Defensive Driving Part Three

As mentioned in the first two parts of this five part defensive driving series, defensive driving can save a driver’s life, plain and simple. If you can be a defensive driver than you will be safe when on the roads and the people in the car with you will be safe too. Knowing your surroundings when driving and being able to anticipate what other drivers are going to do with their cars will help you get to your destination on time and in a safe manner.

One of the most common causes of accidents on the roads these days is distractions while driving. When you are behind the wheel, try to avoid as many distractions as possible. If you avoid distractions while driving then your trip will be a safe one. Such distractions while driving are talking on the cell phone, text messaging while driving, fidgeting with the radio, looking through the glove box, changing CDs, turning around and talking to passengers in the back seat, trying to eat, drinking, shaving, putting on makeup, getting dressed, reading the newspaper or directions and much more. All of these distractions can cause your eyes to divert from the task at hand, which is to navigate the roadway, and might lead to an accident. Getting rid of these distractions makes your trip a lot safer.

Our next tip is to always take care of your vehicle. If your vehicle is in mint condition than you shouldn’t have any problems driving. If your car has problems then you should get it checked out by a mechanic and have any glaring problems fixed to avoid breaking down or losing parts on the highway, which could cause an accident. Always make sure your vehicle has enough gas in the tank, that the proper fluids are stocked well, and that the brakes are working properly.

Try to avoid single car accidents as much as possible. These types of accidents are the easiest to avoid because the only person at fault is you, the driver. If you can avoid single car accidents then your trip will be that much safer. Single car accidents include rollovers, hitting a tree, hitting an animal, hitting a wall, hitting a pole or guardrail and hitting other parked cars.

Another important tip for being a successful defensive driver is to obey train signals. Never, ever, play chicken with a train. If you are approaching a railroad crossing and the lights are flashing and you hear a train whistle in the distance, stop before the tracks, and wait for the train to pass. Don’t try to beat the train by rushing across the tracks. It’s not worth it. There is too much to risk by trying to beat out a train at the crossing.

The final tip we can offer drivers to become better defensively on the roads in this article is to get plenty of rest before driving each day. If you are well rested when you are driving then you shouldn’t have any problems staying awake behind the wheel. If you begin to dose off behind the wheel then you should pull over into a safe parking lot and rest for a little bit.

Our next article will include sharing the road, beware of congested areas, don’t tailgate, pass with safety and beware of slow moving vehicles.