For most people, driving is a necessity. You go to work, run errands, take the kids to school; and every time you do, you are taking a risk. Millions of car accidents occur every year, of which tens of thousands prove fatal. Even safe drivers can become victims in accidents. That's why defensive driving is so important — because you could be taking precautions to save your own life and the lives of others. Read on to find three ways you can become a safer driver.
Never Trust an Intersection
Traffic signs and signals are designed to direct traffic where roads intersect. As you approach a green light, for example, you may assume that all other drivers at the intersection are fully stopped behind their red lights. Unfortunately, far too many accidents occur because of drivers who run stop signs and red lights. Instead of proceeding through an intersection when it is your right-of-way, take a moment to look first and then pass through.
Don't Trust Other Drivers
You should always assume that other drivers are paying less attention to the road than you are. If you've ever left your turn signal on for a mile or quickly swerved to get out of the way of a vehicle that was hidden in your blind spot, you know how easy it is to make a mistake as a motorist. If you aren't perfect, neither are other drivers. For that reason, you should never enter a roadway in front of a driver based on his or her turn signal being on. Instead, wait for the vehicle to either complete a turn or otherwise pass by you before continuing on your way.
Take a Defensive Driving Course
Defensive driving courses are available everywhere — from local classes to online courses. Many people wait until they've received a traffic violation before enrolling in a defensive driving course. But you may be unaware that defensive driving classes are available to all drivers — and may even result in a discount on your auto insurance premiums. For more information about defensive driving courses and how they could affect your insurance premium, contact your insurance agent or call 1-800-INFINITY.