Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means being aware while driving a vehicle. Being focused on potential hazards such as school buses, parked cars, wandering animals, and construction zones. It also means checking mirrors frequently, avoiding blind spots, and adjusting speeds based on traffic and road conditions.
Defensive Driving Techniques
Driving in Rain - You Should Slow Down
Your car can start hydroplaning when driving as slow as 25-30 mph. If you experience a loose feeling while driving in rain chances are your vehicle is starting to hydroplane. Take your foot off the gas and try to keep the steering wheel straight until you sense the car is once again under control. It is possible for the vehicle to go into an unpredictable and uncontrollable skid, if this happens, turn into the slide, don't over correct, and don't apply the brakes. You can help prevent hydroplaning by maintain good tires with adequate waterchanneling thread on your vehicle.
Driving in Flood Conditions
Flooding during heavy rain or hurricanes are the cause of injury and death in most accidents. It is wise to not try to use roads where the driver cannot see what's under the water, such as pot holes, etc. When see standing water on a road don't assume it's shallow. When you see a current of water rippling across a road don't underestimate the current's strength. There are numerous cases of cars being swept off roads by currents barely six inches deep.
Either find an alternative route or wait for water levels to subside.
Night Driving
Because of decreased vision at night and the glare of oncoming headlights, night
driving is more demanding and requires greater concentration than daytime driving.
Unfamiliar roads and unexpected situations are more likely to cause hazardous
driving conditions. To avoid being blinded by an approaching vehicle's headlights focus your eyes to the right side of the road. Maintain the speed limit or slow down so that you don't overdrive the distance of your headlights.
Driving in Fog
When driving in fog reduce speed, use low beams, and pay special attention to the taillights in front of you. If fog conditions become so extreme that visibility reduces to zero, pull to the side of the road, turn on the car's emergency flashers, and exit from the passenger side.
Following Other Vehicles
Always try to maintain at least a two to three second cushion with the vehicle in front of you. This way you have sufficient room to react should the vehicle in front of you brake suddenly. Try to keep a safe distance between you and the car behind you if possible. Change lanes if possible or slow down a little in a passing zone area where they may have a chance to pass.