You can’t always guarantee that you won’t be injured in a car accident. Other drivers are also responsible for your safety. If they make mistakes, it could be you who suffers harm.
One of the best ways to avoid this is by becoming a defensive driver. You may be able to avoid the mistakes others make and keep yourself out of the hospital. This doesn’t guarantee an accident won’t happen, but it can lower those odds. Below are two important keys to becoming a defensive driver this year.
1. Staying alert
First off, defensive drivers should never be distracted. They need to constantly scan around them, watch their mirrors and pay close attention to everything that’s happening on the road. Many accidents happen when drivers claim that another car “came out of nowhere” or that they “never saw” a motorcycle. But the reality is that the driver was distracted and they didn’t realize what was happening around them on the road.
2. Anticipating mistakes
The second part of defensive driving is anticipating the errors that other drivers are going to make. For instance, you may know that it’s your turn at a four-way stop. But if you instantly start driving as soon as it’s the right time, and someone else accidentally goes out of turn, you could get involved in an accident. Even just taking a split second to watch the other cars can alert you to the danger.
As a defensive driver, you will certainly understand some of the risks that you face from others on the road. If you get injured in an accident, take the time to carefully consider your legal options.