Ten Defensive Driving Techniques To Help Prevent Car Accidents
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
After nearly 30 years of defending car accident victims in St. Petersburg, we have seen the devastation an auto accident can cause. Though not all accidents are preventable, there are some things we can do to help stay safe on the road. Here are ten defensive driving tips to help you stay safe on our Florida roadways:Stay Alert
We all can become distracted while driving. Perhaps we get a call or our kids are fighting in the backseat. Sometimes we’ll even get distracted by our beautiful Florida scenery. It’s easy to let your mind wander off the road when driving, especially when in heavy traffic or when we are traveling long distances, however the most important thing we can do to prevent accidents is to stay alert and focus on the road. By staying alert, we can respond faster when someone or something puts us at risk for an accident. Never take your eyes or your mind off the road, even for a second.
Assess Your Surroundings
Always be aware of your surroundings. While driving take note of where all the other drivers are on the road. Also pay attention to the road itself and take note of any upcoming hazards like debris in the road, potholes, or animals that can run out and cause an accident. Assessing your surroundings helps you assess your accident risks, so you can be prepared if something happens.
Identify Reckless Drivers
We’ve all been driving and had a car race by us or swerve into different lanes. If you see someone driving recklessly, do whatever it takes to stay out of their way. Let them pass you, change lanes, and even pull over until they are out of view and you can safely continue driving. If someone is driving especially recklessly, take note of their vehicle and if you can, their license plate number. Pull over and contact the police to let them know someone is putting others in danger.
Anticipate Moves By Other Drivers
When monitoring the other drivers on the road, try to imagine what they might do next. Think about if they change lanes suddenly or speed up, how will you react to avoid them. Don’t just anticipate things like turning with a turn signal, anticipate if they were to also break the law and turn without a turn signal. What will you do? How would you respond?
Avoid Blind Spots
Blind spots are very dangerous and a major cause of accidents. So avoid them entirely. Don’t just try to stay out of other people’s blind spots, try to drive so other people can’t be in your blindspot. It’s also not a bad idea to invest in blind spot sensors that can help alert you when someone is physically in your blind spot.
Always Communicate With Other Drivers
Driving safely requires communication. Always use your turn signals when changing lanes or making a turn. You can also use your horn to communicate when there is a danger or risk they are about to face. A gentle tap or a simple wave can also communicate that you are going to let them into the merging lane or that it’s safe for them to go at the stop sign or pass you if needed.
Yield If The Other Driver Will Not
It’s always better to yield to another driver than to get into a car accident. Even if you have the right of way, if it looks like the other driver is going to go, let them. Sometimes people simply do not see you. Other times people are just aggressive drivers. No matter what the case, you can avoid an accident when you yield in these situations.
Maintain A Safe Distance Between You And Other Vehicles
Following another vehicle at a safe distance, gives you time to stop if they suddenly slam on their brakes. A good rule of thumb is to allow yourself at least two seconds between you and the other vehicle. To estimate this, pick an object on the horizon. Then watch the car in front of you pass it and count the seconds between them passing the object and you passing the object. Allow for more time during rain or if your brake pads or vehicle is older.
Drive A Smart Speed
Speeding is one of the biggest causes of car accidents. Speed limits are designed to match the specific type of road and the traffic on that road to keep people safe. Speeding gives you less time to react when an accident risk occurs. A good rule of thumb is to always drive the speed limit, except in the case when all the drivers are driving faster or slower. Then it’s best to match the speed of traffic.
Maintain Your Car
Car maintenance is critical for safety. Make sure that your seatbelts work, your brake pads and fluid are kept up to date, and that if your check engine light comes on, you see a mechanic. Many accidents are caused by poor vehicle condition. All of which can be avoided when you take care of your car.
These tips should help you stay safe on the roads, though they won’t prevent every accident. In those cases, the St. Pete Lawyer and his team are here to help. If you are ever in an accident, give us a call at 726-381-9200. We can’t protect you from an accident, but we can protect you from insurance companies trying to take away your rights.