Headlights are for seeing and BEING seen! Be sure to recognize the circumstances where lights are necessary for safety. The sobering statistic is that while only 25% of the miles we drive are at night, about 50% of the fatalities occur in the darkness—25,000 people each year. What can you do about it? There are …
Defensive Driving Rule Number 23: Know When To Use Your Headlights Read More »
Defensive Driving Rule Number 22: Know How To Stop! Red light runners and account for a good portion of the traffic collision fatalities every year. It’s important to know how to stop. Stopping a car safely is a crucial skill for any driver. Here are the steps to stop a car safely: Signal: If you’re …
Defensive Driving Rule Number 22: Know How To Stop! Read More »
The high speeds of highways in Arizona and the density of traffic on them require a special set of operating rules. First, there are forbidden actions. There is NO STOPPING on a freeway. This includes the roadway itself, the shoulder, the off and on-ramps, and the median—anywhere on freeway right-of-way. Emergency stops are permitted, but …
Defensive Driving Rule Number 21: Be A Freeway Professional Read More »
Intersections are one of the most dangerous areas for any driver. Four-way intersections, T Junction, Y intersections, forks in the road, controlled uncontrolled, and don’t forget roundabouts. However, Arizona has a new intersection at highway entrances and exits called diverging diamond lanes. They came from France where the first one was built in the community …
Defensive Driving Rule Number 20: Beware of Intersections Read More »
All new cars sold as of 2018 come with backup cameras because we can’t seem to back up without running over and injuring family members. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 15,000 people are injured and 210 people are killed each year by back-over crashes. Children under five make up 31 …
Defensive Driving Rule Number 19: Avoid Backing Up Read More »
Although most distractions are avoidable, some distractions are impossible to totally prevent – instead, they must be managed. Driving requires your full attentiveness. You can take charge of eliminating distractions to focus on the road ahead. With so many things happening around you at once, it’s important to stay focused when you’re driving. Driving distractions …
Defensive Driving Rule Number 18: Avoid Distractions Read More »
A vehicle’s blind spots are areas that obstruct a driver’s view of the road while seated. Typically, the degree of such visual impediments is determined by the size of the vehicle in question. All cars have blind spots. However, over the years, car manufacturers have come a long way in downscaling these weak points, with …
Defensive Driving Rule Number 17: Know Your Four Blind Spots! Read More »
As a driving instructor, I often ask people what are their “pet peeves” about other drivers; a common reply is that other drivers don’t signal turns and lane changes. How many times do you see drivers who do not signal? Or worse, drivers who signal a right turn but turn left? Other times, especially with …
Defensive Driving Rule Number 16: Always Signal Your Intentions Read More »
One of the best ways to create a safe environment for yourself and others while driving is to be predictable. Plainly stated, you don’t want to surprise anyone. This is similar to Rule number 14 (Drive to Communicate), but slightly different in practice. Have you ever seen a car fly down the left lane of …
Defensive Driving Rule Number 15: Drive Predictably Read More »
You always want to know the other driver sees you, and this rule will provide you with some ways to make sure they do. Use your lights and horn when necessary to let others know you are there. If you make eye contact with another driver, there is perhaps less chance he will pull out …
Defensive Driving Rule #14: Drive to Communicate Read More »
