 1.
Pay Attention.
"I never saw him!"
is the most common excuse heard after a collision.
Was the other...[More] |
 2.
Don't Trust
Nobody! You can never rely on what the other
driver will do. Think back to...[More] |
 3.
Yield Anyway!
"Nobody ever yielded
their way into a collision." Think about
it. If you are...[More] |
 4.
Don't Speed.
Driving at a higher than reasonable speed increases
your risk in two ways...[More] |
 5.
Don't Drive
Impaired. First, let's
define "impairment"...[More] |
 6.
Wear Your
Seat Belt. Without
a doubt, seat belts are the most significant safety
device ever invented...[More] |
 7.
Buy and Use
Other Safety Devices.
In
addition to seat belts,
we also...[More] |
 8.Motorcyclist—Protect
Thyself! Talk about
helmets always incites vehement disagreement
between folks that believe in their value and...[More] |
Rule
9: Don't Run Red! In
my home town, drivers reportedly run red lights...
[More] |
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10: Drive Precisely! Sloppy
driving breeds mishaps! Most everyone knows
the basics of the traffic laws...[More] |
Rule
11: Chill Out!
Driving
safely is all about attitude. In fact, all I can
really teach you is attitude. Think about it—if
you've...[More]
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12: Look Down the Road! This means keep
your eyes UP and looking down the road. Many drivers
focus on the road only 5 or 8 seconds ahead...[More]
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13: Create Space & Use the Two-Seconds-Plus
Rule
Guard your safety
by actively creating space around your vehicle,
never allowing...[More]
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14: Drive to Communicate
You want to know the other
driver sees you, and this rule will provide you
with some ways to make sure they do...[More] |
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15: Drive Predictably One
of the best ways to create a safe environment
for yourself and others while driving is to be
predictable. Plainly stated, you don't want to
surprise anyone...[More]
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16: Always Signal Your Intentions
As a driving instructor, I often ask people
what are their "pet peeves" about other
drivers; a common reply is that other drivers
don't signal turns and lane changes. How many
times do you...[More]
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17: Know Your Blind Spots
It should make you uncomfortable if you are driving
in other drivers' blind spots! Virtually all vehicles
have blind areas—even motorcycles...[More]
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18: Avoid Distractions!
When
we assume our driving "duties," one
of the most important is that we be responsible
for our actions and the results of those actions.
In almost every case, a driver involved in a collision
had an opportunity...[More]
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Rule
19: Avoid Backing Up!
Many fender-benders occur when drivers back
up. Several years ago, my state purchased a fleet
of fifty full-size vans...[More]
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20: Beware of Intersections!
Intersections are one of the most dangerous
areas for any driver. One oft-quoted statistic
is that over 80% of all city collisions involving
injury or death occur within signal-light...[More]
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21: Be a Freeway Pro!
The high speeds of controlled-access highways
and the density of traffic on them require a special
set of operating rules. Depending on your location,
they may be called freeways...[More]
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22: Know How to Stop!
Red light and stop sign "runners"
account for a good portion of the traffic collision
fatalities every year. It's important to know how
to stop. Driving is such a habit for us,
and we are distracted by so many things, that it's
easy to just "go through the motions,"
without really thinking about what we're doing...[More] |
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23: Know When to Use Your Headlights!
Headlights are for seeing
and BEING seen! Be sure to recognize the
circumstances where lights are necessary for safety.
The sobering statistic is that while only 25% of
the miles we drive are at night, about 50% of the
fatalities occur in the darkness—25,000 people
each year. What can you do about it? [More] |
 Rule
24: Slow Down in Rain or Snow!
