Defensive driving is a good habit to be in behind the wheel, and Sammy’s Auto has some tips that you can use to be a better defensive driver on a regular basis.
Know and Follow the Traffic Laws
It’s vital that you know what the traffic laws are where you drive the most. Knowing those traffic laws and following them ensures you’re safer on the road and that you’re not going to cause issues for other drivers. Control your speed and make sure to signal appropriately before changing lanes and turning.
Don’t Trust the Drivers Around You
If everybody is following the rules of the road, you should be able to trust everyone else on the road, right? Not exactly. One of the biggest rules of defensive driving is to expect the unexpected so that you can prepare for the reactions of other drivers around you. Not every driver is a safe or considerate driver and you may have to respond quickly.
Maintain Safe Following Distances
Part of ensuring that you’re able to respond quickly involves making sure that you have room to do just that. You need to have plenty of distance between you and the cars around you, so that if you do have to get out of the way you can do so safely. This is part of why tailgating is so very dangerous and should be avoided.
Avoid Distractions as Much as Possible
Distractions while driving are also a problem. Distracted driving can be more dangerous even than driving while impaired, and that’s a big deal, too. Do what you can to minimize distractions while you’re driving. That doesn’t mean you can’t listen to the radio while you drive, but it does mean that if you’re expecting an important call or need to text someone, you should pull over and stop the car.
Make Sure Your Own Car Is Properly Maintained
Proper car maintenance helps to ensure that your car is safe to be on the road, and that’s also a big part of defensive driving. Check out the list of recommended services in your owner’s manual and stick with that list as closely as possible. It will help you to keep your car running well and as safe as possible.
Want help getting your car in the best shape possible? Call us today at Sammy’s Auto in Seffner, FL. We’ll help you to get up to date with maintenance needs as well as figure out what’s making that annoying rattle you’ve been meaning to get checked out.