Offense is the Best Defense

As we rise from the pandemic, and break away from cancelled social lives, and work from home environments, I’m seeing more and more roadside accidents. Small fender benders resulting from reckless and distracted driving, and more serious, multi-vehicle collisions.

Our young drivers are often considered the riskiest, with inexperience looming over their heads as they gain their windshield miles. But my friends, and many students in my school and in our area are investing in Driving School, and the benefits may be making a difference. The private lessons offer 1:1 training from a professional teacher, providing tips, direction and support in real time. And there is often an insurance discount for having taken the classes.

While costs of driving school are always a consideration, a study recently released some good news that offers even more support for taking classes. The University of Nebraska at Lincoln proved in a recent study that of the students studied, 11.1% of driving school educated students had less accidents than the 12.9% of those who hadn’t taken any classes. Also, the education affected the students in another amazing way. Only 10.4% of the students who experienced driver’s ed courses had received a ticket, vs. 18.3% of the students who hadn’t. *

According to the US DOT, more than 20,000 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the first 6 MONTHS of 2021. To break that trend, and soon, we must empower ourselves with excellent driving skills and become good defensive drivers. Here are some ways to get started:

An educated driver is a confident driver.

Know the rules of the road, speed limits, and how to keep control of your vehicle. From parallel parking to navigating high speed turnpikes, to understanding school zones, to deciphering signage, always be in control of your vehicle.

Don’t trust other drivers

When at a stop light, watch the light, not the vehicle in front of you. They may move before the light changes, and then stop abruptly, which causes many rear end collisions. Before proceeding, look left, then right, then left again. Watch your surroundings and make your own decision to advance when you are ready.

Expect the Unexpected

Always keep your eyes on the road and be prepared for an animal to dart across the road or a child to chase after a ball that bounces away. Be in control of your speed, and able to stop in the case of the unexpected. If you are distracted on your phone, the results could be horrific.

Protect yourself and your passengers

But before you turn that key, adjust your seat, mirrors and click that seatbelt. Seatbelts really do save lives. My uncle is a Medivac Helicopter pilot, and he has seen the very worst injuries when the victim failed to wear a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt is far more comfortable than suffering an accident without one.

Keep looking back

Look left, then right, then left again. Never stop looking back when you are backing up. If you are in reverse, your eyes are looking back and to the sides.

Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

I read that on a billboard.** If after a cocktail or two, you feel a little bit better than before you took that drink, you shouldn’t be driving. With so many options and support available to us, the inconvenience of picking up your car tomorrow ensures you will be here tomorrow. If you aren’t sure, don’t.

If they hit the brakes, you hit the brakes

With limited visibility ahead of the vehicle in front of you, always maintain a safe following distance. One rule is one car length for every ten miles mph. When their brake lights come on, press your brakes too. No matter how far ahead they are, make it a habit to move your foot to the brake.

Speed kills

It might seem you will arrive much sooner if you add another 10 mph to your speedometer. But Lifehacker.com spelled it out quite well when they explained that increasing your speed from 65 to 75 is only 15% increase, not really saving you much time in the long run. And while increasing from 25-35 mph is a greater percentage, racing through local neighborhoods could offer great consequence than just a speeding ticket

I’ve taken the importance of safe driving to heart for a long time. In 2021, I wrote an article to promote safe driving week that was published in the Bucks County Courier times, highlighting the importance of driver education and safe practices. And I have been asked to write a new one this year for the same newspaper.

Accidents happen, and you don’t always see them coming. But a defensive driver is always looking. Stay alert, slow down and be safe out there.

*

* Reference: Does Taking A Driver’s Ed Course Reduce Car Crashes? (idrivesafely.com)

** (www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov)