Defensive Driving Research Paper

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You're a responsible driver. You're familiar with traffic laws, and make safety your first priority. But what about the thousands of other drivers you share the road with every day? The most effective way to protect yourself against dangers you can't control is to practice defensive driving. This safe driving strategy is all about identifying and avoiding road hazards before they cause an accident. Here are five ways to up your defensive driving game. Minimize Distractions Image via Flickr by mrJasonWeaver The most important component of defensive driving is awareness. If your focus is split between driving and another activity, like eating or talking on the phone, your ability to react quickly is compromised. Resist the temptation to multitask…show more content…
Drivers often focus their gaze on the vehicle directly in front of them, paying little attention to what's going on further ahead. But what if the driver in front of you isn't paying attention? Instead, do what the pros do, and lift your gaze to focus on the road horizon. You'll be able to see problems before they're right in front of you, giving you more time to react. Keep a Safe Distance Read-end collisions are the most common type of auto accident, and they're frequently caused by drivers failing to maintain a safe following distance. In normal traffic and weather conditions, you should maintain a distance of three to four seconds between you and the car in front of you. In bad weather, low visibility, or when following a large truck or a motorcycle, increase your following distance by one or more seconds. Anticipate Problems Much of the time, it's easy to spot drivers who are likely to cause problems. Stay away from drivers who change lanes quickly or frequently, who don't use turn signals, who tailgate or speed, or who are distracted and drift into other lanes. Do your best to position yourself such that you're visible to the drivers on either side of you; stay out of their blind spots. And don't forget to trust your gut. If you have a bad feeling about a particular driver or vehicle, play it safe and move away from

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