Defensive Driving Tip #49: Make    We teach in defensive driving class that Left turns at controlled intersections are one of the most dangerous driving maneuvers. They don’t have to be — the dangers can be controlled. The most important thing is to be knowledgeable — and then MINDFUL — of what they are. When you enter an intersection, the … Read More

Defensive Driving Tip #48: Safety on Mountain Roads   Most of us know the rules about driving to the right on multilane highways under normal conditions, and moving left only to pass. This isn’t just courtesy, or standard operating procedure, but it’s often a legal requirement as well. But what about roads where there is only a single lane in … Read More

Defensive Driving Tip #47: Move Over for Parked Vehicles on a Roadway Imagine yourself happily motoring down an Interstate highway when you have a sudden blow-out or other emergency situation. You roll (or coast) to the side, but you have limited ability to get too far off the roadway (because of obstacles or a curb), and you have to stop … Read More

Defensive Driving Tip #46: Share the Road With Trucks Drivers must deal safely with all obstacles and situations we encounter. We take responsibility for a safe outcome — because that’s sometimes the only way we can avoid a collision. One special hazard is that posed by heavy trucks. Commercial drivers are proven professionals; they must meet exacting, tough federal standards … Read More

Defensive Driving Tip  #45: !     As a young guy who absolutely LIVED for vacations, I couldn’t wait to get out of town. I worked the evening shift in an ice cream factory, and my habit was to pack before work, then leave immediately at shift change – stopping at home only to pick up my bride (lucky girl!). … Read More

Defensive Driving Tip #44: Make Allowances for Your Physical Limitations     What does the term “impaired driving” in the context of defensive driving mean to you? If you’re like many, drinking and driving comes to mind quickest. But impairment is a term that characterizes any similar insufficiency. Webster’s 2nd New Riverside Dictionary, Revised, defines “impair” as “harm, diminish in … Read More

Defensive Driving Tip #43: Recognize the Futility of Rushing It’s not a good idea to try to make up time on the road when you are late. We once called this behavior “pressure driving.” NOT “defensive driving”. Pressure driving is characterized by speeding, sudden and multiple lane changes, cutting other drivers off, tailgating, or going on private property or off … Read More

Defensive Driving Tip #42: Exercise Cautious Courtesy   Most drivers agree that defensive driving courtesy is lacking on our roadways — whether between operators of cars, cars and pedestrians or bicycles, between motorcycles and cars, or trucks and cars. I’ve often wondered whether the relative anonymity we have when driving leads us to behave in ways we’d never consider if … Read More

Defensive Driving Tip #41: Share the Road With Bicyclists   One of the problems bicyclists face is motorists who think they don’t belong on the road. As defensive driving instructors we tell drivers daily, we must share roadways safely with all users, and bicyclists have every right to be out there. Many drivers are not thinking about bicycles and often … Read More

Defensive Driving Tip #40: Practice Smart Bicycling Protect your number one asset using defensive driving skills! I wasn’t born rich — so my brain is my strong point, although some would argue this. Be that as it may, I’d wear a helmet if I rode a bike. Even minor bumps can cause spills resulting in head impacts and at as … Read More