All posts tagged drive defensively

Defensive Driving: Techniques to Keep You Safe on the Road

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/06 in On the Road with Comments Off on Defensive Driving: Techniques to Keep You Safe on the Road

There is always a chance of a serious accident every time you get behind the wheel. Not only are you traveling at high speeds, you also have to keep an eye on everyone else around you. Since so many things can go wrong on the road, the best way to stay safe is to practice defensive driving techniques. While there are dozens of defensive driving techniques, these are the four of the most effective. 

Eliminate Distractions

A distracted driver is far more likely to cause an accident than a driver that is focused on the road. If you regularly eat, talk or text while driving, then it is time to change those harmful tactics. Studies have proven that using a cell phone while driving can reduce reaction times up to 20 percent. Your conversation or meal is not important when you are risking your life and the lives of everyone else on the road is not

Stay in One Lane

It is far easier to remain safe when remaining in one lane on the road. Changing lanes requires you to change your focus, which is always dangerous on the road. You also have to rely on the other drivers seeing you changing lanes, which is always a dangerous proposition. It is impossible to go anywhere without ever changing lanes, but you should do it as little as possible.

Do Not Tailgate

Tailgating the car in front of you is one of the most dangerous things you can do while driving. You need to have plenty of room between cars in case you need to suddenly react to avoid an accident. If you are tailgating and the car in front of you suddenly hits the breaks, then you are not going to have enough time to slow down to avoid hitting them. You should be at least three to four seconds behind the car in front of you on the road, and this number should be doubled during poor driving conditions.

Be Aware of Surroundings

Defensive driving only works if you are looking out for everyone else on the road. A bad driver can always hit your car while you are driving extremely carefully. The only way to constantly stay safe is to keep an eye on your fellow drivers, especially if any appear to be driving erratically. If you are constantly expecting the other drivers to do something dangerous, then you will always be prepared for anything that can happen.

Getting to your destination safely should be your top priority every time you sit behind the wheel. If you use these four defensive driving techniques, then you should be safe no matter what you experience on the road.

Informational Credit to Moses and Rooth, Attorneys at Law

Defensive Driving Tips For City Dwellers

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/04 in On the Road with Comments Off on Defensive Driving Tips For City Dwellers

Defensive driving can be one of the most important skills to learn when preparing to drive. If you utilize defensive driving as often as possible, you lower your risk of being in an accident greatly. Defensive driving is especially important to those who drive in a city setting. Driving in an urban area is one of the most dangerous and frustrating places to drive. Because of amount of traffic, frustrated drivers, and other distractions that can be found in a city, defensive driving is one of the only ways to ensure you do not become a victim of another driver’s ignorance or irresponsibility.

Hazards of Driving

There are many different things that can be hazardous to drivers, especially in a city setting. Aggressive drivers are dangerous and plentiful on clogged roads. In addition to aggressive drivers, there are also distracted drivers. Distracted drivers are becoming more and more of an issue with the rise in electronic device usage behind the wheel. Unfortunately many drivers believe that they are actually able to multitask well, which can be a very dangerous practice for any driver.

How to Handle Hazards

You are never able to control other driver’s actions, but you can control how you respond to them. The most important part of being a defensive driver is being alert. When you pay attention to other drivers, you are able to anticipate problems before they happen. This allows you to react before a problem starts. This is especially important for speeders and people who cut people off recklessly. When you are dealing with an aggressive driver, your best course of action is to slow down and allow the person to pass you. Be sure to allow a good amount of space between the aggressive driver and yourself before you continue at normal speeds.

Victim of Others

If you find yourself to be a victim of another driver’s aggressive or distracted driving, be sure to gather as much information as you can, as soon as you can. Call local police to the scene, take pictures, and get information about the other driver. Be sure to note any weird or standout behaviors from the other driver. If anyone witnessed the accident, be sure to take their name and phone number. After collecting all the information you can, be sure to contact a lawyer to see what you are entitled to as a victim. Oshawa law firms can help you to determine fault and give you peace of mind as a driver.

There are many hazards that your average city driver must face day to day. Aggressive and distracted drivers make defensive driving a must for every driver’s daily commute. Be sure to be alert and pay attention to other drivers. If you have the right defensive skills you can reduce the chance of getting into an accident.

“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking and biking. For this article she used Kitchen Simeson LLP lawyers as a resource. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”