Have you noticed a trend of people doing just about everything besides driving when they’re behind the wheel? Have you noticed a trend of people doing just about everything besides driving when they're behind the wheel? The driver who believes it's safe to use their phone if they add a few extra car lengths behind the flow of traffic or the driver applying makeup or eating their meal behind the wheel.
Then there's the aggressive driver and hurry up tailgater. We've all seen it, and sadly it's becoming more of the norm than the exception. Add in Denver's increasingly busier streets and it's downright scary out there.
It’s a good time to go back to the basics of what we were taught oh-so long ago, defensive driving. The standard Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations, ANSI/ASSE Z15.1, defines defensive driving skills as "driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others." It may seem like a no-brainer, but going back to the basic principles of defensive driving can help us all be safer. You can find more information on this by clicking this link:
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Here’s a simple list of some of the most common, but essential tips:
- Stay focused on the task at hand: avoid distractions such as phones, food, or getting dragged into a back-seat argument.
- Expect mistakes from other drivers: Don’t trust everyone to be rational and focused.
- Use turn signals: Always let others know where you plan to go – and not at the last moment.
- Slow down: The faster you’re going, the longer it takes to stop and the larger the impact in the event of an accident.
- Don’t get lured into road rage: Let go of the anger when someone cuts you off or tries to lure you into a road rage situation.
- When in doubt, yield: If you’re not sure who has the right of way, always yield to the other driver.
- Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you: sometimes traffic comes to a halt in a hurry, make sure you have plenty of room to comfortably apply the brakes.
- Scan the road ahead: Always look ahead and try and anticipate the flow of traffic.
- Always slow down in snow and rain: The best way to stay safe in inclement weather is to slow down.
- Make sure your tires are in good condition: Check your tires often to make sure you have good tread life: for a simple tread test click here: Also, make sure your tires are properly inflated.
- Monitor your blind spots often: and always be aware of other driver’s blind spots.
- Keep your car well maintained: there’s no substitute for routine maintenance.
Following the basics of defensive driving isn’t guaranteed to keep you safe, but the practice will certainly increase your odds of avoiding collisions. Be defensive and stay safe out there!
