What is Defensive Driving?
Defensive Driving is a set of driving skills that allows you to defend yourself against possible collisions caused by bad drivers, drunk drivers, and poor weather. If you look ahead and keep your eyes moving, you will spot potential hazards more easily. Once you have identified a potential hazard and decided what to do, act immediately.
Defensive drivers are able to avoid dangers on the road by using their safe driving practices.
Tips for Defensive Driving
Plan ahead for the unexpected
Be able to control the speed
Be prepared to react to other drivers
Do not expect the other driver to do what you think he or she should do
Respect other users of the roadway
Be aware of driving with challenging weather or road conditions
Be alert and avoid distractions, e.g., cell phone use, or eating
Excessive Speed, DUI, and Distracted Driving
Auto collisions have become worryingly prevalent in the U.S. Each year, approximately 6 million car accidents occur, and about 3 million people get injured.
Fatality is estimated to be over 90 people every day. But what contributes to these vehicle collisions?
There is a long list of factors, but the most common include:
Distracted driving
Speed
Alcohol-impaired driving
Aggressive driving
Drowsy driving
Dangerous weather conditions
Poor road maintenance
When you drive above the speed limit, the risk of a crash happening becomes significantly high. It is because, by the time you realize you need to react, you would have come closer to the danger.
With reduced stopping distance, your first instinct would be to brake harder. The collision will also be harder, and this usually leads to more severe injuries and property damage.
During the last two decades, speeding has caused one-third of all fatalities related to motor vehicle accidents in the United States. And most speeding crashes typically involve several vehicles and other road users.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases the risk of vehicle accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 29 Americans die every day in crashes involving alcohol-impaired driving.
It doesn’t matter whether the substance is legal or illegal. Driving while intoxicated jeopardizes road safety because alcohol and drugs impair your ability to act reasonably. The substances slow your coordination, judgment, and reaction times.
Need a break?
After driving 12 hours, the system will prompt you to take a six hour break from driving for the safety of you and those out on the road with you.