How Can Defensive Driving Help Drivers Avoid Accidents

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  • Driving Safety Tip #3: Slow Down & Drive Defensively. If you want to know how to avoid car accidents, slowing down and driving defensively are key steps. Just because the posted speed limit is 65 miles per hour does not mean that you have to drive that fast. You should drive at a safe speed for the existing road and weather conditions.
  • It is touted as the way to be a safe driver and prevent accidents. So, what exactly is defensive driving? And how do you use it to prevent accidents? GARD Pro Not Registered. Defensive driving is the idea that you are aware of yourself, your automobile, and your surroundings in a manner that can help you prevent accidents.

Feb 19, 2015. “One thing you can do is stay off the vehicle that's in front of you a little bit farther and that gives you the advantage of being able to see to the driver's side of that vehicle for oncoming traffic and it may help you avoid a similar incident,” Jacob's said. Sometimes crashes can't be avoided, but defensive driving.

Defensive

1. DON’T EXPECT OTHER DRIVERS TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD

Just because you stop at stop signs and don’t go through red lights, other drivers may not be so careful. They might even be drunk, texting, sleepy or distracted. When you are at an intersection, even if you have the right of way, check carefully to see if any cars are coming. Make sure to look carefully for pedestrians that might be jaywalking, especially children. Do not expect drivers to always “yield” when they are supposed to.
Georgia Defensive Driving

2. DRIVE AT THE CORRECT SPEED FOR THE CONDITIONS

The speed limit is the maximum speed allowable on a roadway, but if it is dark, raining or snowing, drivers should go more slowly. Speed should also be reduced when traffic is heavy or in an area where there are many pedestrians.

3. ALWAYS USE SAFETY RESTRAINTS PROPERLY

Adults and older children should always wear seatbelts. Younger children and babies should be properly secured in appropriate child safety seats.

Tennessee Defensive Driving

4. USE SIGNALS WHEN TURNING OR CHANGING LANES

How Can Defensive Driving Help Drivers Avoid Accidents

Always use your signals when turning and changing lanes, but don’t expect others to be so careful. Keep a lookout for cars that seem like they might be turning or changing lanes, even though they have not put on their signal. For example, if you see somebody speeding up and looking to the right, they may be looking to change lanes.

5. KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM CARS IN FRONT OF YOU

Follow the “3-second rule,” which states you should be far enough away from the car in front of you that you have a full 3 seconds to stop if necessary. At highway speeds, this means that you should allow about 3 car length. In icy conditions, this should be doubled.

6. WATCH FOR BLIND SPOTS

Always be aware of your blind spots, and when you may be in another driver’s blind spot.

7. BE PREPARED FOR THE WEATHER

If snow is expected, make sure your car has “snow tires” or all-weather tires. Never use your cruise control in snowy weather.

8. USE YOUR HEADLIGHTS CORRECTLY

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Only use high beams on unlighted roads, and be sure to turn them down when oncoming traffic approaches. Use your headlights when visibility is poor such as in stormy weather or on winding roads.

9. HANDLE TAILGATERS APPROPRIATELY

Increase your speed to add distance between the vehicles, and as soon as possible, move to the right and let the tailgater pass. Say no to “road rage.”

10. SEE THE WHOLE ROAD

Scan road conditions way ahead of you so you can be prepared. Look to slowing traffic, intersections, construction, closed lanes, merges, and erratic driving.

Using the 10 defensive driving tips in this article will help you avoid accidents. Mature drivers often forget the 10 defensive driving tips they learned when they got their license. Make sure to pass along these 10 defensive driving tips to everybody you care about. It saves lives.