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For Parents Information you can trust, on topics that every parent faces.
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Driving is risky business. As a defensive driver, you can avoid crashes and help lower your risk behind the wheel. If you've been out on the roads, you know that not everyone drives well. Some people speed aggressively. Others wander into another lane because they aren't paying attention. Drivers may follow
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too closely, make sudden turns without signaling, or weave in and out of traffic. Aggressive drivers are known road hazards, causing one third of all traffic crashes. But inattentive
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driving is becoming more of a problem as people "multitask" by talking on the phone, texting or
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checking messages, eating, or even watching TV as they drive.
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You can't control the actions of other drivers. But updating your defensive driving skills can help you
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avoid the dangers caused by other people's bad driving.
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Skills That Put You in Control
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Before you get behind the wheel of that two-ton frame of glass and steel, here are some tips to help you
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stay in control:
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Stay focused. Driving is primarily a thinking task, and you have a lot of things to
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think about when you're behind the wheel: road conditions, your speed and position, observing traffic
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laws, signs and signals, following directions, being aware of the cars around you, checking your mirrors
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— the list goes on. Staying focused on driving — and only driving — is key.
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Distractions, like talking on the phone or eating, make a driver less able to see potential problems and
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properly react to them. It's not just teen drivers who are at fault: People who have been driving for a
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while can get overconfident in their driving abilities and let their driving skills get sloppy. All drivers
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need to remind themselves to stay focused.
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Stay alert. Being alert (not sleepy or under the influence) allows you to react quickly to potential problems — like when the driver in the car ahead slams on the brakes at the last minute. Obviously, alcohol or drugs (including prescription and over-the-counter drugs) affect a driver's reaction time and judgment. Driving while drowsy has the same effect and is one of the leading causes of crashes. So rest up before your road trip.
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What's your driving style? Car crashes are the #1 killer of teens. You can't control how other people drive, but what about you? Let
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our quiz give you some insight into your driving habits.
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Start Q.1 You are talking to your friend on your cell phone when she tells you that your crush asked about you. You're so shocked, you drop the phone on the floor. You:
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Dive under the passenger seat to retrieve the phone. You've got to know what your crush said NOW.
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Leave it there until the next stoplight or stop sign. Your crush is cute, but a fender-bender isn't. Never talk on the phone and drive, so this is a non-issue. Q.2 You go to a party with a friend. He's had several drinks while you didn't drink at all. When he goes for his keys to drive home, you: Convince him to let you drive. You'd never forgive yourself if he didn't get home safely - neither would his scary girlfriend.
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Tell him to find a ride. You'd take him, but you're too busy doing the robot to your favorite old school jams.
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Let him drive. He was able to walk in a straight line perfectly, though he did take a break to puke.
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Q.3 You're late for a movie. Your exit's ahead, but none of the cars in the exit lane will let you squeeze in. You: Pretend your accelerator is one of the drivers' heads as you floor it toward the next exit. You'll just have to take a detour.
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Start screaming profanities and cut off one of the cars so you'll make the exit. You can't miss the previews - they're your favorite part. Count to 10 while calmly heading toward the next exit. You don't want to lose your cool. Q.4 You're on your way home from work when it starts to pour. Even with the windshield wipers on full speed, you can barely see a thing. You: Take 5 mph off your speed. You want to be safe, but you still need to get home before your favorite TV show starts.
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Look out your open window so you can see how to safely maneuver your car to the side of the road. You'll wait until the storm lets up. Drive as usual. Your spidey sense will tell you everything your eyes can't.
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Q.5 The speed limit is 45 mph. You tend to go: Up to 65 mph. Aren't speed limits just suggestions?
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45 mph. You'd rather spend $200 on a new phone, not a speeding ticket.
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Q.6 You're on a road trip with your friends and it's your turn to drive. You're 5 miles from your next checkpoint when you start to nod off. You: Get a friend who isn't tired to take over the wheel while you curl up and doze.
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Step on the gas so that you make it before you fall asleep at the wheel. It's only 5 miles away. Grab a piece of chocolate from your bookbag, crank up the tunes, and turn the person riding shotgun into your backup singer. Q.7 You put your seatbelt on:
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As soon as you get into the car, every time. (Well, right after you check yourself out in the rearview mirror.) When your trip is more than a few minutes away.
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Never - who needs a seatbelt when you've got an airbag? Q.8 Which of these best describes the extent of your car knowledge?
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You know how to change your tire and know exactly where you can find the jack, lug wrench, and spare.
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You can check how much air is in your tire and fill it up if it's low.
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You know how to pump gas, and that's about it. AAA's on speed dial, so why learn anything else?
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Q.9 A yellow light means: Speed up and cruise through the intersection. Yellow is the new green.
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Speed up, but slam on the brakes if the light turns red before you enter the intersection. You know you're supposed to slow down to stop, but one out of two ain't bad.
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Slow down and stop for the red light.
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Q.10 Your cruising stance is best described as: One hand at 9 o'clock and the other at 3 o'clock.
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One hand at 10 o'clock and the other at 2 o'clock.
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One hand on the wheel and the other on your keypad.
