Defensive driving is a set of techniques that help drivers anticipate potential hazards and react to them in ways that reduce the risk of accidents. It involves being aware of your surroundings, obeying traffic laws, and being prepared to react to unexpected situations.
Why Is Defensive Driving Important?
The answer is simple: Defensive driving can prevent accidents and save lives. By staying vigilant and proactive, drivers can reduce the likelihood of collisions caused by aggressive driving, distractions, or other unsafe behaviors.
What Are the Top Ten Defensive Driving Tips?
These 10 defensive driving tips from the team at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. can help you prevent accidents:
- Maintain a Safe Following Distance: This means leaving enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you to allow for sudden stops, especially in unpredictable traffic situations or poor weather conditions. We recommend following the three-second rule: Maintain a distance equivalent to three seconds of travel time behind the vehicle ahead.
- Stay Alert and Avoid Distractions: Keeping your focus on the road is key to anticipating and reacting to potential hazards. Avoid distractions like using your phone, eating, or adjusting your GPS while driving. Even a momentary distraction can significantly increase the risk of an accident.
- Obey Traffic Signs and Signals: Adhering to speed limits, stop signs, and traffic signals is fundamental to preventing accidents. They are designed to regulate traffic flow and promote road safety.
- Use Your Turn Signals: Indicating your intentions to other drivers by using your turn signals helps them anticipate your actions and reduces the risk of confusion or collisions. Always signal well in advance before making a turn or changing lanes.
- Be Prepared for Weather Conditions: Adjust your driving behavior according to weather conditions like rain, snow, or fog. Reduce your speed and increase your following distance to allow for longer braking distances and better traction.
- Anticipate the Actions of Other Drivers: Paying attention to the behavior of other vehicles around you allows you to anticipate potential hazards and react accordingly. Be prepared for sudden lane changes, braking, or other maneuvers by maintaining situational awareness.
- Avoid Aggressive Driving: Stay calm behind the wheel and avoid aggressive behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, or weaving through traffic. Aggressive driving endangers you and others on the road.
- Check Your Blind Spots: Always check your blind spots before changing lanes or making turns to check that there are no vehicles or obstacles in your path. Do not completely rely on blind spot monitoring systems.
- Keep Your Vehicle Maintained: Regular maintenance of your brakes, tires, lights, and other vehicle components ensures they are in good working condition. That reduces the likelihood of mechanical failures that could lead to collisions.
- Take Defensive Driving Courses: Consider enrolling in a defensive driving course to enhance your skills and knowledge of safe driving practices. These courses typically cover defensive driving techniques, traffic laws, and strategies for avoiding collisions.
What Should You Do After an Accident?
If you are involved in an accident despite your defensive driving efforts, assess yourself and your passengers for injuries and call emergency services if needed. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved; if you are uncomfortable doing this, wait for help to arrive.
Take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage and any relevant road conditions. It is also important to request a copy of the police report from the responding officers. You will also need to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Do not admit fault or provide any other information that could jeopardize your claim. Finally, consult with a qualified car accident lawyer who can explain your rights and legal options.
Contact Respected West Chester Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks for Legal Guidance After a Motor Vehicle Crash
Despite practicing defensive driving, even the most conscientious drivers get into crashes. The experienced West Chester car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. can fight for you. For more information, call our Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, offices at 610-565-3701 or complete our online form. Our coverage area includes Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.