Defensive Driving to Avoid Motor Vehicle Accidents - Part 1

Defensive Driving to Avoid Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA’s) - Part 1

By: Mark A. Doughty, Esq.   www.GoLaw.com
About the author: Mark A. Doughty has practiced personal injury and auto collision law in the Sacramento valley since 1980.  LIKE us online at http://facebook.com/DoughtyLaw or FOLLOW us at http://twitter.com/DoughtyLaw

Driving Defensively: Defensive Driving Tips for Avoiding Car Accidents

Driving defensively is an important part of safety when it comes to road travel. Just because you are a safe driver doesn't mean that other drivers will also be. Wearing a seatbelt is the first and foremost thing anyone riding or driving in a vehicle should do. It is also important to avoid driving impaired by FATIGUE, ALCOHOL or DRUGS INCLUDING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. Following Defensive Driving tips can help to protect you from a world or hurt or loss.

TIP # 1 - "PAY ATTENTION"
RoadTripAmerica.com reports that an estimate of 50,000 people die annually due to road related injuries. Factoring in the injuries causes the number to rise much higher. Over 22 million people are injured every year on United States roadways.  Paying attention is the number one Defensive Driving tactic listed on the RoadTrip America website. Keeping your mind alert and focused on the road can help prevent many incidents from happening. One distraction could be road rage. That distraction could linger throughout the day due to the upset feelings caused. Never let anything, including other drivers, distract you from driving safely.

TIP # 2 - "YIELD"
Another thing to remember is that there can sometimes be confusion as to who has the right way. A good Defensive Driving tip in this instance is to simply yield that right to the other person. I taught my sons: “You win by Losing when it comes to letting another driver go first.”

TIP # 3 - "REACTION TIME IS KEY"
Reaction time is key to preventing accidents and when the person driving is speeding, that reaction time decreases. In fact, reaction time decreases each time driving speed increases. With RoadTripAmerica's calculations, if a person is driving 70 mph, the average reaction time is 115 feet (or about 7 car lengths).

Buying and using other safety devices is also important in driving defensively. Child safety seats, ABS brakes, air bags, and other devices may be optional but are invaluable when it comes to safe driving. Be sure that you not only have these devices, but that you know how to use them properly and do so each time they are used.

Keep in mind that this is not an all-inclusive Defensive Driving guide. A certified Defensive Driving course is a good idea and is just one of the many ways to be prepared and stay informed.  Come back NEXT MONTH to read the 2nd part to this article.

Sources:
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/DefensiveDriving/Rule04.htm
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/DefensiveDriving/Drive-Safe-With-Uncle-Bob.htm
some direct quotes from http://Yahoo.com

This BLOG was Prepared for you by Mark A. Doughty, attorney-at-law who practices solely in the area of injury and accidents including motor vehicle accidents, motorcycles, trucks, vicious animal attacks and slip and fall cases. You may contact Mr. Doughty by visiting his website at http://www.GoLaw.com or call 530-674-1440