A Simple Guide to Defensive Driving

Heavy traffic is normal during the holiday season. During this time, many people are out to spend time with family and friends. Long drives in heavy traffic usually results in fatigue which leads to accidents on the road. To keep your family safe, you have to practice defensive driving and protect yourself from unforeseen events. Here are some useful guidelines that you can start with.

Plan Your Trip


The definition of defensive driving is to do something to avoid collisions according to the National Safety Council. However, the truth is that defensive driving start as you plan your trip at home. As you spend time checking the weather and picking a route, you are making sure that your trip is going to be a safe one. You also need to think about the basic supplies that you need for your trip. Make sure to bring an emergency kit, food and some blankets for your trip.


Watch the Traffic


The holiday season brings more cars on the road as people choose to drive as a form of family bonding. The downside here is that the more cars there are on the road, the more chances of accidents happening. Here are some tips to follow to make sure your trip is accident-free.


- Check all your mirrors every five seconds and never stop scanning the area for potential danger.
- Give other motorists their right of way and always be prepared to react to merging lanes and unexpected turns.
- Keep a safe distance from other cars to avoid collision and make sure that you have enough response time by decreasing your speed.
- Make sure to breathe deeply and prevent yourself from being an aggressive motorist.


Check How You Drive


There are four most common causes of road collision according to the NSC. To make sure you don't fall into these category, you better check how you drive.


1. Unnecessary Speeding. Make sure to follow the speed limits in the area where you are driving. You also have to check the weather conditions and take it into consideration. For example, if the roads are icy and slippery, you have to decrease your speed to be safer.


2. Not respecting the right of way. Comply to all the traffic signs to make sure that you respect other motorists' right of way. Do not drive at improper speeds and make sure to scan intersections before you drive through them.


3. Improper Turns. Before turning, make sure to utilize your turn signals to let the person behind you know what you are going to do.


4. Tailgaiting. This can be deadly if you are driving in high speeds and can wreck your vehicle during slow speeds. It is recommended to keep a good amount of distance between vehicles. If you find someone tailgating you, move over to another lane and let them pass.


Driving is a convenient way of getting around but you need to be prepared for the risks that it entails. Car insurance is a must to protect you from the hassle that you may experience. At River Valley Insurance Agency, we take pride in making sure that our clients are well-protected at prices they can afford. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (616) 301-9500 or Click Here to request a free quote.

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