While having a car can be a great privilege, giving you convenient transportation wherever you need to go, it also comes with great responsibility. At the end of the day, a vehicle is a machine that weighs thousands of pounds operating at high speeds in close proximity to other vehicles. Dangerous situations can arise from other drivers, road conditions, and poor decision-making. There is only so much you can control when you are on the road since you are at the mercy of other drivers. But what you can control could mean the difference between getting into an accident and avoiding one successfully.
Defensive driving is not just about following all the rules of the road to the letter. Instead, it is a proactive strategy that grants you increased awareness and preparedness if something goes awry that could cause a collision. The steps to take after a car accident can be overwhelming and complicated, so it is best to do what you can to avoid accidents in the first place with these defensive driving tips.
Eyes and Head On a Swivel
Many driving instructors may teach this skill, but not all students will continue with it once they are on the road by themselves. Part of avoiding accidents is being aware of your surroundings at all times. When you know where other vehicles are on all sides, it is much easier to anticipate potential issues and respond quickly to a dangerous scenario. This requires constant movement of your eyes to check your mirrors, your blind spots, and what is on either side of you. The more you practice these movements as you are driving, the more natural they will become. Eventually, you won`t even notice how much you are looking around because it will be second nature to do so.
Never Speed Through Intersections
If you are driving on a fast road that has traffic lights, it can be tempting to zoom through the intersection at the same speed when your light is green. There are two issues with that. First, you are assuming that no one is going to attempt a right on red or was trying to catch the light if yours just turned green. Second, if there are multiple lanes involved, it is very hard to see all lanes of traffic that feed into the intersection. A more defensive driving tactic is to slow down just a little as you approach the intersection. Make sure that if the light has just turned, there aren`t any speedsters trying to catch the previous light. Also, if someone has claimed the intersection for a left turn, they have the right of way when the light changes.
Speaking of Left Turns, Be Careful When Making Them
Left turns across traffic are one of the most common causes of car accidents. A left turn almost always means you have to cross other lanes of traffic that are heading in a different direction. If you are making a left turn, do not turn your wheels in that direction if you are stopped and waiting for oncoming traffic to pass. If someone were to bump you from behind, it would take your car right into oncoming traffic. Also, use extreme caution when you have to get through more than one lane of oncoming traffic. A polite driver in one lane who wants to let you through may be the exception, and assuming the other lane will also wait could be a mistake. You should also keep an eye on anyone making a left into your lanes for the same reasons. Approach the area with an eye on them to make sure they are not trying a dangerous maneuver that could cause a wreck. Though a car accident attorney in Hendersonville, TN, or any other city in Tennessee can protect your legal rights if someone else causes your collision, it is way easier to avoid the issue entirely with defensive driving.
Keep an Eye on Reckless Drivers
Every accident is caused by someone making a mistake or a bad decision. Whether they are speeding on wet roads, making quick lane changes, or cutting off other vehicles, reckless drivers are a huge danger on the road. If you notice any drivers in your vicinity behaving recklessly, then you will want to keep track of where they are in relation to you. Even if they are several cars ahead or a few lanes over, their actions could lead to a chain reaction that gets you into an accident. Try to put some distance between your vehicle and theirs, but keep an eye on what they are doing in the meantime.
Defensive Driving is Better Than Safe Driving
Defensive drivers are individuals who look for potentially dangerous scenarios and take steps to avoid them. This extra attentiveness means they can react much sooner to an issue than drivers who are simply following the rules of the road. If you want to increase your chances of avoiding costly collisions, be proactive with defensive driving techniques.