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For the most part, traffic regulations work surprisingly well. Most people, of course, are more than willing to comply with the rules of the road; they’re probably driving to get to work or to run errands. Their intention is to not get into a car accident. However, human beings are unpredictable and don’t always make the best decisions. Sometimes, miscalculating a move by just a millisecond can mean the difference between a terrible accident and a close call. This is why defensive driving is important. Defensive driving is not just about following protocol. It’s about being able to thwart an accident before it happens.
Every driver that you encounter on the road is coming from a completely different background. They may have been licensed to drive a vehicle for 50 years — or for 50 minutes! And, because cars don’t have a sign on the back detailing each driver’s experience, you will not know the difference. Also, you do not know whether or not another driver is impaired. Maybe they’re on a new medication or maybe they’re a doctor who’s been awake for 36 hours. Defensive driving recommends that you take this uncertainty into account every time you get behind the wheel. After all, you cannot control whether or not you’re driving behind a drunk person at six in the morning. The only factor you can control is your own reaction. A defensive driver is an aware driver.
Defensive Driving Is Easy When Done Well
In the aforementioned example — when you believe the driver in front of you may be inebriated — the best course of action might be to just pull over. Perhaps they’re swerving and you feel like they may cause an accident. To avoid that, get your vehicle out of the way. It really is that simple sometimes. If the person’s driving conduct is truly egregious, you may eventually decide to take the next step and call the police. The first step, however, is always to actively remove yourself from a threatening situation if and when possible. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. It’s always better to risk having a friend or family member refer to you as an overly cautious driver than to be the person responsible when they end up in the hospital because you didn’t anticipate another driver’s bad decision.
These days, social media is ubiquitous, so many people have seen the posts with advice from personal injury attorneys and emergency room physicians. In a lot of these videos, you will see the content creator alluding to their experience as an expert and urging drivers to “wait just a few seconds” after a light turns green. In a perfect world, people wouldn’t have to do this. But defensive driving is an appropriate reaction to the fact that this is an imperfect world — and you never know when someone may rush through a red light. They may be experiencing a medical emergency or they may have had a few too many beers at happy hour; either way, your decision to drive defensively and wait a few seconds can make a huge difference in your own life.
What Are the Tenets of Defensive Driving?
Keep careful note of your surroundings and eliminate any risks on your part. This includes not checking your phone and doing a quick walk around of your vehicle in the morning to ensure that you don’t have a flat tire or other mechanical issue before setting off on a commute. The point is to stay prepared for whatever happens and to make quick decisions that reduce — or hopefully eliminate — any damage that might occur. In addition to other drivers, you’ll also want to look out for cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Whenever possible, give them as much room as you can.
Some of the best defensive driving tips include the following:
- Stay off your phone.
- Use your signals.
- Do not tailgate.
- Don’t exceed speed limits.
- Take in the entire road; you never know when a hazard may approach from the other side.
- Use your mirrors.
- Do not react to another driver’s road rage.
At the end of the day, defensive driving is about preventing your own errors — and then also allowing a bit of space for the mistakes that another driver might make.
What Should I Be Looking Out for?
You may have heard that most accidents happen close to drivers’ homes, and this is true. People usually feel relaxed when they’re near their homes, but unfortunately this sense of relaxation can sometimes lead to a failure in awareness. When it comes to other drivers, however, you’ll want to stay alert for distracted drivers. Always assume that the other person is on their phone. Perhaps this is not a great commentary on the current society, but it is a reality that distracted drivers are abundant. How can you tell? They might be slow to notice when a light turns green, or they may even swerve.
You’ll also want to clock sudden changes in traffic patterns. Many highway pileups have been caused by drivers who just can’t brake in time. Weather conditions are also key. Many drivers make the mistake of driving at the normal speed when it suddenly becomes rainy or starts to snow. This can be a catastrophic decision. If you drive in the city, stay alert for bikers and people who are walking on the street; you never know when someone might pop out. Another issue to watch out for is drivers with road rage. If you notice someone tailgating other drivers and acting erratically, do not engage. Give them space.
Driving always carries inherent risks and defensive driving will not protect you in every single circumstance. If your best efforts have failed and you’ve been hit, it’s time to reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer like the attorneys at Thomas Law Offices. However, you will probably find that defensive driving ultimately helps you to avoid the vast majority of fender benders and other potentially unsafe incidents.
