It is easy for experienced drivers to take their safety for granted while they are on the road. New drivers and veterans alike can both forget how easy it is for an accident to occur because of someone else’s recklessness or negligence.
An average of 3700 people dies in car accidents every day. With so many lives at risk, drivers need to remember how to drive defensively when they are in their vehicles. Here are four defensive driving tips that may just help you save your life:
Obey traffic laws
Road lanes, speed limits, and traffic signs all create expectations in other drivers. If the speed limit is 55 miles per hour, it is not likely that anyone will expect to see someone barreling down the road at 85 miles per hour. When other drivers expect everyone to drive in a certain way, they may get into an accident with someone who is not following the rules of the road.
Watch for unusual driving
If you see a driver on the road who is having difficulty driving straight, staying in their lane, or is presenting other unusual driving habits, keep your distance from them. Do not attempt to speed ahead of them, as it may startle them and result in them causing an accident. Allow the driver to gain distance ahead of you so you can keep a watchful eye on them from a safe distance.
Use proper signaling
Whether or not you think it is necessary, always use proper turn signals. Someone attempting to change lanes or execute a turn without presenting the proper signals with sufficient time can catch another driver off guard resulting in a car accident.
Maintain your vehicle
Defensive driving is not exclusive to actually driving the vehicle. Drivers need to be sure that their vehicles can perform on the road properly. Check your headlights and turn signals, windshield wipers and fluid, tire pressure and grip quality, and the integrity of your brake pads to make sure that a vehicle malfunction will not cause you to suffer a serious car accident.
Safety should always come first
A bit of preparation and practicing extra precaution on the road can make the difference in whether or not you come home safely. Ensure that you are practicing proper defensive driving techniques to do your part in keeping yourself and others safe.