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A Defensive Driving Guide and Tips for Safe Driving |
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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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When you think of the idea of defensive driving, traditionally we think about avoiding contact with other cars on the road. And that is an important aspect of defensive driving. But there is much more to learning safe driving techniques that is included in what you will learn in a well designed defensive driving course. In fact, there are so many different aspects of defensive driving that you will learn when taking a course on the topic that you will probably come away with dozens of notes and tips to go back and review after you are done with defensive driving school.
The word "defensive" is central to the concept of defensive driving for a reason. When you become skilled at the art of defensive driving, you live a lifestyle of defending yourself, your passengers and your vehicle from anything that could pose a danger to you on the road. Here are just a few of the many tips that you will take away from a comprehensive course in defensive driving.
· Vehicle maintenance is a big part of defensive driving.
A significant proportion of accidents that people have on the highways or the local roads of their towns result from mechanical failure of their cars or trucks while in operation. In some cases, such as when you blow out a tire while driving at a high rate of speed, a simple failure of that tire can put you into a very dangerous driving situation. The best way to avoid the problem of a mechanical failure is to perform routine maintenance religiously so your vehicle is in tip top shape every time you take it out on the road.
Much of the vehicle maintenance that you will use to stay safe on the road are very simple things to do each week. Maintaining the inflation level of your tires can give you the traction you need to deal with wet pavement or to come to a fast stop when you need to. And by inspecting your tires frequently, you can spot flaws or damage that could result in a flat tire that can be inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst.
Having your engine maintained well is also crucial to assuring your car or truck will work well each and every time you need it to perform for you. A good mechanic can spot danger signs like worn belts or low fluid levels. Just one maintenance session that might cost a few hundred dollars could result in making a correction to your vehicle that could keep it from becoming damaged beyond repair. That is worth the investment of time and money into making sure that vehicle you depend on so much is indeed dependable.
· The Safety Buffer
Another basic tip that covers hundreds of situation is what is called the "safety buffer". This tip states that you should try as much as possible to maintain as much open space around your vehicle at all times as you can get. That means allowing plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can avoid a collision if that car or truck suddenly gets in trouble.
A safety buffer also means trying to avoid driving next to vehicles on the road. This is not always possible but if you can slow down to let drivers pass or speed up to keep drivers away from your car, you will always have a place to go if there is a sudden emergency. Try to treat other vehicles as though they were something to wish to avoid so you stay as far away from them as possible. By keeping a buffer of space in front, on both sides and behind you, you cut down on the potential dangers to you as you drive tremendously.
· The Escape Route
A tip that is related to the safety buffer is the escape route. Whether you are driving to the local market or across country, make it a top priority to always have an escape route if there is trouble on the road. In many cases, this is the side of the road. But do not consider and exit from the road as a viable escape route if it would be a dangerous exit for you to try. But as you drive in any situation, talk to yourself about where you might take your vehicle if trouble suddenly rears its ugly head. It might be to make a turn at the next intersection, to change lanes or to drive off the road. That escape route will be constantly changing for you. But if you are taking responsibility to assure you have that escape plan, you can get out of trouble any time an emergency situation suddenly presents itself as you drive.
· Don't Drive Angry
Finally, leave your ego and emotions at home. The road is no place to show off that you can drive fast or maneuver quickly. Allow plenty of time when you are driving to an appointment so you don't have to weave in and out of traffic and drive in an unsafe fashion when traffic conditions get in your way. If someone is driving aggressively or stupidly, it is not your job to teach him a lesson. It is always better to yield to that unsafe driver and get away from him or her as fast as possible.
Better to let an unsafe driver go on up the road and have an accident with someone else than to have one with you. The only way to "win" in the game of driving is to get to your destination without incident and without getting in an accident. So be the adult out there and let "hot dog" drivers and people who are driving badly alone. In that kind of situation, driving safely and defensively means driving as far away from angry or foolish drivers as is possible. You will be glad you did.
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