It’s a good idea to follow defensive driving tips each time you get behind the wheel. While every situation is different, defensive driving is a great way to keep yourself safe on the road and to reduce the chance of an accident. That’s why we’ve put together this list of five fundamental tips for defensive driving.
- Keep Your Eyes Up Ahead
Many drivers, both new and experienced, get into the bad habit of looking only at the car that’s right in front of them. Maintaining this laser-sharp focus on that one car leaves you unprepared for what might lay ahead.
To avoid potential hazards, keep your eyes as far ahead as you can see — for miles if the visibility is good. When you’ve got an expansive view of the road, you’ll have plenty of time to react to potentially dangerous situations, such as a broken down vehicle on the shoulder.
- Take In the Big Picture
Many accidents happen when drivers lack situational awareness. People often become fixated on things, like the radio, and that driving habit could be deadly. Most people don’t realize they’re doing it, and they lose track of other vehicles around them.
- Have an Exit Strategy
Formulating an exit strategy is a skill that’s learned over time and with experience. While you might be the best driver on the planet, you can’t control or predict what others on the road might do.
Other factors, such as construction or emergency vehicles, may change a routine day on the road into a problematic situation quite quickly. What do you do if a dog runs into the street up ahead? What if the car in front of you slams on their brakes to avoid him? You need an escape plan — and fast.
- Maintain a Safe Distance
If you decide to follow just one of our handy tips, this is it. Maintaining a cautious distance from the car in front of you is not only the safest habit you can practice, it’s the one defensive driving tip that’s broken the most.
A safe following distance comes with its partner: a safe driving speed. If you’re zooming down the highway at 100 mph, you’re not going to have the same reaction time as you would if you were cruising at the posted speed limit.
- Reduce Distractions
Today’s modern cars and SUVs are loaded with all the conveniences. From an in-dash infotainment system to stereo speakers mounted in your headrest, there are a ton of distractions just sitting in the pilot’s chair.
Add in a quick drive-thru lunch, and a back seat loaded with half the soccer team, and who blames you for not keeping an eye on the road? Some distractions we can control, and others we just can’t. Learning how to deal with driving distractions will help keep you and your passengers safe along the way.
We’ve all made mistakes behind the wheel. Let’s work to reduce them with these five fundamental tips for defensive driving.
Image via TireZoo | Licensed by CC BY 2.0
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