Do you get frustrated when you hear about defensive driving? Lots of people do, even though it is a good practice to follow. Viking Automotive has some tips that can help you to apply more defensive driving techniques to your driving habits.
Use Your Turn Signals, but Don’t Believe Every Turn Signal You See
As a good and defensive driver, you should always be signaling as you’re driving. On the other hand, don’t just randomly trust that other drivers mean it when they turn on their signal. Sound like a contradiction? The reality is that you have to be paying attention, because so many other drivers aren’t.
Avoid Speeding and Trying to Beat Red Lights
When you get in your car it’s because you’re going somewhere, right? Well, if you’re running late, speeding and trying to beat the lights isn’t going to get you there any faster. And it could make you more likely to get into an accident. So leaving yourself plenty of travel time is the real solution.
Ensure You and Other Drivers Have Plenty of Room
You also need to make sure you’re leaving plenty of space between you and other cars on the road. That’s going to give you plenty of time and space to maneuver if someone has a problem in front of you. This is another reason that speeding, and tailgating, just aren’t helpful on the road.
Look Ahead of You
As you’re driving, don’t just look at the space immediately in front of you. That’s important, but it’s also important to know what’s a little farther ahead of you, too. It helps you to be prepared to take action quickly if you have to.
Keep Your Car in Good Condition
Finally, a big part of defensive driving is maintaining your own car properly. Mechanical issues and failures are a big cause of accidents and they’re avoidable for the most part. There are true accidents, of course, but if you’re keeping your car in the best possible condition, that helps to minimize the possibility that something might happen to your car.
Viking Automotive in Houston, TX can help you with everything from routine maintenance to necessary repairs. Contact us today and we can set up an appointment to help you to determine what’s going on with your car. If you’re behind on some of the most important scheduled maintenance services, we’re always happy to get you back on track.
