The road can be a dangerous place. Though there are lanes to keep us on course and speed limits to manage the flow of traffic, that doesn’t mean they’ll always be followed. While we can follow the rules of the road for our own safety, not everyone will.
We’ve all seen it: the person who swerves or changes lanes without signaling, the driver whose eyes are off the road and on their phone, the vehicle that runs a red light, or the driver speeding 20 miles per hour over the limit. To combat the unpredictability of other drivers, it’s important to be a defensive driver. Our defensive driving tips will help you become a safer driver and reach your destination safely.
Follow these defensive driving tips:
- Be a defensive driver, not a distracted one. Follow our tips to avoid hazardous behaviors in your car. By staying alert, you’ll be prepared for any hazards ahead. Keep your hands securely on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind focused on the drive.
- Keep your head on a swivel. In addition to watching the car in front of you, defensive drivers keep an eye on the vehicles beside and behind them. Regularly check the rearview mirror, left and right mirrors, and look ahead. Don’t hold your gaze for more than a second, but do this 360-degree check frequently.
- Don’t drive in blind spots. This tip is especially important when driving near large trucks and semis. Speed up (within reason) or fall back to avoid staying in another vehicle’s blind spot. If they change lanes suddenly or swerve carelessly, you’ll have space and time to move safely away.
- Maintain safe following distances. At a minimum, keep at least a three-second following distance, which is the distance you can travel in three seconds at average speed. Think of it as the space of three cars between you and the vehicle in front of you. Increase that distance during nighttime driving, rain, ice, fog, and snow, all the way up to twelve car lengths.
- Steer clear of road rage. If you notice another vehicle being aggressive on the road, steer clear. Road rage can look or sound like honking, speeding around other cars, raising arms, or cutting others off. If another driver is angry with you for something on the road, don’t make eye contact or engage in an argument. Pull off at the nearest stop if you need to regroup or let them pass.
- Expect the unexpected. A top tip for defensive driving is staying sharp and prepared for anything. You share the roads with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, wildlife, debris, and much more. Anything can happen at any moment. Don’t assume others will be driving safely. When you get behind the wheel with this in mind, you’ll have a safer drive.
With these defensive driving tips, you can drive with more confidence and peace of mind. For added safety on the roads, we recommend two things: First, equip your vehicle with an emergency kit in case a disaster strikes. And second, talk to one of our local, independent agents about your auto insurance coverage to ensure you have the protection you need for any drive.
