When a person is driving defensively, he or she is using skills that are intended to perceive potential hazards on the roadway around them. Those skills will enhance the ability of a defensive driver to avoid road hazards. Defensive drivers have learned to expect the unexpected when they’re behind the wheel. They anticipate when another driver might make a mistake or even break traffic laws. They don’t assume that other drivers are alert, not under the influence of alcohol or drugs or even have proper driver training, a driver’s license or insurance.
Scanning Surroundings
As per the California DMV, a defensive driver is constantly scanning their surroundings, even the traffic behind him or her in the rear-view mirror. A defensive driver will also maintain a proper interval or distance from vehicles ahead of or aside of it. He or she will maintain an awareness of what might be in their blind spots too.
Increasing the Safety of You and Your Passengers
It’s impossible for you to control how other drivers might operate their vehicles, but you can control how you operate the vehicle that you’re driving. Increase the likelihood of a safe and uneventful trip to wherever you’re driving to by keeping the following 10 precautions in mind:
- Buckle Up. Even back seat passengers are required to use seat belts, or be in a child safety or booster seat.
- Focus your attention on defensive driving. Distractions like phones or trying to attend to unruly children increase the chances of being in an accident.
- Give up the right-of-way if somebody else thinks they have it. It’s a far better choice than being in an accident.
- Come to a complete stop when you’re required to at a red light or stop sign. A “California stop” can create an accident with a crossing or turning vehicle.
- Use your signals when turning or changing lanes. The law requires you to do this.
- Adjust your speed for rain or snow. Driving too fast for weather conditions is a common cause of traffic accidents.
- Don’t be afraid to use your headlights, even during daytime hours, especially in adverse weather conditions.
- Allow tailgaters to pass you if at all possible. Let them risk their property and personal safety rather than yours.
- Don’t drive after consuming alcohol or marijuana. They only decrease your reaction time, and we all know that driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or both is illegal.
- Expect the unexpected.
In the course of events, it doesn’t really matter whether you arrive at a destination a bit later than you your planned arrival time. You can easily leave a few minutes earlier if your arrival time is of concern.
Speak to a California Car Accident Lawyer
Here at Maison Law, our personal injury lawyers try to set good examples when we’re on the road. We encourage you to do the same. Even the most defensive driver is still a sitting or moving target for somebody who just doesn’t care about others. If you’re injured in an accident as a result of the carelessness and negligence of somebody else, contact us as soon as you can, and we can arrange for a free consultation and case review. If we enter into a retainer agreement, no legal fees are even due unless we obtain a settlement or award for you.
