Defensive Driving Tips and Techniques

From Mt. Highway, Mr. Police Officer would like to tell you the 10 Commandments of Defensive Driving:

1. Be attentive

Always pay attention. Always check your side mirrors and look far enough to see other cars not just the one in front of you. Be alert when you are near intersections and pay attention to road signals and signs. If the sign tells you it’s slippery when wet, don’t speed up or else… Pay attention to fast cars because you’ll never know if the person driving is drunk or not.

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USING a mobile phone while driving became an endorsable offence in the UK at the end of February 2007 and GEM Motoring Assist – formerly The Guild of Experienced Motorists - (GEM), that is concerned for the safety of all road users, has issued a useful list of things you can and cannot do while driving a vehicle.

It says that apart from using a phone that is not fitted with a ‘hands free’ device motorists need to remember that they cannot eat or drink while at the wheel. The driver can smoke, but lighting the cigarette while on the move can prove a challenge as if both hands are taken off the steering wheel the driver may not be considered to be in proper control of the vehicle.

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Defensive driving teaches safe driving techniques to drivers. At defensive driving classes students learn to overcome mistakes in driving techniques, learn to improve their driving skills; learn to make informed decisions and to anticipate situations while driving.

Defensive driving classes have been set up in every state by the government and police departments to make the world a safer place to live in. The need for speed can kill, it is important to teach driver discipline and safety rules. Defensive driving aims to reduce the risk of driving. Drivers must instinctively anticipate dangerous situations and avoid risks while driving vehicles in normal as well as adverse conditions. defensive driving courses cover aspects like: emergency care, principles of safety, control of fear and emotions, on the spot decision making, quick reactions, fear, and so on.

More than 50,000 people in the US loose their lives due to road accidents. Accidents can be prevented by following simple rules. There are websites online that teach the rules that can help save lives.

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Car rides need not be a frightening experience for children. The child safety LATCH system reduces the risks of injury caused by car accidents. This system has been found out to eradicate about 50% of the improper installation associated with child safety car seats.

Tip! One of the most important defensive driving tips to learn - childrens seat belts save lives. Make sure your children are properly secured.

It is ironic to know that while child safety car seats are aimed at keeping the child safe while riding in a vehicle, a good 80% of them are installed incorrectly. This totally defeats the purpose of this safety equipment. One of the main reasons for this is the incompatibility of some vehicles to the child safety seats. This difficulty of setting up the child safety car seat has paved the way for the more effective child safety LATCH system. The Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system is a much easier way of installing the child safety seats in the vehicle because it eliminates the use of the vehicle’s seat belt system. The rise in the properly installed child safety car seats will lessen the number of car accident related injuries and deaths.

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Defensive driving tips abound on the internet and at driving schools. However, one important technique for avoiding accidents and injury for drivers is often overlooked, and that is……Don’t trust anyone! Only ever trust yourself and what you are about to do.

When driving defensively to stay safe on the roads it is vital to never, ever rely on what the other driver will do. Take a moment to recall the driving mistakes you’ve been guilty of over the years. Then look ahead and imagine the ones you will probably make in the future. Guess what? All the other drivers are just like you! Only trust yourself!

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