Did you know that each year over two million people are injured in automobile accidents? The sad fact is that even the most careful drivers can still be hurt in an accident.
But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Driving defensively can greatly reduce the chances of getting in an accident. In this article, we’ll go over some of the latest defensive driving tips that safety experts recommend. That way, you can get to where you’re going as safely as possible.
Let’s get started!
Be Familiar With Common Accident Causes
The first thing you should do as a smart driver is to familiarize yourself with some of the common causes of accidents.
You do this both so you know what to avoid doing and so you can identify when others on the road are engaging in risky behavior. That way, you can keep your distance from them. Here are some of the most common causes of accidents:
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving (eating, texting, or talking while driving)
- Defective auto parts
- Hazardous road conditions
- Speeding
- Driving while tired
- Reckless driving
If you want to learn more about these accident causes, check out this helpful blog, especially if you’re a first-time car buyer.
Keep a Buffer Between Yourself and Other Drivers
As you can tell from the previous section, there are a lot of reasons why you should always keep a safe distance between yourself and other cars on the road.
A buffer zone of two to three cars should be enough to allow you to react if you see dangerous driving.
It also helps you prevent one of the most common accidents: tailgate crashes. When another driver slams on the break a buffer zone will give you enough time to stop before hitting them.
Stay on the Side of Caution
When in doubt, always err on the side of caution. This is the safest possible driving policy. Not sure who has the right of way at an intersection? Let others go before you.
Think you can make that yellow light before it turns red? Don’t risk it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when driving. Remember that auto accidents can be life or death situations.
So, be sure before you pull a potentially dangerous maneuver. For example, when you change lanes make sure that you always check over your shoulder twice. You always want to make sure that no one is in your blind spot before turning.
Practice These Defensive Driving Tips
We hope this article helped you learn some defensive driving tips. Remember, defensive driving techniques aren’t 100% accident-proof, but they can help you spot reckless drivers or potentially dangerous situations and react accordingly. So, make sure that you practice them whenever you get behind the wheel.
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