| It is true that driving is a very dangerous | | | | brakes. Make it a must to have the car sent |
| activity. Any trouble in driving would not | | | | for a mechanical condition check with |
| only endanger his own life but also the life | | | | professionals at least once a year. |
| or lives of his passengers and other drivers | | | | |
| and passengers at other cars in the road. | | | | 3. Focus on the road. |
| | | | |
| Through the decades, people have witnessed | | | | Defensive driving skills center well on |
| some of the most tragic accidents by road. It | | | | focusing on the road. When driving, always |
| is in this regard that there is a need to | | | | scan the highway or road for any tell-tale |
| further popularize defensive driving. | | | | signals from other vehicles like turn signals |
| | | | and brake light indicators form other cars. |
| Defensive driving refers to a form of road | | | | |
| driving training that is aimed at helping a | | | | Usually, vehicular accidents occur because |
| driver take an important intellectual and | | | | drivers fail to take heed and recognize the |
| safety approach that helps save brakes, fuel, | | | | light indications and warnings from other |
| tires and of course, lives. | | | | drivers. Moreover, it is also imperative for |
| | | | you to make sure your headlights or daytime |
| Defensive driving skills are necessary to | | | | running lamps are turned on while driving in |
| lower if not totally eliminate the risks of | | | | a busy and rapid road to avoid other cars |
| driving vehicles through the anticipation of | | | | from crashing into your car. |
| dangerous driving situations even at the face | | | | |
| of adverse conditions and inappropriate | | | | 4. Always assume the worst in other drivers. |
| driving practices by others. | | | | |
| | | | It may be a little paranoid, but one of the |
| There are seven general rules that are | | | | distinct defensive driving skills is the |
| generally observed when a driver is acquiring | | | | ability to always assume that other drivers |
| and practicing the skills to defensive | | | | are the worst drivers. As such, do not rely |
| driving. Here are those general rules. | | | | heavily on light indicators from other cars, |
| | | | as drivers have the tendency to change minds |
| 1. Pick and purchase the right car. | | | | on the last minute about taking a turn. Also, |
| | | | expect that other drivers at your back might |
| Of course, the basic requirement before | | | | not be able to see and interpret the stop |
| acquiring and using defensive driving skills | | | | signals and other tail light indications you |
| is to make sure you are driving the right | | | | may do. |
| vehicle. No matter how cautious and safe you | | | | |
| are as a driver, you would inevitably | | | | Beware when you see drivers talking to their |
| encounter challenges and road accidents if | | | | mobile phones while driving as they are more |
| you are driving an unsafe and accident-prone | | | | prone to accidents. Do not always assume that |
| car in the first place. So how could you | | | | in intersections you will always have your |
| select and purchase the right car? There are | | | | right of way. |
| some basic tips on car purchase. | | | | |
| | | | 5. Keep an exit route. |
| First, when purchasing cars, avoid bland and | | | | |
| dark colors. Gray, tan and silver are bland | | | | When driving in the highway, always remain in |
| colors that look like urban camouflage. Thus, | | | | the outer lane especially on freeways. That |
| other drivers would have a hard time taking | | | | way, the need to cross the lane to get to the |
| distinct and immediate notice of the car. | | | | shoulder in cases of problems would be |
| | | | eliminated. Have space on either side of the |
| Likewise, dark colors like black and red are | | | | vehicle. |
| very hard to see especially in dim light. | | | | |
| Then, make sure the car's center of mass is | | | | 6. Avoid danger. |
| low and the four-wheel drive system has a | | | | |
| differential center balancing forces between | | | | Avoid driving at danger sites, like near |
| rear and front. It would also help if you | | | | large vehicles or cars that are defective. |
| would avoid purchasing or driving cars with | | | | Visibly damaged cars should also be avoided |
| heavily tinted windows especially in the | | | | as it can be safely assumed that their |
| front. | | | | drivers are not skilled enough to drive |
| | | | safely. |
| 2. Inspect the car thoroughly before driving. | | | | |
| | | | 7.Observe precaution when approaching or |
| Check all the components and parts of the car | | | | passing by vehicle break-down and crash |
| prior to driving. As an unwritten law, | | | | scenes. |
| drivers should make it a habit to inspect the | | | | |
| good quality and condition of tires, engines, | | | | When being awed by such vehicular cases, stay |
| lights, brakes and oil and water levels | | | | focused on your own driving. If not, you may |
| especially in preparation for a long trip. | | | | risk running at wandering animals or |
| | | | pedestrians. Worse, you may run across |
| Major car accidents usually happen because | | | | obstacles or other road accident-causing |
| some components and parts of the car are not | | | | sites. |
| in good condition, most especially the | | | | |