Defensive Driving Techniques

With over 280 million cars traveling on 4 million miles of paved roads, accidents are bound to happen. While there are many factors that contribute to the 2 million accidents each year, a Defensive Driver does their best to identify all hazards and be ready to act on them at any moment. Today we will look into what is a Defensive Driver and discuss the most common hazards to prepare for.

What is a Defensive Driver?
A defensive driver is someone who uses safe driving techniques to identify road hazards and reduce the risk of an accident. Safe driving techniques include things such as:

• Wearing your seatbelt
• Avoiding distractions (phone, radio, etc.)
• Watching your speed and obeying traffic laws
• Keeping a safe distance between your car and others
• Staying alert and keeping your eyes on the road

When using safe driving techniques, you are working to reduce your risk of hazards that are within your control. Now let’s look at the hazards outside of your control and ways to prepare for them.

Weather Conditions
Varying types of weather conditions will affect the way you and your vehicle can respond to hazards. The best way to prepare for weather related hazards is to make sure your vehicle is properly maintained. Having good tire treads, brake pads, windshield wipers, headlights, and window visibility will allow you to brave the elements regardless of rain or snow. 

Other Vehicles
The biggest risk to you on the roadways is other vehicles. While you can’t control others from being distracted or disobeying traffic laws, you can prepare yourself for these types of drivers. Keeping a safe distance between you and other vehicles, allowing enough room to merge or pass, and checking blind spots and mirrors regularly will allow you to identify all surrounding vehicles and move freely as you travel about.

Pedestrians
Along many roadways there are sidewalks and crosswalks allowing for foot traffic. One thing to always remember when it comes to pedestrians: they have the right of way. You can communicate with them by using your signals, making eye contact, and by coming to complete stops so that they can safely cross intersections and crosswalks.

As you hop into your car and prepare for the next road trip, remember that driving requires your undivided attention. Stay alert, use safe driving techniques, and know how to prepare for hazards you may be driving around. To keep the conversation going, download the Distracted Driving Toolbox Talk (TBT) or comment below.

Distracted Driving TBT