Defensive Driving

Operating a motor vehicle is a serious matter and requires a lot of responsibility. According to statistics, over 40,000 people are killed each year due to automobile accidents that could have been prevented. By taking a defensive approach to driving, you could ultimately save someone's life or help prevent an accident. Defensive driving skills can also help you avoid the dangers caused by other people's bad driving. Before you get behind the wheel, it is important to learn skills that will help you stay in control.

First of all, make sure your vehicle is in good working condition. Your vehicle should be inspected at least once a year. Always make sure that your headlights, brake lights, and signal lights are properly working and are clean. Also pay close attention to your brakes, tires, windows, steering, wiper blades and horn. These items should be checked regularly. It is important to have your automobile checked at least once a year by a certified professional. If any problems arise, make sure you deal with them as soon as possible because mechanical problems may result in breakdowns or traffic accidents.

It is very important to secure each passenger in the car before you even start up the engine. People do not realize that proper safety constraints are important even if traveling a short distance. Seat belts and car seats for children save thousands of lives each year. Seat belts do several things for you. They provide impact protection, they absorb crash forces, and they keep you from being thrown out of the vehicle. So before take off, make it a habit to check that everyone is properly secured.

Stay alert! Alcohol, illegal drugs, and some prescription medications affect a person's judgment. These substances can impair your ability to react quickly to a dangerous situation. Driving while tired has the same effect and is one of the leading causes of accidents, so be sure to get adequate sleep. If you cannot stay awake while driving, pull over to a safe location and get some rest before going back out on the road. If you come across an impaired driver, be sure to stay a large distance away from them and notify authorities so they can remove them from the road.

Next, it is very important to stay focused. There are many distractions while driving. Some of the most common driving distractions are eating, drinking, applying make-up, loud passengers and talking on the phone. You have enough to worry about while driving and should refrain from multi-tasking, as it will be more likely for you to get into an accident. Driving is a full time activity and all attention should remain on the road.

You need to be aware of your surroundings

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