Defensive Driving Research Paper

The Best Driving is Defensive

Everyday, The majority of Americans commute to work or school. During your travels, Have you seen the driver that weaves in and out of traffic or the speedster? What about the driver texting, looking at their phone, reading a paper, or fooling with the radio? What about the makeup artist while they are driving? Are you guilty of being one of these type of drivers?

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of deaths in America. Although new safety technologies are being developed everyday that will continue to help bring the death rate down, learning to become a defensive driver will increase your likelihood of reaching your destination safe and unharmed. The drivers that cause accidents are not defensive drivers.

The aggressive driver speeds, tailgates, and weaves in and out of traffic like a race car driver. This type of driver causes the most wrecks. Speeding increases your chance of an accident. Also, speeding decreases your reaction time to avoid wrecks. Weaving in traffic is unsafe and raises the chance to cause a pile up. Tailgating another bad habit of an aggressive driver, limits your outs and easily causes rear end wrecks.
A different type of driver, The inattentive driver is also a danger. Most of us carry smartphones, which gives us the ability to stay connected. The option to receive these text messages, emails or facebook status can be addictive. Checking these items while driving can be compared to drinking and driving. Our focus is taken from the job at hand. Other distractions observed such as reading a paper, putting makeup on, eating or drinking while driving and fooling with radio. Driving requires our full attention. These distractions factor into automobile accidents.
The first tip to being a definsive driver is being prepared. Before getting in your car, know the route you plan to take. If you own a gps, Enter your route before you drive. Adjust all of your mirrors, seats, bluetooth devices and radios. Stow your phone in your console to eliminate temptation to look at a text or email. By taking these actions, you eliminate causes of inattention.
Next tip, Follow road signs and speed limits.

The speed limits and road signs are designed and strategically placed to keep you safe. Remember speeding limits your reaction times and increases your chances of getting into an accident.

Another tip, Be on the lookout for other drivers. Constantly scan your mirrors to be aware of what other cars are doing around you. High eyes, a technique used by race car drivers, requires you to look out ahead. Avoid focusing on the car in front of you. While driving, think of scenarios that could happen and give yourself out. Look for safe options, You do not want to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid a wreck. Safe options are the shoulder of the road or open lane. Avoid lane changes unless needed to pass. Always use your turn signal before turning and changing lanes.

Another helpful tip, Use the three second rule. When following a vehicle, you want to stay approximately 3 seconds behind. Use a stationary object such as a road sign. after the car in front of you passes the road sign count one mississippi, two mississippi, three mississippi. If your car passes the sign after three mississippi, You are traveling a safe distance from the leading car.

Lastly, Avoid the aggresive and inattentive drivers. When safe, move away from these types of drivers by safely slowing down, speeding up, or changing

lanes.
Never use alcohol or drugs before driving. This will dramatically impair your ability to drive defensively.
As they say in football, The best offense is a good defense. This should be the same with driving. In football, by having a good defense you keep the other team from scoring. In driving defensively, You keep the other driver from causing you to wreck. By defensive driving, You decrease your chance of getting into an automobile accident. Remember to be attentive, use your mirrors, avoid speeding, avoid distractions, and be on the lookout for other drivers. Many driving schools teach these techniques listed and many others to become a defensive driver. Also, many insurance companies are giving discounts for driving defensively. You can save a life and save some money by becoming a defensive driver.