Driving Hazards in Defensive Driving
Knowing about the hazards and dangers posed by driving is half the job of a driver. Being aware of the surroundings can play a tremendous difference when it comes to practicing defensive driving.
But what is defensive driving? And what driving hazards in defensive driving? Let’s dive in!
Defensive driving is the use of skills and techniques drivers use to avoid road hazards and minimize the risks of collisions, accidents and crashes. These possible collisions and crashes are usually caused by several factors such as:
· Reckless and aggressive driving that often results in high-speed driving
· Sleepiness and fatigue that can lead to loss of control
· Drunk driving or driving under the influence of intoxicating substances, which causes the inability to understand and follow road and safety regulations
· Distracted driving due to texting or eating can result in collisions without a warning
· Vehicle failure and mechanical problems can run the car off the road or cause it to crash into the oncoming traffic
· Difficult road conditions either due to road work, uneven roads, heavy traffic or extreme weather conditions, such as icy roads may cause the vehicle to slip or fall off the road and into a pole
· Bad weather such as fogs and heavy storms affect the visibility
· Lighting—sunlight glare in the day or unlit roads in the night—also impacts the visibility, and therefore, safe driving
· Accidents ahead can cause the traffic to come to an immediate stop, resulting in collateral damage
The hazards are responsible for causing millions of driving accidents, not only in the United States but worldwide. However, with these defensive driving techniques, the road can be much safer for drivers and pedestrians.
Defensive driving techniques
Drivers operating a vehicle—big or small—have to follow the relevant road regulations for their own and everyone else’s safety, not to mention, to avoid getting in legal trouble, and these defensive driving tips can help.
· Expect the unexpected. Regardless of how smooth the traffic is or how abandoned the road is, you should always be on the lookout for possible hazards. Watch out for those driving around you and notice if there’s something off about the driving technique or the way the car is swerving.
· Keep the speed in check, especially during heavy traffic and under bad road conditions.
· When crossing intersections and sharp curves, slow down to avoid impact from any oncoming vehicle that’s not visible from a distance.
· Don’t go out in bad weather; however, if it's an emergency or if you were already out when the weather turned bad, follow all precautions. These include checking for brakes, gas, heater/AC, headlights and wipers. Also make sure that your phone battery is charged and there’s no issue with signals so you can reach out to the relevant people in case of an accident.
· Keep your distance and don’t drive close to other cars, so you have time to protect yourself if an accident occurs.
· In case you need to make an emergency call, pull over at the side of the road, away from the incoming traffic. The same goes for eating; don’t eat and drive as you need both your hands to be free for defensive driving.
· Don’t drive when you’ve had alcohol or are tired and haven’t slept in 24 hours.
Defensive driving techniques are there for your safety and ensure that everyone makes it home unscratched. However, there are times when you don’t see any warnings and an accident happens out of nowhere. In that case, make sure to wait at the scene until the police arrive and follow legal procedures to protect yourself.
If you’re looking to learn defensive driving skills in Texas, get in touch with the professional instructors at Champions Driving School. The school is located in Pinehurst and Houston, TX and they work with multiple vehicles to accommodate drivers of all different cars.
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