What Is Defensive Driving?

According to the American National Standard Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operation, the skill of defensive driving as “driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others.”

At all times behind the wheel, defensive drivers will attempt to avoid collisions. Accidents between two passenger vehicles are the most common wrecks in the United States, and a third of those happen at intersections.

One of the deadliest types of accidents is a head-on collision. Fortunately, they can often be averted by alert drivers swerving out of harm’s way prior to impact.

Drivers sometimes believe that rear-end collisions are out of their control when in fact they are often preventable if drivers:

• Move out of tailgaters’ lanes

• Signal their intentions

• Don’t slam on the brakes

It’s not just other motorists that drivers must be aware of. It’s also hazards in or on the road itself. As well as watching for brake lights on the vehicles ahead, note if any cars appear to swerve to avoid something in the road.

Since intersections have higher accident rates, wait that extra beat before merging into traffic when the light turns green. It could save your life or the lives of others on the road.

If you wind up hurt in an auto accident here in Macon, you might need to file a claim for damages against the at-fault motorist.

Learning about your rights and responsibilities following an accident in which you have been injured can help you decide which steps you will need to take.