Do you practice these defensive driving tips? You should!
The main point of defensive driving is to avoid a road accident. When you drive defensively, you’re prepared for the unexpected. You’re cautious and ready to react. You can’t always trust the other motorists on the road to drive safely and carefully, so you must take steps to ensure the safety of your vehicle and passengers. These essential (yet simple) defensive driving strategies are what all motorists should be doing.
Remove Distractions
Avoid distractions by putting your phone on silent and out of reach, asking rowdy passengers to behave, organizing the GPS before you depart, and turning the radio down or off. All too often distracted drivers lose focus on what is happening ahead and end up causing a collision and multiple injuries. Stay alert at all times.
Look Far Down the Road
Behind the wheel of a car, it’s easy to forget just how fast you’re traveling. Many drivers fall into the habit of only watching the vehicle in front of theirs. You should constantly be scanning the road ahead and looking far down the road to spot potential dangers and hazards. By knowing that there’s construction up ahead, you can start to reduce your speed and merge into the correct lane.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance
The greatest chance of collision is usually right in front of you. Maintaining a safe following distance is easily one of the most effective rules of defensive driving. A general rule of thumb is to leave at least three seconds between you and the vehicle in front, but this distance should increase if the road conditions are poor, you’re traveling at high speeds, or it’s night-time.
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