The holiday season is a wonderful time to hit the road for a visit with family and friends. But it often means long drives in heavy traffic. To help you stay safe (and sane) on the road to your destination, here’s a list of defensive driving tips to prepare you for the drive.
Planning: The First Line of Defense
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), defensive driving means taking reasonable action to prevent a collision. But defensive driving starts before you even get on the road. Checking weather and road conditions in advance helps you plan a route and know what to expect along the way. It’s also important to pack the car with basic supplies. A first aid kit, flares, snacks and blankets ensure you’re ready for emergencies on long drives.
Traffic Watch
The holiday season is not only one of the busiest travel times, but this year’s low gas prices mean many people will probably choose to drive. And more cars on the road means a higher chance of fatal crashes, so it’s extra important to stay alert this year and learn to spot and avoid hazards using these NSC-approved tips.
– Defensive driving instructors recommend checking your mirrors every three to five seconds and continuously scanning ahead for possible dangers.
– Always give the right of way to fellow motorists, but be prepared to react to unexpected lane changes and turns.
– During heavy traffic, keep a safe distance from other vehicles and give yourself ample response time by slowing your speed.
– Look for signs of impaired, distracted and even aggressive driving and develop techniques like deep breathing to keep calm under pressure.
Collision-Proof Your Drive
The NSC has identified six unsafe driving behaviors that most often lead to collisions. By understanding each infraction and learning how to avoid them, holiday travelers can develop safer driving habits and collision avoidance techniques.
1) Improper speed. Keep a close eye on both the posted speed limit and weather conditions. Even if you’re obeying the limit, you may need to slow down to drive safely on a wet or icy road.
2) Violating right of way. To make sure you’re yielding properly and following all traffic signals and stop signs, drive at an appropriate speed to give yourself time to react and take a moment to scan intersections before entering them.
3) Driving left of center. Patience and foresight are key to avoiding this unsafe behavior. Slow down and stay behind cyclists or pedestrians until it’s safe to pass them, and watch the road ahead for animals or other obstacles so you can brake or safely steer around them instead of swerving into the other lane.
4) Turning improperly. Always use turn signals to let other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists know where you’re going. (Most traffic laws require you to signal within 100 feet of a turn, but you should check local regulations.)
5) Passing improperly. When passing, be sure to use your turn signals and check your blind spots, as well as in front of and behind your vehicle. You should be able to pass without getting too close to the car ahead or going over the speed limit; if you can’t, it may not be safe to pass.
6) Following too closely. At low speeds, this can lead to irritating fender benders; at high speeds, it can be deadly. Give yourself at least three seconds of distance between your own vehicle and the one ahead. If someone is tailgating you, don’t speed up! Maintain your speed and move over to let him or her pass if and when it is safe to do so.
Did you know? GEICO policyholders who complete defensive driver training could qualify for discounts on their auto insurance, depending on the state they live in. To learn more about defensive driver courses in your state, visit geico.com/ddc.
By Katherine Palbom & Kristen Koch
Julie says,
This is very sound safe driving tips, I just wish that alot of Alabama drivers would read these great tips! Their are so many ignorant, dangerous drivers here. Thanks for the tips, I’ll use them!
Franco Cesare says,
Common sense is the best tool for driving safe.
Jeff says,
Some good tips. I would suggest, however, that if someone is too close behind you, slow down slightly by gently releasing your accelerator ever-so-lightly. This is a very subtle action. You are not trying to surprise the driver behind you. Doing this is one way to check yourself to make sure you are not letting that car pressure you into going too fast or thinking you have to do anything “faster”, regardless if they understand why you are doing it. They will go around you most of the time.
Don’t worry about upsetting another driver. This should be the least of your worries. It keeps you in check and relieves the pressure most feel when driving.
Julie says,
Good advice.
Kenneth Hohlfeld says,
As a former trucker, one must always look around your vehicle while keeping in mind for an escape route just in case something happens unexpectedly.
Linda Soroko says,
THANK YOU for the information.
Patria Horlback says,
Hello great information I strive to drive safely each and every way.
David P. says,
Great refresher information to have, especially during the holiday season..
Connie Kizziar says,
I want to do your saft driving corse
Lynne Murguia says,
Many thanks — and Happiest, safest Holidays to you, too.
Joyce j. Visone says,
Hi there Geico, I use you guys.
I liked reading defensive driving and I’ll share it with friends. A more condensed version would be better though. I’ll take the course soon.
Sincerely, JJ Visone LA, CA 91601
bill cannon says,
these are go tips I hope we can all do them then we would not have so many wrecks. Marry Christmas , an safe motoring !
Brenda R says,
Please provide a tip for dealing with tailgating on two lane country roads. I have had the experience many times that the driver behind me has his/her high beams on (of course I turn my rearview mirror to the night setting but with the high beams reflecting off the inside of my windshield it presents a problem). I’ve come to the conclusion that there are many people driving at night who can’t see and they are simply following my tail lights. There’s hardly any place to pull over and let them pass either. Sometimes I actually have to slow down in order to see where I’m going, and I know that is not recommended since it might provoke road rage. Sometimes, though, the person will pull back some.
Julie says,
You must live in Alabama! You’re so right though, the same thing happens to me all of the time. Thanks.
Brenda R says,
No, I live in VA. It is especially bothersome with the halogen lights on taller SUV’s, which reflect off every interior surface of my smallish/shortish Impreza.
Can anyone provide the safest tips for coping? Thanks.
Jeff Maher says,
Brenda,
There is not a lot we can do about people who like to get too close from behind. The worse thing we can do as a culture is think that we have to pull over. If we teach that, it will only create a mess and promote the bad habit OF following too close.
If someone is too close behind you, I would slow down ever-so-slighty (not to surprise the driver) and then begin to get control of any emotion you are feeling. Resist the pressure to make any move other than to control your immediate reaction.
In essence, we have to stand our ground and put the burden on the driver behind us. We have to get better control of our behaviors, attitudes and urges.
Glen Mazier says,
As a Retired Police Chief, it is all ways good to keep this Information and these tips in mind when Driving Anywhere not just on a road trip; SAFETY is everybody’s Responsibility who Drives……..It is nice to know that an insurance company is concerned about its costumers safety and not just about their Premium..
Thank You ; Geico
Ricardo Fortes says,
Muy apropiadas las orientaciones emanadas de GEICO. Desgraciadamente son muchas las personas que conducen TEXTEANDO, COMIENDO, HABLANDO POR TELEFONO. Y que decir de los que no respetan los “signs” de STOP. Y de los que paran en los semaforos despues de la LINEA de pare, muchas veces interfiriendo el trafico de los que cruzan con su luz? Ojala las personas vieran estas recomendaciones y LAS SIGUIERAN. Muchas gracias por el esfuerzo de uds.
John Brough says,
Thanks for the info. AsI drive I see so many drivers distracted by todays luxeries. Cell phones music head set and tomany people in the vehicles causing distraction. i see your 6 warning points every day I drive.
Keep the good work!