For one reason or another, American roadways\nseem to be getting progressively more dangerous for motorists. One of the ways\nyou can help avoid being another crash-related statistic is by driving\ndefensively. Defensive driving is defined as \u201cdriving to save lives, time and\nmoney, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others\u201d. To\nhelp ensure that you keep yourself and your vehicle\u2019s occupants safer, practice\nthese defensive driving strategies courtesy of your friends at Carwise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most drivers tend to stare at objects directly in front of them, including other vehicles. Because the human body wasn\u2019t designed to travel at 60 mph, you need to be constantly scanning the road with your eyes at least a half-mile ahead. If a danger presents itself closer to your vehicle, your peripheral vision will alert you. That\u2019s why your main line of visual focus should be outward so that you can scan the road for upcoming hazards like stalled vehicles or work zones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Were you taught to \u201caim high while\nsteering\u201d? That means don\u2019t make steering adjustments based on what\u2019s directly\nin front of you. Instead, keep your eyes constantly looking into the distance\nfor something like a sharp curve or wandering deer. Depending on your speed, a\ngood rule of thumb is scanning 12 to 15 seconds ahead of your car\u2019s path. And, make\nsure to vary that distance if you\u2019re driving on a city street versus the\nwide-open spaces of a country road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to drive proactively<\/em> as opposed to reactively<\/em>. As a driver, you should constantly be anticipating unexpected hazards that could place you at risk given the road conditions and traffic patterns. For example, if that traffic light a quarter-mile ahead has been green for a while, it\u2019s probably going to turn red soon. Back off the accelerator slightly and get ready to apply the brakes. Or, if you\u2019re driving on a snow-covered road, anticipate your next action if that oncoming vehicle unexpectedly starts skidding out of control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many drivers make the common mistake of\nbelieving that a driving emergency will never happen to them. But when you\nleast expect it, you\u2019ll have to slam on the brakes because another driver pulled\nout right in front of you. Another defensive driving strategy is reading the\nbody language of fellow motorists. If the driver next to you looks angry or\nimpatient, they could swerve recklessly in front of your vehicle without\nwarning. When they do, the difference between a near miss and actual collision\nwill rest mostly in your hands. Be prepared at-all-times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on your surroundings, constantly be visualizing an escape plan if an emergency were to suddenly occur. Keep checking your mirrors and allow a one-second cushion for every 10 mph you\u2019re traveling between your vehicle and the one in front of you. In bad weather conditions, give yourself even more room. If a vehicle is driving right next to you at the same speed, slow down just enough to let them pass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Never let yourself get boxed in by a\ngroup of semi-trucks because one of them could suddenly swerve into your lane\nand nudge your vehicle. If it feels like the traffic flow could come to an\nabrupt halt without warning because of road work, picture yourself pulling onto\nthe shoulder quickly so that dump truck behind you doesn\u2019t end up in your back\nseat. No matter where you are, always have an escape plan in mind for when the\ninevitable happens\u2026 because it probably will!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even when using these defensive driving tips, accidents happen. When a collision damages your ride, promptly take it to a better auto body or glass repair shop featured in the nationwide Carwise network. All shops listed through Carwise are I-CAR and ASE-certified, which means they have the driver-trusted technicians, services and equipment to restore your vehicle like new again promptly and reliably. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAlways\nHave an Escape Plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
These\nBody Shops Won\u2019t Put You on the Defensive <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n