Defensive Driving Tips and Techniques

Ever wondered how many car accidents occur amongst the senior population? You might well ask! USA Today published a report in May 2007 which found that senior drivers are claiming substantially more car accidents now than in 1999. 72% more in fact! Things are definitely getting harder for senior drivers. It is becoming clear that the AARP Defensive Driving Program, a driver safety class offered by the American Association of Returned Persons, could be the answer to better educating senior citizens in defensive driving.

The AARP is a powerful group which champions the rights and safety of American citizens aged 55 or over. They recognize that outlawing all senior citizens from driving is discriminatory and completely impractical. With this thought in mind, the development of The AARP defensive driving program was born to brush up and refresh the driving skills of senior drivers.

Relinquishing driving privileges can be humiliating and stressful at any age. For many senior drivers it simply adds to the stress of growing older and being able to do less. For example, a senior driver may easily pass the state’s eye exam, but more critically, their reaction time and reflexes are now slower.

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Despite statistics to support the the case for compulsory seat belts, there is still plenty of controversy surrounding the claim that mandatory seat belt laws save lives. Many of us have been around long enough to remember when seat belts were not even installed in vehicles. In the rare event that seat belts were installed, they were often regarded as a nuisance and pushed aside. Drivers in their fifties and sixties cannot recall wearing seat belts as a child – back then, adults usually didn’t wear seat belts and neither did children.

There is plenty of recognized research to show that many lives could have been saved had the occupants in motor vehicle accidents been wearing seat belts. People turn into deadly projectiles during a high speed vehicle impact, smashing into windscreens, steering wheels, other occupants and being hurtled outside the car. Even a minor accident can kill someone if they are not wearing a seat belt. One blow to a vulnerable part of the head is all it takes.

As an Australian resident, I have lived for many years with a seat belt law that helps protect and save lives. I never get into a vehicle without wearing a seat belt and will not allow passengers into my vehicle without wearing one. I also remind drivers to wear their seat belts when I am their passenger. Why? Because “buckling-up” a seat belt saves lives – and it only takes a few seconds prior to driving off.

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Motor cycle drivers are particularly vulnerable on the roads. With much less protection around them and with balance and weather to contend with, signing up for a quality motorcycle defensive driver education program makes a lot of sense.

There are many defensive driving techniques that should be learned by frequent motorcycle drivers. Being skilled in defensive driving means knowing the driving techniques required to drive a motorcycle safely amongst the many risks and dangers on the open road. (more…)

Being a competent, defensive driver is not just restricted to learning technical driving skills and tactics. One of the simplest and most effective defensive driving techniques to learn is to ALWAYS wear a seat belt. It is a proven fact that seat belts save lives, and drivers should arm themselves well with all the correct seat belt safety facts.The following myths about seat belts are often relied on, but are completely untrue:

Seat Belt Safety Fact or Myth #1

• It’s only a short trip so I won’t need to wear a seat belt.
  Untrue. The majority of road accidents occur within 10 km of home, so it’s buckling up on a short trip is very important.

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The two predominant reasons for taking a defensive driving course are usually:

1. To comply with a court order
2. To receive an insurance discount

In themselves, the reasons above provide motivation for undertaking defensive driving education. So…how often can you take a defensive driving course? Whilst legally there is no limit on the number of defensive driving courses undertaken, many insurance companies place restrictions on the frequency of defensive driving courses. This ultimately affects the amount of premium paid.

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