Any time you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you’re taking on a big responsibility. Not only do your decisions impact you, but the same holds true of your passengers and everyone else on the road.
With a sound defensive driving strategy in place, you’ll have more confidence than ever in your ability to avoid trouble.
Here are four defensive driving tips anyone can employ:
- Expect the unexpected: Even when things are going as planned, you never know what could change. By thinking several steps ahead, you can plan for anything that could go wrong.
- Carefully watch other drivers: You may not be the person who causes an accident, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be part of it. Keep a close watch on other drivers, especially those who are not obeying the rules of the road.
- Leave more space: The amount of space between you and the vehicle in front of you is important to your safety. Drive too closely and you may anger the other driver. Just the same, you have less time to stop in the event of an emergency.
- Alter your approach into traffic and bad weather: When traffic and/or weather conditions change, alter your approach to enhance your safety.
Even if you’re serious about defensive driving, you could still be part of a crash. For example, if another driver is texting while behind the wheel, they could crash into you.
If this happens, focus your immediate attention on your well-being. After receiving treatment, review your insurance policy, file a claim and look into the steps you can take to seek compensation for your injuries and other damages.