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Defensive Driving
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- Defensive Driving Techniques
Page OverviewTop What is Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving means more than simply being a safe driver. When you practice defensive driving, you are always trying to keep one step ahead of the action on the road by anticipating what may happen next, looking for possible trouble, and having a plan in place to deal with whatever may happen.
Sure, that sounds like a lot of work, but your safety is at stake. And, with time and practice, being a defensive driver becomes easier and more natural.
Top Defensive Driving Techniques
To help you get started, we've compiled a list of defensive driving tips:
- Always have an escape route in mind in case an emergency situation arises. To effectively do this, you must always be aware of the space around you.
- Always attempt to keep a safe distance from the vehicles around you.
- Scan the path ahead of you at least 12-15 seconds. Don't just fixate on the road immediately ahead of you.
- Before crossing an intersection, be sure to look in every direction and make sure it's safe to proceed, even when you have the right-of-way.
- When approaching the top of a hill, or at any time when you have a limited field of vision, be extra cautious and be prepared to react quickly.
- Be on the lookout for people entering or exiting vehicles, especially when you're around school buses, ice-cream trucks, mail trucks, and delivery trucks.
- Be extra alert in construction zones and around emergency scenes, as other drivers may be distracted and not practicing safe driving habits.
- When around erratic or dangerous drivers, you should slow down, as they increase the chance that a dangerous situation will develop.
- Cover the brakes and exercise increased caution in areas such as shopping centers, school zones, toll plazas, playgrounds, and intersections.
- Don't assume that driving at the posted speed limit means you're driving at a safe speed. Automatically reduce speed when conditions warrant it, such as when driving in rain, fog, or on icy roads.
- When around parked cars, be alert to the possibility of someone darting out from between the cars, opening a car door into your path of travel, or trying to pull out of a parking space.
- When driving on roads that are very wet, be prepared that other motorists could splash your windshield, leaving you unable to see for an instant.
- Be wary of drivers with out-of-state plates or rental cars, as well as drivers who have a map out or their interior lights on. All are associated with drivers who may not be familiar with the area, and may be confused or distracted.
- Be on the lookout for drivers backing up into the road from a driveway or parking lot, as these drivers may have a limited field of vision.
- Watch out for slippery conditions during the first several minutes after it begins to rain, as the rain will mix with oily residue on the road surface.
- Try to remain as visible as you can to other drivers, and stay out of possible blind spots.
- When possible, keep a good distance behind trucks with cargo that could go flying into the road or your line of vision.
By practicing these techniques, you'll greatly increase the chances that you'll make it to and from your destination safely.
Related Questions from DMV Answers
Is parallel parking on the driving test?
Parallel parking involves performing an S-shaped turn in reverse to park parallel to the curb. For the majority of new drivers, this is one of the hardest skills to master. If you're struggling to get the hang of how to parallel park, you may find yourself wondering if this is a mandatory component of the driving test. In most cases, a driving test will last between 15 and 30 minutes. The examiner won't ask you to do anything illegal or try to trick you during the road test. The goal is to see if you can operate your vehicle safely under typical driving conditions. The driving test typically includes: Left and right turns Backing Changing lanes Stops at controlled and uncontrolled intersections Driving in regular street traffic Yielding to right of way Stopping at appropriate signs Defensive driving Parallel parking may or may not be on your driving test, depending upon where you live and the discretion of the driver's license examiner. If you live in an area where drivers general...
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Taking a knowledge test in order to earn your drivers license can be a stressful experience, especially if your native language is not English. However, many states are becoming more aware of the needs of their diverse populations. Oregon, for example, offers driver's license tests in English, Spanish, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Russian. This makes it possible for residents to focus on demonstrating their knowledge of driving safety instead of trying to decode the subtleties of a secondary language. If you need to find a Spanish practice test to help you prepare for your driver's license exam, your first stop should be your local DMV office or the state DMV Web site. If your state offers a downloadable driver's license manual in Spanish, this should include some practice questions to help you evaluate your knowledge of topics such as road signs, defensive driving, and operating a vehicle under adverse weather conditions. Some states put practice test questions on their DMV We...
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Depending on where you live, you might have many choices - or just a few. To find out, simply do an online search for DMV defensive driving courses. Include the name of your town - or at least your state - to narrow the search results. Of course, you can always consult the trusty yellow pages of your phone book. Look under "driving schools" or "driving classes".Taking a defensive driving class can have numerous benefits. For starters, it could reduce the number of points on your driving record. Just order a copy of your record online to find out how many points you have, and then ask your DMV if completing a class could remove some of these points. However, be sure to take a class from a DMV-approved provider. Your state's drivers license agency site should contain a list of these companies, but if not, you can call or stop by your local branch to find out.But, passing a defensive driving class could also mean a reduction in your insurance premiums. And, most imp...
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Absolutely not.And, don't ever feel pressured to accept an offer from an insurer or an agent just because you were given a car insurance quotes. This applies to phone conversations, in-person meetings, or even after receiving a quote online. When it comes to insurance, it's smart to shop around to not only find the best price but the right coverage.As part of your research, you should check to see if taking a defensive driving course can reduce the number of points on your license, or get you a more favorable quote. In many cases, it will. Of course, your next step would be to see which companies in your area offer these courses, and how much they cost. Remember, by taking a course, you may not only help yourself financially through reduced auto insurance premiums, but be making yourself a safer driver. And, you can't put a price tag on that.
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