| We've all been told to drive defensively and | | | | takes you to come to a stop. The heavier your |
| watch out for the "other guy" on the road, but | | | | car weighs, the longer it will take you to stop. A |
| what exactly should we be doing? What should | | | | good rule of thumb is that at 65 MPH it will take |
| we be watching out for? Here are some good | | | | the length of a football field to come to a stop. |
| driving tips to help you better understand | | | | Don't be fooled by having ABS brakes. ABS will |
| defensive driving and how to avoid having an | | | | help prevent your car from spinning out and |
| accident. | | | | locking up during a panic stop. They don't make |
| What If? | | | | you come to a stop any quicker. |
| While driving on the highway, or in the city, | | | | One thousand one. |
| always be aware of your surroundings. Scan the | | | | A very good driving tip is the two-second rule |
| road ahead of you and check your rear-view | | | | when following someone in front of you. When |
| mirror behind you. Look for possible road hazards. | | | | someone in front of you passes a fixed object, |
| A good way to do this is to play a game of | | | | like a mile marker or road sign, count off how |
| "what if". What if the driver in front of me slams | | | | long it takes before you pass the same object. If |
| on their brakes? What if the driver on my right | | | | it is sooner than two seconds then you are |
| runs this stop sign? What if this guy doesn't look | | | | following too closely. Slow down and back off a |
| and backs out of his parking spot while I'm going | | | | little. |
| down the aisle? By thinking ahead and anticipating | | | | In bad weather conditions you need to increase |
| what the other guy might do, you can be better | | | | the time to three seconds. This includes driving in: |
| prepared in these situations. | | | | - Fog |
| Keep your own vehicle well maintained. Defensive | | | | - Rain |
| driving really begins at home. Be sure you keep | | | | - Snow |
| your own vehicle maintained by having it serviced | | | | - Smoke |
| on a consistent basis. Pay special attention to the | | | | - Driving behind a motorcycle |
| tires, brakes, windshield wipers and lights. Keep | | | | - Driving behind a big truck |
| your windows and mirrors cleaned off, especially | | | | - Driving at night |
| in snow and ice. | | | | Big Trucks |
| Intersections | | | | Stay well behind big trucks on the highway. |
| Be sure you know the driving rules for | | | | Remember, if you can't see the driver in their |
| intersections. Always use your turn signal when | | | | side mirror, then they can't see you. Stay out of |
| approaching an intersection. Don't make the other | | | | the blind spots. |
| guy guess what you might do next. When you | | | | Be careful when you see a big truck attempting |
| approach any intersection, be sure you have your | | | | to make a wide right turn. Never try to pass |
| foot over the brake just in case something | | | | them in the right lane. |
| unexpected happens. Be prepared for it. Only | | | | These driving tips can help everyone avoid |
| start through the intersection when it is clear. | | | | potentially dangerous situations and possible |
| Never assume it is just because you have the | | | | accidents. Put them into use and constantly be |
| green light. | | | | aware of the "other guy". It will help keep you |
| Stopping | | | | safe while out on the roads and highways. |
| Your vehicle's weight determines how long it | | | | |