On a summer afternoon,
on I-25 south of Raton, Arizona, I was creeping
along at a reduced speed in fog and mists after
a thunderstorm. Visibility was about 100 feet, and
hail covered the roadway like little marbles, making
it very slippery. A man in a Cherokee passed me
doing about 70 mph. Not only was the road slippery,
but we couldn't see anything beyond just a few...[More] |
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25: Maintain Your Vehicle's Tires
One element of driving defensively is driving
to save money. Taking good care of your vehicle
can pay cash dividends, and you'll be much less
likely to get stranded out on the road where you'd
be vulnerable to a variety of calamities. "The
devil is in the details"—ever heard that
phrase? Most often, what stops you cold is a simple
thing. Before a road trip...[More]
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26: Take Care of Your Vehicle
If you are not mechanically inclined, there
may not be much you can do to check the brakes.
You can check your fluid reservoir (if you don't
know where it is, have someone who does show you).
Brake fluid levels don't usually change much so
a sudden change in fluid level is a red flag.
You should have your brakes checked regularly...[More]
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27: Get Rid of Tailgaters
Most
driving instructors will tell you not to tailgate
other vehicles for several reasons. Following too
closely is a factor in about 40% of collisions (in
my state of Arizona), and they are not always minor
in terms of injuries and fatalities. Following too
closely often restricts your vision, making it...[More] |
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28: Maintain an Even, Measured Pace
One of the most frequent factors behind collisions
is the "jackrabbit" driver. He's the guy
who's constantly changing speeds, changing lanes,
tailgating, and otherwise not fitting into traffic.
Other often interrelated causes...[More] |
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29: Check for Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is what happens when the tread
on your tires cannot channel all the rain-water
out from under your tires -- or, from under each
patch of tire...[More]
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30: Know How To Recover from a Skid
What's
the best way not to get into a skid? Avoid it
in the first place! One of the best ways to avoid
trouble on the road (not just skids) is to drive
smoothly. True professionals drive so seamlessly
that...[More]
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31: Avoid Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision is the worst crash most
of us can think of. Thankfully, they are relatively
rare. Still, you should be prepared for one. A young
mother was on an Arizona highway, with her sister
and her child...[More] |
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32: Be a Safe Passer
I was
driving from Phoenix to Kingman one evening, on
one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in
Arizona. I was passed -- across double yellow lines
-- by a delivery truck (similar to a large U-Haul
or Ryder rental truck). I was doing the speed limit,
or close to it. He passed in the face of oncoming
traffic...[More] |
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33: Avoid the Single-Vehicle Collision
When
many people think about what the most "dangerous"
collision is, they don't always come up with the
correct answer on first guess. Many think it is
the "T-Bone"...[More]
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Rule
34: Deal with Light Glare
Many of us have
seen the old WWII submarine movies (like "Run
Silent, Run Deep") where the officers don
dark goggles and the sub's interior lights are
dimmed to red, in order to...[More]
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Rule
35: Never Play Chicken with a Train!
I am amazed at
how often cars race trains to a crossing, in order
to just barely cross in front of it. This seems
to be a right of passage for young drivers in
rural areas as they learn to drive. I have even
seen this depicted in Hollywood films, as those
"wild and crazy teenagers" are out...[More]
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36: Beware of Stopped or Slow-Moving Vehicles
Be cautious when passing stopped or slow-moving
vehicles. They often hide dangers that are not immediately
apparent. The first thing to ask yourself is why?
Why is the vehicle moving slowly, or why is it stopped?
This rule is about patience, courtesy and taking
care for others...[More] |
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37: Practice Animal Avoidance!
As we are now
into the autumn migratory season, it's time to
talk about wildlife avoidance. Car/animal collisions
are a problem across the United States...[More]
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38: Don't Prevent Others from Passing
Defensive driving
encompasses many different ideas and practices,
one of which is understanding the effects your
driving may have on others, and the results this
can have on your safety and theirs...[More]
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39: Drive Your Van Safely
Vans are involved
in collisions at a higher rate than passenger
sedans. You should think about the reasons why,
especially if you drive a van infrequently and
are less experienced in their characteristics.
