How To Drive Defensively To Avoid A New Haven Auto Accident

Safety experts have been saying for years that one of the best things you can do to avoid a New Haven auto accident is to drive defensively. On it’s face this sounds like a pretty simple concept, but what does this phrase actually mean and how would you go about doing it in your day to day life while behind the wheel?

The short answer is that it is quite simple to drive defensively, but if you dig a little deeper you will find that the components of this style of driving require focus and engagement that you may not be currently driving with and it will require you to adjust how you are driving now. The core basic components of defensive driving are observation, anticipation, space-management and decision-making. These core components when working together will put you in a position to successfully avoid an accident while behind the wheel of your car.

Taking each of these components separately you will have a clear sense of how defensive driving will impact your ability to maintain your safety on the road.

Observation includes the following skills:

• Scanning. You will need to be continuously scanning your surroundings utilizing all the tools at your disposal including your mirrors, the road ahead and utilizing any on-board cameras that are designed to help you see in your blind spots.
• Anticipate. When you are scanning you should be looking beyond the immediate situation and ahead to what might be impacting your safety such as other drivers and pedestrians who may be impeding your forward progress.

Anticipation is included as part of observation, but it also requires other skills including;

• Prepare for the unexpected. Be ready to avoid challenging situations by utilizing your brakes accordingly as well as fluctuating your speed accordingly. If you see brake lights on vehicles far ahead of you, utilize your acceleration or deceleration to avoid fast braking.
• Think ahead. If you are only reacting to situations as they happen you may be putting yourself at risk. If you can think about what may occur in the coming miles ahead you will be ready to react when the time comes.

Space Management is something that is starting to become a feature on newer cars which can help with this, but you will still need to be alert to your need for these skills even in newer cars;

• Be aware of your distance that you are following the cars in front of you. Your distance should be safe and adhere to the 3-second rule.
• Maintain lane awareness. You should not weave in and out of traffic nor should you make any erratic movements. In most traffic situations you should remain in your lane if at all possible.

Decision-making is something you do regularly when you’re driving a car and these skills will help you do it in a safer way;

• Choose safe actions by prioritizing safety over speed or convenience. You will arrive at your destination, even if you are late, you have arrived instead of getting injured or worse, killed.
• Minimize risky behaviors like sudden changes in your speed or lane shifts, aggressive turns and especially illegal manuevers.

Defensive driving is one of the best ways that safety experts say you can avoid a New Haven auto accident and remain safe behind the wheel. While there are a lot of elements to it, you can certainly learn how to be a good defensive driver and keep yourself and your passengers safe without too much effort and it will be worth the work so you can remain safe while behind the wheel.

No matter how successful you are at driving defensively, accidents do happen and when they do so does property damage and injuries. If you’ve experienced an accident you may need to speak with someone who has experience dealing with situations like yours. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work on protecting your long-term interests.