DEFENSIVE DRIVING

DEFENSIVE DRIVING :

DRIVING TIPS :

To make your driving experience on the road safe and enjoyable we will put together these “Rules of the Road” and it’s your responsibility to comply with all applicable motor vehicle and traffic laws.

WARNING: DO NOT TEXT WHILE DRIVING.

Watch for pedestrians it’s important!

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!

Each state strictly enforces prohibitions against Driving While Intoxicated and/or Driving While Impaired. In the other hand if you Driving While Intoxicated you might end up killing someone on the road or killing yourself.

WEAR SEATBELTS – IT’S LAW!

Also, the use of child seats for infants and small children ( usually under age 7 ) is required in all states. Place child seats in the rear seats only.

OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT :

In most states, the maximum highway speed is 65 mph (104 km/h) in rural areas and urban areas is 55 mph (88 km/h). Speed limits on secondary roads and in the cities ant towns are usually significantly lower, generally 30 mph (48 km/h) and even lower in school zones.

OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND HIGHWAY MARKINGS :

Traffic signals generally display one of three colors at any time. Green means go. Red means stop. Yellow means the light will be turning red momentarily, stop if you have sufficient time to do so safely. Blinking yellow means proceed with caution. Blinking red means STOP, and then proceed with caution when traffic is clear. Highway marking lines separating lanes of traffic moving in the same direction are white. Lines separating lanes of traffic moving in the opposite direction are yellow. You may pass another vehicle moving in the same direction when traffic is clear and you experience a single broken line or when your side of a double line is broken. U-turns across double yellow lines are prohibited.

STOP FOR SCHOOL BUSES :

Traffic approaching in both directions must STOP for a school bus with its red lights flashing.

FIVE STEPS SMITH SYSTEM :

Everybody has the responsibility to be alert to their surroundings 100% at the time to make the roads a safe place by employing the same methods we use with our drivers. The Smith System states that following these five rules can dramatically reduce the risk of major accidents on highways and roads.

1. Aim High In Steering :

The first rule for this method is “Aim high in steering”. Staying alert of the dangers and traffic ahead not only avoids rear-end collisions, but it also alerts other drivers behind your vehicle to slow down. The driver should steer and focus their attention high, so as to view the road as a whole and not just a few feet ahead.

2. Get The Big Picture :

“Be aware of your surroundings at all times” may seem obvious to say, but distracted drivers are just as dangerous as intoxicated ones. Erratic and angry drivers take up a large portion of the traffic we see daily, so avoid major accidents by noticing how other drivers behave on the road. Having the whole picture means that you are doing your part to keep your vehicle as safe as possible while moving 1000ft a second. There are a variety of hazards between your own vehicle and other drivers, and a keen awareness of these dangers will reduce these risks.

3. Keep Your Eyes Moving :

The third standard of the Smith System asks drivers to remain alert. Energy drinks can only do so much before they cause the body to crash, and any repetitive motion sends us into a trance. Consistent eye movement prevents your body from entering the trance state, keeping you alert to every driving condition ahead of you.

4. Leave Yourself an Out :

The fourth principle of the Smith System states to leave yourself a way out. This means to ensure that other drivers do not box you in while selecting their lanes. Do not follow other vehicles too closely, and always anticipate what choices other drivers make.

5. Make Sure They See You :

The worst thing a driver can do is assume. Assume other drivers can see them, assume other drivers are not dangerous or even assume that they will just get to their destination safely. The final rule for the Smith System is “Make Sure You Are Seen”. This rule prevents accidents by removing assumptions made behind the wheel. As a driver, make sure that other drivers can see you and anticipate your move. If you feel you are coming into another driver’s blind spot, use the horn to get their attention.

The LLLC Defensive Driving Principles :

Many people talk about defensive driving, but not many know exactly what it is. So, let’s talk specifics. True defensive driving boils down to behaviors, and we’ve created an easy-to-remember mnemonic to define four principles and behaviors that are essential defensive driving habits. It’s called The LLLC Defensive Driving Principles™, but we just call it “Triple-L-C.” Using the Four Driving Principles of Safety, Look Ahead, Look Around, Leave Room, and Communicate, gives you the time and information you need to avoid an accident and be an all-around better driver.

Look Ahead :

The first principle is the Look Ahead. It’s not enough to just know what is happening in your immediate environment. Defensive Driving is about knowing what will happen, and you can do so by keeping an eye-lead time of 15 seconds. Scan the road ahead to see any action or potential issues before you reach them in order to have as much time as possible to react.

In city traffic, with cars parked on the side of the road, Look Ahead lets you see cars getting ready to pull out, traffic lights turning red, or jaywalkers running into traffic. Out in the country, Look Ahead helps you spot deer and other animals before they run right out in front of you. Making the Look Ahead principle a habit will make you a safer and more effective driver.

Look Around :

The Look Around principle, similar to the Look Ahead principle, has to do with the environmental demands that you perceive. You need to Look Around your vehicle, not just in front. Everything around you is constantly changing: the roadway, the traffic, pedestrians. Change your point of focus every two seconds and check your mirrors every five to eight seconds to see around you and navigate your blind spots. This way, you avoid driving with a fixed stare and stay more alert.

Leave Room :

In some ways, the third principle—Leave Room—is the most important to defensive driving. It’s the most basic insofar as preventing collisions; keep adequate space in between you and other vehicles or fixed objects. It’s essential to Leave Room on all six sides of the vehicle: in front, behind, left, right, above, and below. The easiest space to control is the space in front of you. You need to maintain a three to a five-second following distance in clear conditions to account for other drivers’ mistakes.

It’s simple enough to leave safe following distance, but you’re not in direct control of the other five sides. For example, you can’t control if someone wants to tailgate you. You can, however, encourage them to change lanes by gently slowing down (but don’t brake check anyone). You also want to leave room on both sides, especially when you’re on the highway. If you’re bottled up between cars or trucks on both sides of you, you have nowhere to go if something happens up ahead. Instead, when a vehicle is next to you on either side, traveling at the same speed, just drop back and let them get ahead of you. Lastly, you have to Leave the Room above and below your vehicle. Be on the lookout for low overhead clearances and low-hanging wires or branches. And, Look Ahead and Look Around for potholes, dips in the road, uneven railroad tracks, and debris.

Communicate :

While the first three LLLC Defensive Driving principles are about what information you perceive, Communicate is about what information you give other drivers. You have to let other drivers on the road know what you intend to do so they can act accordingly. The most basic is your turn signal. Use your turn signal for three to five flashes before turning or changing lanes.

You also need to use your horn, lights, four-way flashers, and eye-contact to Communicate your intentions. A quick, friendly tap of your horn is a good way to let another driver know you’re there or get their attention. Use your lights and four-way flashers to warn other drivers of dangers ahead. Lastly, it’s important to give a quick glance with eye contact. This way, you can make sure other drivers know you’re there and that they’re paying attention.

Be a PAL :

Being a PAL means:

Predictable – travel in a predictable way; don’t make sudden unexpected moves
Alert – pay attention to your surroundings and to others
Lawful – obey traffic laws, whether in a car, on a bike, or on foot