When you first start figuring out how to drive, you are going to hear that you need to drive defensively very often. However, it doesn’t mean you should always be in fear or waiting for an accident to happen. It simply means you need to keep an eye on what the other drivers around you are doing, and try to anticipate what they are going to do. Doing this will help you avoid fender benders.
**Statistics About New Drivers**
There are many new drivers who end up getting into accidents, mainly due to their inexperience behind the wheel. Here are some statistics about young drivers:
- More than 25% of all motor vehicle accidents involve teen drivers even though teen drivers only account for less than 7% of all drivers on US roads.
- The leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 20 is motor vehicle crashes.
- Teenagers are involved in more than 5,000 accidents per every 100,000, compared with 500 accidents per every 100,000 for more experienced adult drivers.
**Defensive Driving Tips**
There are a few things you should know about defensive driving, and here are 5 tips to avoid fender benders by using defensive driving.
**TIP 1: Never use a cell phone while driving**
If you are chatting on a cell phone or sending and receiving text messages, you will not be giving your driving your full attention, and you will not be aware of what is going on with other drivers around you. Using a cell phone is extremely distracting, and you should only use it when the car is parked.
If you need to make an emergency call, make sure that you pull over to a parking lot, or at least the side of the road, before you use your cell phone.
**TIP 2: Pay attention to all traffic signs**
This is something that many drivers get out of the habit of doing, and they end up speeding or going the wrong way on one-way streets. If you are paying attention to all road signs, you will know what the posted speed limit is, and you can stay within it, which is a big part of defensive driving. Whatever you do, don’t follow what the driver ahead of you is doing. After all, he or she may not be following the rules of the road, and you will not be either, which can lead to an accident pretty quickly. Make sure that you obey all traffic lights as well. One wrong turn at a signal light could end up in a really bad accident.
**TIP 3: Never drive too closely behind another vehicle**
You need to make sure that there is going to be plenty of room between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you, just in case you need to come to a fast stop.
**TIP 4: Learn to drive in all weather conditions**
The weather can cause a lot of motor vehicle accidents, so it is best that you do not drive in bad weather, or even after dark, until you are confident in your driving skills. Meanwhile, check some tips to drive safely in bad weather conditions:
– Have someone with you when you drive at night until you are more skilled.
– Practice winter driving in an empty parking lot where there’s no chance of traffic.
It is better to be safe now than sorry later on.
**TIP 5: Give others the right of way**
There are going to be times when you come to a four-way stop or other intersections where it may be difficult to figure out who has the right of way. In these situations, it’s best to simply let the other driver go first. Yielding appropriately not only prevents collisions but also keeps traffic flowing smoothly.
Defensive driving is not about ego—it’s about safety. By following these five tips—staying off your phone, obeying traffic signs, maintaining a safe following distance, practicing in all conditions, and yielding when appropriate—you’ll greatly reduce your risk of fender benders. Safe travels!