The most common van mishaps stem from backing...[More]
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40: Practice Smart Bicycling
Protect your number
one asset! I wasn't born rich or good looking --
so my brain is my strong point, although some would
argue this. Be that as it may, I'd wear a helmet
if I rode a bike. Even minor bumps can cause spills
resulting in head impacts and...[More] |
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41: Share the Road With Bicyclists
One of the problems
bicyclists face is motorists who think they don't
belong on the road. As drivers, we must share roadways
safely with all users, and bicyclists have every
right to be out there. Many drivers are not thinking...[More] |
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42: Exercise Prudent Courtesy
Most drivers
agree that courtesy is lacking on our roadways
-- whether between operators of cars, cars and
pedestrians or bicycles, between motorcycles and
cars, or trucks and cars. I've often wondered
whether the relative anonymity we have when driving
leads...[More]
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43: Recognize the Futility of Rushing
It's not
a good idea to try to make up time on the road
when you are late. We once called this behavior
"pressure driving." Pressure driving
is characterized by speeding, sudden...[More]
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44: Make Allowances for Your Physical Limitations
What does
the term "impaired driving" mean to
you? If you're like many, drinking and driving
comes to mind quickest. But impairment is a term
that characterizes any similar...[More]
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45: Start Rested -- Keep Fresh!
As a young guy
who absolutely LIVED for vacations, I couldn't
wait to get out of town. I worked the evening
shift in a factory, and my habit was to pack before
work, then leave...[More]
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46: Share the Road With Trucks
Drivers
must deal safely with all obstacles and situations
we encounter. We take responsibility for a safe
outcome -- because that's sometimes the only way
we can avoid a collision. One special hazard is
that posed by heavy trucks...[More]
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47: Make Space for Parked Vehicles on a Roadway
Imagine yourself happily
motoring down an Interstate highway when you have
a sudden blow-out or other emergency situation.
You roll (or coast) to the side, but you have
limited ability to get too far off the roadway
(because of obstacles or a curb), and you have
to stop fairly close...[More]
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48: Give Way on Mountain Roads
Most of us
know the rules about driving to the right on multilane
highways under normal conditions, and moving left
only to pass. This isn't just courtesy, or standard
operating procedure, but it's often a legal requirement
as well. But what about roads where there is only
a single lane in each direction...[More]
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49: Make Safe and Sane Left Turns
Left turns at controlled intersections
are one of the most dangerous driving maneuvers.
They don't have to be -- the dangers can be...[More]
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50: Connect Your Mind To Your Eyes!
What color is a "yield"
sign? Think about that for a few moments and we'll
come back to it. Human beings are prone to operating
on "autopilot." Especially on familiar
roads...[More]
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51: Make Defensive Stops!
You can minimize the danger of collision at intersections
by learning to stop defensively. First, make sure
your deceleration to the stop doesn't surprise...[More]
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52: Slow Down Approaching Intersections!
Did you know that the AVERAGE speed
of a vehicle passing through a controlled intersection
is about 52 mph? How many times...[More]
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53: Beware of Traffic Holes!
Some of my defensive driving rules
focus on preventing trouble in specific danger
spots. Especially when they're in tight, congested
areas where it is difficult to maneuver, drivers
sometimes get impatient. In situations like trying
to get into traffic from a parking lot or making
a left turn across...[More]
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54: Turn Right, LOOK Right!
In
the United States, a driver's natural tendency when
making a right turn is to look left, since left
is the direction the traffic is coming from (we
hope). For this reason, right-turning motorists
are one of the biggest dangers to bicyclists!
