Driving safely means paying attention to every activity that happens on the road at all times. However, devoting 100% of your attention is not always possible. It’s not possible for everyone who is driving to the side, front or behind you. That’s why defensive driving is important to practice whenever you’re on the roads in Connecticut.
Human error is the main blame
Human error is the most common reason why motor vehicle accidents happen. Distracted driving accounts for nearly 41% of all accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition, making decision errors, such as speeding, illegal turns, trying to beat stop signs or red lights and other moves make up 33% of accidents.
Avoid distracted driving
Leave your smartphone off or tucked away instead of in open view. Few people can text and drive effectively at the same time. Avoid doing any activity that forces you to look down or to the side for a few seconds or longer.
Brake on time
Rear-end collisions occur often when drivers brake too late. To avoid colliding with a vehicle’s rear, give yourself a few seconds for braking. A good tip is to brake the moment that the driver in front of you brakes. During inclement weather, it takes several seconds longer than usual to brake correctly without risking an accident.
Why people drive defensively
You don’t need to wait until you get a ticket to practice defensive driving. Every driver seems to be in a hurry, but you don’t have to follow the bad habits of other people. Driving safely is not just about avoiding an arrest. It’s a personal responsibility to protect yourself and your personal assets.
