Ways to Become a Better Driver

Have you ever been on the highway and gotten so frustrated because there is a traffic jam up ahead? If you have, then you know what it's like to wait for authorities to clean up a huge mess that motorists have created. In 2005, the United States experienced nearly 40,000 automobile crash fatalities.

For those of us who know how to drive defensively, automobile crashes are less likely. However, one always has to be careful of the driver opposite them because he or she does not know what the other person will do. This is called defensive driving and most of the rules come not only with common sense, but with years of driving experience.

Rules of the Road

If you would like to become a better, safer, and more defensive driver, follow these rules and the likelihood that a crash will occur will decrease.

1. Always Wear Your Seatbelt. If your State does not require you to buckle up by law, do a favor for yourself! Studies and common sense show that wearing your seatbelt not only reduces the number of fatalities in the United States, but also reduces the chance that you'll seriously get hurt in an automobile crash. Take it from someone who has received 2 seatbelt violations within a three-day period! Even though I have never personally ever gotten into an automobile crash, I can tell you that after I received those 2 violations I have buckled up ever since. Even if you only buckle up to avoid the $100 ticket than you are saving yourself from a lot of heartache!

2. Never Trust a Blinker! Even though there is hardly any way that researchers could find out the probability of an automobile crash happening if people followed this rule, defensive drivers everywhere use this rule to protect them to an even greater extent.

For example, if you are at a stop sign and are intent on going straight but there is a car coming from your left that has his or her turn signal on to turn at the intersection you are at, it is best to wait to see if he or she actually does turn. If they don't end up making the turn, it's possible that they could have left their turn signal on from a previous turn and have just forgotten to turn it off. Or if a split second decision in their minds makes them go straight instead of turn they would still have their signal on also.

By never trusting a blinker but instead waiting to see the other car follows through, you may just avoid a serious accident or near-accident!

3. Slow Down! There is no law that says you have to go the speed limit; likewise, there is certainly no law that says you have to travel above the speed limit. If you allow more than enough time to get to your destination then you will have ample time to slow down. If the average motorist took their time and slowed down half of the time during their driving experience, it is safe to say that many accidents could be avoided.

There are many more rules to follow if you would like to drive more defensive; these guidelines will help you on your way to become a more careful driver all while reducing the chance that you'll have an automobile accident. Do a favor to yourself and take defensive driving seriously before you get hurt!