ys to stay safe while you’re on the road is through defensive driving. The goal is to prevent accidents in spite of others actions or the presence of adverse driving conditions.
To avoid accidents through the use of defensive driving, do the following:
- Remain on the lookout for hazards—Think about what may happen as far ahead of you as possible. Never assume that road hazards will resolve themselves before you reach them.
- Eliminate distractions—Listening to music, talking to passengers and using a cellphone are all activities that can be distracting and lead to an accident.
- Maintain your distance—When driving, maintain a safe following distance behind other cars. Provide adequate time to brake to a stop if necessary. Many experts recommend drivers stay three seconds behind another car or about a full car length.
- Act quickly—Once you see a hazard and decide upon a defense, you must act immediately. The sooner you act, the more time you’ll have to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
Defensive driving requires knowledge and strict observance of traffic rules and regulations applicable to the area. Be alert for illegal actions and driving errors made by others. Make timely adjustments to your own driving to avoid an accident.