samedi 16 avril 2016

Defensive Driving Helps Keep The Roads Safer For All Of Us

By Kenneth Cox


Piloting an automobile on the roads is dangerous. Especially when people are in a hurry to get to work or someplace they're supposed to be, accidents can happen. Defensive driving is a way to keep yourself out of trouble and make the highways safer for everyone on them.

Although Port Coquitlam is a city in its own right, it has become a satellite of Vancouver. Twice a day at rush hour the roads are packed with people trying to get to work on time or longing to be home. Under these circumstances, you need to be as aware of what other drivers are doing as you are of your own actions.

Everyone is in a hurry, but the best way to get somewhere on time is to do it safely. Otherwise you'll be on the side of the road waiting for an officer to sort out the accident - that is, if you're not taking a detour to the hospital. Accidents are a waste of time, money, and life. Avoiding them in the first place just makes sense.

Since reaction time is all important in avoiding a collision, common sense tells us that keeping to a safe speed is critical. Going too fast lessens the time you have to see hazards and avoid them. Sometimes merely obeying the speed limit is not enough, when weather is inclement, for example. Heavier traffic calls for alertness and a wider margin for error (yours or another's).

Intersections are where most accidents happen. Four-way stops are dependent on everyone involved taking their turn correctly. Don't count on this, but always proceed with caution. Going ahead when the light turns green can be dangerous if someone is running a red light. Look before you pull out even if the light is in your favor.

Following other vehicles closely is another habit that can get you into trouble. If the driver ahead slows down or slams on the brakes, you may crash right into that car. Giving yourself time to see traffic ahead slowing or stopping can mean the difference between a safe stop and an accident. If you run into the car ahead, the accident will be your fault and your insurance will have to pay for damages - not a good scene.

Getting into the habit of looking ahead and anticipating driver error or hazards on the road will help no matter what is happening. Maybe there's a large animal on the road - like a deer, elk, or moose. Maybe a car on a side road is pulling out regardless of your approach. By anticipating the unexpected, you will have time to react appropriately and spare yourself and others on the road the hassle and danger of a collision.

Driving schools teach these kinds of defensive habits, as do government-sponsored courses. By taking such a course, you will learn to be a better and safer driver. You also may get a discount on your insurance and perhaps shave a few points off your driving record. Think of it as a community service and as a smart financial move.




About the Author:



Aucun commentaire:

Enregistrer un commentaire