For many people, defensive driving simply means obeying the speed limit, being careful when changing lanes and remembering to buckle your seatbelt. But to truly understand how to drive defensively, you need to think about more than just your own safety; you also need to consider the safety of others on the road with you and even pedestrians who may be walking nearby. The best way to ensure that you’re always driving defensively is to take the best defensive driving course with a certified instructor.
Know your blind spots
One area of your car that is often forgotten but can lead to danger on the road is your blind spot. Your blind spots are both on the passenger side and driver side of your vehicle. You may not see an object in the road or approaching traffic because of this gap, which can then result in an accident. To avoid crashes and near-misses, make sure to scan these areas with a mirror when changing lanes.
Have a method for dealing with distractions
Before starting your journey, turn on your most favorite playlist and tune out the rest of the world. Keep your phone at least a hands length away from you (without being completely out of reach) and set it to Do Not Disturb so texts and alerts will go unanswered until you are finished.
Understand the laws of highway driving
It is against the law for drivers not to maintain a safe distance between cars in the same lane. It is also illegal for a car to change lanes within 200 feet of an intersection. Laws vary by state but generally speaking, all vehicles must stop at red lights, yield the right-of-way when making turns, and use turn signals. Continue to read more to learn how to get the best defensive driving course.
Become familiar with your car.
The best way to avoid accidents is by knowing your car, reading the manual and learning how it operates. Always keep emergency supplies in your car such as a flashlight, cell phone charger, water bottle, flashlight, jumper cables, window breaker hammer and bungee cords.
Use technology to enhance your abilities on the road
Studies show that the simple act of talking on a cell phone while driving can cause one to drive as much as six-tenths of a mile without taking any corrective action. That doesn’t take into account, being distracted by anything else going on around you.
