Many drivers drive responsibly. They don’t drink and drive, plus they also follow the traffic rules. Do you drive responsibly as well? Nonetheless, even as a responsible driver, there is still a chance for an accident or a collision with another vehicle.
There are various factors that could lead you to have a car accident like driver error. Even if you are experienced and knowledgeable, not all drivers are as experienced, knowledgeable, and responsible as you are. However, that doesn’t mean that there is nothing you can do to prevent them.
Accidents are unwanted and can happen suddenly. Even so, if you practice defensive driving, you can improve your chances of avoiding car accidents. That means less health risk for your body and less costly repairs or towing services for your damaged vehicle.
We always hear about driving defensively. But how exactly do you do that? Today’s post is focused on giving you a few useful tips on how to practice defensive driving to prevent car accidents.
What Is Defensive Driving?
There is a difference between simply knowing how to drive the car and control it to move from one place to another vs being able to quickly react to potential risks that can be encountered while driving. Defensive driving helps you keep safe by anticipating various scenarios that could be beyond your control.
There are different ways on how you can practice defensive driving and they involve the following:
Taking Breaks During Long Drives
Driving can be tiring and doing it for long hours across vast distances could cause fatigue. Before you fall asleep on the wheel, it is best to take breaks. If you feel sleepy, pull over and take a nap somewhere safe.
Feeling tired and sleepy will reduce your ability to react quickly to different scenarios. Being alert is practicing defensive driving. Whether you want to take a nap or not, you should take breaks during long drives to stretch your legs or get some fresh air. That can help you become more alert. A cup of coffee or a snack at a gas station also helps give you more energy before you drive again.
Control Your Speed
Driving at very fast speeds increases your risk of crashing. Speed limits are placed for drivers to follow. At that speed, there is better control over the vehicle. Additionally, you should also consider the conditions on the road. Even if you are not going beyond the speed limit, you should still slow down when it is raining or snowing.
Be Mindful Of The Cars Around You
Your knowledge and expertise when it comes to driving may not be of the same level as the other drivers. They might not be as experienced as you are and it is best to watch out for everyone. Don’t just focus on the car in front of you but also those that are behind you and at your sides.
Remember that car collision can originate from different angles. Your mirrors are there to aid you to see all around your vehicle. You should frequently look at them to see if there are any vehicles that are fast approaching. The mirrors will also help you make sure that you effectively distance yourself from other vehicles. Just take note that there are also blind spots.
The Three-Second Rule
The three-second rule allows you to have enough time to react and control your vehicle when the car ahead of you does something unexpected or abruptly. Imagine the car ahead of you suddenly stopping. Will you have enough time to react and stop your own car before it crashes on the vehicle in front of you?
Look Further
Many drivers tend to focus on the car that is right in front of them. However, your focus should be beyond that. You should also be watching several cars further ahead of you. That’s because if the car right in front of you doesn’t react immediately, the car crash is likely to pile up.
If you are able to stop immediately because you notice the cars in front also stop immediately, it is less likely for the car in front of you to be sandwiched by two-car collisions. Additionally, the large trucks that are merging lanes could be further ahead but they could still affect you.
Adjust Driving Depending On The Weather
Different weather conditions can also increase the risk of a car crash. Wet roads can be slippery and the car could skid on them causing you to lose control. It would be best to slow down when there are additional challenges on the road because of the weather. Rain, ice, and snow on the road are all dangerous to drive over.
Defensive driving can greatly reduce the risk of a car collision. However, if you still find yourself involved in a car accident, let One Click Towing provide you with their towing services. Choose from wheel lift tow trucks or flatbed tow trucks…
