We know that injuries and fatalities that occur at highway-rail crossings or on railroad property are a real, but often preventable, problem. Few people realize that in America, a person or vehicle is hit by a train roughly every three hours, and that’s a reality we’re determined to change. I am amazed at how often cars …
Defensive Driving Tip #35: Never Play Chicken With a Train Read More »
Many of us have seen the old WWII submarine movies (like “Das Boot”) where the officers don dark goggles and the sub’s interior lights are dimmed to red, in order to protect the night vision of the officers and “lookouts.” This was a matter of life and death — a few seconds on the ocean’s …
Defensive Driving Tip #34: Deal With Light Glare Read More »
When thinking about defensive driving many people think about what the most “dangerous” collision is, they don’t always come up with the correct answer on the first guess. Many think it is the “T-Bone” (a 90-degree impact at an intersection), or a head-on. These are serious collisions, and along with rear-end collisions, account for many …
Defensive Driving Tip #33: Avoid the Single-Vehicle Collision Read More »
I was driving from Phoenix to Willams, one evening, on one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in Arizona. I was passed — across double yellow lines — by a delivery truck (similar to a large U-Haul or Ryder rental truck). I was doing the speed limit, or close to it. He passed in …
As a defensive driving instructor, a head-on collision is the worst crash most of us can think of. Thankfully, they are relatively rare. Still, you should be prepared for one. A young mother was on an Arizona highway, with her sister and her child. She had great visibility. In front of her were smooth, dry …
Defensive Driving Tip #31: Avoid Head-On Collisions Read More »
What’s the best defensive driving way not to get into a skid? Avoid it in the first place! One of the best ways to avoid trouble on the road (not just skids) is to drive smoothly. True professionals drive so seamlessly that you do not feel anything when they shift, turn, or brake. Plan ahead, …
Defensive Driving Tip #30: Know How To Recover From A Skid Read More »
Defensive driving instructors will tell you that hydroplaning is what happens when the tread on your tires cannot channel all the rain-water out from under your tires – or, from under each patch of tire that is supposed to be resting on the road and providing you with traction. When hydroplaning, those tire patches are …
Defensive Driving Tip #29: Check for Hydroplaning Read More »
What defensive driving? One of the most frequent factors behind collisions is the “jackrabbit” driver. He’s the guy who’s constantly changing speeds, changing lanes, tailgating, and otherwise not fitting into traffic. Other often interrelated causes of traffic collisions are “disparate” vehicle speeds (when one driver is driving much faster than others), impatience, and frequent lane …
Defensive Driving Tip #28: Maintain an Even, Measured Pace Read More »
Most defensive driving instructors will tell you not to tailgate other vehicles for several reasons. Following too closely is a factor in about 40% of collisions (in my state of Arizona), and they are not always minor in terms of injuries and fatalities. Following too closely often restricts your vision, making it likely your reaction …
Defensive Driving Tip #27: Get Rid of Tailgaters Read More »
Defensive driving means taking care of your vehicle. Check your fluid reservoir (if you don’t know where it is, have someone who does show you). Brake fluid levels don’t usually change much so a sudden change in fluid level is a red flag. You should have your brakes checked regularly since preventive work can save …
Defensive Driving Tip #26: Take Care of Your Vehicle Read More »