Many bicyclists ride on the wrong side of the
street -- if you are riding a bike, you are supposed
to ride WITH the flow of traffic. But for convenience
or whatever other reason...[More] |
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55: Avoid Changing Lanes in Intersections
One of the misconceptions that many
folks have about traffic law is that it is illegal
to change lanes in an intersection. In my state,
it is not! (You should check out what the law
actually says in YOUR state to be on the safe
side). One of the laws...[More]
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56: Don't Abuse the Two-Way Left Turn Lane
Some
folks call the center two-way turn lane the "suicide"
lane! That's a little extreme -- traffic engineers
will tell you these lanes are actually pretty
safe. But every day, you see people using them
in ways that were never intended, and some of
these actions...[More]
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57: Avoid "Reverse Traffic" Lanes
Some cities designate the center
lane of some major streets as "Reverse Traffic
Lanes." These are used during rush hours to
help move traffic that is predominantly headed in
one direction. Here's an example...[More] |
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58: Move Right When Approaching Intersections
This rule is about visibility in
heavier traffic situations, and collision prevention.
You cannot assume the
other guy is paying attention
-- sometimes he's not -- and you cannot assume
you will be readily visible. Many factors can
prevent the other driver from having...[More]
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59: Beware of Stopped Vehicles at Crosswalks
This
is a simple rule, but it is one that many drivers
don't think about. When you are driving down a
city street, and you see a pedestrian crossing
the roadway ahead of you, you know you must yield
to them; but what about...[More]
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60: Use the Center Lane for Safety
If you have a choice whether to
use a controlled access roadway (or freeway, expressway,
etc), or a city boulevard, you should choose the
controlled access road, because your potential
for a collision is less. A freeway has no intersections,
and, with few exceptions, traffic is typically
moving at similar speeds...[More]
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61: Never Stop on a Freeway!
This one seems like such a no-brainer,
but you see vehicles stopped on controlled access
highways all the time. You may have no other choice
if you have an emergency, but otherwise, take
an off-ramp and find a parking lot to get out
of traffic and off the road...[More]
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62: Don't Cross a Freeway Median!
The "technical"
term for an Interstate, a freeway, or an expressway
is "controlled-access highway." The
elements behind the safety and speed of travel
on these highways are common direction, common
speed, and no intersections to choke traffic or
create conflicts. Simply stated, everyone should...[More]
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63: Seat Belts and Air Bags Go Together!
The term auto manufacturers
use for air bags is "Supplemental Restraint
Systems -- or "SRS." Seat belts and
air bags are designed to work together to prevent...[More]
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64: Avoid Head Injuries!
What's the one part
of the human body that doesn't heal quickly (or
at all) if injured? Forty to fifty percent of
brain injuries occur in vehicular mishaps and
even in cases of minor injuries, the long term
effects can be permanent and...[More]
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65: Don't Ride in Pick-Up Truck Beds!
The bed of a pick-up
truck is for CARGO, not people. If you care about
your passengers (or your pets), do not allow them
to ride in the back of your truck. You may be
the best driver in the world -- but you are not
always totally alert
while you are driving...[More]
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66: Secure Loose Objects!
Many injuries are caused by loose objects that
"fly" in a collision. When your vehicle
suffers a sudden deceleration (as in a collision),
the only things that stop with it, at least immediately,
are the ones that are secured somehow. When the
vehicle decelerates, a loose object temporarily
keeps traveling...[More] |
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67: Keep Children Safe in the Center!
This may come as
a surprise if you're not a parent, but kids aren't
born with perfectly formed and completed bodies!
Their skeletal structure, for one...[More]
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68: Don't "Pump" ABS Brakes!
ABS brakes have
been around awhile, but there are still drivers
who have not learned what they are and how they
work. I was lucky enough a few years ago to get
a "guest" slot in a...[More]
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69: Choose Your Route for Safety!
Life is fragile, and although we humans
are tough creatures, it doesn't take much for
us to exceed the limits of what our bodies can
take. How do we mitigate the dangers of an active
life? For me, the answer is to consider the risks...[More]
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70: Use Uncle Bob's Defensive Driving System
With this article,
I've written 70 rules of defensive driving. I'm
certain we could come up with a few more if we
thought about it, but we've covered all the main
concepts and more, from general to specific. In
Rule 5, I said that if ALL drivers would do just
four things, no one would ever die...[More]
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