Being a good driver is no simple task. Having driven for decades in various cars, you can continuously assess your driving abilities.
But it's far more challenging to drive defensively.
How to be a Good Defensive Driver?: eAskme |
Defensive driving is something that everyone is familiar with: Driving responsibly means keeping an eye out for any hazards on the road so that you can avoid getting into trouble.
It was a lot simpler to adopt a defensive driving approach in the past. As a result, our automobiles were less isolated and less prone to technology temptations.
Everything around you was palpable: the pavement, the engine, and the brakes.
When you were driving at 60 mph down a motorway, the physics that you were exposed to was there in front of you—a tank full of highly explosive gasoline, a metal and glass shell, and so on.
Noise isolation, airbags, and other advancements in automotive technology have made it simpler to focus on the road.
However, defensive driving hasn't been wiped out. What's a defensive driver, and how to become one? Here are eight tips!
The importance of the eyes cannot be overstated:
Driving is one of the most visually demanding tasks a person can do. You have, in every contemporary automobile, three mirrors.
Your appreciation for them will grow as you use them more. It is essential to keep your eyes on the road in front of you while also scanning your mirrors often.
You need to have a short-term mental image of what's going on around you when you're driving.
There must be a semi-truck somewhere around here.
That car?
Do you know who the guy on a motorbike is?
Do you know who's driving 20 miles per hour above the speed limit?
So, by doing this, you may store up information about your fellow drivers and their vehicles so that you can better manage your on-the-road decision-making.
Create a plan in advance:
Even before you get behind the wheel, it's a good idea to practice safe driving techniques.
Practice keeping an eye on the weather, and if you know you'll be driving in wet or slippery conditions, plan ahead of time, so you don't feel rushed and end up driving too quickly in dangerous situations.
Take extra precautions to avoid a collision when merging onto or exiting highway ramps.
Mentally prepare yourself to slow down a little in certain turns before you even begin.
Maintain a lane with an adjacent shoulder so that you have a way out in the case of an emergency.
Know your car inside and out:
It's a good thing that you get to test drive a wide variety of vehicles.
However, as a consequence of this, you have a greater understanding of the various vehicles' capabilities.
There is no such thing as driving a Honda Accord the same way you would a Ferrari 488 GTB or 911 Carrera S, for example. A package is what your automobile is.
All of the vehicle components work together to create an integrated whole.
Unless you're driving a track-ready sports vehicle with performance brakes and high-performance radials, you shouldn't be tearing about in your daily driver.
Also, familiarize yourself with your car's onboard safety systems.
For example, many current cars will buzz the steering wheel if you're straying out of your lane.
For example, a lot of modern vehicles will alert you of other vehicles on your flanks, let you know if you're dozing asleep, and then buzz the steering wheel if you're drifting out of your lane.
Scan your surroundings:
When I saw the automobile, I was amazed!
All too frequently, when people recount the events of a car crash, they use these exact words.
Seeing everything that's around you all the time is impossible.
As a result, you must keep an eye on your rearview mirror and examine junctions properly before proceeding through them.
To prevent being T-boned by a negligent motorist who isn't paying attention to their red light.
You want to be able to foresee where other cars will be in a few seconds so that you can react swiftly when an accident occurs.
Keep the proper distance:
Tailgating is the most common nuisance in daily travel, especially in the congested Northeast.
If you're driving on a highway, you'll want to keep a long distance from the vehicle ahead of you.
For avoiding a collision or using your antilock brakes in your autos, be sure you have enough room to do so when driving at highway speeds.
As far as I can tell, how much room do you have? Somewhere about three vehicle lengths are what I'm looking for.
Keep at least a couple of car widths between your vehicle and the other person's in stop-and-go traffic when rear-ending is prevalent.
Even if others criticize you for it, it's better to be safe than sorry since you never know what can happen right in front of your eyes.
Prepare your brakes and begin braking as soon as possible:
Driving defensively involves leaving more distance between you and the vehicles in front of you than you expect to need—and braking sooner than you think you need.
Slowing down earlier is usually a brilliant idea, particularly while driving in slick weather.
The time it takes to reach a complete stop after using the brakes will be increased by two or three times.
Allows for a smoother transition if someone ahead of you abruptly brakes, as well as giving folks behind you further warning when they notice your brake lights.
Avoid distractions:
When it comes to defensive driving, it's not just about being prepared to respond. It's also essential to be proactive in your approach.
Another best way to avoid an accident is to keep your eyes on the road.
Listening to music, using social media, and browsing the web while driving is all forms of electronic distraction that divert your focus away from the road and away from the task at hand.
Don't be aggressive:
"Road rage" is essentially the reverse of defensive driving.
Don't allow the aggressiveness of other drivers to influence you.
One driver's animosity is expected to start a chain reaction among other motorists.
Things become heated on the road when someone gets cut off and then goes out of their way to "punish" the other car.
It is possible to prevent road rage, though. Just be on the safe side—remain composed.
Defensive driving is more than simply avoiding collisions with other vehicles.
Preventing accidents before they happen is all about planning and anticipating potential dangers.
Preparation, perspective, and feeling of responsibility may make a tremendous difference in whether you arrive at a destination safely or put yourself at risk of a collision.
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