Defensive Driving and Safety

Being a safe driver has many components. It involves not only making use of the safety devices inside your vehicle, but also the manner in which you approach the road and how you respond to situations you encounter. This list will help you to become a safe and defensive driver:

• Always wear your seatbelt. Although it will not prevent an accident, it will greatly reduce the chance of injury.
• Understand the effects of drugs and alcohol on your body. Driving under the influence of these substances not only threatens your life, but the lives of innocent persons.
• Be patient while driving. Speeding has only a minimal impact on your arrival time.
• Stop driving if you feel weary from fatigue.
• Being courteous rather than aggressive toward other drivers will help reduce accidents.

Driving Tips

Accidents will happen; however, it is possible for a driver to reduce his or her risk of being in an accident by following a set of simple driving guidelines:

• Carefully look both ways -- twice -- before crossing an intersection.
• Do not speed into an intersection the instant the light turns green. Another driver could be running a red light.
• Anticipate unexpected changes in traffic.
• Always check your blind spot before changing lanes. Your mirrors are not adequate.
• Practice extra caution when passing large vehicles.
• Always proceed with caution in residential areas and near schools.
• Leave enough space between yourself and the car ahead of you when traveling and when stopped.
• Take your vehicle in for maintenance regularly. Unchecked brakes and misaligned tires may cause an accident.

(Attribution: Edmunds.com)