Defensive Driving Will Make You Safer on the Road

​Car crashes in the United States have a considerable impact on our society and economy each year. Aside from leading to higher costs for car insurance, they also remove 2.5% from our GDP or gross domestic product every year. Car crashes also have a deeper impact on individual people because collisions can cause the loss of lives and severe injuries. However most of these accidents, collisions, and crashes are preventable in some way or another.

Prevention can only happen if every single driver employs defensive driving's basic techniques. It can dramatically reduce the number of accidents.

How Can You Define Defensive Driving?

You might be like other people who wonder about the actual definition of defensive driving. It is the act of applying driving techniques and rules that can assist motorists in anticipating dangerous situations and reducing risks. Here are tips on how you can be a defensive driver.

1) Focus on Driving

To become a defensive driver, recognize that you can control how you can drive 100%. Always think of safety first. Don't rely on other people on the road to prioritize your safety because this should be your job. Wear your seatbelt, avoid driving aggressively and be attentive to driving.

2) Put Everything into Visualization

A good habit of defensive drivers is that they regularly scan the road with their eyes. They check the rear, left and right side and front using all of the mirrors. Make sure that you scan ahead and not just look near you. It will give you a lot of time to react to situations when you still can. Always keep wildlife, pets, pedestrians, motorcycles, bicycles and other vehicles on your visual radar.

3) Make Sure That You Have an Escape Route

Avoid getting boxed-in or following too closely. Choose center lanes on multiple lane roads like freeways because the can maximize your ability to go right or left.

4) Avoid Tailgating

Lots of driving instructors insist on leaving a two-second space between you and the cars that you follow. It may not be enough though. Allow a space that can last for three to four seconds between you and the car that you follow and more in dangerous conditions. 

5) Avoid Speeding

Your speed must always match the conditions. This means that the speed limit that is posted is sometimes too fast. Slick or wet roads have limited visibility that may decrease your reaction time to other drivers. Keep this in mind whenever you drive.

6) Don't Be Paranoid, Be Aware

Avoid getting overwhelmed by dealing with too many risk factors at once. Just concentrate on those that have the greatest chance of disaster.

7) Avoid Getting Distracted

A distracted driver may have problems driving defensively. Anything that can take their mind off driving is considered a distraction.

8) Overview

Always remember that you are in control in every outcome. Take every matter into your hands and avoid relying on other drivers to do the right thing. Aside from being safe, employ these practices to help your insurance policy reduce your claims on your policy.

At the Robert Nichols Insurance Agency we’ll do everything we can to keep our clients safe behind the wheel. To learn more about how we can help you with car insurance or any of our other insurance products please contact our agency at (561) 406-6153 or Click Here to request a free quote.