ALT-1 Defensive Driving Tips for Road Trips
Defensive driving on road trips can help you keep out of the way of bad drivers and prevent accident that occur along interstate highways. Instead of hogging the road as some drivers would as if they always must have the right of way, exhibit courtesy on the road, the first defensive driving mechanism.
In some countries,defensive drivingis taught in a course to develop correct attitudes and impart essential knowledge so as to help course participants deal with other road users in potentially hazardous situations.
When participating in courses on defensive driving, you may be put on simulators depicting hazardous road situations. On road trips, however, you are in a real situation, and you will not want to risk being involved in an accident and live to regret it.
By heeding the defensive driving tips below, you will have a safer journey and arrive at your destination in one piece and at peace with yourself, your fellow passengers and other motorists on the road.
1. Stay focused on road trips.
Rest well before the road trip. This precaution is often thrown to the wind when the trip is planned last minute, and you may be packing into the wee hours of the morning. Remember that your safety and that of your road trip companions as well as other road users all lie in your hands.
Get a co-driver for long road trips. If you are driving on your first road trip, getting a co-driver will ensure that you are well covered for cold sweat on an exceptionally busy stretch of road, or when you are badly hit by the overhead sun and you come down with a serious headache.
Stay alert to the vehicles around you. Do not be presumptuous about the intentions of other road users. Unless you or they have the sixth sense, do not assume that other road users will allow you to overtake them. In the same manner, keep a safe distance on all sides. If you find yourself in a tight squeeze and cannot take the heat, allow other drivers to go ahead and have more berth from the vehicles behind.
2. Be aware of blind spots - yours and other motorists'.
It is often easy to keep yourself focused on what is just in front of you, and what is ahead, and forget about the vehicles that are on either side of you. Being aware of the blind spots of the drivers around you will also remind you to not tailgate. By being aware of what lies ahead of the vehicle immediately in front of you, you may also be able to avoid ugly scenes even if the drivers ahead of you throw caution to the wind.
3. Allow others to overtake you.
Since you are already on a long road trip, do those few seconds really matter? Even if you are not hogging the road, making room and allowing more impatient drivers the room to overtake you may mean avoiding a nasty road accident. For the same reason, do not try to overtake a faster vehicle, especially when you are on a narrow stretch of road, and trying to overtake a vehicle in front of you means having to drive against the flow of traffic.
4. Give ample signals for your intentions.
Signal when slowing down at traffic lights. By giving signals way ahead of your intended turns, switching of lanes and stopping by the road, and slowing down at crucial junctions and crossroads, you are giving other motorists ample time to read your moves, and respond with the same care. If you are crossing boundaries, make sure you know the road conventions of the country you are in, and do not claim the rights of way that you do not have.
5. Drive at a constant speed.
Drive within your lane at constant speed when you have no intention of switching lanes or overtaking another vehicle. Accelerate only when utterly necessary. Other motorists can then decide if they are able to move ahead of you or move into your lane at a faster pace.
Even if you are driving along a seemingly deserted stretch of highway, do not drive haphazardly because you will never know when another vehicle or an animal from the fields along the road may suddenly appear. Driving at a comfortable constant speed will allow you to respond accordingly to surprise appearances.
6. Take regular breaks.
Know your own limitations and do not play the hero or show off. For many drivers, a hundred miles or two hours of continuous driving is the maximum strain on the body and mind, and it is only prudent to make that stop before you err in judgement. Where possible, stop at well-lit and popular rest areas instead of deserted or grassy areas where unknown dangers lurk.
7. Know yourself and your preferred vehicular environment.
Do not drive with incessant talkers when you can only concentrate with quiet music. Wear sunglasses and have sun shades for your vehicle's front and rear screens and windows. Empty your bladder when nature calls. Keep yourself hydrated and your stomach satisfied but not bursting and your soul happily singing if needed to keep yourself focused and alert on the road. Drive when you are most comfortable. Do not drive at night if you have night-blindness because you will be a danger to yourself and to others.
8. Use your flood lights and headlights when necessary.
When you are driving in the wee hours of the morning, or when the sun is setting quickly, visibility is the key to avoiding accidents. You want to see what lies ahead of you and you want others to see you clearly. Do not make sudden unnecessary flashes when driving in the dark though because that may cause other motorists to be momentarily blinded and make an error in judgement on the road.
9. Make no assumptions about other road users.
Do not assume what other motorists will do and make no claims on your rights as a road user yourself. You and the other motorists are all on the road with equal rights, and safety is the responsibility of every motorist on the road.
Defensive driving may not be your cup of tea yet, especially when you have been driving on many road trips and have developed blind spots to your own behavior on the road. Just by answering whether you want to take the highway to Heaven or arrive safely at your destination on Earth, you will soon learn that defensive driving is the way to go.
