Defensive Driving 101… Again

Reach back into the deep crevices of your brain… back all the way to when you were 16 years old and taking Driver’s Ed class. Remember that? Now think… do you remember learning about defensive driving? Sure, we all remember the name of it, but what it actually entails? Ha, ha! Well, not so ha-ha, because it’s important to know. This is why we have put together this easy guide to defensive driving that even a grownup can understand. Check it out:

If you have someone tailgating you, let them pass whenever it’s safe to do so. Wave them onward if they need a little bit of help.

• Always plan for delays in your journey. As pessimistic as it sounds, never trust other drivers. They get into accidents and forget how to drive all the time. If you plan for delays, the best outcomes are that you either arrive to your destination early, or if you hit traffic you won’t be late. Win-win!

• Focus on safety. When you’re thinking the most about being safe and driving the way you’re supposed to, you’ll drive more responsibly. So, put down that cellphone!

• If you begin your journey stressed, it’s just going to get worse with every little thing that happens on the way. Listen to soothing music or talk radio, take deep breaths, and remember that you are not in the car forever!

• Addicted to the horn? Time to wean yourself off. Using your horn makes you angry and it makes everyone else around you angry, and then you have a Dangerous Driving Situation on your hands. That is never good.

• If you come across another driver who is road raging, stay as far away from them as possible. Let them pass you, don’t cut them off, just let them leave you the heck alone. It’s for the best!