anytime it is raining. This is more for other drivers to see you than for you to see the road.
Brake lights: Operational brake lights are a safety must. They warn cars behind you that you're slowing down, signaling them to reduce speed, too.
Avoid blind spots: Don't linger in areas where the driver in front of you can't see you. Many people will only check their mirrors before making a lane change.
Avoid blind spots: Don't linger in areas where the driver in front of you can't see you. Many people will only check their mirrors before making a lane change.
Do not depend on other drivers. Be considerate of others but look out for yourself. Do not assume another driver is going to move out of the way or allow you to merge. Assume that drivers will run through red lights or stop signs and be prepared to react. Plan your movements anticipating the worst-case scenario.
Resist road rage. Aggressive drivers may infuriate you, but retaliating with similar tactics is dangerous. Take a passive approach in dealing with road rage. Use these strategies in specific road-rage scenarios:
Adapt to road conditions. Even light rain can produce dangerous conditions, particularly early in the season when the water picks up oil from the road surface, making it slippery. Tires lose their grip at higher speeds, so slowing down in inclement weather is a fundamental defensive-driving technique.
Familiarize yourself with traffic rules. Refresh your memory by browsing a Department of Motor Vehicles pamphlet detailing the rules of the road. It provides guidelines on rights of way, road signs, traffic law, and contains tips on safe driving.
Resist road rage. Aggressive drivers may infuriate you, but retaliating with similar tactics is dangerous. Take a passive approach in dealing with road rage. Use these strategies in specific road-rage scenarios:
Adapt to road conditions. Even light rain can produce dangerous conditions, particularly early in the season when the water picks up oil from the road surface, making it slippery. Tires lose their grip at higher speeds, so slowing down in inclement weather is a fundamental defensive-driving technique.
Familiarize yourself with traffic rules. Refresh your memory by browsing a Department of Motor Vehicles pamphlet detailing the rules of the road. It provides guidelines on rights of way, road signs, traffic law, and contains tips on safe driving.
