10 Defensive Driving Tips

These 10 defensive driving tips will help you avoid accidents.  We are all taught these 10 defensive driving tips when we take driver’s education classes, but as the years go by, it’s easy to forget!

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.

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.

4. USE SIGNALS WHEN TURNING OR CHANGING LANES

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

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.

10 DEFENSIVE DRIVING TIPS

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.

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10 DEFENSIVE DRIVING TIPS

2018-08-24T21:49:43+00:00

About the Author:

Alyce Wittenstein is a world class attorney, blogger and filmmaker. She began working at the firm in 1985 as a managing paralegal, learning all the practices and procedures of the firm from Mr. Wittenstein and the staff. From 1995-1998, she attended CUNY Law School where she made a mark as a teaching assistant for Civil Rights leader Haywood Burns. She founded a Human Rights Delegation to Haiti and studied Constitutional Law with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Working at the Equal Opportunity Employment Commision (EEOC), she learned a great deal about Employment Discrimination matters. She brought her knowledge of the Personal Injury practice and her passion for Civil Rights to the firm when she was admitted to the Bar in 1999. In 2000, she became a partner and the firm name was changed to Wittenstein & Wittenstein, Esqs. PC.

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