A guide to drive safe and source and hints for defensive driving
Advanced driving or defensive driving is a form of training for motor vehicle drivers that goes beyond
mastery of the rules of the road and the basic mechanics of driving. Its aim is to reduce the risk
of driving by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others.
This can be achieved through adherence to a variety of general rules, as well as the practice of specific
driving techniques.
Choose good equipment
Bland colors (gray, silver, tan) are urban camouflage. Dark colors, including red
(thus the newer non-red fire engines) are difficult to see in dim light.
Have a low center of gravity.
Have an all wheel drive system with a center differential to balance forces between front and rear.
Avoid tinted windows.
Before you drive
Check tire pressure, and internal and external gauges.
Check oil, gas, and water levels before taking long trips.
Check mirrors, seat, and steering column are suitably positioned.
Ensure all seatbelts are locked and children are secure.
Indicate and check for traffic before moving away from the road shoulder.
Keep all car documents updated and reachable.
Be prepared for variable traffic and weather conditions.
Be courteous to other drivers.
Avoid road rage.
Know if the car has antilock brakes or not, and how you should respond to braking difficulty.
See and be seen
Use headlights at all times, even during the day.
Keep windows clean, especially when driving at night.
Adjust rear-view mirrors correctly.
Keep your distance when driving behind large vehicles, to keep your line of sight clear.
Keep windows clear and transparent. Avoid tinting, stick-on toys, light shades, dangling fuzzy cubes,
and the like.
Do not drive in the blind spot of other vehicles.
Use your turn signals in heavy fog.
Switch on hazard warning lights in situations necessary to alert other drivers to slow down and take
extra care, e.g. at the scene of an accident.
Actively search for pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, signs, animals, objects on the road, and potholes.
Drive so that you can safely stop in the visible amount of road ahead. Anything can around the next corner.
Maintain an exit route
Keep the space on either side of your car free.
Drive in the outer lane on freeways. In case of a problem, you won't have to cross a lane of traffic to
get to the breakdown lane.
Keep wheels straight when waiting to turn across oncoming traffic. If your car is rear-ended, it won't be
pushed into the opposite lane.
Avoid danger
Do not drive next to large vehicles longer than necessary. The driver may not see you, and a turning
truck can suddenly cut off all exit routes.
Maintain a three second following distance behind other vehicles. Increase that to five seconds in fog,
rain, or other adverse conditions. It takes most people at least half a second to react to an emergency
condition. Following a car closer than one second effectively guarantees an accident if the leading car
brakes unexpectedly.
Conversely, change lanes or pull over if tailgated. If that is not possible, slow down, and / or
maintain extra distance to the car in front, to allow for both yourself and the tailgater to stop safely.
Avoid visibly damaged or defective cars. A history of accidents indicates that the owner has poor driving
skills.
Avoid cars that weave, do not stay in lane, or brake too late at intersections, as their drivers may be
intoxicated or distracted.
Never drive over any object on the road that can be safely avoided -- a plastic bag can conceal more
dangerous items, ropes can wrap around axles, and even mundane objects like sticks can puncture a tire or the
fuel tank.
On roads of 3 or more lanes, take care not to change one lane to the left, as a vehicle 2 lanes to the
left changes one lane right, and vice versa. Vehicles in the left lane and the right lane can collide if
they try to change to the centre
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