While we would all like to think that we’re safe drivers, you may not be able to control the actions of others. Whenever someone is negligent, they can cause harm. The most effective way for you to avoid a severe crash and potentially save yourself from significant injury is to recognize various ways to drive defensively.
Defensive driving is essential, and if everyone did it, there would be a significant reduction in the number of accidents. However, because you can never predict what will happen on the road, and you can’t stop negligence, it’s imperative to recognize these defensive driving techniques to stay safe on the road.
- Keep yourself prepared
- Stay focused on the road
- Look ahead and watch for obstructions
- Give yourself time to recognize a risk
- Give space to vehicles in front of you, on the side, and behind
- Indicate your intentions to move through traffic
- Stay out of blind spots
- Recognize signs of negligence
- Be extra cautious at intersections
- Keep the conditions in mind
We explain each of these below. Continue reading to learn more.
Call our firm at (404) 529-9371 today and speak with our legal team about your rights if you suffer an injury because of negligence.
1. Keep Yourself Prepared
Preparation is absolutely key to keeping yourself on the road. First, always make sure your vehicle is in the safest condition possible. You also want to ensure you’re keeping your hands on the steering wheel and looking ahead of you for potential issues. Similarly, you can prepare by understanding some of the most dangerous roads in the area where you are traveling.
2. Stay Focused On The Road
Far too often, distractions take over and drivers lose their focus on the road. Whenever you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you should ensure that your focus is on the task at hand. Don’t blare music, look at your cellphone, or look around the cabin of your vehicle.
3. Look Ahead And Watch For Obstructions
Road dangers are common causes of crashes, such as potholes, oil slicks, debris, and more. These can all create significant dangers and you may suffer significant injuries if you’re not paying close attention. Make sure you look in front of you, especially in the lane in which you’re traveling. If there are obstructions ahead of you, make sure you have time to stop or maneuver into another lane, but do so safely.
4. Give Yourself Time To Recognize A Risk
Whenever you’re driving, make sure you’re not speeding. The faster you are going, the less time you have to react to a potential risk on the road. Even if you’re approaching traffic, make sure you have time to stop without forcing the driver behind you to brake just as hard.
5. Give Space To Vehicles In Front Of You, On The Side, And Behind
Space is vital to ensure safety. Make sure you give the vehicle enough room in front of you so you can stop. If you’re going to merge lanes, make sure there is clear space to do so, as not to make another driver react. If a vehicle is tailgating you, make sure you switch lanes when safe.
6. Indicate Your Intentions To Move Through Traffic
If you do intend to merge lanes, always use your indicators. This tells other vehicles that you are attempting to go into the same lane they are, and the other driver can react accordingly.
7. Stay Out Of Blind Spots
All vehicles have blind spots, and not all drivers know how to check them as effectively as they should. Drivers should check their mirrors and glance to their blind spots whenever they intend to change lanes. If you’re in someone’s blind spot, they may not see you, and they can cause a crash if they merge lanes into you.
8. Recognize Signs Of Negligence
There are many things that can indicate a driver is negligent. For instance, if you encounter a driver swerving between lanes, it can be an indicator that someone is intoxicated, tired, or distracted. Other signs may include a driver who is speeding up, slowing down, braking erratically, or otherwise appearing recklessly.
9. Be Extra Cautious At Intersections
Intersections can be significantly dangerous because of drivers who either don’t follow laws or they are negligent. Even if you feel like you can go at a green light, be cautious and look around. You can encounter someone speeding or distracted who may run a red light, leading to a catastrophic collision.
10. Keep The Conditions In Mind
While you want to always stay safe from any kind of negligence, you also want to be sure you’re not the one who causes a crash. Weather and road conditions can significantly diminish your ability to stay safe. Travel slow in the rain, make sure your vehicle is up to standard, and find ways to increase your visibility whenever necessary.
At The Kalka Law Group – Personal Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, we want you to stay as safe as possible on the road. We know, though, that there are countless drivers who act negligently. Should you ever suffer severe harm because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve the right to pursue justice and compensation for the injuries you sustain.
Our Atlanta car accident attorneys are committed to your rights and needs. You can trust that we will go above and beyond to help safeguard your future. Let us give you a voice.
Call our firm at (404) 529-9371 today. We offer free consultations to give you the answers you need and deserve to give you peace of mind throughout the process.