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Your answer is:
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There's only one right answer to this quiz: Responsible drivers are the winners. It just takes one tiny slipup to cause a problem on the road. That means there's no difference between a driving style that's a tiny bit risky and one that's downright dangerous. Avoiding risky driving is only half the battle, though: It's important not to be a victim, either. Wear your seatbelt, watch out for dangerous drivers, keep your hands on the wheel, and use your mirrors to stay aware of what's going on around you. Dangerous(0 answers) Risky(0 answers) Responsible(0 answers) Please choose an answer Question 1 of 10 Continue
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Watch out for the other guy. Part of staying in control is being aware of other drivers and roadway
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users around you (and what they may suddenly do) so you're less likely to be caught off guard. For
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example, if a car speeds past you on the highway but there's not much space between the car and a slow-
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moving truck in the same lane, it's a pretty sure bet the driver will try to pull into your lane directly in
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front of you. Anticipating what another driver might do and making the appropriate adjustment helps reduce your risk.
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Eight Secrets of Super Driving
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When you drive defensively, you're aware and ready for whatever happens. You are cautious, yet ready to take action and not put your fate in the hands of other drivers. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 90% of all crashes are attributed to driver error.
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Following these defensive driving tips can help reduce your risk behind the wheel:
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Think safety first. Avoiding aggressive and inattentive driving tendencies yourself will put you in a stronger position to deal with other people's bad driving. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front. Always lock your doors and wear your seatbelt to protect you from being thrown from the car in a crash.
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Be aware of your surroundings — pay attention. Check your mirrors frequently
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and scan conditions 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you. Keep your eyes moving. If a vehicle is showing signs of aggressive driving, slow down or pull over to avoid it. If the driver is driving so dangerously that you're worried, try
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to get off the roadway by turning right or taking the next exit if it's safe to do so. Also, keep an eye on pedestrians,
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bicyclists, and pets along the road.
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Do not depend on other drivers. Be considerate of others but look out for yourself. Do not assume another driver
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is going to move out of the way or allow you to merge. Assume that drivers will run through red lights or stop signs and be prepared to react. Plan your movements anticipating the worst-case scenario. Have an escape route. In all driving situations, the best way to avoid potential dangers is to position your vehicle where you have the best chance of seeing and being seen. Having an alternate path of travel is essential, so take the position of other vehicles into consideration when determining an alternate path of travel. Always leave yourself an out — a place to move your vehicle if your immediate path of travel was suddenly blocked. Follow the 3- to 4-second rule. Since the greatest chance of a collision is in front of you, using the 3- to 4-second rule will help you establish and maintain a safe following distance and provide adequate time for you to brake to a stop if necessary. But this rule only works in normal traffic under good weather conditions. In bad weather, increase your following distance an additional second for each condition such as rain, fog, nighttime driving, or following a large truck or motorcycle. Keep your speed down. Posted speed limits apply to ideal conditions. It's your responsibility to ensure that your speed matches conditions. In addition, higher speeds make controlling your vehicle that much more difficult if things go wrong. To maintain control of your vehicle, you must control your speed. Separate risks. When faced with multiple risks, it's best to manage them one at a time. Your goal is to avoid having to deal with too many risks at the same time. Cut out distractions. A distraction is any activity that diverts your attention from the task of driving. Driving deserves your full attention — so stay focused on the driving task.
If you're interested in taking a defensive driving course to help sharpen your driving knowledge and skills, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Most states maintain a list of approved defensive driving course providers. Many of them offer online programs. In some states, you may be eligible for insurance premium discounts, "positive" safe driving points, or other benefits. These courses do cost money, but it's worth the investment to be a smarter, safer driver. Safe driving! Reviewed by: Kurt E. Gray, MS (/PageManager.jsp? dn=HCA&article_set=30227&lic=418&cat_id=20061#g) Date reviewed: July 2012
More on this Topic 5 Ways to Get Drivers to Stop Texting (/healthy-kids/index.dot?id=7a9ceeb7-fc79-4f2e-ac1c45a09d29640f&mainCategory=1) I Just Got My License - Now What? (/healthy-kids/index.dot?id=e6835b6d-bf96-4f43-aa8aa93e1e792d2c&mainCategory=1) Jamming the Traffic (/healthy-kids/index.dot?id=adc3e545-e26e-48bc-a1891df51ec5be4e&mainCategory=1) Bad-Weather Driving (/healthy-kids/index.dot?id=603e3f5e-7cd9-448c-a993c6dc22354725&mainCategory=1) What to Do After a Car Crash (/healthy-kids/index.dot?id=ea4bedd1-bf99-4a0f-b65d88aff03138a8&mainCategory=1) Road Tripping (/healthy-kids/index.dot?id=d89f506c-af5f-4889-9bf6e58ace6f96f4&mainCategory=1)
Related Resources Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) (http://www.madd.org) MADD has numerous resources for parents and content for teens. FEMA Winter Storms and Extreme Cold (http://www.fema.gov/hazard/winter/index.shtm) Information on dealing with severe winter weather, including driving tips and fact sheets. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (http://www.nhtsa.gov/) NHTSA is the government agency responsible for ensuring and improving automobile and traffic safety. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/Highway Loss Data Institute (http://www.highwaysafety.org) This organization is dedicated to reducing highway crashes, injuries, and deaths. It also offers information on driving-related topics such as airbags, teen drivers, auto accidents, speed laws, and underage drinking. Click It or Ticket (http://www.nhtsa.gov/CIOT) Click It or Ticket (CIOT) is the most successful seat belt enforcement campaign ever, helping create the highest national seat belt usage rate of 82 percent.
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