The Importance Of Defensive Driving
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
Trucking Accidents
Qualifying for a driver’s license is a pretty straightforward process, all it takes is sitting through a few classes on basic traffic laws, going on a few practice drives with an instructor, and then going through a test. Once you’ve done all that, you can hop on the road without much trouble. But is that really all it takes to be safe on the road?Sadly, there are a lot of things that they don’t teach you when you are learning to drive such as the importance of defensive driving.
What Is Defensive Driving?
Essentially, defensive driving is a way to drive that utilizes safe driving strategies to enable motorists to address identified hazards in a more predictable manner. These strategies go well beyond basic instruction on traffic laws and procedures. With defensive driving, car and other vehicle accidents are greatly reduced and you can easily stay safe on the road.
Whether you are just learning to drive or want to keep up on safe driving strategies, it is always a great idea to learn and practice defensive driving. Thankfully most states, including Florida, has courses in defensive driving nearby so you can learn some of these less known tips and tricks. Some insurance companies even encourage and provide benefits for those who chose to take a course.
3 Defensive Driving Tips To Keep In Mind
In case you unable to do so or need an update, here are just a few defensive driving tips to keep you on the safe side of the road.
1 Don’t Assume Courtesy
You can’t know how experienced or polite the other drivers on the road are. So instead of assuming courtesy, assume that every car you see is being driven by a first time driver who never saw these roads before and may not even know how half the buttons in their car work. While this is more of a worst case scenario, it also helps you to avoid surprises on the road.
2 Avoid Tailgating
It doesn’t matter how much of a hurry you might be in, riding someone else’s bumper is simply not going to get you anywhere. All you are really accomplishing by tailgating is that you make it all the more likely for a pileup or other type of car accident to happen. Instead, you just need to do your best to be patient and put room between you and the car ahead.
3 Allow The Other Guy To Win
A huge part of defensive driving means acknowledging that driving isn’t a contest and that your safety should come before “winning” on the road. This can also mean that if you see someone acting foolishly, you have to let them have their way. This can be rather frustrating, but putting yourself at risk isn’t worth it. After all, punishing them by not letting them have their way means that you will end up punishing yourself as well.
However, even with great defensive driving skills, car accidents sometimes still occur. If you have ended up in a car accident that is a result of someone else’s actions or neglect, don’t hesitate to seek out legal help for your injuries and damages. Here at the St. Petersburg Lawyer, we are dedicated to getting you the financial compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today for a free case review!