Anyone with a license knows that there are plenty of drivers on the road who exhibit questionable behavior, and you may wonder how some of these people ever passed their driver’s test. Some drivers speed excessively, while others may drift into the adjacent lane because they aren’t paying attention. Then, there are those that are notorious for tailgating, making abrupt turns without using the directional, furiously switch lanes until they reach the head of the pack.
Aggressive drivers actually account for 33 percent of all traffic accidents. However, negligent driving is a problem on the rise because people tend to focus on everything but the road, as they chat on the cell phone, eat, or even watch DVD movies. It is impossible for us to influence what other drivers do behind the wheel, but implementing various defensive driving techniques can help reduce the danger we subject ourselves to simply by being out on the road.
If used improperly, cars and trucks are basically weapons on wheels. Here are some tips to help you maintain control of your vehicle:
Remain focused
Many things run through a driver’s mind including road conditions, speed limit, traffic signs and signals, following directions, awareness of surrounding cars. For experienced drivers, these variables should all be second nature. For inexperienced drivers or those that are easily distracted, the key is to not dwell on any one of these for too long.
Distractions such as talking on the phone or yelling at your kids in the back seat affect a driver’s ability to spot potential hazards and delay their reaction time as well. It’s not strictly teenage or senior citizen drivers who contribute to the perils of driving; people who have been driving for years often become so overconfident in their driving skills that they get lackadaisical, and this is what leads to traffic-related disasters. Before it’s too late, all drivers need to take a step back and remember that staying focused in the car can save lives.
Stay attentive
If you are alert—not tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol—your reflexes are heightened. You have the ability to spot problems far enough in advance to take the proper precautionary measures. For example, if a driver in front of you brakes at the last second to turn into a driveway, you will have the wherewithal to slow down to avoid a rear-end collision. On the other hand, alcohol or drug use (including prescription and over-the-counter) will postpone your reaction time and dull your judgment. Driving drowsy also has a similar effect, so be sure you’re well-rested before that next road trip.
Beware of your surroundings
Part of being attentive is recognizing what the drivers on all four sides of you are doing so you are less likely to encounter the unexpected. For instance, if you are in the right lane, and a car is slightly ahead of you on an onramp, you will want to slow down enough to allow them to merge into your lane between you and the car up ahead. Anticipating what another driver may do will cut down on surprises and potentially risky situations that you are confronted with.