Tips for Defensive Driving
We recently posted about avoiding distracted driving, so we thought we would follow up with a few tips for driving defensively. Defensive driving is a technique that should be used by all drivers to make the roads safer for everyone on them. There are many components to defensive driving, so here are a few key points.
Defensive Driving Strategies
Here are a few of the strategies a driver must use to successfully drive defensively.
- Maintain a safe speed- follow the speed limit in good weather. In poor weather conditions, don’t go any faster than is safe, even if it is lower than the posted speed limit.
- Pay attention to other vehicles- anticipating the actions of other vehicles and being aware of their locations relevant to you can help you avoid accidents caused by other people’s recklessness.
- Be alert- drowsy or distracted driving causes plenty of accidents.
- Stay focused and distraction free- don’t concentrate on anything besides driving
- Allow ample space when following another vehicle. A good rule of thumb is to leave 3-4 seconds to stop, although a larger distance must be maintained during poor weather conditions
- Look ahead- familiarize yourself with the road and potential hazards while you have time to avoid them
- Know the right of way- this can avoid accidents caused by not knowing who has the right of way
- Don’t depend on other drivers- even if you do have the right of way, don’t assume that another driver will stop for you. Expect that every driver will ignore the stop sign or isn’t paying attention to the road. This can help you to prevent accidents
Courses are available to help you master your defensive driving techniques. They can be taken online or in a classroom setting. These courses can have a multitude of benefits besides helping you stay safer while driving. They can add points to your driving record, reduce fines from tickets, or even lower your insurance premiums.
Though defensive driving is the best thing a driver can do to ensure their own safety, this isn’t always enough. Accidents can still be caused by the negligence or recklessness of another person. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another person, you should seek an experienced personal law attorney to assist with your case. For ethical legal representation, contact LeBaron & Jensen today!